News Release
CONTACT: Shannon Haber (213) 241-6766 Feb. 4, 2020
Los Angeles Unified School Board to Co-sponsor Earth Day Greater Los Angeles 2020
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Board of Education today unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson and co-sponsored by Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic, Board Vice President Jackie Goldberg and Student Board Member Frances Suavillo, that commits Los Angeles Unified in joining local organizations and agencies as a co-sponsor of Earth Day Greater Los Angeles 2020. The resolution encourages Los Angeles Unified students, teachers, families and the communities we serve to support and attend the upcoming Earth Day event on Sunday, April 19, at Grand Park.
“Multiple years of destructive wildfires, natural disasters and power outages have caused catastrophes in the nation,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Most recently, in my district and in surrounding areas, wildfires have caused school closures, impacting our students, staff, and communities. There is no time to waste. As we commemorate what will be the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, we must encourage our leaders to drive change by developing clear action plans that will impact and change the environment and our future.”
“Los Angeles Unified remains committed to becoming the greenest, most sustainable urban school district in the country,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said.
“Let’s work together with our community partners and agencies to support Earth Day in Los Angeles on April 19, 2020 because a healthy environment and a greener Earth is what our students and our kids deserve,” Board President Dr. Richard A. Vladovic said.
“We are facing a climate emergency of epic proportions, and we must do everything in our power to take action now to preserve our planet for our Los Angeles Unified students and ALL of our children and grandchildren,” Board Vice President Jackie Goldberg said. “Part of this effort means doing what we can to urge environmental awareness in our classrooms through curriculum and engagement and encouraging students, parents, and teachers to attend important events like the Greater Los Angeles Earth Day 2020.”
“Earth Day celebrations are about raising awareness of the impact mankind has on the environment and the things we need to do to protect it,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “This year’s theme, ‘End Plastic Pollution’ challenges us to recycle, reinvent and redirect plastic items. Let’s all commit to making everyday Earth Day and actively keep our plant healthy.”
“As we continue Los Angeles Unified’s efforts to become the most sustainable large, urban school district in the country, I am proud that we have committed to more than just celebrating Earth Day, but truly working toward reducing our carbon footprint, ensuring cleaner air for our school communities, and taking bold steps to provide a greener future for our kids,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said.
“I look forward to celebrating Earth Day with my schools in Board District 6 in April,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “Earth Day is a critical time to ask what more we can do, individually and collectively, to protect the environment for future generations.”
“It is us, the young people, who will spearhead the change in the world’s environmental policies,” Student Board Member Frances Suavillo said.