THAT is What I'm Talking About...

This was welcomed news after a week of not so great news for our delightful Space Center.  This notice came from the Superintendent's secretary...as close as I can get "straight from the horse's mouth".

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Alpine School District will Continue the Space Center Program

There is misinformation circulating about the closure of the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. It is important that employees and community members have correct, factual information about the decision. Please read the following:

The following news release was sent on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.

News Release

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center, which has been housed in Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, has been closed due to safety reasons. The Fire Marshal closed the Space Center in early October because of electrical problems. Alpine School District Officials notified Central Elementary School as well as the Program Director that the Space Center would not be re-opened in its current location. Superintendent Vern Henshaw has directed a committee to explore options for a Space Center, which will then be presented to the ASD Board of Education.

When the state fire marshal closed the center, district officials hired an architectural firm to assess and provide an estimate of the cost of repairs. The desire was to bring the center up to code if at all possible. Sadly, the cost to correct electrical problems and address the myriad of student safety problems was nearly $700,000. Board members and district administrators felt it was not wise to use taxpayer money to repair an aging facility when a new facility is in future plans.

The plan is to expand on the remarkable legacy of the Space Center as we learn from the past and look to the future.

Victor Williamson has been the director of the Space Center since it opened in 1990. He is serving on a committee that will explore and present options about the future of the Space Center Program. The options will be presented to the Superintendent and the Board of Education, who will ultimately make the decision.

The committee will be discussing all possibilities about both the location of the center, as well as the curriculum. There are no plans to discontinue the use of the simulators as part of the Space Center Program. The committee will have discussions about ways to add to the current curriculum.

Safety of the students is a top priority in Alpine School District. The Space Center has been a great program in our district for the past 22 years. Board Members and district administrators are excited to continue having an excellent space program in a safe environment for students and faculty members.

District officials and board members have been aware of the needs of the Space Center. The project was on the original 2011 Bond Project proposal. Due to prioritization through public input, the final proposal did not include the re-build of the Space Center. However, it remains a focus of the Board of Education. Several years ago, property was purchased by ASD adjacent to Central Elementary School as an option for a future site of the Space Center. ASD continues to value the Space Center and the impact it has had for several years. It is for this reason Dr. Henshaw has directed the formation of the committee.

The following statement was released by Alpine School District on Thursday, October 25:

“Alpine School District has every intention of preserving the Space Center Program. There is mis-information circulating about the program’s demise. The only change is the closing of the facility in the current location. This decision was made because of safety reasons. District Board Members and administrators are excited to have the 22 year program continue. This is a great opportunity for the committee to look at the program and make it even better.”

The committee will be meeting on November 2. Please visit the ASD website for updated information.

Launch Aborted?! Say It Ain't So

Our elementary school has  had one really big cool thing that has set us apart from other schools for 22 year.  We were the home of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center.  My kids both volunteered there.  They worked there during school (as an incentive to keep up and do well in classes).  They attended space missions with parties, scouts, friends.  People from across the state and even into Idaho and Wyoming knew about the Space Center.  As a PTA volunteer, other PTA moms would immediately recognize our school when I 'd say "we're the ones with the Space Center" and they would invariably reply "That is the coolest place ever...my kids love that place...how lucky are you that it is in your school?!" or somethin gto that effect.

But the district announced this week the Space Center is closed.  See the article from the Salt Lake Tribune HERE

What a devastating announcement.  We just held our Council PTA meeting at the school this week,hours before this announcement.

I am not sure the kids have heard yet.  We weren't online that evening and I woke up to a flurry of comments, posts and rallying cries online this morning.  I have yet to read one things that was not positive about the center.  And in the final push of an election cycle, that is welcomed news.

I'll keep you posted, but this is a really sad day for those of us who love Central, the Space Center, our town, Mr. Williamson, and all the great memories made at a very special place that, as of right now, has a very unstable future.