Petition Fights To Save The Odyssey Trip For Sudbury Fourth-Graders

SUDBURY, MA—A concerned group is requesting support in petitioning the Sudbury Public Schools to keep the Odyssey program, which it says is a possible cut from the fourth grade curriculum.

The Odyssey Planning Team was created to study possible changes to this annual overnight trip, which for many years has been to a camp in Amesbury, MA, reports Metrowest Daily News. Superintendent Anne Willson told reporters in August that planners were fairly certain that the trip would likely be shortened by a day, be much closer to Sudbury and have more educational components.

Now, the program, which is 46 years old and originated in other states, may be completely scrapped, with a final decision being made on Oct. 2 at a School Committee meeting.

On a popular community site, a resident posted, "The Sudbury Community is respectfully requesting the help from Sudbury Alumni that participated in the Sudbury Odyssey program. This overnight program may be cut from the 4th grade curriculum. If you have attended this program as a former student, we would love your support. Thank you!"

A petition created by Jane Stevenson is available on The Petition Site, and has received 600 signatures of the 650 goal.

It reads:

Dear Dr. Wilson, Sudbury Public Schools Staff and Members of the Sudbury Public School Committee:

We respectfully request that any decision regarding major changes to the Odyssey program be placed on hold until new SPS leadership is in place and changes are made to the current composition of the Odyssey review committee. Odyssey has been a beloved rite of passage in Sudbury for generations. Elementary students anticipate the day they will have their turn to proudly wear red sweatshirts and enjoy their overnight adventure. Many alumni recall the Odyssey experience as one of their fondest memories of SPS. The presentation on August 30 was disheartening for many people.

The survey feedback presented about Odyssey was overwhelmingly positive, but the presentation overall was extremely biased and focused on negative aspects. For many of us, this runs counter to our experiences where students, staff and chaperones demonstrate incredible moments of kindness, growth, learning, fun and connection - all things emblematic of our core values. Many in town have expressed eagerness to help support the program's health and continuation. Please take these requests into consideration so that we can make sure that we do not lose one of Sudbury Public Schools' most important, unique and treasured experiences.

What do you think? Should the Odyssey program stay? Have your kids participated? Have you? Share in the comments section.

Photo via Shutterstock