Standard Families Recharge at Aprons in Bloom Event During Testing Season

Families from across the Standard School District gathered Thursday evening for Aprons in Bloom, a unique hands-on event designed to bring the community together while promoting wellness and connection during state testing season. Held between testing weeks, the timing gave students and their families a chance to recharge and refocus.

The event featured interactive cooking stations where students, with help from Interact Clubs at Centennial and Frontier High School, prepared simple, nutritious meals like butterbean pasta, vegetable stir-fry, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

For sixth grader Nolan, the experience was both fun and meaningful.

“It was egg-mazing!” Nolan exclaimed. “I really liked making the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and being able to cook for my mom.”

Organizers say Aprons in Bloom highlights the importance of proper nutrition during testing while creating a supportive space for families to connect.

“I love coming out to events like this and connecting with our families and students,” said Karen Odle, Board President for Standard School District. “It warms my heart to see them having fun and taking home groceries they’ve made together. This is a fun way to relax, and having good meals and nutrition is especially important during testing.”

The event also included resources from local organizations such as Kern Family Health Care and the Bakersfield Blue Zones Project, along with music, Zumba, and activities for families to enjoy.

The event was the brainchild of Deb Massey Arnold, a Bakersfield North Rotarian and account clerk at KCSOS, who said she wanted to create an experience that builds confidence and life skills in students.

“Without our students, we’re not going anywhere,” she said. “We have to invest in them.”