Saving the World -- One Problem at a Time!

Happy kids (and teachers) learning about tigers at

the zoo. (We got to pet a real tiger pelt!)

This summer's LEAP program has drawn to a close and it is with heavy hearts that we bid our students goodbye.  It's been a wonderful summer with trips to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo (with much excitement about the size of elephant's poop!) and the Museum of Science and Technology (where we climbed a rock wall and Ms. Jasmine and Ms. Lauren bravely crawled through a rather small cave).

The kids had been reading Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-Up, but fortunately, we had none of Keena's hijinks on our trips.

The kids meet some friendly rescue dogs and the

friendly Ms. Schaefer from the SPCA.

They also enjoyed a visit from Dee Schaefer of the SPCA, who explained how we can help dogs that have been abused.

The heart of the LEAP program is empowering the children to respond to a problem they have identified in their community.  One group was working on ending dog abuse and learned that pets are currently treated like livestock under NY law -- and basic shelter and food is all that is required.  Ms. Schaefer wanted to see pet abuse moved into the penal code, so that it would be a crime to treat a dog cruelly.  The children in the group composed letters to their legislators requesting stronger penalties for dog abuse and mandatory training for pet owners.

Another group worked to improve the health of Seymour students by including swim lessons as part of the school's curriculum.  After researching the many benefits of swimming (did you know that swimming helps your brain to grow?), they made a presentation to the school's Vice Principal and summarized their findings in a letter.

A third group wants to end smoking in New York and have requested that the legal age to smoke be raised to 45.  (I chuckled at their logic -- 45 seemed so old to them that smoking would make no difference to longevity for such ancient people!)  They did think carefully about the problem, pointing out the dangers of second-hand smoke.  They were sensitive to the effect of such a law on retailers -- adding that the cost of a pack of cigarettes should be doubled, in order to give retailers some time to adjust to the change without a significant loss of income.  They addressed their concerns -- and their letters -- to our mayor and their local Common Council member.

Proud LEAPers and their teacher, Ms. MacKenzie, present

the bully box to Mr. Polera.

The last group chose bullying as the problem to solve -- and it was one of the largest groups.  Their first suggestion was to make posters to put up around the school -- but there were already plenty of posters up in the school.  After a meeting with Vice Principal Steve Polera, they devised a new plan -- an anonymous way to report that someone is bullying.  They designed a box, covered with facts about bullying, and made a presentation to the Mr. Polera.  It is sad to know that reports were made before the end of summer school -- but also promising to think that the system has a chance to address bullying at Seymour.

We'll keep you updated on the results of these students taking up the power that reading and writing makes possible and becoming active citizens in their community!