Regional energy group offers 'Kits for Kids' classroom kits and energy‑management coaching to East Whittier schools

Jillian Ramirez, a representative of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), presented two voluntary energy programs to the East Whittier City School District board during the public comment period on Sept. 9.

Ramirez said the first program, "Kits for Kids," supplies no‑cost classroom boxes for third- or fourth-grade classrooms containing items such as LED bulbs, smart bulbs, faucet aerators and shower timers. Participating classes receive a short teacher webinar and lesson plans; classrooms that return a short survey card from at least 65% of students are eligible for a $1,000 classroom grant, Ramirez said. She described the cards as privacy-preserving: "it only asks a few questions, doesn't even ask their name."

Ramirez described a second offering, a strategic energy management program that provides energy-coaching to streamline district operations and offers cash incentives of up to $10,000 to the district. Ramirez said the program is intended to achieve sustained energy savings beyond one-time equipment upgrades and estimated an average district cost reduction of about 2% annually for participating organizations.

Ramirez said both programs are first-come, first-served and that the Kits for Kids program was targeted for spring 2026 implementation. She left flyers and business cards and was asked to provide materials to district staff for evaluation.

The board asked district staff to accept the materials and evaluate program fit for the district.

Quotes from the meeting "It only asks a few questions, doesn't even ask their name," Jillian Ramirez said of the Kits for Kids return card.

Provenance: public comment segment, Sept. 9 board meeting.