EXECUTIVE MESSAGE   Green is Good

California’s education budget has been slashed.  The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) said it may issue thousands of pink slips.  We are very concerned about the impact of the budget cuts on our school.

Our team has worked incredibly hard to create a school that is not only innovative environmentally, but also prepares students for success at four-year colleges.

We have been relentless in our push for student achievement.  We have also been delighted to see our Green Ambassadors program earn public recognition as it has been installed in additional schools.  And we want to reward the teachers and administrators who have been part of raising ECHS’ profile and making academic success a reality.

We pride ourselves on being "Green" at ECHS.  But running a school takes another kind of “Green” - legal tender.  I'm very proud to say that ECHS operates with a strong cash reserve, thanks to the excellent fiscal oversight by our senior management.   Rather than ‘pink slips’ we plan scheduled pay raises to reward and motivate our deserving and talented staff. 

Given the economic situation in this country, it is quite an accomplishment that ECHS has been able to spend conservatively so that we can offer job stability to our hard-working staff.

However, as we go forward with plans to open a middle school and expand our reach, we will increasingly rely on the support and resources of outside donations.  We are actively seeking the generosity of our friends and supporters so we keep operating "in the green."  At ECHS, we are proud that Green is what sets us apart ... and in more ways than one!

Mollie Mitchell is on ECHS’ Board of Directors.  She is Founder and President of The K12 Search Group, Inc.

TOP STORY

City of Lawndale Picks ECHS for $21,000 Grant

Students will create public art, sculptures and murals facing the community depicting California's natural history with funds from a grant coming from Lawndale.  The proceeds will also fund interpretive signs explaining campus demonstrations and Green practices for visitors. The artwork, to face 163rd Street, will use eco-friendly paints and natural materials. 

GREEN AMBASSADORS

As part of our efforts to exemplify Green principles, ECHS has installed two new Green Spaces on campus.  The Green Spaces will demonstrate green building principles to the community, deliver solutions by the reDiscover Center (a local volunteer art organization), and house a bike repair shop.

The structures were created to be a LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) space.   Wood used is FSC certified lumber. The paint is the Greenest paint available.   The roof and shingles are designed to reflect the maximum amount of sun rays so the inside stays cool. The glass door material allows the maximum amount of heat to be reflected, also keeping the temperature as low as possible.

VisionBuild, Inc. generously donated the two Silver LEED-inspired Green Spaces.   Mike DiGiovannni, Chief Vision Officer of VisionBuild said, “We are delighted to help Environmental Charter High School, an innovative, national award-winning school, demonstrate Green principles with the help of our Green Space technology.”

BP's (British Petroleum) Helios House pledged $1000.  Helios House is a "living laboratory" gas station that uses green, eco-friendly innovations to educate consumers.

ECHS’ award-winning Green Ambassadors program exemplifies our service-learning philosophy. It creates opportunities for youth to build leadership skills and address critical environmental issues facing our planet.

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT 

Garfield Bright

Job: 9th Grade History Teacher.  Freshman Academic Advisor.  One year at ECHS.

Educational Background: B.A., Political Science, California State University at Northridge.

Before ECHS: Education is his second career. Also a hugely talented singer, and multi-platinum entertainer, many know Bright as a member of Shai, an R&B vocal group whose first release skyrocketed to the top of the music charts in 1992. 

Before ECHS, he founded The School of Thought, a mobile school based on alternative pedagogy, which focused on youth from urban settings.

On ECHS: “I see ECHS becoming a model for education - through its use of learning outside of the classroom walls and community service by students,” says Bright.  “My hope is that we will see ECHS’ brand of education set the standard for a more progressive, environmentally-conscious paradigm,” he adds. Bright draws from his unique experiences gained traveling the world as an entertainer to make his classes relevant to students.  One of his most rewarding ECHS experiences was when a student said "Mr. Bright, the reason you are a great teacher is because you actually care about us.”    

When Extracurricular:   “My love for reading shares importance with my love for music and writing,” says Bright. He recently co-taught a course at Cal State Northridge entitled The Politics of Hip Hop.  For all his accomplishments and talents, Bright is most proud of being a Dad to “five young men who keep me centered.”

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Brandie Odett Cobb

Job: AVID Teacher Senior Seminar and Economics.  On-site California Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) coach and AVID Coordinator.  Coach for Teaching American History grant. Softball team coach. 5 years at ECHS.

Before ECHS: Two years experience in the Poway Unified School District, Mt. Carmel High School, New Directions Alternative School, and Rancho Bernardo High School teaching U.S. and World History and serving as the African American Student Union Advisor. 

On ECHS: “I would like for all students at ECHS to get accepted to four-year colleges and Universities and go to college,” says Cobb, who also wants to add even more challenges to the ECHS economics curriculum.   Among her absolutely most rewarding experiences at ECHS has been seeing the progress of students she has advised, and “Sending them off to their futures,” says Cobb. "But  there are so many more great experiences," she says.  Whether it has been helping a student overcome fear of the water while kayaking on Catalina Island during an outdoor education program, or seeing the faces of seniors when they reached an 8,000 foot mountain peak, her students keep Cobb energized.

When Extracurricular: A fan of speed, Cobb loves skiing in the winter and riding her Jetski on Lake Havasu as a family pastime.   That is why few would guess the fun-loving and athletic Cobb’s secret hobby. “I love to crochet and knit scarves, hats, and blankets, and also enjoy making bracelets and painting unfinished wood pieces,” she admits with smile. 

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INSPIRED STUDENTS

ECHS Student Genesis Godoy Wins Planet Connect High School Grant

National Competition on Solutions for Environmental Issues

Genesis Godoy, a 16-year old ECHS student, has won a Planet Connect High School Grant national competition for her proposal to address an environmental challenge.  Winners submitted ideas to solve problems and raise awareness for environmental issues in their schools and communities.   Planet Connect is a program of the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) launched in partnership with The Weather Channel.  It targets high school youth to increase student engagement in environmental learning and stimulate interest in environmental careers.  Grant funding comes from the NBC Universal Foundation.   

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OTHER NEWS – CELEBRATING SUCCESS

61% of ECHS 2009 Graduating Class Already Admitted to College!

Early applications by our 2009 seniors class have yielded impressive college acceptance results so far!

Fruit Tree Planting with Common Vision Organization

ECHS Students planted over 30 fruit trees in the Lawndale community, making a fruit tree corridor so they are surrounded by healthy food around the school.   Common Vision, a volunteer organization, provided the student workshop in tree planting and care.

Let it Rain: Water Catchment Demo Awash in Success

Thanks to our partnership with Heytanksla.com, GreenAmbassadors’ February Rain Water Harvesting Event brought over 300 community members, raised over $500, and sold four water harvesting kits that are being delivered to William Green and Mark Twain elementary schools.

Tinkling Away Gallons No More

Waterless Urinals on campus will now save thousands of gallons of water each year.  We are pleased to do our part to save resources.

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OUR PARTNERS – A BIG GREEN THANK YOU

We thank our corporate, professional, and community partners for supporting ECHS.  From generous financial and in-kind assistance, to time and expertise, your support is helping us inspire and educate like never before.

Our many sponsors and partners . . .

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EVENTS

Main Event: Friday April 24th, Earth Day Celebration at ECHS from 9-Noon

Building on last year's success, we are hosting an Earth Day Carnival with teaching, performances and more!   Local school classes invited to register!

ECHS Students and Teachers are also participating in these
upcoming local and national events!