SIP Deep Dive Week Recap

We’re happy to share some photos and highlights from our SIP Deep Dive week, February 24-28 2025. It was an exciting and enriching time for our students, who engaged in 38 experiences across the Los Angeles area and on campus. Through field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on activities, students explored critical social issues, connected with community leaders, and deepened their understanding of systemic challenges and solutions. Thank you to the numerous members of our school community who facilitated introductions, hosted site visits, and shared their expertise.

The Community Mobility team learned the history of the 710 stub with Elena Phleger and conducted field research at the site. They examined Active SGV projects, traveled to a Chinatown park to observe community mobility, met with Jimmy of Relámpago to discuss bicycle rights community events, and met with engineers from the Pasadena Department of Transportation.

The Civic Memory team toured Union Station with the LA Conservancy, completed a self-guided tour of Chinatown, scouted Pasadena for a potential civic memory opportunity, and met with Professor Virginia Espino at the former USC LA Medical Center to learn about the commemoration of forced sterilization in Los Angeles.

The Equitable Access to Outdoor Play team observed pre-school students and met with educators at Pacific Oaks School and the Glendale Child Development Center, explored inclusive playgrounds with Inclusion Matters at Shane’s Inspiration Park, and met with experts in child development and playground design from Kidspace. These experiences helped students gain insight into the importance of accessible play spaces for children of all abilities.

The Wealth Inequality team visited an affordable housing property managed by Abode Communities and met with CEO Holly Benson. They also met with George Dulgeryan at Chase Bank and Tyson Schuetze of Auben Realty. They learned about Project Breathe, a guaranteed income project from the Community Investment for Families Department in Downtown LA and explored tenants' rights with the Pasadena Tenants Union. They ended the week by enjoying delicious treats while learning about worker-owned businesses at Proof Cafe.

Revitalization of the LA River team met with Kathleen Johnson of LA River State Parks Partners at Rio de Los Angeles, took a biking tour of the LA River, and met with the Los Angeles Tenants Group. They also visited the Fire Kinship exhibit at the Fowler museum at UCLA. These experiences provided an in-depth look at environmental restoration efforts and community-driven solutions for equitable access to green spaces.

Sustainable Fashion team had a busy week walking to the Fashion District, exploring Ragfinders (which wholesales deadstock fabric), sorting supplies at Remainders, visiting the FIDM campus to learn about sustainable practices, and meeting with Radical Clothes Swap, an organization that promotes recycling and repurposing clothing through community swaps. They also spent time on campus learning to mend damaged clothing, thanks to designer Beatrice Valenzuela’s guidance.

The Good Faith in Polarized Times team started the week at the Foltz Criminal Courts Building, where they experienced a trial and interviewed a district attorney. They also trained in restorative justice at the Western Justice Center Peer Mediation Invitational and engaged in deep conversations with members of the Pasadena Buddhist Center.

The Climate Change team met with TreePeople to learn about urban greening, traveled to Caltech to meet experts on carbon cycle science and the Total Carbon Observing Network, visited the Fowler Museum at UCLA to experience the Fire Kinship exhibit, explored the Rosemont Preserve with the LA River group, and hosted Pasadena 100, a coalition advocating for a clean energy future.