Harborview showcases Pelican Pals inclusive club and student-run coffee cart
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Summary
Harborview Elementary presented 'Pelican Pals,' an inclusion program that pairs general- and special-education students for lunch activities and a student-run coffee cart to teach job skills. Principal Jennifer De La Chica, teachers and students described the program and invited the community to visit.
Harborview Elementary principal Jennifer De La Chica told the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees on Jan. 13 that the school’s ‘Together We Belong’ initiative and a new Pelican Pals program are building inclusion and practical skills for students.
"Together We Belong was created to bring people together through understanding and compassion," De La Chica said, describing a mural in the school foyer featuring a handprint from every student and staff member. Special-education teacher Electra Wickersheim described Pelican Pals as "an inclusive club that brings together general education and special education students, twice a month to eat lunch, create crafts, and play games." Wickersheim said the program also operates a coffee cart to give students hands-on experience in reading order forms, preparing beverages and managing customer interactions.
Second-grade teacher Alyssa Royce said the program has helped students "build genuine connections, practice kindness, and develop empathy," and that many students look forward to participating. Two students joined the presentation to demonstrate the coffee-cart orders and hand out a sample order form.
Board members praised the program. Trustee Gorsuch called it "amazing," and Vice President Singer encouraged the public to visit the coffee cart on Fridays. The superintendent and trustees invited the Harborview team and student baristas to pose for photos after the presentation.
No policy decisions or funding changes were announced during the presentation; board members framed the item as an informational highlight and encouraged community visits and continued support of inclusive student programming.
The board proceeded to other agenda items after the Harborview presentation.
