EXECUTIVE MESSAGE

Greetings! It is that time of year again when we send our graduating seniors off on the next leg of their journey of exploration and accomplishment.

Our graduates from Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) are moving on to attend colleges and universities all over the country.  92% of graduating seniors were accepted at 4-year colleges. Some have won full-ride scholarships from College Match, POSSE Foundation and other sponsors. 

In addition to their individual accomplishments, this graduating class is special at ECHS for several reasons. Notably, this class has fulfilled our expanded environmental and college preparatory curriculum, which includes the addition of our award-winning Green Ambassadors program and an innovative SAT Prep program.

Not only have they completed our rigorous set of coursework, including four years of math and science, but these students have also inspired thousands of other youth, businesses, community members and leaders across the nation to care more about "being green."  

Our graduates are full of passion and individualism.  This year, they captured the hearts of many across the U.S. as they demonstrated their drive to become successful and thoughtful citizens of our community by participating in the President’s Race to the Top Commencement Challenge. These kids are not just going off to college. They are poised to make a positive impact on our nation.   

The education and preparation ECHS has given them has been possible thanks to the generous financial and in-kind help of our sponsors, partners and supporters like you. As our Anniversary Gala celebration in November approaches, we hope you’ll continue supporting our extraordinary mission.

Jenni Taylor is Principal of Environmental Charter High School.

TOP STORIES

White House Honors ECHS: U.S. Secretary of Labor Solis Keynotes ECHS Graduation

“Your school exemplifies what a quality education is all about,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in her speech on June 24th at ECHS’ graduation ceremony in Los Angeles.

"Environmental Charter High School was selected by the White House as one of six model schools in the country for obtaining an excellent education. So it is with the utmost honor and pride for me to be sent here on behalf of our President Barack Obama to say to you in person, ‘Environmental Charter High, congratulations on being a finalist in the Race To the Top Commencement Challenge!’” Ms. Solis affirmed.

The White House received over 1,000 applications before selecting six high school finalists for their extraordinary achievements and efforts. At the ceremony, Steven C. Bradford, California State Assembly Member, 51st District, presented an award to the faculty and staff of ECHS, saying, “We want to thank you for all the great work and truly hope we all live up to your motto: Inspire, Equip, and Empower."

Representing Los Angeles, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas presented ECHS with an award on behalf of the County Board of Supervisors. “To the student body, the faculty and the whole community that surrounds the Environmental Charter High School, the County of Los Angeles salutes you! All 11 million residents in this county have an opportunity to know that something great is happening right here, right now,” stated Ridley-Thomas.

ECHS’ Biggest Fan: Shaquille O'Neal

NBA champ Shaq also joined ECHS' graduation ceremony. In a video message he told graduates, "I'm proud to be part of today's celebration. How proud you must be of your school, which sets every record for performance in the state of California. Over 92% of you are going to college, more than three times the average in California.”

O’Neal, who also supported ECHS in its White House Commencement Challenge campaign, added, “I’m probably the biggest fan of this school. I'm enormously impressed by your performance and I'm grateful for your commitment to solving problems we all face. I especially like your Green Ambassadors program, which teaches you that being green in what you do enables us not only to succeed but requires that we give back.”

With an eye to ECHS' future collaboration with his charity, O’Neal announced, “I look forward to learning with you, your amazing teachers and administrators, and working together to develop solutions, and help create the economic opportunity to realize the new green American dream that each of us holds near and dear to our hearts."

GREEN AMBASSADORS

Introducing Professional Training Courses

How To Integrate Sustainability into Your Classes – For Educators & Trainers

The Green Ambassadors Institute is excited to offer a new set of courses for teachers who want to integrate principles of environmental sustainability into the core standards-based curriculum through project-based learning.

Educators will also learn how to use the environment as the context for an authentic interdisciplinary curriculum.

Classes start this school year, including:

• Methods to Teach Sustainability and Create Active Citizens
• Using Your Community to Teach Sustainability: Recycled Art, Design and Architecture
• Disposable Living Teaches Indispensable Lessons: Strengthening Student Voices Through Community Partnerships
• Help Your Students Start at Home: Green My Parents

Classes qualify for graduate and continuing education credits through UCLA Extension, and are open to educators (from schools and community organizations).

ECHS’ award-winning Green Ambassadors program inspires students to continue their education after high school.

Through experiential learning, Green Ambassadors creates opportunities for youth to build leadership skills and address critical environmental issues facing our planet.

Students in the program quickly realize they are able to take action to improve their environment. Once they are inspired, their learning becomes more relevant. This sparks their desire to go on to college.

INSPIRED LEARNING

Students Exchange Views on Sustainable Agriculture Via Live Video Link With Youth in Asia, Latin America and Africa

How do you bring 10th grade English to life while tying every assessment, quiz, and learning benchmark to real-world applications?

ECHS teacher Kristy Lesan found an exciting solution. She connected her class with schools in 10 countries including India, Columbia, Kenya, Uganda, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Pakistan for a live multi-point video and web collaboration using the latest interactive instructional learning technologies.  GreenContributor, a project affiliated with Seneca College in Ontario provided the link-up.

“I learned way more than I would have by just researching something on a computer or only reading books,” said 10th-grader Jamie Burton.

In English class, Lesan challenged students to apply what they learned in their Green Ambassadors class, assigning them papers on sustainable agriculture issues around the world. Then they exchanged their findings with overseas peers through the videoconference and Internet links.

“I was amazed that Indian kids we spoke with had never heard of the potential for harm to their country’s agriculture from bioengineered crops, which is something we had learned in our Green Ambassadors class,” 10th grader Diana Ferruzca pointed out.

Thanks to the success of this class - which exemplifies ECHS' 21st Century approach to innovation in education - ECHS plans similar projects for other classes, and plans to participate in a proposal to take the class to the United Nations.

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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT 

The Surfrider Foundation Helps ECHS Students Educate The Public

After learning about the impact of plastics on our environment and health, ECHS students speak out in public and encourage Los Angelinos to curb their single-use plastic habits. To date, they have delivered over 40 presentations and speeches to more than 8,000 people at local schools, city councils, and organizations including Google, IKEA, and OTIS College of Art & Design.

This transformative educational experience for ECHS students is made possible thanks to a partnership with The Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through conservation, activism, research and education. ECHS’ Green Ambassadors program partners with The Surfrider Foundation in its Rise Above Plastics campaign.

To arrange a presentation at your school, business, or organization, email.

EVENTS

RETHINK: GREEN Art Exhibition – Charity Gala

SAVE THE DATE! - November 6, 2010 - West Hollywood

Join us to Celebrate 10 Years of Environmental Charter School success!

Benefiting Environmental Charter Schools & Green Ambassadors Institute

Honoring 10 Green Leaders

Art Exhibition of 50 Top Visual Artists

Silent Auction

Live Music

Organic Food

Displays & Interactions

Green Carpet Entrance with Celebrities & VIPs

Sponsorship & info contact: Alison Suffet-Diaz by email, or call 310 214-3400