CONTACT: Shannon Haber
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dec. 13, 2022
Los Angeles Unified School Board Approves Creation of New Sustainable Green Outdoor Learning Spaces
Investing in our students with more than $13 million bond dollars at work
Los Angeles, CA (Dec. 13, 2022) – The Board of Education today approved more than $13 million worth of new bond-funded facilities projects to provide safe, welcoming and sustainable outdoor spaces that align with the 2022-26 Strategic Plan and support student-centered, experiential and engaged learning at schools across Los Angeles Unified.
Five outdoor learning environment projects, valued at approximately $11.9 million, were approved at 52nd Street Elementary School, Birdielee V. Bright Elementary School, Commonwealth Avenue Elementary School, Humphreys Avenue Elementary School and Lockwood Avenue Elementary School. These projects, part of Pillar 2: Joy and Wellness in the Strategic Plan, provide additional green space on school campuses by creating outdoor learning spaces, while removing relocatable buildings that are no longer needed.
“Critical investments into our school communities will support upgrades to facilities, benefitting student achievement and academic outcomes,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Greening our campuses is a top priority and makes a huge contribution to the health of our students and employees.”
Outdoor learning environment projects are identified using the Los Angeles Unified Greening Index for a ranking of campuses with the greatest need for enhanced greening, combined with data determining campuses with excess portable classrooms. Each project will provide an approximately 2,000 square foot outdoor learning space with landscaping, shaded seating areas, shade structure, internet connectivity, and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements.
Six Sustainable Environment Enhancement Developments for Schools (SEEDS) projects, with a combined budget of $600,000, were also approved. The greening projects will enhance campuses by creating outdoor sustainable learning spaces that support the school curriculum. Projects will proceed at Atwater Avenue Elementary School, Dayton Heights Elementary School, William Jefferson Clinton Middle School, Henry T. Gage Middle School, Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter and Victoria Avenue Elementary School.
Under the SEEDS program, a school site by itself, or in cooperation with a partner organization, may submit a SEEDS application to receive up to $100,000 to create or improve an outdoor learning space that will facilitate educational programs related to nutrition, health, literacy, math and science and may also be used during recess and lunchtime by students. An additional $50,000 (“SEEDS+” funding) is now available to schools ranked in the top 20% of the Greening Index.
The Board of Education also approved Early Education Center (EEC) outdoor classroom projects at Gratts EEC and Estrella EEC with a combined budget of approximately $825,000. The projects will convert existing asphalt and playground areas into dynamic, nature-based play and learning environments for our youngest students. The new EEC outdoor classrooms will support whole-child development by offering learning stations for music and nature art, climbing and balance activities, building materials, garden planting and more.
"I’m thrilled to see more of our schools begin their greening journeys,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. “Each project provides new outdoor learning opportunities and brings us one step closer to making our campuses welcoming, climate-responsive spaces.”
“Every student and school community should have access to green space,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said. “I’m proud to continue investing in more innovative greening projects, outdoor classrooms and campus gardens-like the one we are approving at Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter in my district today - to make that goal a reality districtwide.”
“I am pleased to support these critical improvements to our campus facilities that will enhance the interior and exterior learning environments for our students,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “The schools included in this scope of work are some of the oldest in LAUSD and located in some of the most densely populated parts of the city. This is a huge step forward in our long quest to work beyond equity and achieve facilities adequacy to these school communities.”
“Outdoor learning spaces and healthy green schools are an important part of developing an enriched academic environment, and I’m excited about these projects moving forward,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said.
"Growing opportunities to green our campuses not only helps address climate change, it also expands learning to the outdoors where it helps students learn in such powerful and effective ways,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said.
“Increased student mental health, academic performance, behavioral development, creativity and problem-solving are just some of the proven benefits of outdoor learning—and kids think it’s super cool, too,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “Progressive action is needed more than ever to support student’s emotional, social and academic needs today while preparing them to be the proactive, climate-literate leaders we need tomorrow.”
“The urgency of increasing green spaces on school campuses is a necessary step for enriching the health and well-being of our students, staff and communities,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “This board approval will help our scholars learn about environmental sustainability, nutrition, literacy, math and science while also having a safe and healthy place to play.”
For the most up-to-date information, please follow Los Angeles Unified on Twitter @laschools and @lausdsup, Instagram at @laschools and @lausdsup and Facebook at @laschools and @AlbertoMCarvalho1.