It was the last day before holiday break, and some Alice Shaw School students were busy throughout the campus selling sand. Yes, sand. But not just any sand.
From Dec. 15 to 17, Valerie Trenev’s fifth grade students sold magnetic sand—a naturally occurring phenomenon—to help pay for a field trip to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley.
The class first learned about magnetite during science class. The students had so much fun playing with it, they jumped at the chance to share it with their peers. The class packaged, promoted, and sold “magic sand” kits at recess. It’s been so popular, the students said they plan to continue selling it throughout the school year.
“We call it magic sand because it makes it more interesting,” student Lexy Garcia said. “The little kids really seem to like it. It’s fun to see their reactions and to see the smiles on their faces.”
Trenev, whose specialty is science, said: “It’s been a science lesson and a lesson on economics, and they’re learning how to help their community.”
In the true spirit of the season, the students are also donating a portion of the project proceeds to the Eric Okerblom memorial foundation. Orcutt resident Eilene Okerblom established the foundation in memory of her son Eric, who was killed last summer by a distracted driver while riding his bike on Telephone Road.
Trenev said her students decided to donate some of the money to the foundation after Eilene visited the class to talk about the dangers of using a phone while driving.
Shylah Chavez, another student in Trenev’s class, said she’s enjoyed participating in the project because they’ve “learned about what kids our age can do for the Earth, our community, and the foundation.”
Once they raise enough money, the students will travel to the Reagan Library, where they’ll learn about the nation’s 40th president and participate in a student-only reenactment of the invasion of Grenada.
“They’re going to pick someone to be the president,” student Joey Orozco said. “I think that’d be really fun.”
For more information about Eco Eagle Sand, contact Alice Shaw School at 938-8899 or visit any of the following local businesses: Oak Knoll Hardware in Orcutt, Toy Zoo in Santa Maria, and Leisure Time Games and La Bella Rosa Fashion in the Town Center mall.
School Scene is compiled by Managing Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Dec 23-30, 2010.
