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Grass Valley elementary school kids are boarding The Yuba Express on February 8 to return to Sacramento and urge state officials to keep Yuba River State Parks open.
This time, they'll bring more than their own compelling stories and undeniable commitment. They'll also bring more than 10,000 petition signatures, demonstrating overwhelming popular support the two local parks slated for closure, South Yuba River and Malakoff Diggins State Parks.
It's a great example of kids getting out of the classroom to make a difference in the grown up world.
“Grownups are always telling us what to do,” points out fifth-grader Kialey DeRock. “Well we want to make sure that grownups don't make a big mistake, so now we're telling them: give us our parks back!”
The Yuba State Parks are immeasurably important to Nevada County and the Sierra Nevada, critical to the region's recreational resources and economic vitality. They are also especially appreciated by the students at Grass Valley Charter School. With a curriculum of “Expeditionary Learning”, Grass Valley Charter School puts a premium on outdoor, real-world learning experiences – many of which take place in the Yuba Parks.
According to fourth-grader Wes Forslund-Mooers, “The parks are outdoor classrooms, instructing us in hands-on learning.”
So when the kids learned that cost-conscious state officials planned to close both South Yuba River State Park and Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, they sprung into action.
“We want to make sure we can still go to the parks,” says fifth-grader Melissa Martinez, “and not just study them in ancient history.”
In December, they traveled to the State Capitol for a series of high-level meetings with state officials. Under the gilded ceiling and hanging chandeliers of an historic 19th century hearing room, the kids took turns giving a series of well-rehearsed and moving presentations. Some made persuasive speeches; some recited poetry; others presented a video. (You can see news coverage of their trip on KCRA at: http://www.kcra.com/video/29987452/detail.html)
State Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird praised their work as “Democracy in action.” Legislative aides lauded their presentation skills, noting their talent and professionalism.
In January, some of the students spoke before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, who agreed to support a plan to keep the parks open.
All the while, kids were volunteering for the South Yuba River Citizens League (known as SYRCL) to collect more than 10,000 signatures in support of the parks. Sisters Skyler and Emma Garvey were on a team that bravely got more than 500 people to sign the petition at holiday street fairs and in local shopping centers.
On Wednesday, the students will travel on The Yuba Express – a caravan of minivans from Grass Valley to Sacramento – bringing with them boxes of signed petitions and an unwavering commitment to their parks.
Fourth-grader Parker Chow is not surprised at the dedication demonstrated by Grass Valley Charter School kids; he attributes it to one of the ten character traits of their Expeditionary Learning program: “We're taught perseverance,” says Parker. “We keep on trying, and we never give up.”
According to fifth-grader Lila Hunter, they won't stop until their work pays off in an important lesson for grow ups everywhere: “Even the smallest of voices can make the biggest of differences.”
This time, they'll bring more than their own compelling stories and undeniable commitment. They'll also bring more than 10,000 petition signatures, demonstrating overwhelming popular support the two local parks slated for closure, South Yuba River and Malakoff Diggins State Parks.
It's a great example of kids getting out of the classroom to make a difference in the grown up world.
“Grownups are always telling us what to do,” points out fifth-grader Kialey DeRock. “Well we want to make sure that grownups don't make a big mistake, so now we're telling them: give us our parks back!”
The Yuba State Parks are immeasurably important to Nevada County and the Sierra Nevada, critical to the region's recreational resources and economic vitality. They are also especially appreciated by the students at Grass Valley Charter School. With a curriculum of “Expeditionary Learning”, Grass Valley Charter School puts a premium on outdoor, real-world learning experiences – many of which take place in the Yuba Parks.
According to fourth-grader Wes Forslund-Mooers, “The parks are outdoor classrooms, instructing us in hands-on learning.”
So when the kids learned that cost-conscious state officials planned to close both South Yuba River State Park and Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, they sprung into action.
“We want to make sure we can still go to the parks,” says fifth-grader Melissa Martinez, “and not just study them in ancient history.”
In December, they traveled to the State Capitol for a series of high-level meetings with state officials. Under the gilded ceiling and hanging chandeliers of an historic 19th century hearing room, the kids took turns giving a series of well-rehearsed and moving presentations. Some made persuasive speeches; some recited poetry; others presented a video. (You can see news coverage of their trip on KCRA at: http://www.kcra.com/video/29987452/detail.html)
State Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird praised their work as “Democracy in action.” Legislative aides lauded their presentation skills, noting their talent and professionalism.
In January, some of the students spoke before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, who agreed to support a plan to keep the parks open.
All the while, kids were volunteering for the South Yuba River Citizens League (known as SYRCL) to collect more than 10,000 signatures in support of the parks. Sisters Skyler and Emma Garvey were on a team that bravely got more than 500 people to sign the petition at holiday street fairs and in local shopping centers.
On Wednesday, the students will travel on The Yuba Express – a caravan of minivans from Grass Valley to Sacramento – bringing with them boxes of signed petitions and an unwavering commitment to their parks.
Fourth-grader Parker Chow is not surprised at the dedication demonstrated by Grass Valley Charter School kids; he attributes it to one of the ten character traits of their Expeditionary Learning program: “We're taught perseverance,” says Parker. “We keep on trying, and we never give up.”
According to fifth-grader Lila Hunter, they won't stop until their work pays off in an important lesson for grow ups everywhere: “Even the smallest of voices can make the biggest of differences.”
