Mar Vista Community Council to host Westside's largest education summit of its kind on April 14, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2011

Contact: Babak Nahid
Mar Vista Community Council
eduarts@marvista.org
www.marvista.org

Mar Vista Community Council to host more than 20 schools in Westside's largest education summit on April 14, 2011

Los Angeles, CA––The Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) Education Summit  will feature more than 20 area schools and a panel discussion on education reform at the Mar Vista Recreation Center Auditorium on Thursday April 14, 2011, 5-8:30 PM.

Striving to offer the community the largest, most inclusive free education event of its kind on the Westside, the summit brings together parents and educators to help improve the community's access to quality education for our kids.

The summit will feature two parts. First, about 20 Mar Vista area schools (K-12 public and private) will showcase their schools and help answer parents' questions about school programs, goals and performance. Next, a select panel of speakers will discuss and answer audience questions on education reform, and how parents and the community can get involved.

Panelists will include:

• Sarah Auerswald – Parent Activist at 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 of Green Dot Charter 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. The community as a whole has an obligation to improving access to quality education.”

Kate Anderson and Babak Nahid, committee co-chairs, agree that creating and sustaining good schools is a priority in Mar Vista and beyond. “Education really matters to thousands of families in our communities, as both a challenge and an opportunity. By bringing together under one roof everyone who is dedicated to providing quality education to our kids, the summit can help ensure that no parent is left behind,” explained Babak Nahid.

Please register at Marvista.org to receive updates on this event and more from the MVCC.

For more information:
Kate Anderson and Babak Nahid
Co-chairs, Education, Arts and Culture Committee
Mar Vista Community Council
eduarts@marvista.org
www.marvista.org

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