The students visit was part of the National Park Service’s “Every Kid in A Park” movement that gives fourth grader students the opportunity to experience the living classroom of America’s national parks, lands, and waters.

Students at Grace Thille School visit Santa Cruz Island

April 15, 2016
Santa Paula News

By Letitia Austin

About 74 students from Grace Thille Elementary School took a field trip to Santa Cruz Island on March 18, 2016. The visit was part of the National Park Service’s “Every Kid in A Park” movement that gives fourth grader students the opportunity to experience the living classroom of America’s national parks, lands, and waters. In addition, all students received a free pass to the National Parks for themselves and their entire family. U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, and Congresswoman Lois Capps handed out the park passes and accompanied the students and teachers on the boat ride over to the island.

“This trip provided an opportunity for our students to have a real life experience to learn about California’s native plant and animal species, as well as learn about how changes to ecosystems affect native species,” said Mary Doane, principal of Grace Thille Elementary School.  “About half of the fourth grade students from our school had never been on a boat before, much less visit an island or see whales, dolphins and sea lions in the wild.”

  On the hike about the island, students were able to catch an up-close look at the Island Fox, identify native plants and animals, record their findings, sketch in their field guides, and have discussions about their observations.  

  “As a result of these activities, we now have students saying they want to be biologists and park rangers, jobs that they had never before considered,” said Doane. “Our students were able to play in and explore the National Park in their own backyard and discovering nature through the eyes of a scientist. It was an experience that will forever change their lives.”





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