Staff members from OCDE’s alternative education program recently handed out free pumpkins, ice cream and bags of candy to families that may not be able to trick-or-treat this year.
The department partnered with Saddleback Church to host its “Pumpkin Outreach” event, which drew more than 85 families to the Anaheim North site on the morning of Oct. 15.
The OCDE educators and support staff who participated were from Area 2 and Area 3 of ACCESS, which is short for Alternative, Community and Correctional Education Schools and Services. The division serves students who have encountered significant obstacles, along with those who are more likely to thrive in nontraditional settings.
“We know that with the pandemic, families might be prevented from trick-or-treating this year,” said Area 3 Principal Vern Burton. “Hopefully this activity brightened a few days and will contribute to a happy and safe Halloween for our ACCESS students and their families.”