K-8 Students to Participate in Orange County’s First
School-Site Disaster Reduction Expo
Demonstrations from Homeland Security, OC Sheriff’s Dept, American Red Cross, City of Mission Viejo, Among Others
MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Sept. 23, 2013 – Carl Hankey K-8 School, the only public International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school in Southern Orange County, will kick off its Global Engage: Disaster Reduction challenge on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013, from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Global Engage, an annual event where IB schools worldwide unite through a challenge, is a series of lessons woven around a globally significant common theme. This is the first Global Engage event to be held in Orange County.
This year’s lessons are designed to engage students – both through classroom instruction and hands-on learning – in critically thinking about the systems involved in disaster preparedness, prevention, and response. IB teachers and students are asked to come together to ponder and take action, acting upon the organization’s mission statement, “The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”
In support of this innovative curriculum, local emergency response organizations including the American Red Cross, City of Mission Viejo, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Health Department, Orange County Sherriff’s Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Department of Homeland Security Division, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), Ready OC, and Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) will provide demonstration and discussion to give students an opportunity to inquire, engage, and reflect on local and global humanitarian relief operations.
Demonstrations will include:
American Red Cross – Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) will provide students with a hands-on demonstration of the communications links between disaster relief operations and the Red Cross Disaster Operation Center.
Bomb Squad – robotic bomb disposal device will be on site for students to view and discuss operations with officers.
Earthquake Simulator – students will experience simulated earthquake scenarios in a mobile Quake Cottage.
EMT/Paramedic – students will view a working Medix ambulance and discuss the important role of first responders.
Fire Demonstration – local firemen will provide a demonstration of the proper use of fire extinguishers, and allow students to tour a working fire truck.
FEMA Water Truck – SMWD will bring a 2,000-gallon capacity potable water vehicle to demonstrate readiness of drinking water in the event of a disaster.
HAM Radio – local RACES HAM radio operators will demonstrate the use of radio communications in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.
OC Homeland Security – officers will discuss how students can become more aware of their surroundings, asking the question “is it out of place?”
Hydro Excavator – students will view the SMWD’s 1,200-gallon suction vehicle used for removal of heavy debris caused by natural and manmade disasters.
Keep OC Safe – will display the organization’s giant red backpack, a symbol of the national “If You See Something, Say Something” crime prevention campaign.
K-9 Unit – working bloodhounds will be on-site for students to learn how animals are employed for search and rescue missions.
9-1-1 Response – Mission Viejo Police Services Crime Prevention Unit will provide hands-on demonstrations on the proper use of the 9-1-1 system.
In addition to the above organizations, the following distinguished guests will be in attendance:
- Capistrano Unified School District Superintendent, Joseph M. Farley, Ed.D.
- City of Mission Viejo Mayor, Rhonda Reardon
“The Carl Hankey School community is very excited to be participating in Global Engage 2013, which focuses on disaster awareness and prevention,” said Dana Aguilera, principal, Carl Hankey School. “Following Wednesday’s kickoff, students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade will be provided with opportunities throughout the school year to investigate, connect and reflect on what they are doing here in the school community, in their homes, across the state, the nation and the globe; and even historically, to prepare ourselves for a possible manmade or natural disaster.
“In addition, participation in Global Engage 2013 equips Hankey with the perfect vehicle to tackle the challenge of incorporating the ‘Four C’s’ of the new Common Core State Standards. These are the 21st century skills deemed to be most important for students to acquire and practice: critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity.”
“Hankey is extremely grateful to be supported in this endeavor by the City of Mission Viejo and the County, who have lent their services and support personnel for the event,” Aguilera concluded.
About Carl Hankey K-8 School
Located in Mission Viejo, Carl Hankey is Orange County’s only IB candidate public school that serves school children from pre-school through 8th grade. The school adopted the IB program in the 2009-10 school year and began training teachers and staff extensively in the curriculum, launching in full the 2010-11 school year. This year, the school will be applying for authorization to become a fully authorized IB World School. For more information please visit: www.chhawks.schoolloop.com or www.carlhankeyfoundation.org.
About International Baccalaureate
IB is an internationally recognized academic program that emphasizes critical thinking, writing and global perspectives. It requires a rigorous standardized curriculum that balances math, science, history, languages and literature, as well as the arts. There are more than 3,300 IB schools in 141 countries worldwide.
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Carl Hankey International Education Foundation 