Pathways: Fall 2023 Newsletter

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(continued from previous page) Discovery Partnerships offer schools new to Muddy Sneakers an introduction to essential program components with minimal investment. Hands-on participation enables schools to tangibly experience our value, making progression to a more comprehensive partnership an organic transition. Basic Partnerships share many of the same benefits as Full Partnerships while providing an option for schools with time or financial constraints. New partners may use this option to familiarize themselves with expectations, processes, and curriculum depth, paving the way for a potential Full Partnership or supplementary à la carte selections. thriving students and more supported educators. In addition to these three partnership tiers, Remote Partnerships continue to be available for schools located outside of our current programming areas who want to benefit from the holistic learning approach Muddy Sneakers provides. The reaction from educational institutions has been overwhelmingly positive. New partners are keen on the Full Partnership, while those seeking a pathway into the program or those with variable needs appreciate the accessible options. Returning partners continue to lean towards Full Partnerships. <strong>2023</strong>-24 PARTNERSHIPS BY PROGRAM TIER Full Basic Custom Remote Discovery <strong>2023</strong>-24 PARTNERSHIP MAP 4,200+ STUDENTS 63 SCHOOLS 17 COUNTIES/DISTRICTS Full Partnerships exhibit the textbook embodiment of our impact. With a treasure trove of recurring expeditions, virtual learning sessions, Classroom Curriculum modules, ondemand coaching, and adept End-Of-Grade test preparation, this level results in As we march forward, our program model will evolve in tandem with input from schools and the evaluation by NC State University, ensuring alignment with community needs, fostering a connection to local terrain, and fortifying our educators. # Schools Served per County 1. Buncombe (7) 2. Cleveland (5) 3. Forsyth (4) 4. Guilford (1) 5. Haywood (3) 6. Henderson (14) 7. Jackson (1) 8. Macon (1) 9. Montgomery (5) 10. Orange (1) 11. Polk (4) 12. Qualla Boundary (1) 13. Rowan (9) 14. Rutherford (1) 15. Stokes (1) 16. Transylvania (3) 17. Watauga (2) WAYS TO SUPPORT Your charitable donations will help more than 4,000 fifth graders, their teachers, and schools access experiential science education in some of NC’s most iconic places. Beyond financial gifts, there are many ways to support Muddy Sneakers. Here are a few timely ideas: HELLBENDER COFFEE IS BACK! A subtly sweet, chocolatey blend supporting our mission MUDDY SNEAKERS MORNING & FIRESIDE CHATS! An easy way to make a significant impact Makes a great teacher and/or holiday gift! This September, our friends at Pisgah Coffee Roasters are making it easy to perk up your mornings while awakening a deeply felt connection to the natural world for NC students. $7 of each $14 bag comes to Muddy Sneakers. Stock up at pisgahroasters.com! Do you have a group of friends, colleagues, or connections that would be interested in learning more about Muddy Sneakers? We’d love to meet them! As we take schools off our waiting list, we must build awareness of our work to ensure sustainable financial support for these new students. Please consider hosting a Muddy Sneakers Morning or Fireside Chat to share Muddy Sneakers with your community. To learn more, email Jordan at jordan@muddysneakers.org. (continued on next page)
THE "MUDDY SNEAKERS MAGIC" On a crisp fall morning in the mountains, Muddy Sneakers' Field Instructors prepare for an outdoor educational expedition. Amid the tranquility of nature, they await the arrival of 80 energetic 5th graders who will be trading in their desks for streams, towering trees and open meadows for the day. Learning about Forces and Motion through activities like engineering handmade boats and hanging bear bags while Junaluska Elementary School, Forces & Motion expedition in Pisgah National Forest "Our students were more inquisitive and invested in their own learning today than we’ve ever seen them." (continued from previous page) accounting for friction and mass fill the forest with laughter and collaboration. The day goes without a hitch, and just before getting on the bus, a couple of teachers pull aside our team and, with a smile, express their gratitude. They describe how wonderful it was to watch their students learning through doing, sharing, “our students were more inquisitive and invested in their own learning today than we've ever seen them.” MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR RETURNS! 4 showings: Asheville, Salisbury, & Winston-Salem It is in these moments that, despite challenges faced by the education system, Muddy Sneakers' impact shines through. As the organization celebrates 16 years, the question "how can Muddy Sneakers best support NC’s public schools?" remains central. Feedback from teachers, principals, and superintendents emphasizes the support Muddy Sneakers provides. In the face of budget cuts and the Covid-19 pandemic, the program positively impacts students' social and emotional well-being. Aaron Greene, Polk County Superintendent, attests to its benefits, stating, "[Muddy Sneakers] has proven beneficial...especially with student social/emotional health and growth." Teachers also acknowledge the partnership's value. Ophilia Pearson, a 5th grade teacher at Hurley Elementary, shares that Muddy Sneakers brightens teachers' lives. Recognizing the importance of educators, Muddy Sneakers collaborates with them, offering expertise that enhances students' learning. Dr. Jason Gardner, former Rowan-Salisbury Assistant Superintendent, highlights how the program improves attendance rates and academic performance in science. As each season passes, Muddy Sneakers’ ongoing reflections on its purpose is guided by our community. As Superintendent Greene puts it, “when students can connect the abstract concepts and ideas in the curriculum with applications they have experienced, true learning occurs,” and for us, that is the true Muddy Sneakers “magic.” Throughout our last 16 years, the primary theme of our work has been ensuring a timely connection to nature for each generation, while ensuring we harness our organizational expertise and mission in service of the current years’ needs within communities and schools we serve. Thank you for the ways you bring Muddy Sneakers’ magic to life. Build community with us at Mountainfilm on Tour! Each year, Mountainfilm premieres in Telluride, Colorado and then hits the road sharing the year's most inspiring short films with communities worldwide. NOVEMBER 16 SALISBURY NOVEMBER 17 WINSTON-SALEM NOVEMBER 18 ASHEVILLE This is a great way to rekindle your spirit, stoke your outdoor recreation plans, and introduce Muddy Sneakers’ work to new friends. For more ways to give, visit muddysneakers.org/waystogive. Tickets on sale October 2 at muddysneakers.org
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Pathways: Fall 2023 Newsletter

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