Four ofrendas — Spanish for “offerings” — were created by OCDE students and staff in celebration of Dia de los Muertos.
To celebrate the Day of the Dead holiday observed on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 throughout Mexico and Latin America, each of these colorful altars honored the late loved ones of students and staff at four of OCDE’s ACCESS school sites: Harbor Learning Center – North, Argosy, Harbor Learning Center – South and Magnolia Lyceum.
The alternative education communities were invited to pause and reflect on the cultural traditions of this annual celebration through artwork, photos and symbolic items like marigold flowers, sugar skulls and colorful decorations.
Arts Teacher on Special Assignment Julie Bauer-Ochoa — who helped guide the projects alongside library technician Cecilia Beltran, school counselor Jesse Aguilar and family community liaison Luz Hernandez — said students played an integral part in the making of each altar. Bauer-Ochoa shared that staff and students have enjoyed seeing the vibrant art and cultural meaning while coming back day after day to add more pieces in memory of their loved ones.
“I believe it allows a common space to celebrate, remember and perhaps share a collective safe space to deal with grief,” she said.
While many ACCESS sites have participated in past years, this year’s projects brought even more collaboration among educators and families. At many of the school sites, students worked with teachers and counselors to add personal photos and handcrafted decorations, while Harbor Learning Center – South continued its annual family celebration tied to the holiday.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- The California State University system will start automatic admissions for all public high school students throughout the state who meet the minimum eligibility requirements — no essays, portfolios or letters of recommendation necessary.
- Two new federal court rulings say contingency funds must be used to help households in need receive benefits from SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, amid the ongoing government shutdown.
- Earlier this week, Corona del Mar High School sophomore AnnaSofia Dickens published her first book, “We Run This House: The Girls’ Guide to Flag Football,” detailing her personal journey to playing flag football alongside special insights from professional athletes in the sport and advice from NFL stars.
- San Clemente High School student athletes can now train and receive injury prevention care on campus at the new athletic training room designed in partnership with Hoag healthcare network.
- During a recent Open House event, Fullerton College showcased its state-of-the-art equipment for students interested in earning their degrees in crime scene investigation or precision manufacturing.
- Some Head Start programs, serving children from birth to age 5, may have to close their doors temporarily due to the pause in federal funding from the government shutdown.
- A new high school pilot program in Fresno — known as the Center for Advanced Research and Technology — is working to implement project-based learning, three-hour classes and career pathways experiences into its everyday curriculum.
- From carrying glow sticks to using crosswalks, the OCDE Newsroom has shared its top safety tips for trick-or-treaters just ahead of Friday’s Halloween festivities.
- An Ocean View High School senior recently beat his school’s previous distance running record — set in 1986 — with a time of 14 minutes, 36.2 seconds at the Orange County cross-country championships.
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