June 27 Update:

The administration has committed to keeping some of the features of the Ecology Center, but Shelly is still being evicted (and soon!)

 

 please visit the Save Shelly FB page for more info!

 

Dr. Brigg (Springfield's Director of Elementary Education) sent a poorly constructed email to parents late Friday afternoon basically saying Shelly is retiring. Shelly is not retiring - he's being evicted! Ms. Storti's retirement is being used as an excuse to shut down the Ecology Center. Brigg claims the sculpture garden at one of his previous schools became unkept and hazardous to students. That, sir, is on you! The EC at Scenic Hills is well loved and maintained by so many. All the parents are asking is for one year to prove we can run the EC smoothly and effectively; we have many resources to help support this undertaking. We still have not been given a CONCRETE explanation - just excuses - of why it's closing. Please flood the inboxes of the following to request a meeting so we can get answers and give suggestions.

Peter.Brigg@ssdcougars.org

Megan.Scelfo@ssdcougars.org

Anthony.Barber@ssdcougars.org

 

Thanks for your support!

 

 

 

The school community is appalled by this insensitive decision by administrators after decades of environmental stewardship at the heart of the school's EC program.

Relocating the animals on such short notice is a callous decision, as the center has been a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife, native plants and even some aquatic life. The center houses a large pond that was recently relined and is always meticulously maintained.

No clear explanation or plan was given to Scenic staff, who I have been told are devastated by this news. No announcement was made and staffers were not included or given a voice in the decisions made. It is time to express concerns about the future of the Ecology Center at Scenic Hills. For 25 years it has been an extension of the school and an outdoor learning environment where children explore and learn. Reach out to the school board, superintendent, and principal to voice your opinion. We need to support the children, staff and animals that are being affected by this horrible decision.