California Safe Schools Partners With Celebrated Artist Michael Bruza
From: Robina Suwol
Date: 23 Nov 2003
Time: 22:12:23
Remote Name: 66.169.114.9
Comments
Preventing Pests Without Pesticides
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA - Imagination can make kids laugh, but it can also save their
lives. That's why the California Safe Schools Coalition partnered with
internationally celebrated artist Michael Bruza with a launch of an innovative
children's safety poster campaign, aimed at reducing pests without the use of
pesticides.
"I've always had an interest in creatively delivering kids' content,
programming and educational materials. Partnering with CSS gives me the
opportunity to directly impact and improve the well-being of thousands of
kids. That means a great deal to me."
No stranger to community and educational causes, Bruza has been artistically
enhancing children's content for over 10 years. Bruza's portfolio includes
countless projects for Disney and Warner Bros, including his design for the
Central Perk logo for the popular television show, "Friends." The enormous
initial success of Mr. Bruza's poster projects for California Safe Schools
focuses on preventing pests through school cleanliness, and actions children
can take to protect themselves from West Nile Virus. To date CSS has
distributed over 40,000 posters to schools throughout California.
California Safe Schools is a parent driven nonprofit environmental Coalition
of over forty organizations located in Southern California committed to the
health and safety of children, teachers, staff and community members who
reside near school sites. California Safe Schools is nationally recognized for
creating the most stringent pesticide policy for schools in the United States.
This Integrated Pest Management Policy (IPM) was the first in the USA to
embrace the "precautionary principle," and includes a Parents Right to Know
about pesticides used in their children's schools. Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) uses least-toxic methods to eradicate pests. This IPM policy has become
the model for school districts and communities throughout the country.
"California Safe Schools is fortunate to have such a seasoned, multi-faceted
artist as an ally. Michael's understanding of children's health, and overall
environmental issues enables him to create strong messages with exceptionally
brilliant illustrations. As a result our organization has been able to
effectively increase outreach, and prevent illness resulting from chemical
exposure linked to pesticides," said Robina Suwol, Executive Director of
California Safe Schools.
Brandon Baker, Van Nuys Magnet High School student added, "Mr. Bruza's art
speaks a language that appeals to kids and adults equally. He is a true
original!"
"We are proud of our record of cooperative activism" stated Ashley D. Posner,
Esq., California Safe Schools' Chairman and parent of two children in the Los
Angeles Unified School District. "We have worked hard to bring diverse parties
together in our mutual interest of caring for our children and their school
environment. We appreciate the efforts of all of the school administrators,
teachers, parents, kids and professionals who have put aside traditional
politics and positions. Our success is shared with our entire community. We
especially are grateful to Mr. Bruza for his creativity and generosity. His
work is a spectacular assistant in promoting our message across our
community."
California Safe Schools' work is made possible through the generosity of the
California Wellness Foundation, California Endowment, William C. Bannerman
Foundation, S. Mark Taper Foundation, Patagonia, Pesticide Watch Education
Fund, Liberty Hill Foundation, Warner Brothers Environmental Initiatives, LA
Shares, and Nuprint Graphics . CSS is committed to ensuring that all students,
teachers, staff and community members who live near school sites are in a
safe, toxic-free environment.
To view posters and further information:
Robina Suwol,Executive Director
California Safe Schools
818-785-5515
Last changed: March 14, 2006