Wave Staff Report
GRIFFITH PARK — The Los Angeles Zoo, in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, hosted its annual Migrant Education Program Family Day event July 17, featuring artwork, displays and presentations completed by 45 students, all children of migratory workers from across Los Angeles.
This summer’s group is hosted at Malabar Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights.
“Every year, I am more and more in awe of how quickly and deeply these young children connect with the animals in our zoo and the wildlife around us,” said Coral Barreiro, manager of community partnerships for the L.A. Zoo. “Our partnership with LAUSD brings a sense of community and stability to these kids who often move around frequently, and the Zoo is a perfect place for a young mind to learn and grow.”
This year, students attended the Migrant Education Program at the Zoo between June 24 and July 17, focusing on the zoo’s conservation work with the Peninsular pronghorn, California condor, southern mountain yellow-legged frog and California desert tortoise. Students met with animal care experts and learned about how these animals are cared for at the zoo and the conservation work being done by the zoo to protect these species from extinction in the wild.
The culmination of the program was Family Day July 17 — a presentation showcasing the exhibit design and artwork that inspired the students during their visits.
“These are the types of experiences that can change a student’s life trajectory,” said Victor Gonzalez, coordinator of the Migrant Education Program for LAUSD. “The students are excited about the animals and the vital conservation efforts of the L.A. Zoo. We want to foster this curiosity and excitement about learning to propel them towards graduation.
“For the last two years, Migrant Education has had 100% of our students graduate. We know that quality education and a passion for learning are part of the secret to success.”
The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program to provide enriching opportunities for children of migratory workers in Los Angeles. Migrant children need special services because most are not working at grade level and must be helped to meet state and district standards.
On average, children attend three different schools in one year. The Los Angeles Zoo is a longtime partner of the Migrant Education Program and offers educational experiences for eligible LAUSD students during eight visits over a summer term.
Photo by Jamie Pham/Los Angeles Zoo
