Journey North Symbolic Monarch Butterfly Migration

Symbolic Migration

Symbolic Monarchs in Mexico
By Estela Romero

Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary Town of Angangueo, Michoachan

This is one of the oldest and biggest school in Angangueo. Its location at the very western side ofthe town an open landscape allows students, teachers and their families here to witness the arrival of Monarchs.

Approaching the school grounds.

Play ground area.

Snack time.

Because the students witness the comings and goings of the monarchs they are particularly sensitive to the thoughts that monarchs may cease coming to their area. Estela works hard to talk about the issues surrounding habitat protection, without upsetting the children. She assures them they can make a difference in their every-day lives. She encourages them to live a "green" life to preserve their homeland and overwintering sites for monarchs. "Think Global, Act Local!"

Class 6B: These next photos show students in class 6B.

Writing letters back to their new friends in US and Canada.

Working together!

Examining their butterflies.

Is this YOUR class butterfly?

Class 6A: These next photos show students in class 6A.

So fun to read notes inside the Ambassador butterflies.

It is surprising how aware the students are to some of the damage humans are causing to the monarchs' habitat, to the climate change problems, and other conditions to our planet's health.

Beautiful.

Bright and colorful butterflies.

Class 5B: These next photos show students in class 5B.

The group assembles for a discussion.

What's inside this Ambassador butterfly?

Excitment!

Writing a little about themselves.

Sending their greetings!

Class 5A: These next photos show students in class 5A.

Class discussion.

Lots of enthusiasm for the Journey North visit!

A new book and a butterfly from Utah.

Is this your butterfly?

Class 4B: These next photos show students in class 4B.

Holding the model of a monarch larvae.

The chrysalis.

The Adult is something every child has seen LOTS of!

Sharing.

Does anyone recognize this butterfly?

From a class in West St. Paul, Minnesota!

This girl moved to Angangueo from Canada a few months ago. In Canada her school participated in the Symbolic Migration. Now she lives in Angangueo and is receiving a butterfly from up north!

Class 4A: These next photos show students in class 4A.

Sending greetings.

Beautiful Ambassador butterfly~ did you make it?

Do you recognize this?

Bye!

Francisco J. Mújica Elementary New "Barrio Sustaintable Monarca." Built after Flood 2010

Many parts of the town of Angangueo were swept away in the floods of 2010. As a result, a new school and neighborhood, named, "Barrio Sustaintable Monarca" was built. It is located just beside El Cerrito, one of the stopping sites for monarchs as they make their way to the forest sanctuaries.

A view of the school and houses in background.

The new neighborhood houses are just by the school.

All students 4th-6th grade.

The students were taken to an empty classroom where they decided to work on the floor, finding it fun to do so.

Children and teachers are very happy to know that they are a priority for Journey North to be visited.

The school received some books for their library.

A gift of stickers traveled with this butterfly.

Bye!

José María Morelos Elementary Angangueo Town, Micheocan

This is one of the oldest and highest quality schools in the town of Angangueo. The school director is a very pro-positive person interested in having the message from Journey North for the children of her school. She is interested in having these students learn about the Monarch life cycle and the uniqueness of our region being the overwintering site for them to the eyes of the world.

View of the school.

This is the first elementary school in the region to have an auditorium (just built) and Journey North was honored to present here.

All our beautiful butterflies.

Grades 4, 5, and 6 assemble to learn about monarch conservation.

Children sharing with thrilled to receive, read and show to their classmates their letters and Symcolic Monarchs.

Children sharing and commenting the life-cycle of Monarchs and then reading their letters aloud anxious to share what they tell to their counterparts in the North about their lives, likes, family, culture and traditions.

Children love to receive the photo of their counterparts in North America and Canada knowing who they are and what their school environment is.

With this school, Journey North completes its visits to the schools surrounding the two Monarch Sanctuaries in the Region; El Rosario and Sierra Chincua. This season we visited 38 schools.
We presented the only non-profit program delivering environmental education related to Monarchs Habitat Preservation in this region in Central México.