Field Trips

The following is from the Nov. 13 meeting of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Alcohol ban on school field trips reviewed The board reviewed a revision to its field trip policy that would forbid staff members from consuming alcohol while on field trips and excursions. Parents and guardians who attend field trips as chaperons would also be strongly encouraged to comply with the revision. In addition, the board reviewed a draft of a new policy prohibiting alcohol at all district-sponsored student activities, both on and off district property.

Be prepared to be afraid, very afraid, at this years Boo Blast. OK, there's probably only a little boo, but El Morro Elementary promises that it will be a big blast. The Boo Blast is El Morro's annual fund-raiser for the school's assemblies, field trips, science aid, after school programs and teacher's grants. The Boo Blast is from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the elementary school. It will have rides, games booths, a haunted house, food, snacks, a cake walk and bake sale.

Mary A. Castillo The Coastline Pilot went to the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club to ask members, 'What are your plans for summer?' "I'm thinking of going on field trips with the Boys & Girls Club and going with my family on vacation." Sean Spera, 11 "I'm going to go to the beach with my friends. I might play baseball." Garrett Hartwell, 9 "I'll be in junior lifeguards. I'll also ride on my scooter and go skateboarding." Nick Wright, 10 "I might go to summer school or go to work with my mom. I'll also come to the Boys and Girls Club."

--Story by Young Chang, photo by [tk] When Robert House realized his high school students didn't have enough natural settings to visit on field trips, he decided to bring nature to them. In 1972, the Laguna Beach resident founded the Environmental Nature Center and grew it to depict 14 plant communities characteristic of California. The center also re-created such different settings as a small desert, a redwood forest, a recycling stream and chaparral.

Art history class includes field trips A new class in art history will be offered this fall through Laguna Beach Senior Services and Irvine Valley College Emeritus Institute. The course will include numerous field trips to local museums, art galleries and artist studios. Discussion topics will include the artist today, trends of art, art styles, art history, exhibits, the jury process, the psychology of art, artist lifestyles and the circle of individuals that assist artists including framers, printers, artist's representatives, appraisers and conservators.

Dinner dance raises $330,000 for SchoolPower SchoolPower hosted its 27th annual dinner dance on March 3, raising a record $330,000 for Laguna Beach schools. About 300 guests attended the "Fantasy Floral Gala," which SchoolPower president Marcus Skenderian called "an amazing experience of celebration and support for our schools," according to a news release. The dinner dance is SchoolPower's biggest fundraising event of the year. This year's event included its first-ever car raffle, which raised $50,000.

Suzie Harrison The writing is not on the wall, its on the backs of cars, for El Morro's PTA has made their vehicles moving billboards advertising this year's Boo Blast fund-raiser. Boo Blast is Friday, Oct. 18, from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. at El Morro Elementary School. "It's El Morro's annual fund-raiser," PTA President Kathy Dawson PTA president. "It's been going on here for around 20 years, and basically it's a Halloween carnival." The event will have rides, game booths, a haunted house, food, snacks.

Mary A. Castillo The MOMS Club of Laguna Beach/South Chapter brought in more than $8,000 at "Something to Smile About," a fund-raising tea that benefited the Smile Train. Founded in 1999, the Smile Train has performed more than 40,000 free cleft palette surgeries for children throughout the world. "The membership selected Smile Train as this year's tea beneficiary because we were touched by the huge impact we could have on so many children's lives," said Robin Rounaghi, president of the MOMS Club.

A few weeks ago, we dined at a very exclusive Laguna restaurant. It is so exclusive that it opens only 10 days a year. In their eagerness to eat here, diners are willing to be seated communally or even to eat in the pantry. What is this secret gastro-temple and how can you get a reservation? This is the Pro-Chef dinner at Laguna Culinary Arts, prepared and presented by the graduating class of eight students, after six months of intensive study. For five nights, twice a year, everything these students have learned comes together in a real restaurant situation.

Dinner dance raises $330,000 for SchoolPower SchoolPower hosted its 27th annual dinner dance on March 3, raising a record $330,000 for Laguna Beach schools. About 300 guests attended the "Fantasy Floral Gala," which SchoolPower president Marcus Skenderian called "an amazing experience of celebration and support for our schools," according to a news release. The dinner dance is SchoolPower's biggest fundraising event of the year. This year's event included its first-ever car raffle, which raised $50,000.

Capistrano Unified School District students no longer need a school bus to go on a field trip with the introduction of a new "virtual field trip" pilot program. Over the summer, the district met with federal employees to discuss a low-cost theme-based curriculum that would not only meet students' state standards but also provide them with the opportunity to talk to scientists and students across the country and receive science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) instruction.

The following is from Tuesday's Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education meeting. * Senior recognized or academics, athletics The board recognized National Merit Semifinalist and Laguna Beach High School senior Katharine Barton for her academic and athletic success. LBHS Principal Joanne Culverhouse expressed her pride and said she's known Barton since she was 5 years old and has watched her grow up. Culverhouse recalled giving Barton numerous reading awards in elementary school and later rewarding her academic achievements at Thurston Middle School.

Art history class includes field trips A new class in art history will be offered this fall through Laguna Beach Senior Services and Irvine Valley College Emeritus Institute. The course will include numerous field trips to local museums, art galleries and artist studios. Discussion topics will include the artist today, trends of art, art styles, art history, exhibits, the jury process, the psychology of art, artist lifestyles and the circle of individuals that assist artists including framers, printers, artist's representatives, appraisers and conservators.

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce took a trip to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center for its monthly networking luncheon Tuesday. The field trip-themed event came complete with a boxed lunch, though the gourmet eggplant, turkey and tuna sandwiches provided by A La Carte probably wouldn't be found in many children's lunchboxes. There was also an educational presentation on marine mammals by the center's education director, Meg Jones, during lunch to add to the educational flair.

A few weeks ago, we dined at a very exclusive Laguna restaurant. It is so exclusive that it opens only 10 days a year. In their eagerness to eat here, diners are willing to be seated communally or even to eat in the pantry. What is this secret gastro-temple and how can you get a reservation? This is the Pro-Chef dinner at Laguna Culinary Arts, prepared and presented by the graduating class of eight students, after six months of intensive study. For five nights, twice a year, everything these students have learned comes together in a real restaurant situation.

Class of 1994 reunion set for Saturday Laguna Beach High School class of 1994 will have its 10-year reunion Saturday. Tickets are $50 or $85 per couple, which include food drinks and dancing. For information, e-mail sarah_orourke76@hotmail.com or call (415) 297-6514. Program geared to help students reach higher The Laguna Beach Unified School District has implemented a new program to help all students continue on to higher education. The program was initiated by Ricardo Gallegos, the district community liaison, and Elizabeth Reynosa-Bland, the PTA educational liaison from El Morro Elementary School.

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT It was great to have the long weekend to celebrate Valentine's Day, President's Day -- also my birthday and to be able to spend it with my parents, who are visiting from out of state, and friends. That's what it's all about. Amid the good times I experienced one of the scariest things ever last weekend, which intensified my gratitude for what I have. My mom was driving with my dad next to her in front, and me and my friend were in the back seat.

I have lots of privileges because I live in the United States. Freedom of speech in the U.S.A. is great! I have the power to tell our president I don't like something. I have freedom to be whom I want to be when I grow up. I can work hard to earn money for my savings. My friends and I can vote when we are 18. In the U.S.A., we have the right for a good education. In the Community Learning Center, I get to study United States, go to class with third- and fourth-graders and go on lots of field trips.