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Torrey Hills students tell board lunchtime clubs and surf program build belonging
Summary
Students from Torrey Hills School described lunchtime clubs, a parent-run surf club and student leadership on the Green Team as ways the school builds belonging, language access and social-emotional skills.
Torrey Hills School students visited the Del Mar Union School District governing board Tuesday to describe how lunchtime clubs, a new surf club and student leadership create belonging and boost skills.
Principal Jacob Ruth introduced the students and said the programs connect to district priorities including the portrait of a learner and destination goals. First-grader Coral Strickland told the board, “When I go to a lunch club, it helps my body feel calm and relaxed,” and described clubs such as surf club and beading club as places where students can “make new friends.”
Student leaders described other offerings and outcomes. Hwani Nikki Shu, a Green Team leader, said the group helps sort recycling, compost and trash after lunch and that she had described the district’s growth-mindset message on the school’s weekly broadcast in Chinese: “A growth mindset means believing that our brains can grow stronger when we work hard, practice, and learn from mistakes,” Nikki told the board in English translation.
Sixth-grader Lucas described the parent-run surf club, the lunchtime safety and warm-up routines and how on-beach sessions teach perseverance: “It teaches us perseverance and patience because not every time we're going to catch the perfect wave,” he said. Gia Manganiello translated remarks from a classmate who spoke in Korean about how surfing built confidence and belonging.
Board members praised the presenters and asked logistical questions; one board member asked when the next surf session was scheduled and was told there would be an after-school session the following day at Torrey Pines North State Beach. The presentation included recognition that the surf program is parent-run and that coaches and PTA volunteers organize both on-campus lunch activities and off-site surf sessions.
The student visit closed with board members thanking students and staff and a visible affirmation of the district’s emphasis on student voice and multilingual outreach.
