Coffee Break: District preparing students for an evolving world

At the school year’s first PTA Coffee Break meeting, Laguna Beach Unified School District Superintendent Sherine Smith, along with principals and administrators, explained how the district is preparing students for the rapidly changing world.

“Our imperative is to deeply engage our students in thinking and learning so they graduate from high school ready to enter college and careers equipped with the skills necessary to thrive,” she said.

Before describing how schools are integrating technology with the California State Standards — also known as the Common Core — and exploring innovative interdisciplinary learning, she cited futurist Gary Marx’s book, “Twenty-one Trends for the 21st Century: Out of the Trenches and into the Future,” to outline emerging trends facing students.

With these trends, including diversity, technology and sustainability, as a backdrop, Laguna’s principals, teachers and administrators are focusing on three major areas in instruction.

“First we are committed to providing true 21st century learning experiences for students by incorporating the most effective instruction in the classroom,” said Darlene Messinger, assistant superintendent of instructional services.

Using California State Standards as the guideline, teachers are being trained in English, language arts and mathematics strategies that fully engage students in understanding the content.

Beyond basic skills, students will be provided with opportunities to apply skills in lessons designed to reflect real-world issues. Because the “4 Cs” of collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity are essential, teachers are learning about and employing motivational strategies to help teach these skills.

“Not all employers are looking for people who can do math equations and recite the periodic table,” Messinger said.

The second commitment is to give students opportunities to use 21st century tools like technology. Teachers are also piloting innovative classroom layouts that go beyond front-facing desks. These include different furniture, audio systems and large monitors so students can share work as they collaborate on projects.

Thurston principal Jennifer Salberg and Laguna High interim principal Carolyn Williams described the progress their schools have made toward classrooms centered on the four Cs.

“Decades ago new teachers started with a box of chalk but today we have so many exciting new tools to help prepare students for both college and careers after they graduate from LBHS,” Williams said.

Finally, LBUSD is working to provide strong systems through Multitiered Systems of Support (MTSS) that continue to build social, anti-bullying, and organizational skills, and provide academic support at each of our schools. This includes the Collaborative Academic Support Team (CAST) process and Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) that are especially critical at the lower grades.

By making sure students do not fall behind and by helping them develop the behaviors for success, they will be prepared to take full advantage of the programs LBUSD offers.

Other highlights from the meeting included a personnel update from Leisa Winston, director of human resources and public communications, who said this year 40 people were hired at the district — 17 over the summer. She also explained the search process for a new high school principal and said they hope to have a candidate in October.

Dean West, assistant superintendent of business services, provided an overview of facilities’ maintenance, including fire certifications. The team is in the process of planning and prioritizing all the district’s non-instructional needs over the next one, five and 10 years.

A video of the entire 90-minute meeting is available at coffeebreak.com. The next Coffee Break is scheduled for Oct. 15 at Top of the World Elementary School. The featured speaker will be Leslie Dixon, founder and executive director of The Birds and Bees Connection, who will discuss the transition between childhood and adolescence for boys and girls. Coffee Break is a monthly program organized and supported by the Laguna Beach PTA Council’s Parent Education Committee.

ALICE NATHANSON is a member of the Coffee Break committee.