Catalina Island Adventure Inspires Student Discovery

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Each year, our middle schools offer engaging field trips that give students the chance to learn in real-world environments. Examples include our eighth-grade GATE and high-achieving students who attend an educational adventure to the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI)....

CIMI is a STEM-based outdoor science program where students explore marine biology and island ecology through hands-on learning. Its vision is “to make a positive difference in the lives of children through unique opportunities for discovery.” Courses are offered at Toyon Bay and Fox Landing, and staff and parent chaperones accompany students to ensure a safe and memorable experience.

“Our students participate in a shark lab, snorkeling dives during both the day and night, algae labs, and rock climbing, and other activities,” explains Richardson Principal Balogun. This firsthand experience applying scientific concepts and making evidence-based observations about marine life and ecosystems will serve our students well academically and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

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8th-Grader Demonstrates Heart-Warming Diligence

When Bert Lynn Middle School started a Knitting and Crocheting Club at school, little did they know that it would result in producing a new school mascot! Two teachers, Ms. Nakamura and Mrs. Banim generously serve as the club's advisors and meet with the members on Wednesdays after school. In addition to learning and practicing a new skill, the teachers also encourage students to donate the items they make to others. One example is eighth-grade student Lyla C., who spent FOUR MONTHS handcrafting an adorable, huggable stuffed leopard that she gifted to the school. This achievement is an impressive example of innovation and growth, as Lyla clearly practiced focus and perseverance to accomplish her endeavor. We love that students like Lyla choose to keep on learning beyond the classroom and then share their talents!

A Trip Through History: Terminal Island & The L.A. Maritime Museum

Ninth-grade Ethnic Studies students from Torrance and North High Schools traveled through history while taking a field trip to Terminal Island and the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. Hosts welcomed our students, Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs), and Ethnic Studies teachers from Torrance and North High Schools with smiles and the resonating sounds of Taiko drummers....

The group was honored to hear from Japanese-American Terminal Islanders Association members, both survivors and descendants, who shared the history of Terminal Island -- a location that thousands of Japanese residents called "furusato," meaning "home sweet home." The members shared that Japanese residents were evicted from the island after Pearl Harbor was bombed during World War II on December 7, 1941. While the impact of the eviction remains, the members who attended the field trip opened up to our students for one-on-one discussions and encouraged questions so students could learn about life in internment camps, school, work, and ultimately, how the members developed a growth mindset to move through their past experiences and live a prosperous life in the current day.

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