Ducks Unveil Street Hockey Rink at Corona Ranch Elementary

Adjusting to the end of summer and the beginning of school was a little easier for the students of Corona Ranch Elementary this year as they arrived back on campus to a brand new street hockey rink.

With nearly 1,000 students across transitional kindergarten through sixth grade, Corona Ranch is the seventh Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. partner school and the first public school in Riverside County to receive a street hockey rink.
More than 450 fourth through sixth graders gathered with teachers, administrators and Wild Wing earlier this week to celebrate the playground's new addition. Ducks television play-by-play announcer John Ahlers hosted the opening ceremony and was joined by a number of Corona-Norco Unified School District representatives.
Corona Ranch began their partnership with the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. (Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation & Education) Program in 2011 through the Reading is the Goal initiative. The school was also a pilot member of the Captain's Challenge physical fitness program and annually attends the STEM-based First Flight Field Trip held at Honda Center. Each spring, the students and staff enthusiastically "Paint It Orange" by supporting the Ducks during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Three years ago, the Corona Ranch staff committed to incorporating street hockey instruction into their fourth grade physical education module through the S.C.O.R.E. Street Hockey program, becoming the first public school in Riverside County to do so. And this past spring, the school's fourth grade team participated for the first time in the S.C.O.R.E. Shootout Street Hockey Tournament.
"It's going to get them even more excited about hockey," said Corona Ranch principal Jeane Trevino. "The Ducks have given so much to our school to enhance the whole program. Every part of this translates into more success in school in every way. We appreciate their support of us. It's just amazing."
Former fifth grade teacher and current third grade teacher at Corona Ranch, Jamie Blair, has been the main liaison between the school and the Ducks, working to bring as many aspects of the S.C.O.R.E. Program to the campus as possible. Seeing the completion of the rink is the realization of a long-term vision Blair has for the students and the school, one that includes introducing street hockey instruction to all grade levels.
"Giving them an introduction to hockey is like a whole new playing field," Blair said. "The Ducks have been so generous to come out and teach the kids, and not just through the fourth grade program, but they're willing to teach all kids. Some kids who you never thought would like hockey have picked up a stick and love it."

Blair is already working with the Ducks S.C.O.R.E. staff to have them attend the school's Back to School Night and annual carnival as ways of continuing to educate parents and families as to the options available on campus through the S.C.O.R.E. Program.
"Every year, the Ducks seem to do more and more and more," said Blair. "They've been so gracious to our school and the kids. They are reaching so many, and I'm so excited about that. This is a huge dream come true. I can't thank them enough."
After the conclusion of the opening ceremony and an inaugural ball drop held at center court, the school's street hockey team members took to their new rink for some pick up games, including fifth grader Mattison, who was a part of the team that competed in the S.C.O.R.E. Shootout Street Hockey Tournament last spring.
"It's really fun, and I love that I get to be really competitive," said Mattison of why she enjoys playing street hockey. "Most kids don't get to have this experience at other schools, so I'm grateful."

Corona-Norco Unified School District Board President, John "Mr. Z" Zickefoose, acknowledged that the new rink and the continued partnership with the Ducks through the S.C.O.R.E. Program aligns with the district's goals of keeping kids active and providing unique opportunities for growth through education.
"The street hockey rink is just incredible," Mr. Z said. "I could not be happier because it wasn't a 'one and done' thing. The Ducks are in for the long haul. We appreciate the absolute commitment the Ducks have shown to us. Thank you isn't enough."
As the school expands street hockey instruction into their PE periods across all grades, more students each year will have the chance to learn to play a new sport. And with two additional elementary schools nearby joining the S.C.O.R.E. Street Hockey program this year, Corona Ranch and their new rink will become integral to the continued growth of street hockey in the area.
"The Ducks do so much for our school every year," Trevino said. "It seems they're just giving and giving to us. It means so much to our students, and it means so much to us. I don't know how to say thank you enough."

For more information on the Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. Program, visit
ducksscore.com
.