When it comes to basketball, a lot can happen in a single minute of play — that was the case for the Spring View Spartans when eighth-grader Brandon Parsons hit a three-pointer in the fourth quarter that sealed the deal for the team’s recent districtwide championship win.
This school year, when students with disabilities like Brandon joined the boys basketball team at Spring View Middle School, fostering a collaborative team spirit and promoting inclusion became a top priority for all players.
That positive team impact was made clear to the Ocean View School District campus community at its annual year-end awards assembly held June 10. After eighth-grade student Dean Northam won the basketball award, he then gifted Brandon a team ball — signed by all of his teammates — for being an integral part of the squad.
Throughout this past season, basketball coach and teacher Zac Hinrichs worked with Brandon’s parents to ensure he could attend both team practices and games, said Spring View Principal Isis Ortiz.
“Having Brandon on the team was a great opportunity for the students to understand teamwork,” Hinrichs said. “It showed that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has something valuable to contribute.”
Here are the other stories we’ve been tracking this week:
- With nearly 15.1 million acts of kindness logged in Orange County through OCDE, Sunny Hills High School recently contributed by organizing creative fundraisers to raise money for breast cancer patients.
- The Westminster School District is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its free on-campus boutique for students and families experiencing homelessness.
- Learning loss can take a toll on students during the summer season. The OCDE Newsroom has compiled a list of five activities to ensure young minds stay sharp before school is back in session.
- Before receiving his diploma from Santa Ana High School, recent graduate Noel Aguiar paid a visit to his former teacher Mr. Kevin Gallagher, expressing gratitude for his positive impact.
- An independent study program in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District held its inaugural graduation ceremony for 19 students last week.
- Offering a helping hand to working families from June to August, the Anaheim Elementary School District is providing a free summer enrichment program to support students’ learning and playtime.
- During its June 18 meeting, the Orange County Board of Education is expected to name an interim superintendent of schools from six prospective candidates, reported Spotlight Schools.
- The Anaheim Elementary School District recently named Jesus “Jesse” Chavarria as its new superintendent, who served most recently as assistant superintendent with over 25 years of experience in the district.
- About 40 students from Newport Harbor High School’s wind ensemble and orchestra held multiple performances in Boston over Memorial Day weekend.
- Starting next school year, Los Alamitos High School will offer its first boys dance elective to encourage their involvement in the program.
- Transitional kindergartners may soon be exempt from taking an English proficiency exam after a recent bill passed through the California Legislature.
- In partnership with the California State Library, a summer reading list has been announced for preschool students to high school students through the First Partner’s book club.
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.