Thank you for Making Education Summit 2011 a Great Success

Roger, We DO need an education

We want to again thank each and every school, parent, principal, panelist, volunteer and community member for making the Mar Vista Community Council Education Summit 2011, the Westside's largest and most successful event of its kind ever in our 60,000 strong community!

Our community proved once again that we seriously disagree with the well-hummed lyrics of Pink Floyd's Roger Waters in 'We don't need no education.'

Kate Anderson and I were moved by the incredible turnout, the electric energy and the quality of the school booths. Parents were clearly excited to have Mar Vista's amazing schools under one roof to help answer their questions.

And how well-received was the beautifully performed music of the Mark Twain Bellringers in the April air!

The panel discussion and Q&A provided not only context around the budget cuts and the struggle for reform but highlighted that the time to act to save education is now. That's for sure.

Please let us know what you enjoyed and what could have been better by emailing us at eduarts@marvista.org. With your support we can do more to better education for thousands of families in our community.

Please register at marvista.org and subscribe to receive notifications from Education, Arts and Culture Committee, which normally meets the first Sunday of the month. We welcome your active participation at this and other MVCC meetings and events.

Babak and Kate

The 2011 MVCC Education Summit | Thursday, April 14, 2011 | 5-8:30 PM

Good schools are important to us all. Join us on April 14th at the Mar Vista Recreation Center to learn more about Mar Vista's great schools and what you can do to help keep them strong. You don't want to miss this opportunity to meet around 20 schools under one roof and to learn how our children can benefit from their programs.

Mar Vista School Showcase: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
The first part of the Summit will showcase each of our Mar Vista schools, (K-12, public and private). Each school will have representatives and a table of information to brag about the neat things they have going on and to solicit volunteers. Come find out about the terrific new Dual Language Program at Grand View Elementary or the new World Language Magnet Program at Mark Twain or the successful Academies at Webster Middle School. All of our schools have something to share. Better yet, come and sign up to volunteer as a parent or a community member.

Panel Discussion on Education Reform: 6:45-8:30 PM
Next, the summit will present a panel discussion on Education Reform and Community Involvement. The panelists will discuss what education reform means to them and how you can help. They will also answer brief questions from the audience.

Our distinguished panelists include:

• Sarah Auerswald – Parent Activist, Grand View Elementary
• James Encinas – Westminster Elementary teacher and NewTLA member
• Sophie Fanelli – Director of Research, UCLA/IDEA
• Gay Havard – Interim Local Superintendent for District 3
• Marco Petruzzi – CEO, Green Dot Public Schools
• Steve Zimmer – LAUSD Board of Education Member for District 3

In support of the summit, Councilman Bill Rosendahl states, "The summit is a wonderful example of how a neighborhood council like MVCC helps empower parents, educators and everyone who has a stake in improving access to quality education in Mar Vista."

This free community event happens only once a year so be sure to save the date!

English/Spanish interpretation will be avalilable.

MVCC thanks DOLE Inc. and Whole Foods Market for providing refreshments.

For more information:  Please visit marvista.org or email eduarts@marvista.org.

Read the Press Release.

Read the Summit Program in English and Spanish.