Dear community member,
Earth Day, falling each year on April 22, provides an important opportunity for our schools to reflect on the importance of environmental education and stewardship of our planet.
In addition to the inspiring Earth Day celebrations returning to Santa Cruz and Watsonville, I want to share a little about some of our upcoming events and environmental programs – including several opportunities for you or your school to get involved.
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Green Classroom Celebration: In collaboration with the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, we are excited to present the Green Classroom Celebration, taking place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz. Teachers from across the county participating in the Green Classroom Challenge will be recognize, and educators and partners will be sharing more about their work. Find out more.
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YEA Summit: Student leaders in Youth for Environmental Action, a group the COE is proud to facilitate and support, are hosting an environmental summit on Earth Day at Camp Koinonia that is bringing together hundreds of high school students from across our county to learn and advocate. Find out more about YEA and how any high school student in Santa Cruz County can get involved on the YEA website.
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Countywide Cleanup Day: The COE is pleased to partner with Pitch In Santa Cruz County to support the first All-Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day on May 11. Schools and local organizations can sign up to host their own cleanup or attend an existing cleanup nearby. Find out more.
These are just a few of the many ways to get involved with environmental education and sustainability this Spring, and year round. Through our ongoing environmental programs, the COE is committed to working with districts, schools, and community partners to educate and empower our school community to advance environmental literacy across our community.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
County Superintendent of Schools