To the editor:

I am the mother of a seven-year-old girl who eschews dolls in favor of bugs, and loves rocks and trees and dirt and all manners of anything flora or fauna. I tell you this because there is an important school bond that will be going before voters for approval on February 7th. The bond package includes an environmental sciences center that deserves special mention. The center would encompass 34 acres of undeveloped wetlands, which would serve as an outdoor lab, and an adjacent 5+ acre property which would be further developed to house the retreat center.

The Environmental Center will serve as a replacement for the old Outdoor Education Program and give our district the opportunity to more closely design and implement curriculum. This facility will be available to our students and to other schools districts and community groups interested in hands-on study and research that will benefit the study of ecology, forestry, and marine sciences - perhaps even providing apprentice or mentor programs with surrounding business ventures. There is also a definite potential for use as a community environmental interpretive center.

This is truly such an exciting opportunity for our children and for our community. The students of Federal Way deserve this environmental sciences center. They deserve new, healthy schools and a performing arts center. Please vote in support of the bond on February 7th.

Tia M. Hendrix