Briefly In Education

Coffee Break deals with affluent teens

The Laguna Beach District PTA will host guest speaker Madeline Levine at this month’s coffee break.

The Coffee Break will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Surf and Sand Resort.

Levine will speak on her book, “The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids,” which explores the reasons why teenagers from affluent families are experiencing epidemic rates of emotional problems.

Backed by research, Levine proposes solutions that are both practical and credible.

District Superintendent Robert Fraisse encourages the community to attend.

“Dr. Levine’s presentation will be another highlight in the highly effective Coffee Break presentations for this year. Her message is one that all parents will want to hear,” Fraisse said.

“I am so excited about our opportunity to bring Madeline Levine to Laguna Beach. Her book, ‘The Price of Privilege,’ is a must-read for all parents. It has helped me to deal with my own kids, our students, and our community. I give this Coffee Break my highest recommendation,” said Laguna Beach High School Principal Don Austin.

For more information, call Judith Anderson at (949) 494-0447 or e-mail drjza@drjudithanderson.com.

? Girl Scouts collecting blankets for shelter

The Girl Scouts of Laguna Beach are helping homeless people while their annual cookie drive is under way.

Cadettes Troop 789 is collecting blankets for the city cold weather shelters. The blankets needed are twin or double size only. Dark colors are preferred. They must be washable. New or gently used are fine. The Scouts will be collecting until Feb. 25.

Blankets will be accepted this weekend at Kristalle Natural History Gallery, 875 N. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach. Drop-off hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Drivers may pull up to the curb, tap their horns and the girls will come and get the donations.

The Service Unit collected 425 coats in December for the One Warm Coat drive. The coats were distributed to the Laguna Beach Resource Center and the South County Outreach.

For more information, call Mary Jo Mancuso at (949) 494-0355.

? Club teens carry on King’s legacy

Keystone Clubs made up of teen members of Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation honored the legacy of civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 21 by providing needed items to homeless people in Laguna Beach.