4J leaders cut valued programs in their rush to reduce costs | Letter to the editor

As education has been devastated by massive budget cuts, important local programs are on the chopping block. One program at South Eugene High School is the Integrated Outdoor Program, known as IOP. This program gives students the opportunity to earn both English and P.E. credits, practicing reading and writing skills while being outside. 

In this time when everyone learns pretty much everything off of a screen, it’s nice to have a community with kids who are really passionate about being outdoors. Working outside offers us sunlight and fresh air, which regulate our stress levels and improve our moods. When you’re in high school there’s so much stress and pressure. Programs like IOP are crucial because they allow kids to explore and learn using hands-on experiences. It’s great that little kids get recess, but shouldn’t all of us? 

In his popular book “Last Child in the Woods,” Richard Louv states, “several studies suggest that thoughtful exposure of youngsters to nature can be a powerful form of therapy for attention-deficit disorders and other maladies. As one scientist puts it, we can now assume that just as children need good nutrition and adequate sleep, they very well need contact with nature.” 

I know all of this to be true because I’m in IOP, and I’m loving what I’m learning, both by reading, writing and being outside building community with my classmates. We get to learn about each other in ways other than talking about our homework or working through an assignment. We have time to talk to one another without being told to be quiet. We get to experience a specific kind of life together that you can really only achieve by being and problem-solving in nature. On days when I don’t have IOP, I walk out of the school building at 3:30 p.m. and feel like I don’t even know what the weather will be because I’ve been inside all day. 

I’m devastated that IOP won’t be offered for future classes who might need it even more than we do. Please don’t cut this vital program.

Vivienne Passaro
Junior, South Eugene High School
Eugene