An alumna from the Irvine Unified School District earned honors as an “Outstanding Youth” for her work in the community during Orange County’s big National Philanthropy Day Awards on Thursday.
As the Orange County Register reported, Jasmine Chhabria, 18, enrolled in Occidental College after graduating from Northwood High School. The student made her mark in Orange County when she was named a finalist in the Junior Division of the 2018 National History Day Contest after performing a re-enactment of Mendez v. Westminster, the landmark legal case on school desegregation.
The annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon draws hundreds of people from businesses and organizations to recognize the great contribution philanthropy makes to the community.
“Orange County’s philanthropic community is thriving and well worth celebrating,” said Dominic Mumble, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Orange County. “These honorees are the embodiment of the best of Orange County.”
Here are the other stories we have followed this week:
- An adult transition program within the Los Alamitos Unified School District developed a shopping service that is providing students ages 18 to 22 with disabilities with opportunities to learn essential life and work skills.
- The Sunburst Youth Academy unveiled a new WellSpace, a calm and comfortable area designed to improve mental health and academic outcomes. To date, more than 20 WellSpaces have been established at schools thanks to a partnership between OCDE and CHOC.
- Family, friends and colleagues of Rancho Santiago Community College District trustee Lawrence “Larry” R. Labrado gathered to celebrate his career at a retirement reception for the longtime education advocate.
- OCDE has been coaching educators from an elementary school in the Morongo Unified School District on how to implement the state’s Multi-Tiered System of Support framework to meet each student’s academic, behavioral and social-emotional needs.
- OC Pathways will highlight local students’ accomplishments at the ninth annual OC Pathways Showcase on Dec. 7. The free virtual event invites guests to see how students’ involvement in work-based learning programs has prepared them for life after high school.
- The Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo team defeated top-seeded JSerra Catholic High School to win its second straight CIF Southern Section Open Division title.
- Kettler Elementary School in Huntington Beach opened a time capsule that was last buried by students nearly 20 years ago. The container was initially installed in 1973 and had not been opened since 2003.
- The Huntington Beach City School District held a groundbreaking ceremony this week to introduce a $71 million reconstruction project at Sowers Middle School.
- Newport-Mesa Unified trustees approved an agreement with a contractor that will redesign and bring Estancia High’s $42 million theater back on track in a new location.
- Los Angeles Chargers long snapper Josh Harris, along with Jersey cow Cinnamon and her handler, delivered the news that the Garden Grove Unified School District was a recipient of a $10,000 grant to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits.
- Adelaide Price Elementary School in Anaheim celebrated America Recycles Day on Tuesday. The campus has a tradition of recycling that dates back 15 years.
- Two outgoing Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustees were recognized for their outstanding service during their final appearances on the dais. The two newcomers will take their oaths in December.
- The Orange County Board of Education could decide the fate of whether a new charter school called California Republic Leadership Academy opens in the Capistrano Unified School District after the local board of trustees rendered split votes.
- A Northern California TV news station surveyed schools in the state and found that 70 percent of districts that responded have interior locks in classrooms, a safety feature that could protect students and teachers during a shooting.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.