Five Schools Receive ‘Bridges’ Awards

For their efforts in promoting campuses that are respectful of diversity, an elementary school, two middle schools and two high schools this week won the Orange County Human Relations Council’s “Building Bridges Awards.”

The winners, each receiving $1,000 grants, are: Orangethorpe Elementary in Fullerton; Imperial Middle School in La Habra; Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine; Los Alamitos High and Western High in Anaheim.

Orangethorpe was honored for its multicultural social science and literature units that teach students to write and speak about their heritage. It also has a Newcomer’s Center, which helps children who are new to the United States. Also, the campus Peer Assistance Leader Program teaches 40 sixth-graders problem-solving and listening skills, and pairs each child with a younger student in need of a friend.

The council awarded Imperial for its Diversity Task Force, which brings teachers and students together to plan activities and programs that promote campus harmony. Through the task force, students and teachers created a quilt with the motto, “Keeping the peace at Imperial,” developed a Healthy Start Family Center, which serves students and their families, and implemented Peer Assistance Leadership, in which students serve as school ambassadors to greet new pupils.

Sierra Vista was honored for its conflict resolution program, which has resulted in a reduction of fights and related suspensions, parent and peer programs and the development of several action plans designed to improve the campus environment.

Los Alamitos High was praised for its student diversity retreats, “Week of Understanding” activities, annual freshman orientation, outreach programs and its Human Rights Convention.

Western High was honored for developing the school’s “International Week,” creating a system to assure ongoing communication with parents, implementing a conflict management class, designing a mentor program and organizing a student outreach team.