At Lagunitas School, every eighth grader completes a Change Project, a year-long endeavor in which they identify a problem and create a plan to implement a quantifiable change. Students quickly discover that making change is hard. Sometimes even identifying a problem can be a challenge. It’s not that our students don’t see the issues in their community, it’s just that sometimes those issues can feel gigantic and overwhelming.
To make their projects successful, students need community support. They must reach out to local organizations and develop relationships with experts in the field in which they are interested. Learning how to ask a stranger to help you accomplish something is a valuable life skill. Students must write formal emails, make telephone calls and conduct interviews; they must be on time for meetings and, most importantly, be able to communicate their interest in their issue with clarity. These skills prepare students for the workplace and future projects they will take on.
Another important element of making change is raising awareness, so our students deliver a TED-style talk at the end of the year. The community is welcome and each student outlines the work they have done, the change they made and how people can get involved.
Students also write short articles for the Point Reyes Light about their efforts. Local newspapers are vital for the health of communities, and I want my students to build a relationship with our paper and learn how to communicate their ideas in a journalistic format. As they study American history and democracy, participating in the free press gives them another real-life experience.
Our eighth graders are coming of age at a challenging time. It is easy for them to feel powerless, and they make their worlds smaller by counting likes and follows, something they can control, and an easy validation. The Change Project gives them the tools to tackle real problems and helps them learn to use those likes and follows as a force for good. It is important for adults to listen and support young people in this process. When we believe in them, they can accomplish anything.
The importance of emergency preparedness
By Otis Valente
I volunteered with the fire department last December and removed Scotch broom to prevent fire fuels from growing in the forest near the Woodacre baseball field. Scotch broom is an invasive species that can act as a ladder fuel, which makes fires spread to the surrounding trees. It was hard work but I’m glad I helped remove that stuff because it helped prevent fires spreading in our local community.
Fire prevention is crucial in California, as the recent fires in Southern California have shown us. The town of Altadena was destroyed, leaving people homeless. According to Cal Fire statistics, the number of wildland fires at the beginning of February was 337, almost 150 more than the five-year average.
The goal of my Change Project is to notify people living in San Geronimo Valley about what they can do to protect their families and homes in the event that a wildfire breaks out or spreads to our area. Besides volunteering with the fire department, I plan to organize an event to educate students and their families about staying safe around wildfires and how to prevent their homes from burning.
What can you do to protect yourself and your family in a fire and prevent your property from burning? The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends these actions: follow evacuation instructions from your local emergency officials; make a family evacuation plan that includes meeting places, a communication plan and what you will do with your pet(s); identify and practice two ways out of your neighborhood; make sure your address is clearly displayed on your home and driveway; create an easily accessible emergency bag for each member of your family with personal items they might need if asked to leave home; clean dead leaves and pine needles from roofs and gutters often; maintain the landscape around your home at least 100 feet, and pay special attention to the first 5 feet, to remove ladder fuels that can spread the fire to buildings.
In our valley, the San Geronimo Valley Emergency Readiness Group organizes and educates locals to prepare for and respond to emergencies in the valley. They are mainly about communication and information. VERG has trained volunteer teams that work with the Marin County Fire Department during and after a disaster. One of its goals is to be a Firewise USA member and a “fire-adapted community.” They are trying to get people to be VERG members, encouraging two-way radios, and training on disaster preparedness. You can join VERG and help your family stay in touch with local conditions during an emergency at https://sgverg.org/
I hope that by educating people, my project can help prevent fires around the neighborhood and help them be safe and prepared if fire does break out.
Humane treatment for all animals
By Junko Winningham, Violet Scheinost and Mabel Wadlington
In January 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom committed $50 million to an ambitious declaration to make California a no-kill state for animals. However, little changed with that promise; over 18 percent of animals taken into shelters still meet an untimely demise.
The personal stories that bring us here today underscore the urgency behind this cause. My name is Junko and my dog Mazzy survived Katrina, the category-five hurricane. That event made around 88,700 pets dislocated and vulnerable to euthanasia.
My name is Violet and I have adopted three cats. Each is incredibly sweet and playful, and it makes all of us deeply sad whenever we hear about all the animals that are just as cute and kind but die in California shelters every day. My dog Frankie is a pit bull, one of the most euthanized dog breeds. He was at a kill shelter and found on the side of the highway. If California has one not-so-enviable distinction, it leads the nation in shelter euthanasia rates, at 17 percent, more than double the national average. Despite attempts to expand shelter capacity and improve adoption programs, the state struggles with an overwhelming number of homeless animals. This demands urgent attention and effective solutions.
We seek legislative reforms to bring an end to excessive breeding, to reevaluate policies that govern animal shelters, and to sharply reduce euthanasia of animals. One can contribute tangibly by helping in the spaying/neutering of stray animals, volunteering time in shelters, and donating money to organizations looking after animals. Adopting from shelters instead of buying from breeders saves not only their lives but also encourages responsible ownership of pets.
We are writing petitions for change to Governor Gavin Newsom. By partnering with the No Kill Advocacy Center, we want to amplify this voice and show broad-based public support for kind shelter practices. Our petition is called “Students Against Kill Shelters in California,” and you can find it on Change.org. We are also working with Marine Humane on a donation drive for the animals they recently rescued from the recent L.A. fires.
In the future, we hope that no animal will be euthanized just because shelters are full. Stringent breeding laws and high adoption rates from shelters will ultimately lead to substantial decreases in unnecessary killing, making current statistics obsolete. We work to achieve a world of compassion and sustainability, where every animal is treated with respect and valued.
We could make Governor Newsom’s vision of a no-kill California real, one compassionate step at a time.
Light pollution
at Lagunitas
Community School
By Charlie Obedzinski
Did you know that billions of dollars are wasted each year shining light into the sky? That can be easily fixed with sky-friendly lighting or light covers. Studies show that light pollution and light spill can affect the natural circadian rhythm of animals and even affect how our hormones are released.
In early sixth grade, I went on a night hike with my family in the hills behind the Lagunitas Community School. My family and I went up to the Top Flight Trail at around 5:30, so it was still light out, and by the time we got back into the view of the school later, I was blinded by an extremely glaring light shining up to the ridge. The light had been put up on the gym as part of the extended unit being built. If I had a light shining into my house, I could just close the blinds and go to sleep. Animals don’t have blinds or even solid walls that block out light, so bright lights shining into the habitats of nocturnal animals is very confusing.
My dad went to the principal at the time and asked to get the light covered, perhaps saving animals’ lives, and barely cost the school in the process. Inspired by what I saw at school, I went to a talk in September by Aparna Venkatesan, an astronomer, professor, and advocate for dark skies, and learned even more about light pollution. I spoke to Aparna afterward and asked her to do a presentation at the school. I went to the school board and did a presentation on the school lights, and how they affect the environment and animals. They agreed to cover the lights and change the bulbs to a yellow color, which is easier on animals’ eyes. You can do this at home too. Changing light bulbs to an amber or yellow color can help or adding covers that direct the light to only where it is needed can reduce the effects of light by a lot. Using dimmer lights can be less harsh on the eyes and be more cost-effective. Light pollution is a giant factor in many different departments, and many people do not realize it. If we don’t start raising awareness now, it could become an even bigger problem.
The power of art therapy
By Jade Lomax
Stressing out is one of the easiest things for me to do, but making art helps distract myself and calm myself down. I have been making art for my whole life. There’s still a painting on my kitchen wall that I did when I was 1 or 2 years old. I used to color in coloring books and make weird creations. Nowadays I am crocheting my hands off and making art on my face with makeup.
For my Change Project, I went to the elementary school to make art with fourth and fifth graders. We drew what we saw with our emotions, right there in the moment. Some drew blops and shapes, creatures and monsters. I did this in the hope they will use the activities we did in the future. When I am an adult, I hope to make art and creativity the center of my professional life.
Art therapy helps with conflicts, stress, social skills and depression. Studies have shown 36 percent of students are diagnosed with anxiety and 28 percent are diagnosed with depression; 77 percent of people who took art therapy reported improved social skills and communication.
During my experience at Lagunitas School, I have always been encouraged to be creative.
The benefits of skateboarding
Jett Faircloth and Crawford Sanders
In 2022, I learned how to skateboard, and my friends and I would meet up on the bus and go to Proof Lab in San Rafael, to take a look at their new shoes and decks. We would skate to the next shop, try new tricks or fling our board at each other and it was always a good time. We started to take the bus to Larkspur and take the ferry to San Francisco. Over time, we would learn more about the areas to go, places to avoid, and all of this because of skateboarding.
When I was 6, I got my first skateboard. Even just the feeling of standing on it without falling was the best feeling of my life. I felt like I could do anything, which started my passion for skateboarding. I use my skateboard to get around and connect with other people. Skateboarding has made a huge change in my life. I can ride my skateboard to the local deli and meet someone new with the same passion.
Once the skatepark at our school was built, it sparked a lot of people to start skating, scootering, and rollerblading. After school and in the evening, lots of high schoolers and other people use it. We hope to maintain students’ love for the park and keep the younger kids skating. We planned an event to get people to come together and enjoy the skate park under the lights in the evening. We had food, music and even though it was a cold night, we all had a great time.
We live in a place with so many options to be outdoors, and the skatepark is just another way for people to have fun. Being outside is scientifically proven to improve sleep and reduce depression. Being outside, enjoying the company of friends and challenging yourself to try new things will influence every part of your life in a positive way.
Marin’s food problem
By Levi Coolidge and Camilo Koenig
We chose to focus on the importance of food scarcity, since food is essential for a healthy life. My grandmother is a well-known chef in my home country. She has taught me that food is a staple in all cultures and can convey emotions and can bring joy to anyone.
This isn’t the story for everyone. Food can be a major problem for many people, especially those who live in food deserts or can’t afford food. This is happening here in Marin, the eighth wealthiest county in the United States. Since everything is costly here, families of low income can’t afford necessities. In Marin, one in five families struggle to put food on the table, although food isn’t the only problem. Families in need require more than food. We’ve been collecting hygiene products that are being handed out at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center food bank, where we have been volunteering. We have also managed to get 600 books donated to be handed out because struggling families need more than food. We have talked to the Marin County Free Library in Fairfax, and they were kind enough to help us donate books to the community center for a toy drive. The center hosts toy drives around the holidays and we have donated a portion of these books to families in need, because who doesn’t want to get some gifts around the holidays?
If you or your family needs help with food, you can come to the food drive on Thursdays at the Commons parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wait in line and a volunteer will tell you what to do. You do not need to sign up or show proof of anything. You can also access the San Geronimo Valley Community Center’s website at https://www.sgvcc.org/.
Sun vs. blue light
By Solomon Wood Leffel
When I was a little kid, I found out that I needed glasses, and a few months later, I found out that I would likely have them for the rest of my life. When I went to the doctor to get my glasses, they asked me if I wanted transition lenses. This means that now whenever I am in the sun, my glasses turn dark. I now understand that exposure to unfiltered sunlight is essential. This does not mean it is safe to stare at the sun; even standing outside in the shade will give you the nourishment of the sunlight.
Blue light on its own is unnatural. In our day-to-day lives, it is everywhere. Not only is it on every glowing screen and in fluorescent and white LED bulbs, it is also part of midday sunlight, along with infrared, visible, and U.V. light. Blue light without the full spectrum of sunlight, especially during nighttime hours, can contribute to eye cancer, nearsightedness, and other eye-related problems. When blue light hits the retina, it off-sets the master clock of our brain, telling us it is the middle of the day. Artificial blue light, especially outside of midday hours, distorts our natural ability to register joy, making us more susceptible to marketing and addicted to screens. It creates irritability and scattered thinking and disrupts our sleep. Being out of touch with circadian cycles may be a main reason people are addicted to caffeine and nicotine during the day, relying on downers like alcohol and cannabis at night to rest. Our entire system becomes disrupted in ways we are only just starting to understand.
Exposure to red and I.R. light before and after exposure to U.V. light protects the skin from burning. So if you go out in the sun during the hours when U.V. light is highest, it will make your skin less susceptible to sunburn. To reap the full benefits of U.V. exposure, you must expose your bare skin and naked eyes to the sunlight. If you aren’t used to this or have naturally paler skin, you need to build up slowly, in shaded areas where sunlight can hit your skin. Studies in the past decade indicate that lack of sun exposure may be responsible for 340,000 deaths in the U.S. and 480,000 deaths in Europe per year, and an increased incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, blood cancers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and much more.
One of the most crucial things you need is sunlight without any protection. Window glass blocks lots of I.R. light and almost all U.V. light, which concentrates blue light. Just by sitting indoors behind glass, you are becoming deficient in U.V., I.R., and red light. You are also getting an unnatural dose of blue light. One remedy is to keep windows and doors open. You can also use blue-light-blocking glasses or screens with no blue light, such as daylight computers. You should not use screens for more than an hour without taking breaks, and in between each session, make sure to go outside and get sunlight.
My goal is to bring awareness to natural light exposure and the harms of blue light. I plan to talk to some of the teachers from my school and ask if we could have windows open more and less time on Chromebooks. I will also pass out handouts on ways to be healthier with light. This is a problem with tangible solutions. If we use light in healthier ways, we can save our future and live long and prosperous lives.
Marin County Transit
By Marshall Swenty and Zeya Bishay
Our names are Marshall Swenty and Zeya Bishay. We are eighth-grade students at Lagunitas who use the bus system constantly and are appreciative of the workers who make it possible. We think that with a few tweaks, Marin Transit could be even better for the people of West Marin.
One time I wanted to go to Redhill to see friends. I biked home from school and showered, then walked to the bus stop, only a 20-minute walk. I made sure to leave early because I knew how unreliable the system could be. While I was walking, I checked my phone to see when the bus was getting there. It said it would be 40 minutes until it arrived. But when I arrived, it said it had arrived two minutes before I got there. This meant that it was either 30 minutes early or the previous bus was 30 minutes late. I was furious. I ran back up to my house and ended up biking to Redhill from Woodacre. This incident inspired me to better understand how the bus system worked and might be improved.
Our main goals are to change the bus schedules for our school and Archie Williams High School. At our school, we wish to change the bus time going east to San Rafael to 3:10 p.m. If you want to take the bus after school, you must wait an hour. Another goal is to make the system more reliable. Sometimes the bus is very early or late. This causes people to miss it and dislike the system. Many of our friends from Archie have missed the bus, forcing them to wait another hour and a half. We would love to make all the stops timepoint stops, where the driver has to wait until it’s the time it says on the schedule. Sadly, most of the main stops are not timepoint stops. Many people we surveyed stated that they had missed the bus multiple times because of this; 15 percent said they would take the bus more often if it was reliable.
Did you know that 62 percent of the people at our school have never ridden the bus? Twenty percent only use it once a month and say it’s not always consistent. Another 14.3 percent only use it once a week and 4.8 percent use it three times a week. One of our goals is to make sure the bus gets to school at 3:10 p.m. to go east. Some people said they would take it more if it was free. It only costs $1 for a student and if you have a school I.D. or even a photo of one, it’s free. If you are a parent of a student at our school, please tell them this.
In the future, Marin Transit could become an amazing transportation system. This could help parents and take stress off their shoulders. They wouldn’t have to worry about picking their kids up from school every day. We also would like to improve the system so elderly and disabled people can use it easier. We attended a Board of Directors meeting and someone already had started working to put ramps into the buses.
We wish to finish this project by the end of the year, and we could use your help. Marin Transit sent us a survey they made: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/stagecoach. If you complete it, you will enter a raffle. They will take this information into account for the next service change, and we will use it to show the board that change is needed. We are driving change, one stop at a time.
The dangers of overfishing
By Alli White
My whole life I have gone to the Pacific Ocean on opening day for salmon season. My dad and I wake up at 4 a.m., pack up the truck and drive to the harbor. But 2022 was the last year salmon season was open. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council voted to close recreational and commercial salmon fishing. Both seasons have been closed two years in a row. Since the planet is warming up, so are streams and rivers. In order for salmon to thrive, they need cold water.
On the Klamath River, four major dams were recently removed. The dams were built between the 1920s and the 1960s to create hydroelectricity and help with flood control. This project cost over $450 million. Not even six months later, hundreds of salmon were spawning and swimming upstream. Most experts say it takes 15 to 20 years for the Chinook population to fully recover. Experts say it takes six to 12 years for coho to recover.
I’m hoping to prevent overfishing, reduce the amount of landfill in streams and rivers, and continue the process of removing dams in major salmon spawning rivers. A warming planet is an issue, but so is all the waste that ends up in streams. You can use reusable items instead of single-use items. Most of the stuff ends up in the landfill, then blows into streams. Landfills also contaminate water. Salmon tend to mistake garbage for food, which leads to diseases and death. Ocean salmon and farm salmon are dying off in large groups. According to Time magazine, 865 million farm salmon have died in the past decade. In the past 25 years, the farm salmon industry has grown rapidly, as has the number of deaths.
Many times, people see a problem but don’t know how to help. The salmon population decrease is a small part of a really big problem—climate change. Climate change is a huge problem, and it’s going to take a while to make a difference. Ways you can help are simple: travel by public transportation, or simply walk or ride instead of using cars. A warming planet, garbage in the streams, and human destruction all affect salmon in so many ways.
Wait Until 8th
By Wyatt O’Connell
On average, adults in the U.S. spend about seven hours a day on their phone, and children from 8 to 10 years old spend about six hours a day on a device or phone. Teens spend about nine hours a day. If they stay on this track, they will lose 26 years of their lives. My Change Project is to get children and teens off their devices and promote waiting longer to get a smart device. I am here to share information with you about an organization called Wait Until 8th, meaning parents agree to wait until their child is in eighth grade to get them a smart phone.
Phones ruin communities. Before they were invented, a child’s afternoon consisted of playing outside with friends. Since phones were invented, many children stay inside and sit on their phones or play video games. I have often wanted to hang out with my friends, but they’re too busy scrolling. Many of my friends have struggled with depression because of social media and phones in general. Getting a phone early can ruin childhood.
Social media, like phones in general, is designed to be addictive. Social media contributes to anxiety and depression due to people posting about their #perfect life. Kids and teens compare themselves to these people and don’t realize it’s fake. Yale Medicine states, “Over the last decade, increasing evidence has identified the potential negative impact of social media on adolescents. According to a research study of American teens ages 12-15, those who used social media over three hours each day faced twice the risk of having negative mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety symptoms.”
Screens are detrimental to a child’s brain development. Having a phone in your pocket is like having an accessible slot machine. Phones and apps are made to get anyone who uses them addicted. If your child needs their phone for reasonable reasons, get them a flip phone or smart watch. And when you get your kid a smart phone in eighth grade, set strict screen time restrictions and parental controls. Together we can change the trajectory for kids and encourage kids and families to enjoy the real world and stay away from the addictive worlds available online.
The importance of body positivity
By Dylen Conklin
My friends and I all have days when we don’t feel like we look good enough. Whether it’s our hair, body, or general confidence in yourself, self-consciousness and low body confidence can have a huge impact on day-to-day life. Overtime, I have realized I spend too much time looking in the mirror and trying to change things about myself that I have no control over.
I have grown up with people telling me that when I get older, I would care more about my appearance. When I was younger, I thought it was strange to want your butt to look bigger. I have noticed the transition from when I didn’t think about how I looked to thinking about it every day. When I entered middle school, I never thought to look at myself in the mirror. When I got to seventh grade, all of that changed. I started to care about whether my hair looked blond enough, if my stomach was flat enough, or if my skin looked clear enough.
According to the National Organization for Women, 53 percent of 13-year-old girls in the U.S. are unhappy with their bodies and have low body confidence. By the time girls reach age 17, that changes to 78 percent. The Screenagers Movie organization says that by age 14, 45 percent of teenage girls quit sports because of low body confidence. These numbers need to change so teenage girls and everybody can live without worrying about their appearance.
I am trying to change how quickly teenage girls judge themselves. For my change, the peer resource group from Archie Williams will have an assembly about raising awareness on girl low body confidence and how social media affects body confidence. I hope this assembly will help girls in our community enjoy their lives knowing that they are enough.
One way you can help support body confidence in girls is not to say anything that could bring them down. Don’t talk about what they are already struggling with and especially don’t make fun of them for how they look. All you have to do is be aware of what you’re saying and how you are approaching your questions or statements. One of the top three reasons for a girl’s low body confidence is looking at others’ images on social media. Scrolling on TikTok, Instagram, or any social media app, you will almost always find yourself looking at others and wondering why you don’t have their features.
Our future could involve more girls feeling like they are beautiful and that they fit in. Hopefully, my assembly can raise awareness on this subject and change people’s points of view. If we make these changes, fewer girls will feel the need to change themselves to fit into beauty standards.
The dangers of head injuries
By Cavan Grimmer and Danilo Canela
Last May, my brother Dylan Grimmer and a friend were in a horrible accident on the backroads of Woodacre. The car flipped over and caught fire, and both boys had to be extracted. Dylan had a seizure on the side of the road and on the way to the hospital. He was rushed to Marin General in critical condition. He had a broken collarbone, five broken ribs, and six compressed fractured vertebrae. He was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, where he was in a coma for six days. When he woke up, the worry of his passing went away, and the new worries of what it’s going to be like in the future set in.
I was with two of my friends the day of the accident. We were passing the fire station and happened to hear the call. We watched as the firemen sped away. We rode away on our bikes, thinking none of it. We ended up being curious about where the fire trucks had gone and went to check it out. We took a seat at the Woodacre Market and watched them put up caution tape and carry hoses down the road. There were a couple people outside the market and they said it was two teenagers in a white Tesla. I didn’t say anything but I knew it was my brother. I checked his location and saw he had passed the market 15 minutes ago.
I called my dad and told him that Dylan was in an accident. Coincidentally, my mom was passing by and saw firetrucks and turned into Woodacre, thinking it was me. She saw me and was relieved, but when she heard it was my brother, she broke down. When we got to Marin General, we were brought in a room and told he was in critical condition. It was really hard to see my brother like this, partly because he was so independent. At that moment, we weren’t sure if he would survive at all.
Through Cavan and his experience with his brother, I have learned more about T.B.I.s and brain injuries. I remember hearing the news about Dylan and being shocked and heartbroken for Cavan and his family. I wondered how to avoid this outcome and ensure it wouldn’t happen to my classmates and I when we were older. I want to support Cavan’s goal to make sure that no family ever has to deal with this.
Grieving for your loved one isn’t even the end of it; paying for the medical care is even harder. According to PubMed Central, “For individual families, personal bankruptcy after a T.B.I. is not uncommon in the United States.” The cost of hospital bills, rehab, and therapy can come out to a whopping million dollars or more with insurance. We organized a 5k run on March 22 at the Commons. We partnered with our friend Kalaya Mason to make this happen and raise money for the High Fives Foundation. This foundation educates athletes on mountain safety and awareness so less people encounter injuries. They also provide people who have disabilities with specialized equipment so they can continue to do the things they love. This run also helped fund Spectrum Surf Camp, which gives equal opportunities to kids with disabilities in and around Marin. The founder of High Fives, Roy Tuscany, says to people who want to get back into the sport they love, “It’s not going to be the same, but it will still be awesome.” This is a great description of how our lives have unfolded since the accident.
The importance of allied sports
By Kalaya Mason
The first time I played soccer, I was 4 years old. I remember the place, the field, the people, and the joy I had kicking around the ball. Since that special moment, I have continued to grow and learn mindfully from my peers and coaches through sports. Sports for me are everything; they help me get through changes in my life and fill me with purpose and drive. Regardless of whether I was playing basketball, cross country, or soccer, sports in general have been a great way for me to develop skills from athleticism, team building, and social awareness.
Last summer, I assisted my mom in teaching kindergarten kids with special needs at a school in Novato. I taught them how to kick a soccer ball, dribble a basketball, learn from their mistakes, and maintain the right mindset. I am forever grateful for this opportunity because it opened my mind to the challenges that many students and families have to accessing sports that are fun and developmentally appropriate.
According to the University of Rhode Island, children with disabilities who are more restricted in physical activities experience lower fitness levels and higher obesity than their able-bodied peers. Some may also suffer from lifelong health conditions that affect them and their families. Even then, opportunities to participate in fitness and activity programs, whether for recreation or competition resources, are limited. Children with disabilities also struggle with bullying throughout their life, which heavily impacts body image and mental health.
Recent studies show up to 78 percent of children with disabilities experience significant mental health issues. These issues may lead to other serious health conditions, and playing sports can help reduce symptoms. For example, studies have shown that stress, anxiety and depression can be reduced by 40 percent, even if the physical activity was only practiced 20 to 30 minutes a day. Studies show that having special-needs children in sports helps improve their studies, social skills, behavior, communication, and sensory awareness. Research also shows that only 12.7 percent of the schools in the U.S. have sports programs that just barely meet standards. Having students visible in the community and participating in activities with their neuro-typical peers integrates them in authentic and meaningful ways. In a world of new technology and brilliance, why are we still struggling to create equal opportunities for those with disabilities?
I dove a little deeper into this subject when I interviewed Carrie Beth McCall, who has worked in the field of special education for over 20 years, primarily as a classroom teacher at the high school level. Most of her experience involves supporting students in a resource specialist program, which helps them access school through specialized instruction tailored to their unique learning needs. Ms. McCall pointed out that “There is room for improvement in adaptive strategies, and we need to increase funding to provide accessible equipment and facilities. I’d also like to see more focus on peer mentorship programs that foster connections and support among individuals, creating a community where everyone can learn from each other’s experiences and challenges.”
During an interview, Katherine Sanford, our teacher and the parent of a disabled child, echoed this sentiment of increasing participation opportunities for special education students in sports. She shared how she felt that “The world would be a better place for everyone in every way, if we increased visibility for people of different abilities and backgrounds. Creating opportunities for people to connect in non-academic settings reminds typically developing people of the humanity of people who may not have the same abilities they do.”
I am hoping to bring awareness to the need for support and opportunities for those with disabilities. No matter who you are or what your circumstances are, each of us should be able to participate in life’s experiences and learn and grow. There are many ways you can support organizations in and around Marin that give opportunities to children with disabilities. Spectrum Surf Camp operates from Bolinas to San Francisco, working with kids all around the Bay Area to connect them with the ocean and engage them mentally, physically, and emotionally in the sport of surfing. Special Olympics, Outward Bound, and Bay Area Recreational Program are other great support groups for children with special needs.
As our awareness of the challenges that children and families with disabilities face grows deeper, it’s inspiring to imagine a future where there is more support and opportunities for this underserved population. Please join us in building this vision.
Living harmoniously with wildlife
By Samantha Rosales
I live in Woodacre and ride my scooter to school every day. This has made me aware of how many animals are killed by cars. I have moved three times, and each time I have always seen either dead, lost or harmed animals in my new neighborhood. I have always wanted to find ways to help, but it was impossible due to the conditions I was in for most of my life. When I moved to my second house in Forest Knolls, I ended up losing my first cat Toby due to a speeding truck driving by at night. I was heartbroken.
I have a deep love for nature and wildlife. Did you know that deer, raccoons, skunks and other smaller mammals are frequently killed or harmed by vehicles driving by at night, especially in areas with high traffic near wildlife corridors? For my Change Project, I want to raise awareness about wildlife in our community and help save injured or lost animals. My goal is to reduce the number of dead and injured animals by educating the students about the wildlife around us by bringing in WildCare for a presentation. I am hosting a drive to collect beds and blankets so they can keep the animals warm and safe until they can be released again.
Did you know that since WildCare started, they have treated and cared for thousands of wild animal patients in their urban wildlife hospital? They also have also engaged many children and adults through environmental learning experiences and advocacy. Their hospital cares for over 3,500 wild animals a year. They provide ongoing care for their patients seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. What I’m hoping to see in our future is no dead animals on the side of the road and more people aware of how to live in harmony with nature.
The importance of support for people with mental health issues
By Ileana Tricarico
Have you ever thought of something irrational, and you were too afraid to say anything? About one in every eight people have a mental illness, and one in 40 have O.C.D. Only 35 to 40 percent of people with O.C.D. get help and/or treatment. About 67 percent of unhoused people suffer from a mental illness. Having O.C.D. myself, it took me years to find the resources I needed to manage the disorder, and it’s still a daily battle. I know you wouldn’t want that for a loved one of yours, and that’s why I’m here to help.
O.C.D. stands for obsessive compulsive disorder. This illness is one where a person may experience an intrusive thought and will think it will come true if they don’t do something to prevent it. According to Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, “Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a brain-based mental health disorder that involves obsessions and compulsions.” O.C.D. affects people in many different ways, and can result in mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion that can significantly affect daily life in a negative way. Compulsion is feeling the need to do something, and obsession is not being able to think about anything else but that. While O.C.D. and many other mental illnesses are not curable, people still need help, tools, and resources, and some even need special treatment.
I am working with an organization called Homeward Bound to show people how important helping people who suffer from mental health is. Homeward Bound has been providing homeless resources in Marin since 1974. It helps provide housing for people who are unhoused and a space for them to get treatment. Being unhoused is even worse for your mental health, because it creates a significant amount of stress and anxiety, which overall will make the illness worse. All of this can lead to preventing someone from finding the help they need.
Homeward Bound has resources for families, adults and veterans. Some of the incredible things they have done are: 99 single adults received medical respite care, 27 percent of residents are aged 62 and older, 93 percent of residents in mental health programs maintained housing, 915 people were served in shelter and housing, 53 homeless veterans were served, 81 percent of families left for a housing opportunity, 13 percent of residents are under 18 years old, 457 adults received shelter services, and 434 people were served in supportive housing. There are volunteer options, and donated items are needed.
I hosted a drive in March to support unhoused people with mental illnesses. I put bins and boxes in the Lagunitas School office for donations to Homeward Bound—diapers, linens and bedding, silverware, pots and pans. I am incredibly grateful for the donations.
The dangers of animal testing
By Evelina Caiazzo
I have always cared a lot about animals, and when I figured out companies and research laboratories do painful tests and procedures on them, it made me feel bad and I wanted them to get the help they needed. When I had to choose my Change Project, I knew that spreading awareness about animal testing would be a perfect topic. I began volunteering at a rabbit rescue.
Rabbits are very common victims of cosmetic and chemical toxicity testing, as well as heart research and ear and eye infection research. They periodically get shipments of rabbits that have been retired from labs.
Each year, 50 million animals are used and killed in horrific medical experiments in the United States. They are tortured to study toxic chemicals, cosmetics, drugs and diseases. The most common animals used are rabbits, cats, dogs, monkeys and mice. But there are many more that people don’t know about, such as horses, cows, frogs, fish, reptiles, pigs, octopuses, hamsters, guinea pigs and more.
Baby monkeys have their eyes sewn shut, and kittens, too. Electrodes are stuck into cats’ brains and injected with chemicals that kill them. For decades, dogs and monkeys have been given diseases to see how they respond to medications, like muscular dystrophy, but to no benefit. They are also forced into heart failure and surgeries. They drill into dogs’ skulls and make them inhale toxic chemicals. Experimenters also do sensory deprivation experiments on monkeys, and nearly drown mice for studies on depression. They also pour alcohol down rats’ throats.
The truth is we don’t need to do these torturous studies on animals anymore. Now we have tools of modern technology that can carry out much more effective and accurate experiments without using animal testing. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has developed the Research Modernization Deal, a report that lays out alternatives to all current tests done on animals. European countries were so impressed with this report that they agreed to begin phasing out all animal testing.
There are many ways people can help. One of the most effective ways is to start using cruelty-free brands for products like shampoo, soap, cosmetics, cleaning products and more. Look for the words “cruelty-free.” Here are some popular cruelty free cosmetic companies: Elf, Vapour Beauty, Aether Beauty, ILIA, Cover FX, Cover Girl, Gisou, NARS cosmetics, Maybelline, Cerave, Dove and Cetaphil.
Another way you can help is to donate money to nonprofit organizations that fight for animal rights like PETA, the Humane Society, NAVS.org and more. If people follow in Europe’s footsteps, we can outlaw animal testing here in the U.S. using the modern technologies we already have. The animals can be retired to sanctuaries to live happy, stress-free lives.
Suicide prevention in Marin County
By Tyler Misuraca
Both my parents have struggled with drugs and depression. For the past eight years, my dad has been in recovery and is doing really well. My mother has been on drugs and homeless in northern California for almost a decade. As a result, I have been around many people who have struggled with depression and/or suicidal thoughts. One in five people struggle with depression, and one in 10 of those people decide to commit suicide. I am trying to spread awareness of the dangers of suicide so that people recognize that it is “a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” Suicide and drug addiction are linked in many ways. People try to self-medicate and end up addicted and worse off than when they started.
I have been working with San Francisco Suicide Prevention. They focus on educating people about the dangers of suicide and how to prevent it. I will be bringing a speaker to my school to tell other students about the seriousness of suicide. Thirty-one percent of drug addicts tend to be depressed. If you are feeling down, just think of the good things that you have, like your friends and parents. Most people with depression can lose sight of the fact that there are many treatments and options to alleviate their condition.
I want more people to be happy and not worry about loved ones and friends that are on drugs and depressed so that no one will have to go through trauma from their family members overdosing or killing themselves because they were depressed. I am also trying to tell my peers at school that suicide and drugs are not the way to treat their depression, and that they need help to talk to someone about why they’re depressed. If you or one of your family members is depressed and or self-medicating with drugs, it won’t help in the long run, and if you or your family want a different approach, I think that therapy can help with some of the issues they might have. Therapy helped me with my issues with my family. If therapy doesn’t work for you, sometimes I just sit alone and talk to myself, and that helps me when I’m depressed or angry.
I have been through a lot in my life, going through the foster care system and C.P.S. because of my mom. I still feel happy because I know I am loved by my family and friends, so if you’re feeling bad, just think of everyone who loves and appreciates you.