Briefly In Education

Superintendent search forum set

The Board of Education is holding a public forum to assist in the search for a new superintendent at 6:30 p.m. March 1 in the K Turner Library at Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave.

Members of the community, parents, students, district employees and representatives from local agencies are invited to meet with Frank Cosca, George Bloch and Kenneth Noonan of the Cosca Group, which is assisting in the search to replace Supt. Robert Fraisse, who will retire at the end of the school year.

The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public about the process, identify strengths and needs of the district and to receive input regarding the desired characteristics of a new superintendent.

Anyone who is unable to attend the forum may provide written comments to:

The Cosca Group, 18751 Villa Woods Circle, Villa Park, CA 92861.

The written input form is available at school district headquarters, 550 Blumont St., and at www.lbusd.org.

‘Color It Orange’ exhibit on tap

Laguna College of Art and Design will hold it’s 36th annual “Color it Orange” juried art exhibit March 14 to 21 at the college’s main gallery and in several of its studios.

The extensive youth art exhibit will feature more than 600 pieces from 4,500 students in kindergarten through 12th grades in Orange County, who explore a variety of media including paintings, sculpture, prints and photography.

President of Designing Women and event coordinator Nancy Lawrence said she is passionate about the event that inspires our youth and encourages their creative talents.

“Over the past three and a half decades, thousands of young people have been given an opportunity to exhibit their work publicly and have been recognized for their talents. By valuing creativity, celebrating the work of children, and by honoring the dedication of their teachers, ‘Color it Orange’ has added inestimable value to the life of Orange County and has been instrumental in strengthening the arts throughout the region,” she said.

The panel of judges includes LCAD alumna Regina Jacobson, Julita Jones of Community Art Project, and Sherry Bullard of Laguna Outreach Community Arts. In addition to jurying the exhibition, the judges will select 10 high school students to receive scholarships to attend the summer Portfolio Development Class at LCAD to further their talents.

The free event is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. An opening reception will be at 11 a.m. March 14.

LCAD is also seeking volunteers to help set up the event.

For information or to volunteer, call (949) 499-3580.

LBHS alumna makes Dean’s List

Emily Katharine Kiraly, a junior Middle East studies major at Dickinson College, has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2009 semester.

All students earning a position on the Dean’s List, a recognition of academic excellence, must have a grade point average of 3.7 or above on a 4.0 GPA scale for the semester.

A graduate of Laguna Beach High School, she is the daughter of Sherwood and Patti Jo Kiraly.

Festival scholarship program open

The Festival of Arts 2009-10 scholarship program, open to all high school seniors who live in Laguna Beach, is open through March 5.

The four-year, highly competitive scholarships are awarded to students who excel in film, performing arts, like dancing and theater, and writing.

For more than 50 years, the scholarship program has supported rising young artists by making it possible for students to pursue college studies in the arts.

Auditions and interviews will be scheduled in March and April.

Scholarship awards begin at $1,000 and can be renewed for a total of four one-year scholarships. Students must return each summer to reapply for a continuation of scholarship status.

Last year, the Festival of Arts awarded $30,000 to 17 graduating seniors.

Many scholarship winners pursue successful careers in the arts, and some even return to the festival as exhibiting artists.

Applications are available at www.lagunafestivalofarts.org or at the Festival of Arts office, 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

First Aid and Junior Lifeguard programs

The Community Services Department will offer CPR courses, which also include AED and First Aid Certification by the American Red Cross, beginning Wednesday at the Community and Susi Q Center.

Classes will be open to the public as a means to keep the community safer and healthier.

This is a great way to learn what to do in case of an emergency, whether at home or at the office.

Junior Lifeguard Clinics will also be offered to prepare and train those 8 and older who want to try out for the Laguna Beach Junior Guard Program.

Participants will develop and improve their swimming endurance, strength and speed.

The first clinic runs from Feb. 27 through March 13 and the second from March 20 through April 3. Each clinic runs for three Saturday mornings.

The swim test will be administered on the last day of each clinic.

Cost is $15 for 3 classes.

For more information, call the Laguna Beach Community Pool at (949) 376-9818 or e-mail Adam Gufarotti at adamgufarotti@gmail.com.