Briefly In Education

Jog-a-thon raises enrichment funds

Top of the World Elementary School students recently participated in a schoolwide jog-a-thon, the largest fundraiser of the year, to raise money for enrichment programs.

The motto was “Work Together to Reach Our Goal,” to motivate all 400 school families to donate to continue after-school enrichment classes and other programs.

Monies earned will also enable the PTA to fund teacher and grade level stipends, and library and technology support, as well as reading and math incentive programs.

To make a donation, visit towpta.org or e-mail Betsy Mackel at betsymackel@cox.net.

Internet seminar for parents

Parents are invited to a free presentation on Internet awareness from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Laguna Beach High School Library, 625 Park Ave.

Victor Guthrie, school district director of technology, and Mark Wagner, president of the Educational Technology and Life Corporation, will lead the presentation, “What You Need to Know to Keep Your Child Safe.”

Topics include the proper use of technology at home and in school, monitoring children’s use of technology, safeguards to ensure proper use of technology, protocols for social networking, and steps to make Internet surfing safer for kids.

The Laguna Beach Community Coalition is sponsoring the event. The coalition includes a broad cross-section of the community and develops prevention/intervention strategies and comprehensive, coordinated policies and services to reduce substance abuse and related problems.

For more information, call Assistant Principal Robert Billinger at (949) 497-7750, ext. 201.

Fun Family Day set at Sawdust

The Sawdust Art Festival will celebrate the 25th annual Imagination Celebration and second Creatively Fun Family Day in collaboration with Arts Orange County from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 17 on the festival grounds, 935 Laguna Canyon Road.

The event will feature a variety of hands-on fine art and craft projects, demonstrations, information displays and entertainment, presented by various community and Sawdust artists, and local nonprofit groups.

New to this year’s event is live entertainment, which includes alternative country rock band, City Country City, 16-member band ensemble, Swing Set Too and special musical guests, the Sharp Brothers.

Admission is free for children 5 and younger; $2 for children ages 5 to 13; $4 for adults; $10 for a family four-pack (two adults, two children). Metered parking is available along Laguna Canyon Road with complimentary parking on Frontage Road. For more information, call (949) 494-3030 or visit sawdustartfestival.org.

Club celebrates special programs

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach recently celebrated National Boys & Girls Club Week, where it highlighted its programs and staff with a week of events that included special guest speakers, science experiments, gym activities and member versus staff game-room tournaments.

The guest speaker was photographer Sue Rosoff, who encouraged members to look at the world in unique ways and to capture artistic moments all around them, according to the club.

Members of the Dragon Fly Quest science club exhibited their favorite experiment with Mentos and a 2-liter bottle of soda.

The Breakers teen club heard from Kim De St. Paer, board member of the Laguna Beach HIV Advisory Committee, who stressed the importance of creating a global community and support for people living with HIV or those affected by the disease.

For more information about the club, call (949) 494-2535, ext. 100 or visit www.bgclaguna.org.

Support group for preschool moms

A new group of mothers of preschoolers, Laguna Beach MOPS, are looking for other women to join their support group where they meet to eat, socialize, do crafts and “recharge.”

Founder Dorit Lessard said she wants to create a place where mothers can share information and support.

The program will begin in September, but MOP coordinators will host two complimentary information brunches for interested moms at 9:15 a.m. April 22 and May 20 at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave.

Semester memberships are $95 per mom, $125 per mom in need of child care. Confidential scholarships are available.

For more information or to reserve a spot for the luncheon, call Lessard at (949) 497-2436, Diane Babcock at (949) 497-6907 or Deborah Sekerka at (949) 415-1501.

Cox offers scholarship

Cox Communications will reward youth volunteerism by offering high school seniors the chance to win a college scholarship through its nonprofit organization, Cox Cares.

Applications are due April 16.

One applicant from each school in the Cox Orange County service area will be awarded a $500 scholarship, based upon the student’s contributions to the community, academic standing and quality of application essays.

To qualify, graduating high school seniors must earn a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5, plan to attend a two- or four-year college, university or technical school, present a letter of recommendation from a representative of a nonprofit organization, mentor or teacher, complete an online release form and submit two essays demonstrating their volunteer service in the community.

To view complete submission guidelines, visit www.cox-cares.org/scholarships.