NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
April 1, 2011 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
FRESH ideas presented at rally
AP Environmental Science students promote healthy eating
DIAMOND BAR, CA-- AP Environmental Science (APES) students at Diamond bar High School presented a rally Tuesday in the quad with games, prizes, giveways, and a message.
The AP (Advanced Placement) class chose the name Simply Fresh as the theme for their year-end project.
Students decided it was important to implement a salad bar in the cafeteria and promote healthy choices for their peers.
“We felt that it was important to implement a salad bar, not only for the benefit of the environment, but also for the health of Diamond Bar High students. It’s important for us to make a lasting impact,” said Cindy Mo, president of the Simply Fresh team.
At the rally held on March 29, the group wore eco-green “I’m Fresh” t-shirts while leading a watermelon eating contest and balloon popping game.
The group also collected signatures to petition installing a salad bar on campus and a promise to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Speakers Atosa Ghassemi and Samantha Diaz took the stage to present facts and figures about how healthy eating is also better for the environment .
“I am proud of the class for trying to help our entire school community to eat a healthier diet while at the same time reducing our impact on the environment," said David Hong, teacher and Instructional Dean.
Four additional APES classes on campus presented the following ideas during rallies held this month:
Re-duces: This class is working with English teachers to establish a book-trading program between students. Current seniors would donate their required reading books to juniors who would then use them next year when they become seniors. In order to receive these books for use during their senior year, the juniors would then donate their books to sophomores and so on...
Bag Busters: This group is hoping to get the City to reduce their single use plastic bag consumption by getting an ordinance passed by the City Council and to create re-useable shopping bags out of old t-shirts.
Water conservation. Students are trying to promote installing waterless urinals on campus.
Pacman: This stands for Plant and Clean Man. The goal is to help the City of Diamond Bar prevent wildfires near the different trails in city and heavy brush areas. Students have approval to plant native plants around a new trail being developed that caught fire a few years ago. They are also working on an area near Ronald Regan Park that the city clears before the summer heat to prevent brush fires.
Shown:
1-2. Contestants raced to gobble up watermelon slices at the Simply Fresh rally on March 29. Game participants received goodie bags that included a free smoothie from Robeks in Walnut.
3. Winners of the watermelon contest Megan Schubel and Niko Juaregui won t-shirts and Robeks smoothie coupons. Shown with AP students Emily Chebat and Sarah Gile.
4.Students signed petitions and received green “I’m Fresh” wristbands.