Elementary Parents Seek Support for 'Odyssey of the Mind' Program

Some parents and students of the Peters Township elementary schools would like to see the provide funding at the level to participate in "Odyssey of the Mind," similar to what is done at the middle and high school.

According to its website, "Odyssey of the Mind" is an international program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.

Luke Gerban-Kaspar, a student, and his mother, Gigi Gerban, appeared before the board to ask that the district continue providing financial support for the program.

Luke read a letter signed by members of the elementary "Odyssey of the Mind" team, and his mother said funding the program is worth the expense.

Ellen Mavarich, who has worked with program, supported their position.

“The value of divergent thinking in our children lies in making them think deliberately, and in that process they come up with great ideas,” she said. “Our children are going to be facing a lot of problems, and we need to be grooming problem-solvers. We need to help these children now to use their minds, and turn out the most creative solutions.”

In balancing the 2011-2012 budget, , and asked that boosters clubs assist in providing financial support and transportation to special events and activities.

“We don’t offer extracurricular activities in Math Counts and theater, or any of the other opportunities at the elementary level,” said Superintendent Nina Zetty. “There is a win-win solution and Dr. (Robert) Freado (middle school principal) is taking care of that."

She suggested that interested parents should contact Freado, who can explain the process of how elementary students can participate in the "Odyssey of the Mind" competition.

Zetty said that volunteers can help with the program, as they do in other extracurricular activities, but all volunteers would have to pass the necessary clearances.

Board member Mark Buzzatto said the "Odyssey of the Mind" program has been one of the “non-traditional educational strengths, if not highlights, of the district.

"I would advocate this program with my final breath, and we should establish procedures where parents can get the clearances so that we can do this,” he said. 

“Although the administration isn’t funding the program, there is a way to make it happen, so that all of our students can be a part of it,” Zetty said.