Westminster students harvest 14 tons of watermelons for charity
Westminster High School students spent a day on the farm for a good cause. During the school’s sixth annual Harvest Day, students gathered 28,726 pounds (14.36 tons) of watermelons from the WHS Giving Farm to donate to the OC Food Bank.
In partnership with the OC Food Bank, the school created the Giving Farm more than five years ago to provide locally grown produce to vulnerable families. On the 8-acre farm on Westminster High School’s campus, students, including members of the school’s Future Farmers of America program, student clubs and community volunteers harvest produce to donate to the food bank.
Thanks to the unique program, students have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the California agricultural industry, urban agriculture and nutrition education.
The OC Food Bank receives approximately 175,000 pounds of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables from the Giving Farm each year.
– Submitted by Huntington Beach Union High School District
Anaheim teacher receives bilingual literacy grant
Anaheim teacher Gabriela Medina works every day to advance learning and education for her dual-immersion kindergarten students, and her efforts are not going unnoticed. Medina recently received a $3,000 Read Conmigo bilingual literacy grant from the Kemper Foundation.
The grant can be used for classroom supplies, tools and resources, as well as professional development.
Kemper Foundation officials visited Medina to formally congratulate her and learn more about how she used the funds in her Loara Elementary School in Anaheim.
Medina has developed a bilingual classroom library area, which includes books, a dry erase table, learning games, puzzles, a carpet and storage bins. Students can use the space to read and practice word and math problems. The kids also received backpacks with books from the Read Conmigo program.
“I love to see my students’ faces light up when they read their first word,” Medina said. “I’m fortunate to be able to provide the students what they need with the foundation grant to become bilingual and biliterate students, and I’m glad I have the opportunity to provide this resource.”
Read Conmigo bilingual educator grant program applications for spring 2024 grant are available. Educators from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties can apply.
The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.
