Briefly In Education

Back-to-School on Tuesday

Laguna Beach Unified School District schools will begin classes Tuesday.

School begins at 7:55 a.m. for El Morro Elementary students in grades 1 to 5. Orientation for kindergarten students and parents will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for early start students, noon to 1:30 p.m. for late start students. School begins for kindergartners at 7:55 a.m. Wednesday for early starters, 9:55 a.m. for late starters.

Top of the World students in grades 1-5 will begin at 7:55 a.m. Tuesday. Kindergarten orientation will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. for early start students, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. for late starters. Early Kindergarteners will begin the school year at 7:55 a.m. Wednesday, late starters at 9:55 a.m.

Zero period at Thurston Middle begins at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday; First period at 8:40 a.m.

Laguna Beach High students begin at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Supt. Sherine Smith said she is pleased with the district staff’s dedication and enthusiasm for the upcoming year.

“Our principals, teachers, and staff members have been working hard all summer to prepare for the opening day of school,” she said. “We are proud of the growth in achievement our schools attained this past school year and anticipate another year of outstanding educational opportunities for our students.”

For more information and bus service schedules, visit https://www.lbusd.org.

Kicking off the school year with kindness

Top of the World Elementary has adopted Rachel’s Challenge for the upcoming school year, a nation-wide program that promotes compassion and kindness among students, said Principal Ron LaMotte.

Based on the journal entries and life of Rachel Scott, the first victim in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, the outreach program aims to prevent violence among students by encouraging compassion and kindness among them.

“The implementation of Rachel’s Challenge will enhance positive behavior and support the anti-bullying program we already have in place,” LaMotte said. “Opposed to an anti-bullying approach, this will focus on this positive behavior and therefore, minimize [bullying].”

A kick-off assembly will take place on Sept. 10, and will introduce the concept of developing compassion for others and displaying acts of kindness toward them.

Throughout the year, the students will engage in activities including a paper chain, in which their good deeds toward others that are noted by teachers will be written down on a “link” and added to the chain.

“The chain will start a ‘reaction of kindness,’” LaMotte said. “It will serve as a visual reminder to be kind to each other. At the end of the year, we hope to publicly display these acts and have a celebration.”

Presbyterian Preschool celebrates 50 years

Laguna Presbyterian Preschool invites the community, students, parents and alums to celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sept. 19 at the church, 415 Forest Ave.

The celebration will begin with a worship service at 10 a.m., followed by teacher tours of the preschool facility at 11 a.m. and food and tile painting on the lawn adjacent to the school.

A gallery of class pictures and photos from as early as the 1960s will be on display next door at Tankersley Hall.

Past and present staff will gather for a reunion from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept 18. Former directors, Arlita Smith and Pat Drew, will be in attendance.

Call (949) 494-0504 to attend the staff event.

Be pampered for philanthropy

The Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach calls all ladies to wiggle into their skinny jeans, slip into their favorite pair of heels and grab a friend to come together for a night of pampering, shopping and socializing Oct. 7 at the Wilson home, 100 Rockledge in Laguna Beach.

The fundraising event, which will feature fine food and cocktails, and a silent auction filled with gift certificates, spa treatments, accessories, jewelry, and an opportunity to bid on a vacation in Puerto Vallarta, will benefit the club’s after-school programs.

Every day, 250 children benefit from the clubs youth development programs and professional staff. These programs are designed to promote positive development of healthy behaviors, academic achievement, creativity and character and leadership.

Tickets for “Girls Night Out” are $100 and can be purchased on-line at https://www.bgclagunabeach.org or by calling Michelle Ray at (949) 494-2535, ext.103.