STUDENTS at Carrillo School release a balloon globe (GGUSD photo).

On Sept. 27 Leo Carrillo Elementary School students became “Heroes for Peace.”  In a unique school-wide celebration commemorating the annual International Day of Peace, students portrayed the meaning of peace through readings, poems, musical performances, and a flag relay.

The event was brought to Carrillo Elementary School by teacher Paul Portner who spearheaded the event 30 years ago.  In 1986, Portner and former student Michelle McElroy were invited to the United Nations in New York and recognized for the school peace program that spread to other schools across the country.

One of the hallmark activities of the Peace Day celebration is when Portner, McElroy, and his students released a five foot Peace Balloon, which they painted to look like the earth that floated 200 feet above the school.  Also, as a part of this year’s peace endeavor, the Carrillo students raised funds to contribute to the OC Second Harvest Food Bank and for Save the Children.

Carrillo school is part of the Garden Grove Unified School District. It’s located at 15270 Bushard St. in Westminster.

The students were introduced to the Peace Task Machine, a gumball machine that dispenses a small bead with a sticker inside asking the student to complete a simple task. The simple task is either a good deed to or an act of kindness that helps make the world a happier place.  Carrillo students have been recording their good deeds and signing their names to signify their commitment to peace.

Resource and Health Fair on Oct. 12

The Garden Grove Unified School District will hold its Annual Community Resource & Health Fair starting at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct.12 at Clinton Corner Family Campus.

The event includes a resource fair with more than 25 community agencies, a presentation from GGUSD Superintendent Dr. Gabriela Mafi and Sue McClellan, the preschool principal.  The event will equip parents of young preschool students with information on how to prepare children for academic success, how to communicate with the school, and how to help children with their education while at home.

The presentation will be in English and interpreted in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. There will also be raffles and prizes and fun activities for all who attend and child care will be provided for children age 2 to 10.

The Clinton Corner Family Campus is located at 13581 Clinton St. in Garden Grove.

Seniors off to the casino

If you’re feeling lucky, join the Garden Grove H. Louis Lake Senior Center for a day trip to Harrah’s resort Southern California casino on Tuesday, Oct. 18,. Tickets are $20 per person, which includes bus transportation, breakfast snack, and $5 back in slot play.

The bus departs the H. Louis Lake Senior Center at 11300 Stanford Ave. at 8:00 a.m., and will return by approximately 5 p.m. Seniors are invited to sit back and enjoy the air-conditioned deluxe motor coach while it makes its way to Harrah’s casino in Valley Center. Once there, the playing floor has something for every taste including over 2,000 slots, 60 table games, Poker, Rincon Craps, PaiGow, BlackJack, Baccarat and Three Card Poker.

The trip must be paid in full at time of registration. A valid California I.D., driver’s license, or military I.D. is mandatory to board the bus. Seats are limited, so register early. For information and reservations, please contact the H. Louis Lake Senior Center at (714) 741-5253.