PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                         Contact:    Frances Squire

October 15, 2004                                                                      Phone:   (559) 934-2134

 

Children Will Hold Zoo Vote at West Hills Child Development Center

 

              Children in the Helen E. Cowell Child Development Center at West Hills College Coalinga

are taking an active role in this year's election.

              Kathy Watts, site supervisor said that children have been preparing for a vote they will hold

on Tuesday on Fresno County Measure Z, which is aimed at supporting the Fresno zoo.

              While the pre-school children and their teachers might be accused of unfair election

practices, Watts said it has been a good opportunity for teachers to incorporate animals and the zoo

into the school's curriculum.  

         “We have used overhead transparencies and reflected zoo animal outlines onto large paper and

the children traced them.  We have marble painted zebras, created tigers, leopards, alligators, monkeys

and crocodiles.  Children are being introduced to zoo animals through flannel board stories and books. 

We have added zoo animals into several of our learning centers (sensory, blocks, etc.),” Watts said.  

She added, “We have sent home to parents a newspaper editorial entitled "Support Measure Z" and

the "Yes on Z" letter produced by the Save Our Zoo Foundation.  The classes are collecting "Pennies

for the Zoo" and that money will be donated to the Chaffee Zoo at the end of the month.”   

“On Monday, we will be weaving orange and black and white and black streamers through our fence

with signs to remind parents to vote Yes on Z (providing it doesn't rain), she said.

The activities will culminate on Tuesday, October 19 th , with a visit by the Zoo Mobile to the center

from 10:30 to 11 a.m.   Following the visit, children will vote on the measure and ballots will be

tallied.

       “This process is a great opportunity for our children to learn about the zoo and animals and also

 about the election process.   While they may be a little young to appreciate the full impact of having

or not having a zoo in our county, our staff members and their parents appreciate the educational

opportunities available as a result of having this important resource,” Watts concluded.

The center is located at 1510 Falcon Lane in Coalinga on the northwest corner of the West Hills

College Coalinga campus.

Activities are also planned at the West Hills Community College District child development center in

the City of San Joaquin at 22058 Railroad Street culminating on Thursday, October 21 st at 10:30

a.m.  Site supervisor there is Virginia Ramirez.

          The child development center at the district's North District Center , Firebaugh will end the

same day at 1 p.m.   That center is located at 819 O St .   The site supervisor is Olivia Ramirez.