The Burr and Burton Academy (Manchester VT) led by Jillian Joyce, a social studies, community service and service learning teacher, held a Community Build on the campus of the school May 12th-16th. BBA Students in the Climate Leadership and Change class took on volunteer leadership roles to successfully complete the project.

The class became interested and got involved in the project based on the fact that one of the biggest renewable energy goals in the state is efficiency. The Windowdressers community build met the goals of keeping interior spaces warmer with less heat loss, burning of less fossil fuels, lowering heating and cooling costs while building community at the same time. The students visited the Community Build held in Manchester VT in the fall of 2024 and learned about the program and the process. This winter students measured windows in the Health Services and Seminary buildings on campus with the assistance of Windowdressers volunteers Jim Hand and Carl Bucholt. Inserts for these buildings as well as several for members of the community were constructed during the five day build held in the school gymnasium.

The Climate Leadership and Change class students were joined by students from various classes including shop classes where a total of 62 inserts were built. The students were assisted by community volunteers Roger Hanson, Jim Hand and Jim Salsgiver.  The collaboration between the school community and Manchester area volunteers was inspiring and will hopefully be the first of such events at the school.