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Dear Community:

Last week I announced our immediate response to Covid-19. Today, I wanted to introduce some of the programmatic and organizational changes we are making to support our teachers, students, and staff and ensure we continue to deliver on our mission and adapt to the changing needs of our stakeholders.

We have decided to reschedule our Earth Month volunteer events for the Fall and we are moving all regional Student Innovation Showcases to a virtual format for students and guests. We will have more info on this exciting event for you soon.

Over the past two weeks, our team has worked with district partners to ensure our resources are readily available, at no cost, to every teacher and parent in the district, in addition to those teachers we currently serve. Additionally, we recognize that our most vulnerable students are at risk when schools are closed and we are working with partners to ensure that all students have access to learning materials.

For parents who may be home-schooling students for the first time, we are curating materials that lend themselves particularly well to students who are learning at home, like our Personal Eco-Audits. We have launched a parent resource page to support parents who are interested in our programs.

Our program and our people are our number one priority and I want you to know we are doing everything we can do to put our schools, teachers, students, and team members first in each decision we make. Over the coming weeks, I will be working with our board to ensure we have well-developed plans to manage an economic downturn and to position the organization for the other side of this event. Your support, whether it be as a donor, partner, or ally, is deeply appreciated.

This has been a hard week for many of us. A few days ago, we were devastated to learn that we lost a principal and incredible leader at one of our schools in New York City. I have no doubt that Dez-Ann’s leadership and commitment to her community will live on. And I believe the ethos of her work provides a call to action for each of us: inspire to be your best self, support your community, and band together during difficult times. While I have felt overwhelmed, heartbroken, and afraid this week, I also feel hopeful as I choose to believe in the potential for human and planetary health that happens when we all continue to come together in community and common cause. Thank you for being a part of our community.

Sending love, care, and support to you and your families.

Together, #WeRise.

Jon Stott
Executive Director

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