Briefly In Education

Restaurant teams up with LBHS Boosters

Katsuya by S+ARCK has partnered up with the Laguna Beach High School Athletics Boosters this year, offering up 10% of proceeds on game nights to support student athletes.

To participate, diners must be wearing LBHS team colors (maroon and white) and eat at Katsuya on home game nights for junior varsity and varsity teams.

Funding for the Boosters goes to help the school, the district, coaches and the young athletes.

Katsuya is at 858 S. Coast Hwy.

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Fundraiser will be at Claes Ovation

SchoolPower is holding its first fundraiser of the school year at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at Claes Ovation in the Hotel Laguna.

Claes Executive Chef Paul Bauer will provide a gourmet three-course meal.

After the death of hotelier Claes Andersen last year, his wife, Georgia, is continuing the tradition of generosity.

All of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to SchoolPower, which helps fund important programs at the four Laguna Beach Unified School District schools.

Last year, SchoolPower donated more than $687,000 to Laguna schools.

Tickets are $90. For more information, call (949) 494-6811 or visit https://www.lbschoolpower.org.

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LBHS senior a semifinalist for National Merit Scholarship

Semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program were announced this week, and one Laguna Beach High School student made the cut.

Senior Katharine Barton is one of about 16,000 semifinalists, according to a news release. She is interested in pursuing international relations and affairs in college.

To become a finalist, students must maintain an outstanding academic record, obtain a recommendation from their principal and achieve high SAT scores.

About 15,000 of the semifinalists are expected to become finalists; that list will be announced in February. Scholarship winners will then be chosen from that group.

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Coffee Break on critical thinking is Sept. 21

The first PTA Coffee Break of the year will feature guest speaker Dr. Enoch Hale of the Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Hale will discuss the importance of developing high-level thinking skills and their usefulness in solving problems. He will give a presentation on how to incorporate that kind of thinking into schoolwork and how parents can help at home.

A donation of $10 is appreciated.

The Coffee Break will be from 8:15 to 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course, 31106 Coast Hwy.

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El Morro teacher wins Spirit award

El Morro Elementary School teacher Marilyn Beauchemin received the fourth annual Spirit of LBUSD Award during the district’s Welcome Back Breakfast.

The award is given to a member of the district’s staff who shows extraordinary service to others.

Beauchemin has been with the district since 1984. She has taught at almost every grade level, and is currently teaching second grade.

“[Beauchemin] embodies the qualities of an outstanding teacher; she is talented, dedicated, caring, and compassionate,” Supt. Sherine Smith said in a statement. “Marilyn always goes the extra mile. She is a valued teacher leader who is well-respected by her colleagues.”

— Kelly Parker