Briefly In Education

Parents, orthodontist team up for trick-or-treats for Marines

The Laguna Beach Parents Club collected more than 45 pounds of Halloween candy from members during the club’s third annual candy donation to Marines serving overseas.

Three years ago, the club teamed with Dr. Carter’s Orthodontics in Mission Viejo, which offers a Halloween candy donation for its patients, and sent the candy to Marines serving overseas through contacts at Camp Pendleton. The Parents Club collects candy from members in Laguna and adds this to the supply that Dr. Carter’s office receives. Some children also made cards to send along as well.

The Laguna Beach Parents Club is a volunteer nonprofit whose mission is to provide opportunities for Laguna Beach parents, particularly those with newborns and young children, to find support, create connections and develop a community. The club is dedicated to providing activities and resources that create supportive environments for mothers, fathers and children. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachparents.com.

Children create flags for the Nepal Peace Project

The children of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach are working diligently to finish their peace flags, which will be sent to a school in the Kavre District as part of the Nepal Peace Project.

Rosalind Russell, project founder and volunteer, who will take the flags to Nepal, said they are an inspiration to the 400 who attend her school.

“On the peace flag each child makes, there is a quote about peace along with the child’s name, age and any drawing they wish to [include],” she said. “The flags hang in the classrooms for all children to see and influence their daily thinking.

“The project gives the children time to [experiment with] art, learn about geography and think about peace and children who live in poorer countries.”

Art Director Emily Murray said she is thrilled to participate in a project that connects children from different parts of the world by educating them about peace.

“The teens are also very excited about this project,” she said.

SchoolPower raises most of its $300,000 community goal

After four weeks of pledging, SchoolPower’s Community Campaign has raised $298,000 of the $300,000 goal set by campaign Chairwoman Carol Normandin.

“Because our schools are such an integral part of our community, it is wonderful to see the whole community supporting them and ensuring their continued excellence,” Normandin said. “Not only does this achieve amazing results for students today, but creates a powerful legacy of support for the next generation.

“If you were to walk in on one of the campaign’s Calling Nights you would see a well-organized telephone campaign with between 10 and 18 SchoolPower trustees and parent volunteers working the phones. Add to that children of all ages creating thank-you cards, and it is a very lively atmosphere “” truly a community effort. Every donation, large or small, is met with great enthusiasm.”

David and Holly Wilson generously put up a $15,000 matching grant for new donors; $10,500 has been matched.

The campaign, established 12 years ago by Bill Steel, is SchoolPower’s most successful fundraising tool.

Two times a week for about four weeks, parent volunteers solicit donations for SchoolPower from other district families via phone calls and e-mails. This year volunteers met at the offices of Surterre Properties and worked the phones for several hours a night.

The money raised enables SchoolPower to meet its financial commitments to all four Laguna Beach schools.

SchoolPower’s $250,000 annual gift, a sizable portion of the district’s discretionary fund, has become such a dependable source of income that it is included in the district budget.

This year, SchoolPower’s annual gift is budgeted for: K-12 class size reduction ($100,000); classroom technology ($25,000); Thurston zero period ($47,000); Thurston/Laguna Beach High School visual and performing arts ($50,000); elementary school music ($25,000); and district call-out system ($3,000).

To contribute to the SchoolPower Community Campaign or learn more, visit www.lbschoolpower.org or call (949) 494-6811.