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Elementary School To Be Named After Michelle Obama
First lady Michelle Obama swings through Durham for a campaign rally at North Carolina Central University. Durham, North Carolina on September 19, 2012. (Mel Brown / Shutterstock.com)
A San Fernando Valley elementary school will soon be renamed after First Lady Michelle Obama.
Los Angeles Unified board members voted unanimously Tuesday to name Valley Region Elementary School No. 13 after Mrs. Obama.
The $23 million campus in Panorama City was opened last August to relieve overcrowding at nearby elementary schools. It focuses on healthy eating for students, a cause championed by Mrs. Obama with her "Let's Move" campaign.
"This name was selected by the school-site council because Michelle Obama supports active living and eating healthy, and the school models itself on that," said LAUSD board member Nury Martinez, according to the LA Daily News.
Board member Richard Vladovic, who represents the South Bay, requested that the campus have a school garden, presumably to help feed the students healthy food.
According to the LA Daily News, West Valley board member Tamar Galatzan said she admires Michelle Obama, but mentioned that it might violate the district's current policy of only naming schools after someone who has died.
Although that policy has been broken several times in recent years, Galatzan said. "We do have rules about naming schools. Over the summer I will be looking at that policy."
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There is already a Barack Obama Charter School in Compton, one in New Jersey, and Barack Obama Elementary School in Maryland, to name just a few.
Related:
'Chefs Move to School' Program at Melrose Elementary
Let's Move! Michelle Obama Launches Campaign Against Childhood Obesity
First Lady to Preside Over 'Iron Chef' Ep Starring White House Garden
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