Health

Three-day Safe Schools Conference features 48 workshops focusing on trends and best practices

Ian Hanigan
More than local 500 educators, school workers and law enforcement representatives will gather in Costa Mesa this week to address critical school safety and security issues during the sixth annual Safe Schools Conference. Presented by former state Secretary of Education Dave Long in collaboration with the Orange County Department of Education and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the three-day conference will be held Wednesday through Friday at the Hilton Orange County. [...]

California Department of Education develops drought response best practices for schools

Staff reports
California is now in its fourth straight year of below average rainfall and this past winter was one of the warmest on record. The snow pack in the Sierra Nevada has a water content of only five percent of the historic average, the lowest since 1950. This has placed California firmly in one of the worst droughts in the state's recorded history. Everyone, including schools, are encouraged to do their part to conserve water. [...]

Remind kids to drink up to prevent dehydration and stay healthy this summer

Staff reports
From basketball and football camps to typical outdoor activities like surfing, swimming and skateboarding, longer days and plenty of free time give kids the opportunity to participate in a variety of physical activities during the warm summer months. But warm weather and increased physical activity also puts kids at risk for dehydration. [...]
Pupils collecting lunch

Summer meal programs combat hunger for children and teens

Staff reports
Over 250,000 children in Orange County depend on free or reduced-price meals during the school year. But when schools close for the summer, the prospect of being hungry or losing a balanced and nutritious meal is a reality for far too many of our kids. Summer meals programs throughout the county have been filling this gap. [...]
beach cleanup participants

Volunteers descend on Huntington State Beach for Earth Day cleanup event to beautify the coast

Staff reports
Over 150 student and adult volunteers came together on Saturday morning to clean up Huntington State Beach while learning about the ecosystem and protecting natural resources. The effort, hosted by Inside the Outdoors' Youth Stewardship Council, was part of this year’s Earth Day activities, dedicated to building awareness and activism in support of environmental programs around the world. [...]