Laguna schools scoring high Laguna schools tied...

Laguna schools scoring high

Laguna schools tied for third place in Orange County in Academic

Performance Index scores. Out of 28 schools and of the top-tiered

schools, Laguna’s schools made the most progress from 2002 to 2003

according to scores released March 25.

“The improvement this year can be attributed to our math, reading

and language arts curriculum, which is now aligned to the rigorous

state content standards,” Assistant Supt. Steven Keller said.

He said that with the high expectations from the state and the

district, officials are looking forward to the scores increasing

further in 2004.

Substance Abuse Task Force discussed

Laguna Beach High School Principal Nancy Blade gave an update on

March 23 about the joint Laguna Beach Unified School District/City of

Laguna Beach Youth Substance Abuse Task Force.

“We’ve met three times this year,” Blade said. “It represents so

many different groups, one or two police members and staff at the

schools.”

Mayor Cheryl Kinsman said she was pleased to have developed a

relationship with the city and schools.

Student is leadership award semifinalist

Rebecca Johnson, a student from the Laguna Beach High School is a

semifinalist in the Irvine Company’s annual Investing in Education

Awards Program.

The Irvine Company has named eight students as semifinalists for

the 2004 awards program. A panel of community leaders will interview

the semifinalists Friday; the winners will be announced April 28.

The company’s annual Student Leadership Awards program provides a

total of $96,000 in scholarship funds to high school students who

best demonstrate qualities to become future community leaders.

El Morro students to compete in Odyssey

El Morro Elementary students will compete in the Odyssey of the

Mind finals in Sacramento after the students beat their competition

in Pasadena.

The team will travel to Sacramento in early April to compete in

the creative problem-solving contest against other schools from

around the state. The team includes Evan Ehrenberg, Anna Heitmann,

Tad Heitmann, Hunter Moskow, and Samantha Rosiczkowski, and their

parent-coaches Christine Sjolander-Green and Susan Heitmann.

‘Music Man’ continues

Laguna Beach High School’s award-winning Park Avenue Players are

continuing with the performances of “The Music Man.”

This production will be the first opportunity for the homegrown

ensemble to show off its recently renovated Artists’ Theater,

including its new orchestra pit, which adds tremendously to the

musical experience.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday with a matinee at 2:30

p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are available at the Artists’ Theater box office, 625 Park

Ave. General seating costs $8 for students, $10 for adults and $15

for reserved seating. For more information or reservations, call

(949) 497-7769.