The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is in opposition to the recommendation for closure of the Lankenau site along with incorporation into W.B. Saul High School. In 1973, the Schuylkill Center sold a 17-acre piece of our land for educational use — which became the location of Lankenau, the only environmental magnet high school in the city.
In the 21 years that Lankenau has been on Spring Lane, we have developed a strong partnership. Our 365 acres are the site of discoveries, stewardships, field trips, internships, and the development of job skills. Each year, we host a core group of seniors as our interns for a year-long experience working with nature.
I have heard people say that we must think of all Philadelphia school children, not just those at Lankenau. I agree.
Let’s think about them.
Thousands of children come through the Schuylkill Center on field trips from schools all over Philadelphia. Lankenau interns are peer educators for these field trips. Lankenau educators demonstrate to Philadelphia students that nature is for everyone. They show that nature writ large is theirs to enjoy, to understand, and to protect. Lankenau is an example that should be nurtured, not cut down.
I was at a hearing where a school district official agreed that “magic” happens inside the walls of Lankenau. It was easy to agree — there is magic happening inside the school — the administrators, teachers, the school nurse, the counselor all care about each individual student in a way that is indeed special, even magical.
Nature provides the magic for Lankenau students. Taking the environment away from an environmental school simply makes no sense. With a graduation rate of 100 percent, why tinker with success? Isn’t an A-plus good enough?
The answer is simple: Don’t close Lankenau.
Erin Mooney, Executive Director
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education