Last spring and earlier this fall, Cool Schools Yolo conducted community-guided design sessions to help inform the campus transformations. Participation from parents, educators, and students at each campus has been invaluable as we prepare to finalize designs. Once approved, specific plans for tree planting, outdoor classrooms, and heat-safe play areas will start to take shape as soon as this spring.

Studies have proven that access to shaded, green spaces significantly boosts both mental health and cognitive performance, creating more conducive learning environments. Rising temperatures and urban heat are expected to worsen in the years to come. There is no time like the present to create safe outdoor spaces for students to use and enjoy. Healthy tree canopies will protect students from extreme conditions while promoting physical activity and engagement with the natural world. With your continued support, we’re shaping healthier, climate-resilient futures for Yolo County’s children and communities.