WHAT: NLMUSD will mark its 10th annual “Zero Emissions: Bike, Walk to School Day” with an Earth Day celebration in which members of La Mirada High’s Electric Vehicle Club will display and test drive their student-built, highway-ready “Switch” electric vehicle.

Teachers and the president of the Southern California Electric Vehicle Association will greet students walking and biking to school in support of the cause, holding signs proclaiming “No to Vehicles Today,” and will award pedometers, pencils, water bottles, bike bells and lights for night riding to participating students. Students walking and biking the most miles on Friday will be entered in a drawing. The grand prize is a wireless “bike computer” that measures a rider’s mileage and speed.

The school environmental mascot – a jaguar — will invite students to sign a petition to raise awareness of the threat of greenhouse gases to wildlife; a “Clean Car” display will feature various solar-powered, zero emissions electric vehicles owned by members of the NLMUSD school community.

WHEN: 7 to 8 a.m. Friday, April 24

WHERE: La Mirada High School – front parking lot, 13520 Adelfa Drive, La Mirada

WHY: To reduce the school’s carbon footprint, students and staff are encouraged to say “no” to gasoline-based automotive transportation, and to raise awareness about the negative effects of carbon emissions and the importance of reducing CO2.