Parents, officials take time to talk

Suzie Harrison

“Coffee Break,” not to be confused with the satirical “Coffee Talk”

on the late night TV show “Saturday Night Live,” is an additional

educational source and forum for parents, guardians and school

officials to discuss various topics related to Laguna’s schools.

The popular PTA Coffee Breaks promise an interesting

thought-provoking series for the new school year.

The first meeting was Wednesday at the Surf and Sand Hotel’s

Pelican Room.

Its theme was “Meet the School Leaders -- Hear Their Vision for

the Future.” The meeting included a panel consisting of Supt. Theresa

Daem, Assistant Supt. Steven Keller, the four school principals --

Laguna Beach High School’s Nancy Blade, Thurston Middle School’s

Chris Duddy, Top of the World Elementary School’s Ron LaMotte, El

Morro Elementary School’s Joanne Culverhouse, as well as Laguna Beach

High School Assistant Principal Jami Parsons, and Thurston’s

Assistant Principal Jenny Salberg.

PTA Coffee Break meets monthly during the school year and is a

cooperative effort by the Laguna Beach PTA Council, Parent Education

Committee and are not chaired by district personnel. Due to the open

forum and interaction from participants, opinions that are not

sanctioned by the school district or the PTA may be expressed.

The next Coffee Break is Oct. 15 and the topic is “Overindulged

Kids.”

Questions can be directed to Judith Anderson, chair, Laguna Beach

PTA Council, Parent Education Committee at (949) 494-0447.