Name the New School: District Asks You For Ideas

recently reported on the efforts just getting underway to name Echo Park’s new K-8 campus, now called CRES #14, which will be operated by Camino Nuevo Academy. Located at 1018 Mohawk St., the school is eligible to be christened in a process that involves input from residents and nominations presented to LAUSD, which has the final say in determining a name for the school.

Despite an anticipated opening this fall, according to LAUSD, CRES 14 doesn’t need a name before classes begin. LAUSD naming rules set forth by the Board of Education suggest that schools be named as early as possible, but according to official LAUSD documents, “the name for a new school shall be chosen after receiving input from elected officials, region or division staff, and community support groups, if any.”

LAUSD guidelines suggest that secondary schools “be named to honor prominent men and women whose notability has survived their lifetime and whose service extends beyond the Los Angeles Unified School District schools.”

Jose Sigala, president of the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council, encourages community members to get involved with the naming of their new school.

“We’re trying to jumpstart the process,” Sigala explained of the actions of GEPENC, noting that naming a school is a long process and “if there are 10 steps to it, we are at step one.” Sigala also stated that while community groups and councils can recommend and nominate names, the final decision is up to LAUSD, not Camino Nuevo.

“The school sets up a naming committee, “ Sigala explained. “From what I understand, it’s a six-month process.”

Sigala would like to see the school named after California Supreme Court Justice Carlos R. Moreno, who grew up in Solano Canyon and attended local public schools. Patch reported that at a recent GEPENC meeting, some members noted that few schools in Los Angeles are named after Latinos, and that Moreno would be a good role model for local youths.

Recently, LAUSD named two schools in honor of Latinas - Sonia M. Sotomayor Learning Academies in East Los Angeles and the Linda Esperanza Marquez High School in Huntington Park.

According to a representative in the office of LAUSD Local District 4, community members “should contact their board member with any ideas or suggestions for naming the school.” 

CRES #14 is physically located in LAUSD Local District 4, but is governed by Board District 5, currently represented by Yoli Flores. After June 30, Bennett Kayser will lead Board District 5.

Sigala noted that he would be going door-to-door to drum up names for the school, and encouraged all interested to get in touch with him or attend an open meeting of the GEPNEC to express their ideas for school names.

“The goal is to nominate one, two, or three names,” Sigala said of GEPENC’s efforts.

For more information on GEPENC, stop by their website. Board District 5 can be reached at 213-241-6383 or by clicking here.