EDUCATION Pledged across America Students across Newport-Mesa...

EDUCATION

Pledged across America

Students across Newport-Mesa and across the country joined in a

nationwide recital of the Pledge of Allegiance Wednesday as part of

the Pledge Across America.

Paularino Elementary encouraged students to wear red, white and

blue. College Park Elementary students joined together in patriotic

song and flag-waving.

Eastbluff Elementary students recited the Pledge at 11 a.m. on the

dot, and finished up by singing “America the Beautiful.”

* Measure A construction on Newport-Mesa schools is on track, said

Bonnie Martin, director for project manager McCarthy Construction.

Many schools are still dealing with inconveniences like portable

toilets and no working classroom bells or water fountains.

However, parents and teachers have improvised, using store-bought

air horns instead of bells, or supplying water coolers for

classrooms.

All the schools have at least some finished classrooms, with new

paint, carpet, windows, sinks and refurbished cabinets.

Teachers in new classrooms expressed their satisfaction with the

improvements. Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee Chairman Mark

Buchanan said that they are happy with the project’s progress.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education and may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@ latimes.com.