Editor’s note: As part of the Common Core standards being taught at Idyllwild School, teacher George Companiott had his eighth-grade students write letters to the editor. This is the third week Town Crier is printing a few of these.
Editor:
The youths of Idyllwild have been lacking engaging activities. Is there a solution to this? According to the recently published article on the planned community center (from the Sept. 26 issue), there most certainly is. The land generously donated by the Butterfield family is to have a community center, an indoor pool, an amphitheater and a recreational/gym facility built on it. The community center will have locations for programs to operate but what kind? The eighth-grade class of Idyllwild School (of which I am a student) gave out a survey to determine what projects youths of the community require. The eighth-graders analyzed the data of these surveys and recorded what the surveyors thought in Idyllwild.
The purpose of those who participate in this survey was the same for all parties; what [does] Idyllwild need. The questions varied from volunteer work to art. Forty-eight percent of participants wanted a greater abundance of public art programs; 24 percent wanted more sports; 20 percent an increase in volunteerism and only 8 percent thought technology was lacking. Although a perfect location for these projects is being planned, that is the future and we are in the present so the youth survey offered different locations for these programs. They were Idyllwild School, community park and the public library. The choice results were school, eight votes, the community park, five votes and finally the public library, four votes. Times choices of 3 to 4 p.m., 4 to 5 p.m., and 5 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and choices of morning or afternoon on weekends were offered. The most selected was from 3 to 4 p.m. on weekdays and afternoons on weekends. The most selected days go as follows: Friday, eight votes; Wednesday, six votes; Monday and Saturday, five votes; Sunday and Thursday, four votes; and Tuesday, three votes. Overall, those who took the survey felt Idyllwild Youth require art programs from 3 to 4 p.m. on Fridays at Idyllwild School (until the community center is built.)
Well, we know what everyone wants but we have no plan to make it happen. However, there is a facility (the community center) being built that is perfect for classes and an easy way to find and teach them. Idyllwild is a community full of artists that would jump to teach visual, drama and musical art. An organization called Idyllwild Youth Grantmakers gives out thousands of dollars to charities and events. The Grantmakers (of which I am a member) would swiftly fund art programs benefiting and engaging youths of Idyllwild.
Rose Griesgraber
Idyllwild Middle School