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Dear Parent and/or Guardian,

The School District of Philadelphia is launching an Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), which was a key commitment of the District’s Environmental Safety Improvement Plan launched last year. It is important that members of the EAC reflect all areas of our city, so we are looking for two parents of District students to represent each councilmanic district. One parent will serve as the primary EAC member from each district, and the second will serve as an alternate. Once submissions are received, parents will be selected by their councilmanic district by a lottery. The EAC will also include two principals and one representative from the Philadelphia Healthy Schools Coalition who will be selected through a separate process.

The purpose of the EAC is to engage representatives from across our city in the conversation about our progress and plans to address environmental conditions such as asbestos and lead in our schools. The District’s Office of Environmental Management & Services (OEMS) will provide the EAC with quarterly updates, listen to members’ feedback for consideration, and respond to questions that they may have so they can be informed advocates of this work in their communities.

Here’s some important information to consider before deciding to enter the lottery:

• Criteria: We ask that you enter the lottery if you have a genuine interest in this environmental safety work and you are willing to commit to the position for at least two (2) years.
• Time Commitment:  Two (2) years, running from January 2021 to January 2023. The initial meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 26, 2021, from 5 to 6 p.m. EAC meetings will be held virtually once per quarter via Zoom. In person meetings may be available based on space availability and COVID guidance issued by the City.
• Selection Timing and Submissions: Please complete the Google Form to be entered into the lottery. Submissions are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021.

To learn more about what the District is doing to improve environmental safety, please visit our website at www.philasd.org/healthyschools. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email environmental@philasd.org.

Sincerely,

William R. Hite, Jr. Ed.D.