ABOUT : CALIFORNIA SAFE SCHOOLS WWW.CALISAFE.ORG

by CALIFORNIA SAFE SCHOOLS WWW.CALISAFE.ORG Sunday, Feb. 08, 2004 at 5:14 AM
SCHOOLIPM@YAHOO.COM 818-785-5515 BOX 2123 tOLUCA LAKE, CA. 91610

CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT & FAMED ARTIST PARTNER TO PROTECT KIDS

California Safe Schools Partners With Celebrated

Artist Michael Bruza

Preventing Pests Without Pesticides





Los Angeles, CA - Imagination can make kids laugh,

but it can also save their lives. Thats why the

California Safe Schools Coalition partnered with

internationally celebrated artist Michael Bruza with a launch of an innovative childrens safety poster campaign, aimed at reducing pests without the use of pesticides.



"I have 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 childrens 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.



"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, Jewish Foundation, Warner Brothers Environmental Initiatives, LA Shares, Staples, 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:

http://www.calisafe.org

Robina Suwol,Executive Director

California Safe Schools

818-785-5515

email: schoolipm@yahoo.com

Original: ABOUT : CALIFORNIA SAFE SCHOOLS WWW.CALISAFE.ORG