Briefly In Education

Scouts learn about tools

A group of Wolf Cub Scouts from Troop #35 of Laguna Beach were treated to a special afternoon during their Nov. 9 Den meeting.

The Scouts needed to become familiar with many of the common tools used in building, and visited Ganahl Lumber in Laguna Beach, where store Manager Chuck Robinson arranged for the Scouts to meet with John Bates, the store’s tool expert, who showed the boys basic tools.

The Scouts were also introduced to some heavy machinery and each was given a Stanley measuring tape.

Buy holiday greens and fudge today

The juniors and seniors at Laguna Beach High School are now hosting their annual holiday sale to raise funds for the school’s Safe Graduation Night events.

Fresh holiday greens, including mixed evergreen wreaths and cedar garlands and an array of fudges from the Chocolate Soldier in Dana Point can be purchased through today.

Orders will be available for pick-up from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 5 through 12 at the Laguna Beach Unified School District parking lot.

To place an order, call (949) 422-5211 or e-mail Kathy Selevan at kselevan@cox.net.

Fundraising campaign kicks off

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach kicked off the “It Just Takes One” annual drive campaign last week, an effort to raise funds to support the club’s growing need for services for children and families in Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo and surrounding areas.

The goal this year is to raise $120,000 for the club’s annual operating budget.

These funds will help sponsor kids to attend the club and participate in after-school programs such as the Power Hour homework help program, computer skills training, career exploration, arts and crafts, fitness and sports, and character and leadership programs such as SMART Moves (a prevention program) and Youth of the Year (the club’s premier recognition program).

“We are proud to announce that to date, our campaign has raised $40,000 as a result of some early lead gifts and gifts from our board members and staff,” Executive Director Pamela Estes said. “All we need now is the rest of our community to show their support, and we will be able to reach our goal.

“The Boys & Girls Club is making a difference in our community. Last year, our local clubs served more than 1,500 youth, but there are still many more children in our community that need the kind of positive influence and guidance the club provides, and we want to reach out to these youth and their families.”

The number of families in need of help is growing, given the struggling economy.

Club scholarships have quadrupled this year and this trend is expected to continue into 2010.

The campaign will run through Dec. 31.

For more information, call (949) 494-2535, ext 103 or visit www.bgclaguna.org.

Essays sought for civic pride contest

Submissions for the annual “Being an American” essay contest are due Dec. 1.

This year, students are asked to share their thoughts on American citizenship by answering the question, “What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?”

Teachers much submit essays at www.BeingAnAmerican.org for a chance to win cash prizes from a pool totaling nearly $200,000 and one of 54 trips to the nation’s capital awarded to be teachers and their students.

The names of the top three prize winners in the nine contest regions will be announced at a special Washington, D.C. Awards Gala in the spring.

The first-place winners in each region and their sponsoring teachers will each receive $5,000 cash awards, second-place winners $2,500, and third-place winners $1,250. Honorable mention prizes of $250 will be awarded to seven students and teachers from each contest regions.

The winners will also be treated to a tour of prominent national landmarks and will hear from a range of important voices on American citizenship.

The contest, hosted by the Bill of Rights Institute in Arlington, Va., allows teachers to open a dialogue with their students about what it means to be a modern-day American citizen in light of the principles upheld by the founders, documents and heroes, said Bill of Rights Institute President Victoria Hughes.

“Supporting contest materials, including lesson plans meeting national academic standards, are provided at no cost to teachers who want to incorporate the essay topic into the classroom,” he said.

High school students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to participate. Nearly 50,000 students have participated to date.

For more information, visit www.beinganamerican.org.

SchoolPower gets help from Realtors

The Laguna Board of Realtors recently presented SchoolPower with a $5,000 contribution and joined SchoolPower’s Business Alliance.

The Realtors noted the long-standing relationship between Laguna realty agents and the schools.

“Laguna Beach is known for its schools,” board President Wayne Woodyard said. “The Board of Realtors prides itself on giving back to the community and SchoolPower is doing great things for Laguna Beach children.”

Director Marcus Skenderian also recognized the strong connection between Laguna’s business and school communities.

SchoolPower has also revitalized its Laguna Locals Card program, which encourages school families to shop locally and receive discounts at participating businesses.

Its Student Directory is an essential tool connecting parents to each other, local businesses and the schools.

Call (949) 494-6811 or visit www.lbschoolpower.org.