5 Schools Win Awards for Diversity Programs

Five Orange County schools were honored Thursday for their contributions to building better relations among ethnic groups on campus.

The Orange County Human Relations Council awarded each school--Melbourne A. Gauer Elementary and Orangeview Junior High in Anaheim, Willard Intermediate in Santa Ana, Buena Park High and Fountain Valley High--with $1,000 grants to be used to continue their programs, said Rusty Kennedy, of the Human Relations Commission.

Melbourne A. Gauer’s program, “Manner of the Month,” reinforces courtesy to promote respect. Names of students who received compliments from teachers, parents or community members for such actions were placed in a box for drawings for free lunches.

Orangeview was recognized for its human relations “synergy.” The school, which in the past was plagued by incidents of violence, now has the fewest incidents in the Anaheim Union High School District. The turnaround was credited to multicultural classes, a successful conflict management and mediation program, and the creation of a parent center.

Willard was cited for promoting understanding and appreciation by raising awareness of different cultures through campus activities.

Buena Park High’s students, parents, teachers and administrators worked together to promote respect for ethnic diversity. They launched a campaign against violence, Saturday morning workshops for parents, and “talk shows” on diversity.

Fountain Valley won praise for its “Culture Quilt” representing the different cultures on campus. The school also developed a program in which students discussed diversity in class, instituted a conflict resolution training program and created a library of videotapes and other materials for teachers to use.

Besides the five winners, 33 other schools across the county received certificates for their human relations programs.