header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 8
1977 - Castaic residents vote 168-54 to withdraw 7th-8th grades from Hart District, making CUSD K-8 [story]
vote tally


[Community Hiking Club] – President Obama announced a new initiative on Thursday while he was in Chicago. He has asked the National Park Service to give all fourth graders and their families free admission to national parks and other federal lands for a full year. This initiative is called “Every Kid in a Park” initiative. The idea is to get children outdoors and make them more active. This initiative will become active in the fall, which coincides with the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service.

In his speech, President Obama said that all fourth graders should be able to get away from their world of technology, be able to run around and be in nature, to breathe fresh air. The free park pass, which usually would cost $80, will give fourth graders and their families free admission for a full year to national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other federal public lands. The park service will also offer grants to schools for free transportation and educational materials for teachers.

At the same time, he designated the famous Pullman neighborhood as a National Monument. This area was built by the Pullman Palace Car Company for it’s employees, and is known for labor unrest and civil rights uprisings. He also designated Honouliuli National Monument in Hawaii where Japanese Americans were held in an internment camp during World War II. The third monument he designated on Thursday was Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel, director of the Community Hiking Club in the Santa Clarita Valley, said: “Ensuring that every fourth grade American child in the country has a chance to experience the Great Outdoors is a phenomenal leap forward in their learning experience. Every child needs exposure to nature, and our amazing national parks and public lands is the perfect place to experience Mother Nature.”

 

[The White House] –

 

Image of two children sitting on fence in public park

From sea to shining sea, our country is home to gorgeous landscapes, vibrant waterways, and historic treasures that all Americans can enjoy. But right now, young people are spending more time in front of screens than outside, and that means they are missing out on valuable opportunities to explore, learn, and play in the spectacular outdoor places that belong to all of them.

President Obama is committed to giving every kid the chance to explore America’s great outdoors and unique history. That’s why today he launched the Every Kid in a Park initiative, which calls on each of our agencies to help get all children to visit and enjoy the outdoors and inspire a new generation of Americans to experience their country’s unrivaled public lands and waters. Starting in September, every fourth-grader in the nation will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass that’s good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters — for them and their families — for a full year.

National Park Service Junior Rangers

Because we know that a big reason many kids don’t visit these places is that they can’t get there easily, we will also help schools and families arrange field trips and visits by providing key trip-planning tools and helping to cover transportation costs for schools with the greatest financial need. For example, the National Park Foundation — the congressionally chartered foundation of the National Park Service — is expanding its program to award transportation grants for kids to visit parks, lands, and waters. The President has also requested new funding in his FY 2016 Budget to support youth education programs and to support transportation for school outings to parks for students from low-income areas.

And because the great outdoors is one of our greatest classrooms, we are making sure that more kids can benefit from the wide range of educational programs and tools that already exist. For example, a number of our agencies participate in Hands on the Land, a national network connecting students, teachers, families, and volunteers with public lands and waterways. And the National Park Service is launching a revised education portal featuring more than 1,000 materials developed for K-12 teachers, including science labs, lesson plans, and field trip guides. With this kind of support, we can help our children become lifelong learners — both inside and outside the classroom.

Designating New National Monuments

Along with the Every Kid in a Park Initiative, the President today announced he is designating three new national monuments to permanently protect sites unique to our Nation’s extraordinary history and natural heritage. In fact, the President has protected more acres of public lands and waters through the Antiquities Act than any other administration. Together, these actions will help us make sure young people will get to experience for themselves some of America’s greatest assets.

President Barack Obama signs a proclamation regarding the establishment of the Pullman National MonumentPresident Barack Obama signs a proclamation regarding the establishment of the Pullman National Monument at the Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 19, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

We hope that these efforts mean that next year, fourth-graders in Chicago will learn how activists in their city prompted the 20th century labor and civil rights movement at the Pullman National Monument, that an elementary school class in Colorado will discover the spectacular landscape of Browns Canyon National Monument, and that kids in Hawaii will learn more about the tremendous value of our civil rights at the Honouliuli National Monument. And decades from now, those children will get to share America’s heritage and wonder with their own families.

Historic photo of newly designated Pullman National Monument

The Pullman National Monument will preserve and highlight America’s first planned industrial town, and a site that tells important stories about the social dynamics of the industrial revolution, of American opportunity and discrimination, and of the rise of labor unions and the struggle for civil rights and economic opportunity for African Americans and other minorities. Photo courtesy of Office of State Historic Sites, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado will protect a stunning section of Colorado’s upper Arkansas River Valley. Located in Chaffee County near the town of Salida, Colorado, the 21,586-acre monument features rugged granite cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings, and mountain vistas that are home to a diversity of plants and wildlife, including bighorn sheep and golden eagles. In addition to supporting a vibrant outdoor recreation economy, the designation will protect the critical watershed and honor existing water rights and uses. Photo by Bob Wick, U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management.

Historic photo of newly designated Honouliuli National Monument in Hawaii Honouliuli National Monument in Hawaii permanently protects a site where Japanese American citizens, resident immigrants, and prisoners of war were held captive during World War II. Located on the island of Oahu, the monument will help tell the difficult story of the internment camp’s impact on the Japanese American community and the fragility of civil rights during times of conflict. Photo by R.H. Lodge, courtesy Hawaii’s Plantation Village.

Arne Duncan is Secretary of Education.
Sally Jewell is Secretary of the Interior.
Tom Vilsack is Secretary of Agriculture.
Jo-Ellen Darcy is Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
Kathryn Sullivan is  Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere at the Department of Commerce, NOAA.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Nov 8, 2024
Dec. 15: Inaugural Metrolink Holiday Express Train
Step into a world of holiday fun! The city of Santa Clarita will partner with Metrolink to offer Santa Clarita residents a new, unique and festive activity this holiday season.
Friday, Nov 8, 2024
Nov. 21: COC Scholarly Presentation Will Explore Juvenile Incarceration
College of the Canyons professors Katie Coleman and Mehgen Andrade will deliver the scholarly presentation “Behind Bars: Forfeiting our Children” 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
UPDATE: Local Election Results as of Thursday Evening
The close race for Santa Clarita City Council shows Patsy Ayala increasing her slim lead from yesterday over Tim Burkhart by 96 votes at the close of business Thursday, 3,469 to 3,376
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The California Department of Transportation announced northbound overnight lane reductions on Interstate 5 from Lake Hughes Road to two miles north of Templin Highway, near the Whitaker Sand Shed, north of Castaic Wednesday night, Nov. 13 through Friday night, Nov. 15 for asphalt and concrete paving and box culvert construction.
Nov. 13-15: NB I-5 Lane Reductions Continue in Castaic Area
Step into a world of holiday fun! The city of Santa Clarita will partner with Metrolink to offer Santa Clarita residents a new, unique and festive activity this holiday season.
Dec. 15: Inaugural Metrolink Holiday Express Train
Each year the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with economist Dr. Mark Schniepp, releases the Economic Outlook Book.
2024 Economic Outlook Book Available From SCVEDC
College of the Canyons professors Katie Coleman and Mehgen Andrade will deliver the scholarly presentation “Behind Bars: Forfeiting our Children” 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Nov. 21: COC Scholarly Presentation Will Explore Juvenile Incarceration
1977 - Castaic residents vote 168-54 to withdraw 7th-8th grades from Hart District, making CUSD K-8 [story]
vote tally
The close race for Santa Clarita City Council shows Patsy Ayala increasing her slim lead from yesterday over Tim Burkhart by 96 votes at the close of business Thursday, 3,469 to 3,376
UPDATE: Local Election Results as of Thursday Evening
The Child & Family Center has announced its Merry Mocktail Winter Wonderland Event Monday, Dec. 2, from 5-7 p.m. at 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Dec. 2: Merry Mocktail Winter Wonderland Event
All For Kids is celebrating National Adoption Month by seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
Nov. 21: All For Kids Offering Virtual Orientations for National Adoption Month
Did you know that our local Santa Clarita Public Library offers passport acceptance services? Whether you’re planning a vacation, studying abroad or reconnecting with family, the Santa Clarita Public Library is here to support your journey.
Jason Gibbs | Get Your Passport at the Santa Clarita Public Library
Parents and caregivers are invited to Empowered Families Workshops hosted by the Child & Family Center’s Prevention and Outreach team in collaboration with First Presbyterian Church of Newhall beginning 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 with a workshop on Social Media and mental health.
Nov. 10: Child & Family Center, First Presbyterian Church Collab for Workshops
Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc. has announced that it was awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to add new services that will include substance use disorder treatment programs.
Samuel Dixon Awarded 1.1 Million Grant for SUD Program
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley will host its annual holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church
Nov. 23: ACS Relay for Life SCV Holiday Boutique
The Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative has announced the "Bringing it Home" fundraiser, an exclusive wine and hors d'oeuvre event hosted by Salt Creek Grille, will be held Thursday, Nov. 21.
Nov. 21: Salt Creek Grille, Veteran Services Collaborative Host Fundraiser
The U.S. Postal Service announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages. The following are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25.
USPS Announces Holiday Mailing, Shipping Dates
1940 - William S. Hart deeds land for theater at Spruce & 11th Street to American Legion [story]
American Theater
Due to projected power shutoffs related to the current wind advisory, the Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy location, will be closed for in-person services beginning 5 pm Wednesday
Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy Location Closes Due to Power Shutoffs
Beginning Wednesday, November 13, crews will begin the construction of median modifications, paving, grinding and overlay operations along portions of McBean Parkway at Newhall Ranch Road.
Upcoming Lane Closures on McBean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road
The California Highway Patrol is proud to announce it received a $350,000 grant to address the growing issue of distracted driving on California roads.  
CHP Receives Grant to Combat Adult Distracted Driving in California
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation has once again recognized the city of Santa Clarita as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 "Most Business-Friendly City" award in the category of large cities (population over 60,000).
City of Santa Clarita Named 2024 Most Business-Friendly City Finalist
The County of Los Angeles is experiencing critical fire weather and is under a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag advisory from now until Friday evening. .
Animal Care and Control Urges Emergency Pet Preparedness
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2026 Notice of Funding Availability and has scheduled informational meetings for organizations interested in applying for 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant funding.
Santa Clarita Non-Profits Invited to Apply for 2025-2026 Funding Cycle
California State University, Northridge’s CSUN-al Gardening series returns this month just in time to prepare for fall planting.
CSUN-al Garden Class to Get Ready for Fall Planting
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath
Supes Support Expansion of Tax Credit Program for Entertainment Sector
SCVNews.com