Schools

Orinda Sixth Graders Met by Police - Bearing Hot Dogs

It's easier to get to know your local police officer when he or she is offering you lunch. Just ask the kids at Orinda Intermediate.

It can be daunting enough entering the sixth grade. Orinda Police Chief Jeffrey Jennings and his officers, along with administrative people from the City of Orinda, set out to make it a little easier for the kids at Orinda Intermediate recently.

And there wasn't a badge or uniform to be found.

"We continued a decade-long tradition of greeting the incoming sixth graders," Jennings said. "OIS conducts a half-day-long orientation and it concludes with our folks feeding the kids hotdogs, chips and juice... it gives the kids, and us, an opportunity to meet each other and connect in a friendly, pro educational environment."

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Sounds pretty darn smart to us.

Public Works Inspector Tod Fierner was the man on the grill, Student Resource Officer Danny Jeffries and Jeanette Irving acted as coordinators with Chief Jennings, Lieutenant Andre Charles, Sgt. Djajakusuma, Officer Derek Henry, Parking Enforcement Officer Scott Tracy, Planning Director Emmanual Ursu, Richard Yee, Assistant to City Manager Monica Pacheco, and Human Resource Administrator Trish Raver working the line.

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"We thoroughly enjoyed meeting and feeding approximately 380 people and I believe the students, parents and educators had a good time too," Jennings said.  "It is a great way to start the new school year and the beginning of good things to come for the kids at Orinda Intermediate School."


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