PTSA launches house-led beautification projects
It’s an age-old complaint— our schools are dirty, and they’re in desperate need of an aesthetic remodel.To remediate this problem, Samo’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is sponsoring small groups to lead beautification efforts on campus. Each individual house will help organize these small groups, and a parent coordinator will obtain the resources to lead localized beautification.“House beautification projects are hoped to be fun, community building events where students can contribute something to their school,” PTSA president Joan Krenik said.
Each small group can tackle any project of their choosing. For example, the groups will use PTSA funding to clean hallways, install bathroom mirrors or remove gum from campus pavement.The PTSA wants the beautification efforts to create a sense of community and ownership throughout the student body. Ultimately, they are hoping that the beautification efforts will leave students and staff in a learning-supportive environment.“We want the Samohi ‘outside’ to better reflect our amazing students and staff.” Krenik said.This beautification procedure will take an extended period of time, due to the PTSA immense range of potential projects.“[The PTSA hopes] to keep moving Samo beautification forward and greatly [appreciates] student support of this process,” Krenik said.Additionally, the PTSA has been collaborating with Samo and the Santa Monica–Malibu Uni- fied School District (SMMUSD)
to undertake broad infrastructure projects. The district has recently introduced additional irrigation into the plant bed near the ad- ministration building. Now, the PTSA is searching for donations of plants and materials to improve this year.New signs currently being posted around campus, announcing the names of each of Samo’s buildings. More signs will be added during winter break, all contributing to a remodel of Samo’s overall appearance.“I anticipate that when the buildings are painted and new signs go up, there will be a more concerted effort by students to make sure that the school stays in that shape,” Wells said. “If not, what kind of students is Samohi producing? It would be depressing to see the value of your diploma go down because students don’t take pride in keeping their school clean and in good condition.”
jlevin@thesamohi