Meeting Time: June 12, 2020 at 8:00am PDT
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Agenda Item

E.-2 20-1090 A discussion by the Facilities Committee, with General Counsel and Acting Deputy Chief, Facilities Planning and Management, and possible adoption of a recommendation to the Board of Education that it (Board) ask voters of the District to approve a new General Obligation Bond for school facilities at the November 3, 2020 General Election.

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    Joanna Biggar over 4 years ago

    As an educator, I have seen over and over the positive effects of green schoolyards. I've seen small children delight in growing what they late will eat, teenagers work through difficulties by working the earth, and communities respond to each other peacefully and with respect in the presence of green and living things. These are all values of the highest order, and the price tag of cultivating them is so very low compared to what we can all reap from them.

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    Hannah Haugenes over 4 years ago

    My name is Hannah Haugenes, and living schoolyards are important to me. I was a garden teacher at a school in OUSD this year and saw how important the space was for the education, physical/mental health, and recreation

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact on our children. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources. This funding can also generate large matching funds from public and private sources for living schoolyards and related education.

    Especially during these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support the health and safety of our students.

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    Kat Romo over 4 years ago

    My name is Kat Romo. Living schoolyards are important to me. I coordinate nutrition and garden education. I think access to green spaces is an equity issue. Having these spaces contributes to better health, mental, & academic outcomes for students, staff, and families. I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the 11/3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources. This funding can also generate large matching funds from public & private sources for living schoolyards and related education. During these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support health & safety.

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    Zoraida Serrano over 4 years ago

    I strongly urge the Board to include funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond.

    I’m an Oakland resident and OUSD teacher. Our school is surrounded by auto bodyshops, but very few tress. Our schoolyard is almost entirely asphalt. With little shade in the environment, our playground becomes unbearably hot during the warmer months. Our kids deserve the opportunity to connect with nature and have a space that supports their physical/mental health and safety, especially during this pandemic. The funding generated by a bond can turn asphalt-covered schoolyards like ours into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play, and social opportunities; strengthen local ecological systems; and provide hands-on learning resources. It can also generate matching funds from public and private sources. I urge the Board to make this investment in living schoolyards and create a huge impact on our children.

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    Jody Lerner over 4 years ago

    My name is Jody Lerner, and living schoolyards are important to me because I have firsthand experience with their benefits. I helped create outdoor classrooms/gardens at Montclair School in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Kids learned not only how to engage in scientific observation, but also made the connection between nature and what they eat, as well as learning to honor farmers.

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond.

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    July Cordoba over 4 years ago

    My name is July Cordoba and living schoolyards are important to me because students at OUSD schools deserve safe spaces to play and engage with their peers.

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact on our children. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources. This funding can also generate large matching funds from public and private sources for living schoolyards and related education. Especially during these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support the health and safety of our students.

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    Kristi Holohan over 4 years ago

    My name is Kristi Holohan, and living schoolyards are important to me because community can find a place to engage in both physical emotional health by engagement in the natural world.

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact on our children. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources. This funding can also generate large matching funds from public and private sources for living schoolyards and related education.

    Especially during these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support the health and safety of our students.

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    Liliana Sandoval over 4 years ago

    My name is Liliana Sandoval, and living schoolyards are important to me because OUSD students can benefit mentally and physically from being around nature.

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact on our children. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources. This funding can also generate large matching funds from public and private sources for living schoolyards and related education.Especially during these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support the health and safety of our students.

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    Michelle Mazzeo over 4 years ago

    My name is Michelle Mazzeo and I am an OUSD teacher, and living schoolyards are important to me because now more than ever we need to convert our outdated and damaging school environments into safe and healthy places where students can grow and learn.

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact on our children. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources.

    Especially during these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support the health and safety of our students.

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    Jessica Jung over 4 years ago

    My name is Jessica Jung, and living schoolyards are important to me because Oakland students deserve an outdoor learning environment at their schools that provide a range of possible activities rather than just asphalt.

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact on our children. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources. This funding can also generate large matching funds from public and private sources for living schoolyards and related education.
    Especially during these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support the health and safety of our students.

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    Jessica Davenport over 4 years ago

    My name is Jessica Davenport, and living schoolyards are important to the State Coastal Conservancy because they provide open space and natural areas for recreation and environmental education in urban areas.

    I urge OUSD to include dedicated funding for living schoolyards on the prioritized project list for the November 3 Facilities Bond. A small investment in living schoolyards will have a huge impact on our children. The funding generated by a bond can make significant progress toward turning asphalt covered schoolyards into rich outdoor environments that foster equitable health, play and social opportunities, strengthen local ecological systems, and provide hands on learning resources. This funding can also generate large matching funds from public sources, such as the Coastal Conservancy, as well as private foundations.

    Especially during these challenging times of Covid-19 and racial injustice, we must make sure our school grounds support the health and safety of our students.