Cuvilly: Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ] For Preschool-specific FAQ's, click here. Why are there so many animals at Cuvilly? The farm was started to create an environmentally healthy embedding for the school. Cuvilly's many animals are more than a backdrop for the school: they teach us that eggs come from chickens, not the supermarket; that manure becomes compost that nurtures vegetables and flowers. All life is sacred and interconnected, so the way we treat one species affects the health and well-being of all species. What's Heifer International? Heifer International is a non-profit organization committed to ending hunger and poverty by providing food-producing animals to people in need all over the world. For more than 50 years, Heifer has given the gift of self-reliance to more than 4 million families in 125 countries. Cuvilly breeds purebred Nubian goats for the benefit of Heifer International. Who's "in charge" of Cuvilly? Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center, a non-profit corporation, is a ministry of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The Corporation itself is comprised of 6 members, all of whom are members of the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Corporation members elect the Board of Directors, whose primary responsibilities include preparing and overseeing annual budgets and educational programs. The Director of Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center, Sr. Patricia Rolinger, is the executive representative to, and a non-voting member of, the Board of Directors in the management of the Center; she is responsible for the direction of the Center in all its activities, subject to general policies adopted by the Board of Directors. Who are the Sisters of Notre Dame, and what's their role at Cuvilly? The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are an international congregation of Catholic women with a strong educational tradition, whose mission is to work with poor people, especially women and children, in the most abandoned places, to create justice and peace for all. Cuvilly is a ministry of the Sisters of Notre Dame and is governed by a Board of Directors, which consists of volunteers elected to serve on the Board by Corporation members. Corporation members are all members of the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. How can I make a contribution to Cuvilly? Cuvilly relies on charitable donations to survive. Financial contributions are always welcome. Contributions can be sent to Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center, 10 Jeffrey's Neck Road, Ipswich, MA 01938. If you have time and talent and wish to volunteer to help out at Cuvilly, please see the Volunteer page. In addition, there is a Wish List on the Grab Bag page. As always, do not hesitate to call us at (978) 356-4288 with any questions. * In addition to financial contributions, you can donate your used car to Cuvilly -- we have a relationship with a company that turns used cars into cash. What can I do to get involved at Cuvilly? Check out the Volunteer page for ways to get involved. If you have any special skills you want to offer, and can't find a fit on the Volunteer page, please feel free to contact us at caec@primushost.com Is Cuvilly a non-profit organization? Yes. Cuvilly is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Can I visit Cuvilly? If you'd like to arrange for a tour of the school or grounds, please call us at (978) 356-4288. Cuvilly, however, is not a petting zoo or public recreation area. We do not allow people to touch or feed the animals, and the playground is not open to the public. How do you use the animals? The animals at Cuvilly help create a wonderful environment for the children. We look, listen, and enjoy them. We do units on most of the animals throughout the year. We feed the poultry our leftover snacks. With a farm assistant's help, we visit the animals. We do a Hop-A-Thon to raise money to help defray the cost of raising goats for Heifer International. In the spring we hope for a chance to watch the sheep (and Charlie, the llama/alpaca) get shorn, and we visit the baby goats soon after they're born. The animals give children a chance to work side by side with them and learn to appreciate and respect them. How are your teachers qualified for their positions? All teachers are certified by OCCS, at a minimum. All our teachers currently have 4-year college degrees, and some have gone on to graduate studies. Teachers are certified in CPR and first aid.