YMF Recognized As A Whole Child Champion
Since 2015, the Tacoma School Board of Directors have proclaimed January as Whole Child Month. The State of Washington also echoes this proclamation bringing attention to the fact that children belong in an environment that supports social and emotional wellbeing as well as their academic achievement.
The Youth Marine Foundation is honored to be recognized in 2021 as a Whole Child Champion and a dedicated community partner. The Foundation’s collaboration with Tacoma School’s SOTA and SAMI in providing hands-on marine science and maritime learning is made possible by their operation of the Tacoma Youth Marine Center (TYMC) and the Tacoma Sea Scout vessels.
Due to the close vicinity of Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) being located downtown, their marine science classes are actually held weekly in the waterfront classroom located at the TYMC. Teaching from a textbook takes on a whole new meaning when you can walk 100 yards to the dock and engage students in Whole Child learning.
The Youth Marine Foundation expresses support for a whole child approach to education; recognizes the benefit of ensuring students are challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged; encourages families, educators and community members to support a whole child approach to educating each student; and will celebrate January 2021 as Whole Child Month.
-Monique Valenzuela, YMF Executive Director
The two Sea Scout vessels - SSS #110 Charles N Curtis and SSS #190 Odyssey- conduct chartered marine science cruises throughout the school year. Students partake in learning outside of four walls with Commencement Bay as their laboratory. By conducting water tests and integrating their research with their classroom learning, they are exposed to a comprehensive education that promotes critical thinking and creativity while learning to respect and care for their marine environment.
SAMI student Maddy conducts log watch to make sure the waters are safe and clear while her classmates on deck conduct their experiments.
As stated in the Whole Child approach to education, students deserve to have the opportunity to be actively engaged in, and connected to, school and the broader community. Because of the Tacoma Sea Scout vessels and dedicated volunteer crew, students are engaged with a community many of them have never experienced: the maritime and marine science community. many students have pursued a maritime pathway towards success including higher education and meaningful employment in our global economy.
As the South Sound’s only youth organization with classrooms, docks and ships providing ready access to the water, YMF has provided hundreds of students with their first on-water experience. Always looking forward, YMF is positioned to increase student access exponentially and bridging the gap that Tacoma’s most underserved students face. Join us in congratulating the Tacoma Sea Scouts for being recognized as champions for Whole Child education.
Youth Marine Foundation’s collaboration with Elements of Education supports whole child education. With Commencement Bay as their lab and Tacoma’s only historic tall ship, SSS #110 Odyssey, as their class our students are supported by qualified, caring adults and have access to personalized learning opportunities.
To inquire about marine science cruises for your class or school, contact monique@tacomaymf.org or call 253-572-2666.
