On a 2.5-acre farm in Anaheim, students spent their Saturday teaching community members how to make strawberry jam with fresh fruit grown right from the Magnolia High School campus garden.
This was just one of the agricultural activities planned for families at the Magnolia Agriscience Community Center’s first-ever farm berry festival. About 80 students organized the July 13 event to educate the community on sustainable gardening practices utilizing accessible, locally-grown produce.
Through a paid summer internship with the Anaheim Union High School District, in partnership with the Anaheim Workforce Development Board, students have learned how to properly tend to the farm and promote it as a resource for those in need.
After honing their agricultural skills and coordinating event outreach to families, students offered attendees flower bouquet-making lessons, fresh produce and even a petting zoo. Parents could also take home cookbooks on healthy eating or coloring books for their kids.
Project coordinator and Magnolia science teacher Sabina Giakoumis said students’ efforts have brought people together while addressing food insecurity through agricultural education.
“I’m very excited to see 10 years from now where the community is going and how we can continue to help families,” Giakoumis said. “Maybe they pick up a little seed here at the farm but they go on to major in agriculture or study landscaping in the future.”
On July 25, the student interns plan to host a farm-to-table community dinner, complete with a three-course menu, salsa making and a tour of the agricultural center.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- At the seventh annual California MTSS Professional Learning Institute — hosted by OCDE in partnership with the Butte County Office of Education — more than 3,000 educators shared strategies for fostering individualized, engaging and effective learning.
- College and Career Preparatory Academy, which provides independent study options and personalized guidance to help young adults earn their high school diplomas, recently celebrated 141 graduates who completed their secondary education in the face of obstacles.
- Nick Montgomery, a recent Anaheim Union High School graduate, was selected in the MLB amateur draft on Monday as a fifth-round pick for the Atlanta Braves.
- High school students who reach a high level of proficiency in English and another language may receive the State Seal of Biliteracy. EdSource created a quick guide to help students who are looking to earn the certificate.
- Most U.S. teens aren’t receiving adequate social and emotional support, but 77 percent of their parents believe they are, according to a CDC report highlighting a perception gap across all demographics.
- The Orange County Register reported that a coach at Godinez Fundamental High School was arrested on Sunday for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to minors.
- The Chino Valley Unified School District sued Gov. Gavin Newsom, claiming that a new law banning districts from notifying parents of their child’s gender identification change violates parents’ constitutional rights, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles.
- Enrollment in transitional kindergarten in California has doubled over the past two years, from 75,465 in 2021-22 to 152,491 in 2023-24, according to state enrollment data.
- Starting in 2025, the ACT college admissions test will be reduced to almost half its original length with an optional science section for students.
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