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Puppets in Education

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Puppets in Education

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www.PuppetsInEducation.org. Puppets in Education teaches children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each other's differences.

vermontfamilynetwork.org Puppets in Education, a program of Vermont Family Network, teaches children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each other’s differences. We are part of Vermont Family Network.

10/27/2026

Goooooood Afternoon!!

On Wednesday October 14, Puppets in Education traveled to Colchester to perform the Bullying Prevention Show for Union Memorial’s K–2 students.

In this show we meet Eddie, the monkey who is experiencing bullying behavior in school. With the help of his friend Claire they come up with strategies to not only deal with the behaviors, but also to stand up for others.

We asked students what mean or bullying behaviors they’ve seen, and they shared:

"Pushing somebody."
"Cutting in line."
"Talking to someone meanly."
"I’ve seen it on my bus."
"I see people being mean to people and sometimes I stand up for them but sometimes it’s scary."

After acting out scenarios with Eddie and Claire, we asked what students could do if they saw someone being bullied. They had lots of ideas!

"You can be an Upstander by helping them up."
"You can ask them if they want to play with you."
"If you see it you can say 'Hey, stop bullying them' If it happens again, you can tell an adult."

One staff member shared how they’ll follow up with students:

“I will encourage students to be upstanders, especially for students who don’t/can’t speak up for themselves.”- 2nd Grade Behavior Interventionist

We challenge you to think about who in your life, or your community you can stand up for?

We loved our visit to Union Memorial School!
Thanks for reading!

10/13/2026

Thank you Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools and National Life Group!!!

10/13/2026

The Puppets Visit The Capital!

On Thursday, October 8, the whole PiE team traveled to Union Elementary School in Montpelier, thanks to generous funding from the National Life Group! We performed our Resilience show for three groups of students in a beautiful auditorium.

We recently made some long-awaited script changes, improving the flow of the show and acknowledging that resilience often means sitting with discomfort. Several adults specifically appreciated this addition.

One 4th grader made a powerful connection when we asked, “What do you think Hermit Crab is feeling?”

*“If the shell is your home, and you grew up in it, and it’s all you know, it would be really hard to move and meet new people. That’s what I did when I moved here.”*

The principal also shared:

*“I appreciate that you talk about having different homes and how challenging it is. This relates to many students. We have a high number of families moving to Montpelier. This year we have 30 new students!”*

When asked about times they had to be resilient, students shared experiences including:

*“Probably when I moved here”*

*“Showering”*

*“Moving from North Carolina”*

*“Probably when I was first riding my bike.”*

*“When I was moving here.”*

*“I tried to get to the top of the structure, and I tried again, and now I can get up.”*

We love seeing students connect our puppet stories to their own lives! Thank you National Life Group Foundation!
Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools

10/07/2026

On Thursday, October 1, Puppets in Education traveled to Hyde Park Elementary, thanks to generous funding from the National Life Group!!!

We kicked off the day with the Anxiety Workshop for 5th and 6th graders, who shared some of the things that make them feel stressed:

“Sometimes I feel stressed if I’m not ready for something.”
“I guess math tests kind of stress me out.”
“I get stressed when I’m home alone and I hear something I don’t normally hear.”

We also performed Resilience three times for PK–4th graders. When asked the 3rd and 4th graders about times they had to be resilient, they shared:

"When my mom and dad had to divorce."
Meeting new people.
"Climbing something at recess."
"When my parents brought me home to Cambridge."
"When I moved houses."
"When I started hockey."
"Being the youngest person at Flag Football."
"When I was attacked by a dog."
"Trying a new thing."

During a break, the art teacher shared a wonderful moment with us:

“There was a student who left our room because she was scared of losing her tooth, then another student patted her on the shoulder and said, ‘It’s okay. Be resilient. You’re going to be okay.’ And she went out to recess!”

A perfect example of resilience in action! 🧡

Thank you National Life Group for supporting the minds, bodies, and hearts of the youth in Hyde Park!

09/29/2026

On Wednesday, September 23rd, Puppets in Education traveled to Waitsfield to perform "Resilience" and the "Anxiety Workshop" for Kindergarten–6th graders. This half-day was sponsored by The Oakland Foundation and we’re so grateful for their continued support!

We debuted our revised 3rd–4th grade version of the Resilience show, with more age-appropriate and relatable content. Instead of asking what students love about themselves, we asked:

"When have you needed to be Resilient?"

The Waitsfield 3rd and 4th Graders shared:

"When I climbed a really really really big rock and I had to climb back down."
"When I had to move."
"Moving from one house to another house."
"When I had to travel twice."
"My first time riding a horse."

At the end of the show, one student shouted, “I don’t want it to end!!!”

And after the K–2 Resilience show, a first grader approached and asked to speak with the Hermit Crab:

“I need to share something with the hermit crab… I had to move houses one time and it was really upsetting. I had a best friend and we were really close like family, and I had to leave.”

We also discovered a giant puppet hanging from the ceiling—a remnant of a Bread and Puppet Theatre residency following Hurricane Irene. SO COOL! We love puppets, big and small!

Thank you to the Oakland Foundation for sending our puppet friends to Waitsfield!

09/22/2026

Thank you 5 Town Friends of the Arts for helping to fund a day of shows at Beeman Elementary! The puppeteers had a blast and Ollie Potato and Hermie were SO excited to get back out on the road!

09/22/2026

We're BACK!!!

On Wednesday, September 16, Puppets in Education kicked off our new school year at Beeman Elementary in New Haven, Vermont. This day was partially funded by a grant from 5 Town Friends of the Arts in Bristol, and we were delighted to have our grant contact, Katy, join us for the *Resilience* show.

We started with two Anxiety Workshops for 4th–6th graders. The students were completely engaged from the moment we began, and one teacher told us:

“I thought it was excellent and so age appropriate for this grade level.”

The Beeman students shared that they’re anxious about homework, having too much to do, being late, doctor’s appointments, public speaking, sports, friendships, and family problems.

Then we asked what they do to **Reset and Refocus**.

> “I like to go hang out with my cows.”

> “I hang out in my apple orchard.”

And, perhaps our favorite:

> “I live on a farm and I have a rooster that will chase you and sometimes I like having it chase me.”

Resilience and the power of “YET”

We also brought out Ollie Potato and Hermie for our first *Resilience* show of the season.

The school counselor shared:

> “I will remember accepting change and that change is normal and sometimes hard. Adding ‘yet’ gives you power.”

When we asked the students what they couldn’t do **YET** but hoped to do someday, we heard everything from riding bikes and doing cartwheels to riding horses and, naturally:

> “Be a snake handler.”

It was a wonderful way to begin the season: familiar puppets, a new chicken, new students, new questions, and a reminder of why we love this work.

We’re so happy to be back in schools and deeply grateful to our funders and donors for their continued support.

Next up: Waitsfield Elementary for another day of *Resilience* and Anxiety Workshops!

Here’s to another school year of puppets, big feelings, brave questions, and the power of YET!

06/15/2026

The Numbers Are In!
In the 2025-2026 School Year, Puppets in Education visited 34 sites and performed 111 shows for 5,100 kids and 739 adults reaching a total of 5, 839 people!!!
While we are looking forward to taking time this summer to reset, refocus, and work on a new program- we cannot wait to start our performances back up in the fall!
We are so grateful for all of the support from our funders, donors, and community!

06/11/2026

The Puppets have completed their shows for the 2025-2026 school year and have launched into their Summer Vacation! Bernard, Ollie Potato, and Hermie sing "Bounce Back," at the beach!

05/29/2026

On Thursday, 5/21, Jillian, Karlie, and Kristen traveled to Kensington Road Elementary in Glens Falls, NY for a five-show day of "Resilience," sponsored by Romeo Chevrolet of Glens Falls!

Performing for PK–4th grade students gave us an exciting opportunity to see how the show connects with different age groups as we continue developing both younger and older versions of the program.

Staff shared wonderful feedback, including:
✨ “It was a very engaging show with a powerful message students could relate to.”
✨ “I loved the Bounce Back song.”
✨ “Absolutely loved the presentation…especially teaching the word ‘yet.’”

As always, students shared what makes them special:
💛 “I’m honest and kind.”
💛 “I’m the only boy that does dance.”
💛 “I like how I’m always trying new things.”
💛 “I always try, but I ask for help when I really need it.”

One 4th grader shared something especially powerful after the show about moving to Virginia and facing big changes with both fear and excitement. Moments like these remind us why conversations about resilience, growth, and change matter so much.

Thank you to Romeo Chevrolet and Kensington Road Elementary for welcoming us for such a meaningful day!

Address

600 Blair Park Road
Williston, VT
05495

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+18008004005

Website

http://www.PuppetsInEducation.org/

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