Catalyzing Environmental Action Through School Board Policy

Room: 208
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am

As the environmental and climate crisis intensifies, local school boards can catalyze an overall institutional culture of sustainability through board policies, regulations, resolutions, and other actions that make commitments to environmental literacy and sustainable and climate-ready school efforts.

This session explores how school board policies can drive meaningful, sustainable change, turning schools into hubs of environmental stewardship that are leveraged as a laboratory for learning. Featuring a panel of speakers from three distinct school districts, attendees will hear their journeys of how policy led to action, and the critical role that the California Green Ribbon program played in providing a roadmap for moving policy into action.

The panel will provide insights into challenges and successes and offer valuable lessons on how to navigate the complexities of policy implementation and community engagement. Attendees will also leave with actionable ideas to bring back to their own districts.

Learning Objectives:

1) Understand the Role of School Board Policies in Environmental Action: Attendees will be able to articulate how school board policies, regulations, and resolutions can serve as powerful tools to promote environmental literacy and foster a culture of sustainability within schools.

2) Identify Key Strategies for Turning Policy into Action: Participants will learn practical strategies for translating board policies into actionable projects, including student-led initiatives and green campus efforts, that contribute to sustainable and climate-ready schools.

3) Leverage the California Green Ribbon Program for Policy Action: Participants will understand the critical role of the California Green Ribbon program as a framework for moving from policy to action, and will leave with actionable ideas to implement similar initiatives in their districts.

4) Evaluate the Impact of Policy on School Environmental Programs: Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and successes faced by different school districts, enabling them to critically assess how policy-driven approaches can effectively support environmental stewardship in their own contexts.

Speakers:

Andra Yeghoian, Chief Innovation Officer, Ten Strands
Leticia Bhatia, Deputy Superintendent of Educational, Services Cabrillo Unified School District
Matthew Belasco, Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation (MOT), Pittsburg Unified School District
Gloria Harwood, Coordinator of Environmental Literacy, Laguna Beach Unified School District

Speaker Photos and Bio’s Coming Soon!

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