Two Mount Vernon parents — Emily Paterson and Erica Lucier — have founded a new cooperative elementary school, The River Farm Cooperative. A hybrid between homeschool and traditional school, River Farm will feature small, mixed-age classes (a maximum of 13 students) that meet Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., under the daily leadership of a licensed head teacher and a rotating parent helper. The school will have a focus on nature and outdoor exploration, with hiking and field trips incorporated into the curriculum. River Farm’s lead teacher, Shannon Bowdring (above) is also a Mount Vernon resident. Visit www.RiverFarmCooperative.com.