CONTACT: Shannon Haber
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2022
Board Approves Outdoor Sustainable Learning Spaces and Critical School Upgrades
Investing in our students with more than $24 million bond dollars at work
Los Angeles, CA (September 27, 2022) – The Board of Education today approved the creation of outdoor sustainable learning spaces at Allesandro Elementary School and Environmental Science Magnet and Short Avenue Elementary School. The Sustainable Environment Enhancement Developments for Schools (SEEDS) greening projects, with a combined budget of $200,000, will create welcoming environments for student-centered, experiential and engaged learning.
In additional capital investments in Los Angeles Unified schools, the Board of Education also approved three critical replacement and upgrade projects valued at approximately $24 million to replace aging and deteriorating building systems. The projects will provide new underground plumbing, campus-wide, at Ernest Lawrence Middle School, Pacoima Middle School and Gaspar De Portola Charter Middle School.
“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, but addressing lesser seen improvements, such as installation of new underground plumbing, makes a huge contribution to the health of our students and employees.”
Los Angeles Unified’s SEEDS program provides funding to enhance and/or create outdoor healthy and sustainable learning environments that directly support school curriculum. These outdoor learning spaces facilitate educational programs related to nutrition, health, literacy, math and science and may also be used during recess and lunch-time by students. Projects are identified through proposals submitted by schools and/or partner organizations. A school site by itself, or in cooperation with a partner, may submit a SEEDS application to receive up to $100,000 to create or improve an outdoor learning environment that aligns with the school’s instructional vision and program. An additional $50,000 (“SEEDS+” funding) is available to schools ranked in the top 150 on the Los Angeles Unified Greening Index of schools in need of green space.
The SEEDS projects approved today each have a project budget of $100,000. Allesandro Elementary School and Environmental Science Magnet will receive an outdoor learning environment, including two outdoor classrooms, and edible garden space. Eco Urban Gardens, the partner organization, will support programming in the approximately 3,316 square foot space. Additionally, Short Avenue Elementary School will receive an outdoor gathering space, including a reading garden, and a grass playfield. Elizabeth A. Lynn Foundation and Friends of Short Ave, the partner organizations, will support programming in the approximately 11,300 square foot space.
“I’m excited to see these greening projects move forward today, as the Board commits to expanding our work to add green spaces across all our campus,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. “Our SEEDS projects have brought critical outdoor learning spaces to schools, and I hope we can accelerate that work to add even more greening at our schools.”
“Our ongoing efforts to provide our kids and families with the best possible learning environments continue with safe, upgraded facilities and innovative educational spaces for our students to learn, grow, and thrive,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said. “I’m thrilled to approve today’s investments directing over $5 million to Board District 4 schools for critical repairs, greening projects, classroom furniture, and additional campus upgrades.”
“These improvements will keep our schools safe, well-maintained and sanitary for our students, staff, parents and guardians,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna said. “The new SEEDS projects will also provide outdoor classrooms, gardens, and other learning opportunities for our students. I am pleased to vote yes and thankful to the taxpayers who voted yes on bond measures to support our schools.”
“Thank you voters and all on our school campuses advocating for excellent learning environments," Board Member Mónica García said. "Investments like SEEDS and basic critical replacements absolutely impact our students’ academic and social emotional wellbeing.”
“I am supporting two important investments in our schools today,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Our critical replacement projects help make sure our school environments are safe while supporting teaching and learning. Supporting additional SEEDS projects in our schools allows us to build more spaces that will facilitate student-centered, experiential, and engaged learning while supporting the partnership that will encourage community support thus ensuring the long-term maintenance of these spaces.”
“Los Angeles Unified is demonstrating its commitment to be a progressive global leader in best practices for climate resiliency through how we design and manage our energy, water, waste, transportation and green schoolyard systems,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “Promoting green schools and climate literacy will help our students become engaged, proactive leaders of the future.”
“I am thrilled that this Board approval will continue to help our schools improve critical facility upgrades and add greening projects to better support our students, staff, and environment,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “Our school communities deserve a school environment that will allow them to teach, learn and engage in a safe and sustainable manner.”