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Eader Fifth Graders Take Action for the Ocean

Posted Date: 6/19/25 (:00 AM)
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Community Partnership with Surfrider Foundation Powers Student-Led Beach Cleanup

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As the school year wound down and summer break drew near, Eader Elementary’s 5th-grade students marked their final days as elementary students in a meaningful and memorable way. In the last week of school, just before they promoted to middle school, the class took a special field trip to Huntington State Beach for a hands-on beach cleanup and environmental learning experience.

Not every school has the ocean just down the road—Eader’s proximity to the coastline made this day especially impactful. It was more than just a field trip; it was a celebration of their time at Eader, a lesson in environmental stewardship, and an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that reflects the spirit of their school and its surroundings.

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With support from the Surfrider Foundation and retired Talbert Middle School science teacher KC Fockler, students teamed up to collect debris and learn about the impact of pollution on our local coastline. The collaboration was coordinated by 5th-grade teacher Mr. Collins and Eader parent Ashley Dos Santos, and made possible thanks to Surfrider’s commitment to youth education and environmental advocacy.

Together, students collected 19 pounds of trash, demonstrating that even small hands can make a significant difference as they learned about the importance of protecting our oceans through plastic reduction, the impact of climate change on our beaches, and the need to care for the sustainability of clean water.

“It was incredible to watch our students step up, take ownership, and realize that they can make a difference,” said Mr. Collins. “Seeing them connect their classroom learning to real-world action was the perfect way to end their time at Eader.”

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This trip not only connected students with their local coastline but also celebrated the importance of stewardship, teamwork, and caring for the places we call home. Special thanks to Surfrider Foundation and KC Fockler for helping make this experience unforgettable.

Visit the North OC Surfrider Foundation website to learn how you can support coastal protection efforts or join a local cleanup near you.