Ocean Songs and Pancakes to Help Our Planet

Saturday, Oct. 29, was a day for big pancakes with delicious homemade applesauce. Breakfast with apple and orange juice for all and coffee for adults at Valley Vista Elementary School's Harvest Fair were a nutritious start to a great and fun experience.

Principal Emily Blecher and the dynamic PTA and PTA fundraising and planning team hosted an exceptional festival at Petaluma's largest public elementary school.

The last bite of breakfast and sip of juice led students, parents, teachers and visitors to an appealing array of baked goods for the annual bake sale and gift baskets for the fundraising raffle.  The open garden was a destination for all.

Outside near the play areas, Golden Gate Transit's Whale Bus and many conservation educational exhibits awaited festival-goers. 

Paula Lane Action Network was a late entry to exhibitors. Learning of the festival's focus on environmental education, we contacted Ms. Ruiz, a leader in organizing for the PTA, and were invited to join other nonprofits offering a variety of looks into our environment and its wellbeing. 

Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary (NOAA) featured ocean photos and plankton observation with a microscope, PRBO offered an in-depth look into seabird ecology, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance docents saw many friends and shared information about the wetlands education program at Shollenberger Park, a program Valley Vista students have enjoyed via classroom presentation and field trips for many years.  

Environmental Health Network had a great display with information about pesticide-free living and supporting a clean and healthy environment through choice in household and other cleaners and alternatives to toxic traditional cleaners and commercial items. The Jamba Juice booth was also a popular outdoor stop.

Just before 11:00 a.m., Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and State Senator Mark Leno spoke about environmental initiatives and gave a big congratulations to Valley Vista Elementary School for such an incredible and well-organized Harvest Festival.  

At 11:00, Sam Lardner and his group from Oceans are Talking gave a lively musical performance about our oceans and how we can all help take care of our planet. This was the highlight of the day, for sure.

I enjoyed meeting many parents whose children attend Valley Vista, sharing info about open space, upland habitat, badgers, nature preserve, and climate change impacts. The timing of this year's festival and expanding the environmental education program with support of the established gardening program make Valley Vista a special public elementary school.  

Exhibitor Molly Eckler, an artist whose wildlife and nature art on display was beautiful, added an artistic dimension to displays of environmental science. Valley Vista Arts Teacher Melissa Abercrombie adds this extra dimension to arts education at Valley Vista. 

Valley Vista's students are receiving a well-rounded and relevant education and the Harvest Fair reflected a wonderful model for public education - offering our young people educational experiences in which they can grow and learn, understand how special our planet and oceans are, and how we can care for our environment, the place where we live.