Save the Environmental Center! Save the Mud Walk!
Target:
Seminole County School Board and the Florida Legislature
Sponsored by:
17,000 children each year have been experiencing Florida's fragile and unique environment through the Seminole schools' Environmental Studies Center --- but now it appears that program is threatened.
Sign the petition AND see how you can help save the ESC by visiting the Friends' website at http://scescfriends.wordpress.com.
Veterans of the 5th grade MUD WALK never forget that experience which links the science they've learned with the fun they've had. This is the most effective kind of teaching through experience --- and Seminole County's program has been a statewide model for 30 years.
The Florida Legislature is slashing funding for education and the Seminole School District has to cut programs, including slashing the Environmental Studies Center program. Not only is this program outstandingly successful in meeting the state science standards, it is also a model in taxpayer efficiency as the very first example of county-school district cooperation.Sign the petition and tell the world: SAVE THE MUD WALK! SAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CENTER!
17,000 children each year have been experiencing Florida's fragile and unique environment through the Seminole schools' Environmental Studies Center --- but now it appears that program is threatened.
Sign the petition AND see how you can help save the ESC by visiting the Friends' website at http://scescfriends.wordpress.com.
Veterans of the 5th grade MUD WALK never forget that experience which links the science they've learned with the fun they've had. This is the most effective kind of teaching through experience --- and Seminole County's program has been a statewide model for 30 years.
The Florida Legislature is slashing funding for education and the Seminole School District has to cut programs, including slashing the Environmental Studies Center program. Not only is this program outstandingly successful in meeting the state science standards, it is also a model in taxpayer efficiency as the very first example of county-school district cooperation.Sign the petition and tell the world: SAVE THE MUD WALK! SAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CENTER!
We the undersigned, realize that budgets are tight and cuts are necessary. %u2020However, the cuts must preserve the essentials of valuable programs until better days. %u2020This is especially true of a complex and UNIQUELY EFFECTIVE program such as the SCPS Environmental Studies Center, which combines direct instruction with amemorable experience --- while meeting state science standards.
Students never forget the mud walk AND the things they learned about the ecosystem they live in and depend upon. %u2020And, the SCPS-County partnership is a model of fiscal responsibility and wise use of the taxpayers' dollars and the capital investment is made. %u2020
We are confident that you will not sacrifice one of your most successful programs when you consider what will be lost. %u2020Thank you.%u2020
Students never forget the mud walk AND the things they learned about the ecosystem they live in and depend upon. %u2020And, the SCPS-County partnership is a model of fiscal responsibility and wise use of the taxpayers' dollars and the capital investment is made. %u2020
We are confident that you will not sacrifice one of your most successful programs when you consider what will be lost. %u2020Thank you.%u2020
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We signed the "Save the Environmental Center! Save the Mud Walk!" petition!
# 2,398:
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 2,397:
My son and I went to the environmental center this year for his 5th grade field trip. The children enjoyed the mud walk and the dry day. I even got dirty in the mud. It was a great experience and I hope that the center will be able to keep this field trip going so that my 5 year old daughter and I can enjoy this wonderful experience.
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The Environmental Center and the Mudwalk are important to education about Florida wildlife and environment, especially for young students.
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# 2,384:
i went on the mud and dry walk in fifth grade while attending St. Lukes lutheran school, and valued it highly, highly enough in fact to regard it as one of my best school experiences EVER. i just became a senior in high school. who dosent like to get up to their chest in mud?? to rid children from here on of that incredible experience is a crime, no matter who you are.
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Every feild trip I have taken to the environmental center was a blast. I would hate to see the environmental center close because I want my little brother to be able to go on feild trips there too someday.
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All three of my children have grown up going to the environment center and it is by far one of the most memorable experiences of their school time. We have also brought in relatives from up north to the environment center so they could share in the experience as well.
# 2,376:
It is very sad for our children to lose an opportunity to learn about the environment, which is something that they are already losing literally.
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# 2,374:
Nine years later and I can still remember the Mud Walk/Dry Day like it was yesterday!
# 2,373:
I never actually got to go on the Mud Walk, in 5th grade I dislocated my knee, but I still plan on going one day because all I ever heard about it was how spectacular and fun it was and even being in 8th grade now I still hear how much fun it was and how much people learned from it. I beleive getting rid of the Mud Walk would be a huge diaster for our already dwindling enviornment, please don't take something so important away from both children and adults. The Mud Walk isn't just important to the enviornment but also to children who have yet to experience its' wonder and beauty, the things it offers are respect and appreciation for nature. That is why the Mud Walk is so valuable to our community and we can't afford to lose it.
# 2,372:
I am a school board employee as well as a parent of a 4th grader here in Seminole County who was very upset when she heard that the Environmental Center may be closing. I also have two grown children that went to school here and couldn't believe it when they heard it might close. I truly think it would be a shame. That is one field trip that the 5th graders really enjoy and is educational as well. I hope that there is a way to save it.
# 2,371:
My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the mudwalk and learned a lot about the environment. Please don't discontinue this, I would like my younger children to have the same experience. The kids look forward to the mudwalk as early as kindergarten. Thank you for your time.
# 2,370:
Unfortunately many of today's children do not spend very much time outdoors. I have seen trips to the environmental center spark an interest after a classroom visit. These children become more interested in science and become more active individuals. This has always been a place where students really have fun learning; and it is remembered fondly for years to come even when other field trips are long forgotten.
# 2,369:
My children both went here and I want my grandkids to be able to enjoy it too... Also all my nieces and nephews have gone plus all the neighborhood children this was always an enjoyable outing for the children and the parents to enjoy as a family event too... Please keep it....
# 2,368:
My children are grown but each one went to the mudd walk. It is a tradition in these parts. Now I am signing this so my grandchildren can continue to enjoy the tradition of the Mudd walk in Seminole County.
# 2,367:
The Environmental Studies Center is a great place. My son went on the mudwalk last year (I attended the dry day), and my daughter is looking forward to going next year. I found the staff to be knowledgeable and dedicated. Please keep it funded.
# 2,366:
This is a great experience for every student.
# 2,365:
Please do not shut this down...it would be a great loss to our community.
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# 2,363:
I have resided in Florida for over 30 years and in Seminole County for about 15 years. The children need the mud walk . It is a vital part of the learning curriculum especially for the elementary levels.
# 2,362:
The Environmental Studies Center appears to have done much good for the environment and for youth. Such places are an asset our our society.
# 2,361:
What is wrong with you people? This program is teaching kids how to save our planet and You want to KILL IT! Are you nuts? These same kids could be the ones who could very well save this World of Ours. It's too bad there aren't more programs like this that will teach even some adults that to save this World of Ours is worth saving and your politics just doesn't make sense, even in the broadest kind of sense. Save the Mud Walk. This could be a saving grace in the long run.
# 2,360:
I went to the Environmental Center for my fifth grade field trip back in the 1995. I remember that the entire year we were all looking forward toward going. I have become an avid camper and enjoy nature so much more because of my experience and the fun i had on that field trip.
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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged on the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi
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I worked at the ESC for 7 years and in those years I never got tired of hearing the children of SCPS say, "this is so cool and can't believe that learning could be so much fun and muddy!". You have a program that not only teaches students in Science, Social Studies, Math, and countless standards--they look forward to it! Please save the center and the memories that SCPS children have been having since Pat Burkett made her mark for educating students in the "REAL WORLD"! Mary (Wells) Weece, ESC Assistant 1993-2000
# 2,353:
The mud walk was the highlight of my elementary school days. I spent five years looking forward to it, and it is an experience I will never forget. This experience can not be denied to fifth-graders-to-be, they deserve it.
# 2,352:
I have a son looking forward to this in a few years who is attending Eastbrook Elementary.
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