Independent school holds concert fundraiser this weekend

After years of success, the reputation of Kindle Farm in Townshend grew and was taking in students from as far away as Springfield, Vt. and Keene, N.H. http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_20646824/kindle-farm-hits-its-stride-independent-school-holds

Kindle Farm hits its stride Independent school holds concert fundraiser this weekend By HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN / Reformer Staffreformer.com Posted: 05/18/2012 03:00:00 AM EDT Friday May 18, 2012 TOWNSHEND -- The staff at Kindle Farm School knows all about what it takes to work out the frustrations and disappointments of adolescence, and then emerge even stronger and more self assured. Since the independent school first opened in 1996, it has been accepting boys from area schools who were unable to succeed, and through its unique mix of traditional education, vocational training and social instruction, Kindle Farm has been able to work with hundreds of students who might have otherwise dropped out . Now, as Kindle Farm is completing its 16th year, the school is celebrating its success as it emerges from its own awkward, and occasionally scary, adolescence. Kindle Farm is holding a concert and open house this Saturday, May 19, beginning at 10 a.m., with music beginning at noon. Flabberghaster, Medicine Warriors and Acoustic Roots are scheduled to play, and all of the money raised will go toward the school's expanding vocational program. There is a suggested $5 donation. The school is also entering into a partnership with Pizza Hippo, a local business that has been selling pizzas from a roadside stand in Windham. Pizza Hippo is going to use vegetables from the Kindle Farm garden and sell grilled pizza from a stand near the school's self-serve farm stand. Kindle Farm Assistant Director Drew Gradinger, said the business partnership and the expanding vocational program mark important milestones for Advertisement the school which was facing economic challenges about five years ago. "We've matured over time and it feels like we get better every year," Gradinger said. "We really feel good about where we are." When Kindle Farm opened it was one of the few programs in the region that would take in boys with behavioral issues who were having a hard time in traditional classrooms. After years of success, the school's reputation grew and Kindle Farm was taking in students from as far away as Springfield Vt, Keene, N.H, and from all over Windham County and Cheshire County in New Hampshire. At one point Kindle Farm had more than 75 students, who were being taught from three different locations, but as the economy soured, and schools tightened up their budgets enrollment dropped. About three years ago the Kindle Farm Board of Directors was looking at some very sobering financial statements when Health Care and Rehabilitation Services announced that it was entering into a partnership with the school. After HCRS came in, Gradinger said the school's finances stabilized and Kindle Farm staff was able to concentrate on its academics and programming. "We grew really quickly in those early years, and the weak roots were not able to support the very large tree above," said Gradinger. "Now we can focus on what we do best. We are perfecting our craft and it keeps getting better." The school's new partnership with Pizza Hippo is one indication of Kindle Farm's stability. Gradinger said the partnership is going to allow Kindle Farm to strengthen its farm program, and bring more attention to its farm stand, while giving students experience with a real business. Pizza Hippo owner Malcolm Hood said he wanted to bring his business down from Windham, and the partnership with Kindle Farm gives him a high profile location and a chance to create a unique experience with a working farm. "Customers will be able to see the fields and vegetables. When you talk about a small carbon footprint; we're going to walk the vegetables right over from where they are grown," said Hood. "This is something other restaurants can only dream about." Pizza Hippo will be open Tuesday through Friday, from 3:30 to 9 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The concert this Saturday will benefit the school's vocational program, which Gradinger said was also growing in new ways. The school wants to tap 200 trees next year and has a contract to sell sap, and the students have been trained to log the woods behind the school. There are plans to mill wood from off the land and build structures for the school. "We had some weaknesses in the past, and we listened to that criticism and made changes," said Gradinger. "It really feels like we are going through a renaissance here."