GREEN MOUNTAIN
CHILDREN’S CENTER
P ARENT H ANDBOOK
LENDING HANDS IN OUR COMMUNITY
W W W . GM C C V T . OR G
OUR INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing Green Mountain Children’s Center (GMCC)
for your child’s care. We are a non-profit organization that
established its first campus in White River Junction, VT in 1989. We
are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of past and
present GMCC families along with community leaders.
In 1995, GMCC began operating its first off-campus program in the
Hartford School District. The Hartford After School Program (HASP)
now serves 60 school-age children. Camp Sunshine began shortly
after as the summer portion of the Hartford program. Also, GMCC
began serving the child care needs in the communities of Claremont
(2006), and Lebanon, NH (2009).
In 2011, GMCC entered into a partnership with the Claremont School
District to take over its existing before and after school, and summer
programs, now known as Kids Connections. This new relationship
introduced nearly 130 new children to the program, and provides
extended education for kindergarteners through eighth graders.
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MISSION STATEMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES
Our mission: To unlock the learning potential in every child, by
providing a safe and nurturing learning community.
Here are the GMCC principles of how we live each day:
Our children –
GMCC is committed to providing the best atmosphere to educate,
exercise, inspire, and help each child develop in their own special
way. We love that our work is never finished.
Our Teachers –
Every member of our family is both teacher and student. Our adults
instill wisdom, passion, fitness, and responsibility in our children, at
the same time our children remind us how
special and exciting our world can be. As
teachers, we educate each child with respect
to their unique talents. As students we strive
for knowledge and experience to make us
better teachers.
Our Campuses –
Each child deserves to have a safe and loving
home. We provide a place where children can
be children, and families can trust us to
provide the level of love and attention they need.
Our Communities –
As we uphold our other principles, we enjoy the success that rewards
our dedication. We stand behind everything we do and everything we
are, in order to improve the lives of those around us. We help improve
our communities by helping its most important part – the families.
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EDUCATIONAL STATEMENT
A child’s social and emotional wellbeing are paramount to healthy
development. As a team we are dedicated to providing interactions,
environments and educational programs to build and support children,
which will further their educational development. GMCC understands
children come from many different backgrounds. Different behavior
patterns may become evident as children become a part of their
classroom community. The staff appreciates each child for who they
are and works to create personalized education plans for them.
OUR CAMPUSES
The Hartford campus cares for children ages six weeks to eight years.
The center is accredited with the National Association for the
Education of Young Children. This means that GMCC has completed
an eighteen-month self-study and is currently ranked among the
highest-quality programs in the country.
The Claremont & Lebanon campuses care for children ages six weeks
to six years. Both programs are working towards NAEYC
accreditation; however, the same high standards and curriculums are
upheld at every school. Our programs operate convenient hours, so
please check with your director for the exact times.
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BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
GMCC offers many fun and educational programs for children in the
Hartford and Claremont elementary schools.
The Hartford After School Program (HASP) is offered at Dothan Brook
School (DBS) and Ottaquechee School (OQS), and provides extended
education for children ranging in age from 5 to 12 during the school year.
This high-quality program also operates during in-service days and school
recesses. (HASP does not run on snow days or holidays.)
The DBS program expanded to offer CATCH kids club. The CATCH Club
offers non-elimination games that include all children. CATCH club really
gets the kids hearts moving and offers a foundation where children can
absorb and learn healthy eating and active living behaviors. The OQS
program partners with the Quechee Country Club for swim lessons and
works with the OQS teachers in
their garden club. HASP also
provides a daily schedule with
outdoor exercise and indoor
activities linked to a weekly
theme, as well as healthy
nutritious afternoon snack and
homework assistance. Clubs are
subject to teacher availability
and enrollment.
Kids Connections is our New
Hampshire licensed Before
School Program (BSP) and After School Program (ASP) offered at each
school in Claremont. The BSP runs daily during the school year. It provides
a safe, caring, and supportive environment to start your child’s day on a
positive note. The program includes story time, games, arts, crafts, and
physical exercise. The ASP is a fun and nurturing program running every
afternoon during the school year. The daily schedule includes a nutritious
snack, Homework Club, theme-based whole group activities like cooking,
science, and reading, and indoor and outdoor free play.
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SUMMER CAMPS
When the elementary school year is over, GMCC still provides children with
a wonderful opportunity to explore and grow over the summer months.
Camp Sunshine, in Hartford, is a traveling summer program with
alternating field trips on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Tuesday,
Thursday schedule. Our staff and children are adventurous and travel across
New England to see the best the region has to offer. During the summer they
travel to places such as the Boston
Museum of Science, Story Land, the
See Science Museum, ECHO, Lake
Sunapee beach, Chuckster’s, Lost River
Gorge, Petra Cliffs, Danville Corn
Maze, Whale’s Tale, Manchester Fisher
Cats games, and much more.
When not traveling, Camp Sunshine has
exciting activities for the campers that
challenge their minds and bodies at their
Dothan Brook School home. Our staff tries to engage, entertain, and
continues to educate the campers during the summer break in order to
prevent the typical regression of school skills. Our camps provide a
complimentary alternate to traditional classroom learning, so children
develop a variety of learning techniques.
GMCC is also proud to offer some amazing summer opportunities through
our American Camp Association accredited summer program.
Camp Energy, in Claremont, provides
local and regional field trips, reading
programs, outdoor exercise, and
leadership and initiative trainings.
Camp Energy travels two times a week
to adventures such as Lost River
Gorge, Lake Sunapee beach, Vertical
Dreams, The Fort at #4, Liquid Planet,
Hathaway Farm and Corn Maze, the
Seacoast Science Center, Competition Complex, Cowabunga’s, and
Wadleigh State Beach. Every year Camp Energy rotates its home between
one of the three Claremont elementary schools, for convenience.
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ADMISSION POLICY
There is no discrimination as to color, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion,
ethnic group, or national origin at any GMCC program. Children are
accepted on a first come, first serve basis according to availability. We
require a non-refundable application fee and a one week, refundable deposit
to confirm your child’s enrollment.
Families must sign our contract and provide the first week of tuition and a
non-refundable deposit before the child begins the program. Two weeks’
notice is needed for scheduling changes or withdrawal from the program.
GMCC operates on an academic
calendar year. Most openings are
available in September, January, or
June. Occasionally other openings are
available. If you wish to enroll your
child, the Site Director will work with
you to find an agreeable date. Should
a parent decide to extend their date of
enrollment past the agreed upon start
date, GMCC requires one half of the
current care rate to hold your slot for
up to four weeks. Beyond four weeks,
the slot may no longer be reserved.
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAMS
GMCC provides the highest quality environments for children. We provide a
safe, nurturing atmosphere in which the whole child can learn and grow.
Children learn through exploring their environment, their surroundings, and
their relationships. Each program is designed with this philosophy in mind.
Emergent curriculum is utilized to include whole language, speech, art,
music, math and large and fine motor skills, in order to meet the
developmental age of each classroom.
The staff appreciates each child for who he/she is and works with each child
in a positive manner to help him/her become a part of their age community.
Our philosophy is to stimulate children to be excited about learning and to
help them build positive self-esteem. It is never our philosophy to push
children too hard or too fast which can set them up for failure and poor selfesteem. Children, who feel good about themselves, feel good about learning.
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GMCC believes in promoting the best possible education for each and every
child. We use tools such as the Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment tool,
Ages and Stages and the Creative Curriculum to promote healthy social and
emotional well-being. It is our philosophy that when children have a healthy
sense of well-being, they can reach their learning potential. You may also
receive strategies to use with your child at home. More information will be
shared with you during parent-teacher conferences, which are held two times
per year.
GUIDANCE
The goal of GMCC is to encourage a child’s self-respect and to develop a
personal responsibility for his/her actions. It is important for each child to
learn self-control and self-regulation. It is also important to learn to respect
the rights of others while learning in a safe and caring environment. These
lessons develop through guidance.
Children will be allowed to
express both positive and
negative feelings. The staff
will listen to children and help
them to understand and deal
with their feelings. As much
as possible, staff will inform
children what they can do
instead of what they cannot do.
By remaining patient, by
respecting
children’s
developing capabilities, and by
realizing not every minor infraction warrants a response, teachers will give
children chances to practice their self-regulation and self-control skills.
Staff will promote positive behavior first through routines, environment,
modeling, the setting of clear and minimal limits, effective commands, and
encouragement of desired behaviors. The teachers will promote positive
behavior through reminders, redirection to more acceptable activities,
natural-but-reasonable consequences, and joint conflict resolution. Lastly,
teachers will intervene to enforce logical consequences (i.e. removal from
the situation) for unacceptable, harmful behavior.
In some cases, teachers and parents meet to discuss a child’s behavior and to
brainstorm plans of action to remedy or diminish the behavior.
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REST & SLEEPING
The Child Development Bureau regulations state that children are required to
rest/sleep depending on their age. Infants sleep depending on their own
schedules. GMCC has joined the United States’ “Back to Sleep” Initiative.
At no time will an infant be placed on their stomachs to rest. Children in the
Toddler and Preschool Age programs are encouraged to sleep. Children who
are in attendance for more than 5 hours shall be provided with an
opportunity for at least 1 hour of rest, relaxation, or sleep.
MEALS & SNACKS
GMCC provides breakfast and afternoon snack every day. When serving
snacks and meals, we follow the USDA Food and Nutrition guidelines.
PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING LUNCHES. In the
event that your child does not come with a lunch, it will be provided.
Lunches provided by the Center will cost $5 per meal, per child. Please do
not send any gum, candy, sugary desserts or soda. Please make sure that
perishable foods are accompanied by ice packs in your child’s lunch box.
We are proud to partner with HEAL New
Hampshire in many of our nutrition and exercise
programs. HEAL NH is housed at the Children’s
Hospital at Dartmouth and is a collaborative effort
of philanthropic organizations, state agencies, and
community partnerships concerned about the rising
obesity epidemic and its consequences.
Each classroom celebrates family traditions and events based on the culture
represented in that particular classroom community. All GMCC programs
request parents discuss with teachers when planning on contributing food
items. GMCC strongly encourages parents to not send in sugary snacks or
candy to be shared in the classroom.
GMCC-Claremont participates in the Children and Adult Care Food
Program. CACFP provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants and
children as a regular part of their day care. The following non-discrimination
statement explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of
discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 or (202)-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider
and employer.
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For children under age one, GMCC will not serve foods the USDA deems
allergen or health risks, such as honey, fish, or milk. Furthermore, GMCC
staff will not serve foods which can cause a choking hazard to children
younger than 3 years of age. GMCC’s staff does not serve juice to any child
under the age of 6 months, and only on occasion will 100% juice be served.
Our school-age programs provide a USDA-approved snack, with milk or
water, every day.
NUT-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
All of our early care facilities are nut-controlled environments. This means
the center does not provide meals containing tree nuts or nut products. This
requirement extends to families when providing their child’s lunch or when
sharing meals or snacks. If a child in a particular classroom is identified as
having a true allergy to nuts more information on safety will be shared with
parents.
This restriction does not extend to our before/after school or summer camp
programs, where GMCC does not control the environment. Families should
not assume those programs are nut controlled, and should exercise their
responsibility in announcing a child’s allergy and requesting nut-free snacks.
PHYSICAL FITNESS AND NUTRITION POLICY
GMCC values physical fitness and
nutrition for both adults and children.
Our curriculum provides ample handson experiences and education for
children in order to promote a positive
approach toward fitness and to generate
healthy relationships with food. In
addition to offering active play indoors,
we provide children with outdoor play
at least two times per day. Staff will
encourage children to be active as well
as join children in their active play.
And when it comes to observing special
occasions, GMCC will celebrate with
mostly healthy foods or non-food
treats.
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HEALTH
State regulations require us to maintain a medical record for each child that
includes up-to-date immunization records. When your child receives any
new immunizations, please give us a copy of your child’s shot records. If
there are changes to your emergency contact information, please inform us
immediately. GMCC’s New Hampshire programs are required by law to
have annual updated physical records on each child enrolled. For
immunization exemptions, refer to the site specific information found in the
attached booklet.
During an outbreak of a communicable disease for which immunization is
required children exempted shall not attend the school or childcare agency
threatened by the communicable disease.
Parents and providers share the responsibility for maintaining health and
preventing the spread of contagious diseases. Communication between
parents and staff is critical to the
well-being of the children.
Parents should inform staff of any
change in routine, diet, or overall
health of their child. Staff
typically measures a child’s wellbeing by first monitoring their
ability to keep up with the
program. If a child is not keeping
up, staff will look at appetite,
fever, or mood.
From time to time, the faculty may contact you during the day to check in
regarding your child’s performance. Please be advised the staff reserves the
right to exclude a child from the classroom based on their perception of the
child’s ability to keep up. When children return after illness it is assumed
that if they are well enough to attend the program, that they are well enough
to participate in the daily activities including outside play. If a child who
returns is not participating in the daily routine then the parents will be
notified to pick them up. For a detailed version of GMCC’s policy, please
speak with your site director.
OPEN DOOR POLICY
Parents are welcome to visit or pick up their child at any time during the day.
Parents may also call to check in on their child’s day. Please ask staff when
the best time to call is.
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AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE
Children will be released to parents or an authorized adult as listed in the
Emergency Identification Information Sheet. In the event that we do not
recognize or have not met an authorized person we will ask for identification
(i.e. driver’s license). Written or verbal permission may be given by parents
for alternate persons, with proper identification.
ARRIVAL AND PICKUP
Please be aware of our hours of operation. You may not drop off or pick up
your child outside that time. The safety of you and your child is of the
utmost concern to us, THEREFORE:
•
•
•
•
•
All children must be picked up by an adult care giver.
All children must be accompanied into and from the building by a
parent or authorized adult.
No child may be left unattended in cars or in the parking lot.
Children under 8 years of age must be restrained in a car seat or
booster seat before leaving the premises. Children 8 years or older
must be restrained with a seatbelt. Check the state law for weight
and height requirements.
New Hampshire and Vermont state law requires that automobiles
are turned off and the keys are removed when dropping off and
picking up your child. Please note that the speed limit for entering
and exiting the parking lot is 5 mph. This is for the safety of the
children.
The Law requires all parents and legal guardians have unrestricted access to
their child while at the center and have the right to pick up their child at any
time.
LATE PICKUP POLICY
GMCC expects families to adhere to each program’s hours of operation,
arriving no later than fifteen minutes before the program closes. This allows
you and the staff to speak about your child and collect his/her belongings. If
there is an emergency situation in which you will be late, we would request a
phone call. In the event of a late pick up, you will be charged $1 per minute
for the first 15 minutes and $5 per minute afterwards. The fee can be
doubled for second and third offenses. You may be asked to make other
child care arrangements if this becomes a habit.
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MEDICINE POLICY
In order for GMCC staff to administer prescription medication to a child, the
medication must be in its original container with the name of the child,
medication, dosage, and physician’s name, and accompanied by written
medication authorization from the parent or guardian.
In order for GMCC to administer Tylenol or Motrin it must be in its original
container with a current expiration date and accompanied by written
medication authorization from a licensed health professional and the parent
or guardian. For children with special medical conditions, GMCC will be
provided with an Action Plan. Written consent and instructions must be
provided by a licensed health provider.
FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT
GMCC’s special programs are dependent on
financial support through fundraising. There
are various fundraising opportunities
available throughout the year. All families
are required to raise $200 annually or donate
8 hours of volunteer time.
PHONE CALLS
GMCC Campuses: Parents are welcome to call and talk with the staff
regarding their children. Because communication is the key to quality child
care and education, teachers will contact you with questions or information
regarding your child. Please call if your child will be absent. For the B/ASP,
please consult the personalized contact sheet for each school. A staff
member checks for messages throughout the day. Messages left at the
GMCC campuses may not reach the program in a timely fashion.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
With the exception of the closure dates listed in the enclosed page, GMCC
centers are open five days per week, 52 weeks a year. Please check your
parent contract for further details. B/ASP follows their school district’s
calendar. The program may be closed for snow days, and holidays. Please
consult with your program’s director for specifics. If your child attends the
snow day camp in Claremont, your account will be credited accordingly. An
annual calendar reflecting program closures that coincides with the public
school system will be available to all families.
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SNOW/EMERGENCY CLOSURES
GMCC campuses will be open even on school snow days. In the case of
extreme weather conditions, there may be a closing or a late opening. This
will be reported on the local radio stations and the WMUR & WCAX
television channels. If the area schools are closed, then GMCC centers may
delay their opening.
If the weather becomes so severe after the center opens that local businesses
(i.e. banks, grocery stores) start to close early, our campuses may follow
their lead. The staff will notify families of the early closing and ask them to
pick up their children as soon as possible.
B/ASP: If the local school district closes for the day or has an early dismissal
due to inclement weather or an emergency,
B/ASP will not operate. If the school has a
delayed opening, the before school program
will not operate.
FIRST AID
All staff working at all GMCC programs are
first aid and CPR certified. If a child receives
an injury, first aid treatment will be provided.
When bleeding is involved, the area is washed
with soap and water and a bandage is applied.
If the staff determines that the injury is serious, then a parent will be notified.
Since children from the age of 12 months to 4 years generally give and
receive bites from time to time, it is important that you know our policy.
If a child is bitten and the skin is not broken, the area will be washed with
soap and water. If a child is bitten and there is a puncture wound or broken
skin, the same cleansing routine will occur and the parent will be notified. In
the event that a child is injured, an accident form is given to parents with
information regarding the incident/accident. We will never disclose the
names of other children involved.
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MEDICAL EMERGENCY
In case of accidental injury or a medical emergency, we will make an
immediate attempt to call the parent. If we cannot reach you, we will call the
child’s physician and, if necessary, an ambulance. At that time the Director
or teacher will be in charge and make all decisions regarding the care of the
child. You will be expected to assume responsibility for any expense not
covered by our insurance. It is important you keep the center up-to-date on
phone numbers, emergency numbers, consent to services, and other pertinent
information.
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
The State of New Hampshire and the State of Vermont require staff
members and directors of child care programs to be aware of and report to
the State any and all suspicions of abuse/neglect to any child. The State of
New Hampshire, the State of Vermont and Ethical Standards for Early
Childhood Professionals has mandated that we are required to report to State
officials any and all suspicions of abuse and/or neglect to any child enrolled
in any of GMCC’s programs.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Because GMCC cares about the safety of the children in our care, we ask
parents not to drink alcohol or use drugs before transporting children to and
from the center. If any staff member believes a parent to be impaired by
drugs or alcohol, and unable to transport a child safely, it is GMCC’s policy
to contact another authorized individual and/or the Police Department.
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FEES
* PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FEE SCHEDULE
TUITIONS & PAYMENTS
Tuition is due in advance of care and can be paid via ACH Debit or
Cash/Check. You can choose the payment frequency that works best for
you:
Weekly (payment due Monday for that week)
Biweekly (due every other Monday for the following two weeks)
Monthly (due on the 3rd for that month)
There is a $2.00 per month fee for paying via
cash/check to help defray the administrative cost of
processing non electronic payments.
Please direct any questions of a financial nature,
such as tuition, payments, billing or scholarships to
the Financial Coordinator.
Returned checks or ACH Debit transactions will
result in a $20.00 fee. The check or ACH debit will
be resubmitted unless alternative arrangements for
payment are made with the Financial Coordinator.
LATE TUITION PLAN
First week late, there is a statement left with request for payment.
Second week late, there is a request from the Financial Coordinator for
immediate payment or payment plan to be set up. At this time a $20 per
week late fee may be charged if no payment plan has been established.
Third week late and/or balance greater than $500, there is written contact
from Financial Coordinator for a meeting to establish a written payment
plan. If not already set up, automatic debit for payments will need to be
established. The Executive Director will be notified of account status. If
there is no response on the request for a meeting or the payment plan is not
followed, the family will be notified without payment the child can’t attend
until account is brought current. The child’s spot will not be held open for
longer than one week and the family may lose their place at the center.
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PROCEDURES FOR PARENT CONCERNS
Communication is important in any relationship. Please know that both
faculty and the Site Director will listen to any concerns or questions you may
have. Please handle any complaints in the following order:





Contact the classroom teacher if it is a classroom problem or
concern
Contact the Site Director
Contact the Executive Director
Request a meeting with the Board of Directors through the
Executive Director
If the issue is with the Executive Director, you may contact the
Board directly
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OUR STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
As an employee who works with young children, I commit myself to
furthering the values of early childhood education as they are reflected by
NAEYC.
To the best of my ability I will:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Never harm children.
Ensure that programs for young children are based on current
knowledge of child development and early childhood education.
Respect and support families in their task of nurturing children.
Respect colleagues in early childhood education and support them
in maintaining the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
Serve as an advocate for children, their families, and their teachers
in community and society.
Maintain high standards of professional conduct.
Recognize how personal values, opinions, and biases can affect
professional judgment.
Be open to new ideas and be willing to learn from the suggestion of
others.
Continue to learn, grow and contribute as a professional.
Honor the ideals and principles of the NAEYC code of Ethical
Conduct.
—Adapted from “Statement of Commitment” by NAEYC
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NOTES
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Executive Director
Gerard Thompson
[email protected]
802-291-0700
GMCC – Hartford
Site Director: Tricia Minard
92 Farm Vu Drive
White River Junction, VT 05001
[email protected]
802-296-2296
Fax) 802-296-3117
GMCC – Lebanon
Site Director: Darcy Emerson
226 Heater Road
Lebanon, NH 03766
[email protected]
603-448-5749
Fax) 603-448-5749
GMCC – Claremont
Site Director: Christy Loiselle
90 Charlestown Road
Claremont, NH 03743
[email protected]
603-543-0391
Fax) 603-543-6734
Hartford After School Program and Camp Sunshine
DBS & OQS
Program Coordinator: Yee-Wah Brabant
92 Farm Vu Drive
White River Junction, VT 05001
[email protected]
802-356-0401
Fax) 802-296-3117
Kids Connection and Camp Energy
Bluff, Disnard and Maple
Program Coordinator: Heidi Emanuel
90 Charlestown Road
Claremont, NH 03743
[email protected]
802-356-3338
Fax) 603-543-6734
Financial Coordinator
Lisa Poirier
92 Farm Vu Dirve
White River Junction, VT 05001
[email protected]
802-296-2296
Fax) 802-296-3117
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