A Los Alamitos High School freshman has created a sensory station at his former elementary school designed to support students with special needs.
Wesley Avery, a former Hopkinson Elementary School student, recently completed the project as part of his efforts to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The project involved more than 200 hours of planning, fundraising, construction and volunteer coordination.
Inspired in part by his younger brother’s experience in the school’s preschool special education program, Wesley created the sensory station for Hopkinson Elementary School’s multi-aged huskies classroom, which serves students with diverse and complex learning needs through individualized support and instruction.
Working alongside teacher Sarah Lee, Wesley designed and built a mobile sensory cabinet intended to support sensory development and provide students with hands-on ways to engage with their environment. According to Los Alamitos Unified School District, the waterproof station includes a variety of interactive sensory elements tailored to student needs.
According to the Los Alamitos Unified School District, the project evolved from a simple sketch into a large-scale effort that required ongoing problem-solving, material sourcing and design refinement.
The sensory station is now being used on campus to provide students with additional opportunities for engagement, regulation and individualized learning support, according to the district.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- The Orange County Department of Education is accepting applications for the next round of its Orange County Impact Schools program, which recognizes and shares effective school practices across the county.
- In a message recognizing National Teacher Appreciation Week, Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean highlighted the lasting impact teachers have on students through support, encouragement and everyday classroom connections.
- A cybersecurity incident involving the Canvas learning platform disrupted access at schools and universities worldwide, prompting security reviews and temporary service interruptions as the investigation continues.
- University High School placed seventh overall at the 2026 United States Academic Decathlon National Competition in Garden Grove, earning Rookie of the Year honors in Division 1 and several individual medals.
- South Junior High School in the Anaheim Union High School District received the 2026 Civic Learning Award of Excellence, the state’s highest recognition for civic education, awarded to three schools statewide.
- Vanguard University will host its second annual Disability Symposium on June 24 in Costa Mesa, bringing together educators, families and community leaders to explore inclusive practices that support individuals with disabilities.
- Orange County students were recognized at the inaugural Youth Choice Awards for peer-selected films focused on mental health, suicide prevention and substance use awareness, with several entries advancing to the statewide Directing Change competition.
- Santa Ana student Manny Rodriguez Mejia, a senior at Middle College High School, has been accepted to Yale University after graduating with a 4.7 GPA and nine associate degrees through the school’s dual enrollment program.
- Garden Grove Unified Superintendent Gabriela Mafi discussed her leadership philosophy, mentorship work with students and plans to retire in two years during an interview marking the district’s 60th anniversary.
- Fullerton School District teacher Mike Shaffer received $5,000 in physical education equipment and supplies from the SoCal Honda Dealers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
- More than 3,500 students attended Angels STEAM Day at Angel Stadium, where they participated in hands-on activities exploring science and engineering concepts connected to sports.
- According to an EdSource report, California’s expansion of transitional kindergarten has increased access to early education, but concerns remain about program quality and meeting key benchmarks.
- Henry Miller, a music teacher at Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine Unified School District, has been named a 2027 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence, a national honor recognizing music educators.
- California public school attendance has rebounded to near pre-pandemic levels even as statewide enrollment continues to decline, according to a new report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
- Capistrano Unified School District approved a plan to relocate the Lobo Elementary community to Marblehead Elementary School following concerns from families about a proposed charter school co-location.
- A new study found that while cellphone bans reduced phone use at school, they showed little immediate impact on academics, attendance or student behavior.
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