Um, since 1976, OK has organized to build a community that respects the dignity and wisdom of every person in Orange County. We are a multifaith community-based organization working alongside families in Anaheim, Sana, La Habra, and Fullerton to develop leaders who help shape equitable public policy and education, housing, and immigration. Our mission is to develop transformational leaders across diverse communities. leaders who understand that real change happens when families, students, educators, and districts work together. Oko is proud to collaborate with the California Partnership for the Future of Learning, a statewide alliance advancing a shared vision of a racially just relationship centered education education system. Together, we are working to address the historical and ongoing inequities in education and to build a transformational system that works for all students. Our work centers equity, elevates the voices of students and families of color, strengthens partnerships with educators, and focuses on long-term systemic change while connecting to a broader statewide and national movement to strengthen public public education.
Uh so yeah, there's now a big push towards utilizing materials that can be when I say uh disposed of in this case recycled. So this same type of field technology that's out there now, most most if not all of it is 100% recycled back into another field. >> Yeah. And I'm a little surprised that the sheet doesn't say that because I believe the um the website did >> say that. Um so I think again like those are the types of things that you know the um the PAS you know anything that might go into the groundwater anything that might be runoff you know th anything anything that might be offging that those are things that leave the project site and go out like to the rest of us right and and so those are the things like I want to know about you know and how how how this thing affects the community.
For the past four years, we have been honored to serve on the Anaheim Union High School District Community School Steering Committee. Through our work, we have seen what is possible when we center belonging, relationship, and shared decision making. Tonight we are here with our parents and youth leaders. Leaders who have grown through this work, who have found their voice, and who will be sharing their experiences directly with you. Because the reality is this. When parents, caregivers, and students are meaningfully included in decision-making spaces like LCAP and community school structures, the impact is real. We see families who who once felt excluded are now leading conversations. students who feel a greater sense of belonging and purpose, stronger relationships between schools and districts and communities. This is not by accident. This is the result of intentional partnership and healthy mutual accountability throughout our collaboration with the district and alongside partners across the state.
It sounds like like something like smart the smart turf is a is kind of a you know one of the leading brands as terms in terms of doing it safely. It's it seems from the little research I did on it. >> Yeah. >> And it seems like the underllayment that you're looking at the hybrid system isn't maybe the the gold standard but it's it's a silver. Is that kind of what I'm >> Well, there there's I mean there there's a uh platinum if you want as well. I mean some of the No, >> professional fields now use FIFA uh FIFA turf. I mean where it's certified. There's so many when I talk about synthetic uh turf fields. The technology in synthetic turf field would be analogous to talking about flooring tile. 20 years ago you had one option. Today you can buy tile that looks like wood, >> right?
We are working towards a shared vision. Schools that are fully funded, rooted in belonging and inclusion, where students and families have real power, where learning is meaningful, and where educators are supported. We believe in a future where every student is seen, every family is valued, and every community has opportunities to thrive with dignity. And tonight, you will hear directly from those who are living that change. Their stories are not just testimonies. They are the embodiment of belonging and evidence of what is working. We are grateful for the partnership that has been built and we look forward to continuing this work together to strengthen and expand these efforts across the district. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Next speaker is Norma Hores. Good evening board president, board members, pres parents, students, and community. My name is Norma Huarees. I am a parent ambassador at Anam High School, part of the PTA board at Gwen Elementary School and a leader with OKO.
And then that's why I'm wondering like, you know, in specifying a product like when I go to specify a product, you know, I need to talk about the the performance grade windows, you know, that I'm specifying. I'm wanting to know like so what what is going to be specified, you know, on that site. >> So let me ask you that protects Ashland from >> from whatever from whatever that, you know, the field would bring. Well, I I can assure you that the field, if we're talking about a technology using the hybrid product, um the field would certainly be um more suitable, more eco-friendly than your current fields that you allow the children to play on today, >> right? I mean, obviously, you know, we're not looking to those fields that were that were probably good at the time. And so we're always looking to do better.
As a parent who started simply as a volunteer, even while living in Corona for 5 years and commuting to Anaheim, I did not let distance stop me for participating. This year, our family moved back to Anaheim because I have learned how important being involved in our school is and the impact it has made on my life and my family. Through the community schools approach, I have experienced what it truly means to be part of a school community. Today I can see the positive changes happening across our schools. From our youngest students to the oldest, being connected to our school creates opportunity, growth, and a sense of belonging, not just for students, but for families as well. I want to thank the district for providing workshops, services, and support that help parents like me grow and stay engaged. These are the kinds of support that make a difference when families are welcome, informed, and empowered to participate.
Right. So it's it's >> But the kids are playing on it today, >> right? Right. So it's understand they'll be playing on >> Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Right. >> So it's understandable that the products are better. And that's why my questions are always like, okay, we're we're adding a new field. It it um it makes sense. You don't have to water it. There's definitely environmental benefits that way. um that doesn't take all the pesticides or the fertilizer to try to keep it green. Um but it's also understanding okay that it's a better product than anything we have in Ashlin. Great, but how how good is it for the environment? You know what just you know what are the what are the downsides of it environmentally? Like that's that's the part I just want to I I haven't I don't see it in here.
Anaheim has always felt like home to me. And I wanted the best for my children. There are a motivation every day to keep learning, growing, and showing up. This year, I also participated in the LCAP process, and I am grateful that we can see the results and the impact of making meaningful changes. This is what a strong partnership looks like when family schools and the district work together to support the success of our children. As I continue my journaling of learning and leadership, I encourage the district to continue offering opportunities that allow new parents to get involved, collaborate, and see education from a new perspective with the support of community- based organizations like OKO. for that new perspective, you begin to see that families and students do have a voice, that we can create change, build leadership, and strengthen family engagement in our schools. Thank you.
I don't. So that's the part I want to understand. It's they seem like good products and that's that's where that's where my questioning is going. Right. So, um >> I I I have to say that, you know, there's any any town. I mean, you can go to your towns uh to the side of you or or towns in other states. Uh anybody who's building uh a field that doesn't want to use uh natural turf because of the pesticides and the fertilizer and so on so forth and the lack of durability or going to the synthetic fields. Um, if you're you're you're talking about, you know, having an environmental test done, I I mean, I'm assuming that there's a department within um, you know, the the town of Ashlin that, you know, is looking into this at the very least, considering you have the same product and and the same usage and and yours is a public field.
>> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Emmy Ariano. High Ed, capacit for fundament. important. particip. I'll go ahead and translate into English. Thank you so much for always providing a cheat sheet with the answers in it. So, good evening president and members of the board. My name is Amy Ariano. I am a parent leader at Anaheim High School Edison and soon soon at Sycamore. I am also a community volunteer and leader with OO. Before community schools, we faced many challenges, limited communication, lack of support, and often we did not feel included in the decisions that impact our children. I did not feel a sense of belonging nor that my voice was taken into uh account to collaborate with the best intentions not only at the school level but also at the district level. Thanks to the support of OKO over the past three years and the trainings and workshops provided by the district, I have grown not only as a mother but as a person.
This is a private field. >> I I get that. Is anyone understanding my question here? as it's just a am I not being clear about what I'm asking? >> I think you're asking for specifications and I don't think that they picked a they didn't pick a vendor yet. They didn't pick one. They're just telling you it's going to be better than what's currently out there. So, I think that's all they're trying to say. >> I think that's what I keep kind of hearing that there's not a particular We're not getting any specificity other than it's 30 to 40% less >> rubber. That's all we seem to be getting. >> So, what you're looking for is for what you're looking for is a specific vendor. >> I'm I'm not looking for a specific vendor. I'm looking I'm looking for that. Um, you know, hey, this this study, it's like a traffic study like you know this study that has been done on artificial turf shows that when you reduce >> the amount of rubber by 40%.
I have been able to overcome fear and what we call imposttor syndrome and I have learned to raise my voice. This allowed me during difficult moments for our community to communicate with district representatives and share real concerns from families. In August 2025, we face uncertainty, fear, and very difficult situations due to the political climate. One impactful example was when uh a mother from our community was affected while walking to work and that deeply deeply impacted us. As parents, we began to ask ourselves who is taking care of our children on their way to school. How do we ensure that they can learn in a safe environment without fear? At the moment, I understood that these spaces truly matter that when families have access, information, and support, we can participate and be part of the solutions. Through community schools, I have seen how to support how this support extends not only to students but also to families recognizing that we are fundamental part of our children's emotional and educational development.
you know, really that that it it a much safer very little gets um >> washed off into the environment into the the water table, you know, like how safe is if we go from a terrible product at you know that it's and to hey it's a 40% less terrible product but still pretty terrible then we probably want to know that that I'm not saying that's the case. So that's what I'm trying to understand. No, I mean I I I've been thinking about the same thing kind of like yeah the the standard should not necessarily be well it's better than what you guys have at a public field and when you do get rid of it you'll probably get this stuff and I appreciate what you're saying like I love the fact that if we're going to go turf we're going to go better in town that's fabulous.
I have also participated in the ALCAP process for three consecutive years and I have seen the change. At first it was difficult to understand but today I can participate in my own language better understand the information and share my suggestions. Today I feel included and that is why I will continue to participate because I understand that this is where decisions are made about the supports and resources our students need to succeed academically, grow professionally and be prepared for life. This is the kind of change this model makes possible. more parents involved, more voices heard, and more effective participation. Today, I can say that time we invest as parents in being involved is not in vain. It benefits us, our children, and all our students. It is also an opportunity to represent our communities, which have different needs and deserve to be heard. Thank you for listening and for continuing to support this work.
Um but yeah to your point it's I don't know what the standard is for private property. I'm curious to hear from Jasmine from her experience because I don't I think this is the first time I as a planning board member see private space turf conversations. What is our jurisdiction here? Like do we as a planning board get to decide what kind of turf gets installed? Can we what I guess where is our kind of boundary? Because I don't know I've never seen this before. >> I don't know if there's any existing case law on turf. >> Yeah. But typically on a private project, you wouldn't be able to dictate the type of turf they would choose the same way you could tell them that they couldn't >> bring in a specific grass per se unless you could cite that there is specific >> concern because we know that the PAS level is at X amount and it will leech at this rate, right?
Thank you. Our next speaker is Mate Reyes. >> Student speaker. Yay. >> Hello. Good evening, board president and members of the board. My name is Mere Reyes. I am a student at Anaheim High School. I'm currently a junior and a rising senior. I'm a leader with OKO as well. Tonight, I'm also speaking on behalf of the students that couldn't be here uh because it matters to all of us. Before community schools, many of us felt like we didn't have a voice and we didn't feel heard. There was limited support. Students didn't always feel included or heard. But community schools changed that for me and it changed it for real. Through the four pillars, I've seen tutoring, mental health support show up for many students. After school opportunities open up, families get more involved, and students like me actually have a seat at a table, especially with the political climate that we are currently facing right now.
And then at that point you could say due to public safety concerns. But in speaking with our health agent, our board of health agent, it's something that the state actually doesn't have a very good handle on right now. >> I was under the impression Massachusetts is very concerned about the P PCF in water and that we have pretty high levels locally. >> Yes. Um, and so I would think in theoretically we could argue that there is kind of a public health question whether it's town replacing it or private property probably that did not exist at the time that we installed our own public fields turf. So that sounds like we could kind of have that conversation. So the question I would have is like who in town can we consult with other than who you mentioned? like should we be talking to Hong Kong? Do they have jurisdiction on this or knowledge base?
I am so grateful for OKL and community schools model and I want to say it out loud because it's a it's really personal to me. Being part of OKL helped me understand systems like LCAP, building confidence and realizing I could be a leader. It inspired me so much that I could actually start my own club called the community schools club at my school because I wanted other students to experience what I experienced and know that they matter. I'm also a proud member of the redesign team at my school. Having real understanding of what community schools is, the pillars, the values, and the vision has allowed me to show up to that process in much more meaningful way. I am not just a student in the room. I'm a voice and I contribute ideas, asking for right questions, and advocating for students that actually need it because I've lived through it.
>> Hong Kong wouldn't have jurisdiction, but the board of health actually would be your best jurisdiction. >> So, do we want to consider that as an option just to kind of get some feedback because we don't seem to >> memo to his I mean what he says is basically the data just isn't there. They're aware of it and they're collecting data, but it they don't have anything substantive to >> like you mean the state doesn't have or something. So it's a conversation that they're definitely having. It would be worth having having Ra Raj Gupta as our um health agent, but he it would be worth I think having at least his >> Yeah. Because to me there's a difference between like the scientific concern that this stuff cont like I don't think it's any anybody's denying that washing the stuff repeatedly is going to contribute these forever chemicals into the water source.