LBHS seeks mentors to participate in Authentic Exploratory Research program 

Laguna Beach High School is seeking mentors to participate in Authentic Exploratory Research (AER), a student self-directed project-based learning program set to launch in the fall. 

Focused on real-world application, AER asks students to identify a field of interest and pairs each student with a volunteer mentor in that field. 

The role of the mentor is to provide students with professional expertise and guidance as they work through one of three study plans: a business challenge that results in the resolution of a real-world business issue, an action-based project that solves a real-world problem, or academic research that concludes with an oral defense. 

“The mentorship component is vital to this course. It is a one-on-one personalized learning experience for the student that connects them with an individual who is personally invested in their success, teaching them the value of building meaningful professional relationships,” said AER Mentor Coordinator Jenn Lundblad. “These are mutually beneficial relationships that build community capacity,” she concluded. 

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Photo by Anakaren Ureno

LBHS is seeking mentors from the community to participate in Authentic Exploratory Research program

AER, inspired by Palo Alto Unified School District’s Advanced Authentic Research program, is an independent research course in which students propose driving questions to explore their passions and career pathways in a variety of fields. 

The program was designed to encapsulate six experiences identified by Gallup (Crabtree, 2019) as the keys to success in the job market: a caring teacher, an inspiring teacher, a mentor, a long-term project, an internship, and involvement in extracurricular activities.

“Authentic Exploratory Research steps away from the traditional teaching methods to create a space for student-generated project-based learning where students will solve complex problems using a combination of skills, including reading, writing, math, teamwork, research gathering, time management, and information synthesizing,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jason Viloria. 

“With the introduction of this elective course with real-life practice and relevant social contexts, we want to encourage students to become independent workers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners,” he concluded. 

Interested mentors will be paired with a mentee according to the field of the student’s choosing and invited to attend an orientation to review the AER Mentor Handbook and go over any questions. Once the student-mentor partnership is established, it will be up to the student and the mentor to determine when and where they will meet. Mentors can expect a time commitment of 40 to 50 hours throughout the school year. 

To participate as a mentor, contact AER Mentor Coordinator Jenn Lundblad at (949) 497-7750 ext. 1216 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LBHS PTA gives grants to get ideas

Laguna Beach High School students engaged with a myriad of animal companions on campus last month to help them de-stress before final exams.

Four support-therapy dog teams provided by the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OCSPCA) PAWS program (Pets Are Wonderful Support) brought hugs and smiles to the kids from two golden retrievers (Adobe and Coral), a Labrador retriever (Gunner), and a greyhound (Teagan). 

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Support dogs help students de-stress before exams 

Meanwhile, across the quad, students visited with a variety of reptiles – including snakes, lizards, an iguana, and a giant tortoise for a different kind of connection. 

While one student declared the event to be “the best idea this school has ever had,” the idea actually came from the students themselves as part of a grant program offered by LBHS PTA.

Now in its second year, PTA’s Student Grant Program was introduced as a way for PTA to fund suggestions made directly by students, as well as to gather new ideas for how to better address student needs. 

 “Every year, PTA creates its budget based on what members – mostly parents – think is best for kids,” said program chairman Kathleen Fay. “This program gives students a voice by asking what matters most to them – what ideas do they have to improve their school?”

The answers come in the form of a brief grant application submitted by students followed up by a short (three-minute) presentation to the grant committee to discuss their idea. “We offered $1,000 last year and $2,000 this year to help make these student ideas become a reality,” said Fay. “But there’s also an important indirect benefit that comes from reading through all the suggestions: it helps us to learn what’s really important to these kids. We are even able find ways to implement their ideas outside of PTA.”

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Students visited with snakes, lizards, and more for a different kind of connection

Interacting with animals to relieve stress and anxiety before finals was suggested last year by students Clara Becker and Grace Wilson, who took their winning idea and started a student group to support the concept on an ongoing basis; this year they were joined by Maya Gallego and Gavin Gee to again be awarded with PTA funds to continue hosting these stress-healing events.

Another one of this year’s grant winners was Amar Bhatia, who proposed having CRV recycling cans in every LBHS classroom. Bhatia and his on-campus club, Zero Trash Laguna, offered to pick up the recycling on a regular basis. PTA purchased the recycling bins and Bhatia placed them in rooms around campus where they were needed. Remaining funds may be used for expansion for the program next year.

Soren Patchell suggested furnishing LBHS T-shirts for all students when school starts again in the fall to help build school spirit. “One of the goals in ASB is to build school spirit and create unity amongst the student body,” said Patchell. 

In the past, students have worn shirts in their own class colors to school events and activities, based on their year of expected graduation; this would shift the focus to overall school spirit by having a unified color for all. “We want remove obstacles for students to participate and get involved by providing shirts to every student,” Patchell said. PTA, in conjunction with ASB and LBHS administration, will contribute funds to help make this happen.

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Bike racks will be installed at LBHS thanks to student Leonard Wallstein

Leonard Wallstein urged LBHS to offer secure bicycle parking on campus to encourage students to bike to school. LBUSD welcomed Leonard’s recommendations and will use district funds to install bike racks on the Park Avenue side of campus (near the Artists’ Theatre) as part of summer renovations. 

“I hope people can enjoy those racks and maybe learn to love biking and school as much as I do!” said Wallstein. He and members of LBHS Cycling will make themselves available to help with the project if needed.

Wallstein also expressed appreciation for the grant program overall: “Thank you for setting this grant up; it’s really rare that students can directly share their ideas with PTA like this.” LBHS PTA President-Elect James Azadian said he plans to continue the program next year.

LBHS students presented with $1,000 scholarships from Laguna Beach Live!

Laguna Beach Live! recently presented two $1,000 scholarships to two hard-working and deserving Laguna Beach High School students at the Senior Convocation on June 7.

The two students were chosen from a group of seniors who applied and wrote essays telling of their interest in music and the paths that passion was taking. 

Both of the scholarship recipients, Sydney Davison and Leonard Wallstein, had been involved in music from their earliest years. The two students had also collaborated during high school, playing together and writing music.

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Submitted photo

LBHS graduating seniors Sydney Davison and Leonard Wallstein 

According to Laguna Beach Live!, they were both very appreciative of the scholarship money, and both affirmed that they would continue with their studies and musical endeavors. 

Sydney Davison will be attending the University of Wisconsin, Madison in the fall, while Leonard Wallstein will be taking a gap year before college.

Laguna Beach Live! is a local nonprofit organization that formed in 2001 to increase the awareness of and participation in diverse musical experiences, enhancing the reputation of Laguna Beach as a music town and enriching the lives of residents, students, and visitors to Laguna Beach. 

The organization annually presents over 30 live music concerts and free education events. 

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.

LBHS PTA gives grants to get ideas

Laguna Beach High School students engaged with a myriad of animal companions on campus this month to help them de-stress before final exams.

Four support-therapy dog teams provided by the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OCSPCA) PAWS program (Pets Are Wonderful Support) brought hugs and smiles to the kids from two golden retrievers (Adobe and Coral), a Labrador retriever (Gunner), and a greyhound (Teagan). 

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Support dogs help students de-stress before exams 

Meanwhile, across the quad, students visited with a variety of reptiles – including snakes, lizards, an iguana, and a giant tortoise for a different kind of connection. 

While one student declared the event to be “the best idea this school has ever had,” the idea actually came from the students themselves as part of a grant program offered by LBHS PTA.

Now in its second year, PTA’s Student Grant Program was introduced as a way for PTA to fund suggestions made directly by students, as well as to gather new ideas for how to better address student needs. 

 “Every year, PTA creates its budget based on what members – mostly parents – think is best for kids,” said program chairman Kathleen Fay. “This program gives students a voice by asking what matters most to them – what ideas do they have to improve their school?”

The answers come in the form of a brief grant application submitted by students followed up by a short (three-minute) presentation to the grant committee to discuss their idea. “We offered $1,000 last year and $2,000 this year to help make these student ideas become a reality,” said Fay. “But there’s also an important indirect benefit that comes from reading through all the suggestions: it helps us to learn what’s really important to these kids. We are even able find ways to implement their ideas outside of PTA.”

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Students visited with snakes, lizards, and more for a different kind of connection

Interacting with animals to relieve stress and anxiety before finals was suggested last year by students Clara Becker and Grace Wilson, who took their winning idea and started a student group to support the concept on an ongoing basis; this year they were joined by Maya Gallego and Gavin Gee to again be awarded with PTA funds to continue hosting these stress-healing events.

Another one of this year’s grant winners was Amar Bhatia, who proposed having CRV recycling cans in every LBHS classroom. Bhatia and his on-campus club, Zero Trash Laguna, offered to pick up the recycling on a regular basis. PTA purchased the recycling bins and Bhatia placed them in rooms around campus where they were needed. Remaining funds may be used for expansion for the program next year.

Soren Patchell suggested furnishing LBHS T-shirts for all students when school starts again in the fall to help build school spirit. “One of the goals in ASB is to build school spirit and create unity amongst the student body,” said Patchell. 

In the past, students have worn shirts in their own class colors to school events and activities, based on their year of expected graduation; this would shift the focus to overall school spirit by having a unified color for all. “We want remove obstacles for students to participate and get involved by providing shirts to every student,” Patchell said. PTA, in conjunction with ASB and LBHS administration, will contribute funds to help make this happen.

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Bike racks will be installed at LBHS thanks to student Leonard Wallstein

Leonard Wallstein urged LBHS to offer secure bicycle parking on campus to encourage students to bike to school. LBUSD welcomed Leonard’s recommendations and will use district funds to install bike racks on the Park Avenue side of campus (near the Artists’ Theatre) as part of summer renovations. 

“I hope people can enjoy those racks and maybe learn to love biking and school as much as I do!” said Wallstein. He and members of LBHS Cycling will make themselves available to help with the project if needed.

Wallstein also expressed appreciation for the grant program overall: “Thank you for setting this grant up; it’s really rare that students can directly share their ideas with PTA like this.” LBHS PTA President-Elect James Azadian said he plans to continue the program next year.

School Board boosts Superintendent’s salary

By BARBARA DIAMOND

A unanimous Board of Education voted at the June 25 meeting to increase Superintendent Jason Viloria’s salary to $281,463 for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1, an 8.1 percent increase. The board also voted for increased salaries of $292,722 for 2020-21 and $304,431 for 2021-22.

Viloria oversees the district’s four schools (Laguna Beach High School, Thurston Middle School, El Morro Elementary School and Top of the World Elementary School), its 3,045 students and a current operating budget of $65,480,555, based on 2nd Interim. 

No one from the public or the board spoke in opposition to the increase, which was approved 4-0. Board Member Dee Perry did not attend the meeting. She was on vacation.

Viloria was due for an increase to $266,269, approved on June 26, 2018, for fiscal year 2019-2020. The amount had previously been scheduled for $261,048, approved on June 7, 2017.

Attending board members at Tuesday’s meeting had nothing but good things to say about Viloria, without ever discussing the amounts he will be paid.

Board member Peggy Wolff complimented Viloria on effective guidance, willingness to adapt and improve the district in ways she appreciated as a parent. She specifically cited making data-based decisions, better communications and development of new strategies. 

“I am grateful for his leadership,” she said.

Carol Normandin said she admired his mentoring skills. 

“It is imperative to note that sometimes when you take strides to make changes in an organization you incur upset,” said Board Chair Jan Vickers. “I think it goes with the territory when you seek to improve. 

“It is incumbent on us as the board, since we are the employers, to be sure we give support and recognition.”

Vickers listed tasks taken on by Viloria that included the calendar change, the bell schedule, weighting grades and making recommendations and decisions. 

“That is what is expected,” said Vickers. “It is not our job.”

Viloria was hired on July 21, 2016. His starting salary was $240,000 for a full fiscal year.

According to the June 26, 2019 agenda, Viloria’s initial salary was first amended at the June 9, 2017 meeting, with an increase for 2017-18 to $249,350. The board also approved an increase to $255,126 for fiscal year 2018-19 and to $261,048 for 2019-20.

Those amounts were scrapped in June of 2018.

The June 26, 2018 amendment increased his salary for the next three fiscal years to the following amounts:

--$260,299 in 2018-19

--$266,269 in 2019-20

--$272,448 in 2020-21

The amounts were amended again at Tuesday night’s meeting to the following amounts:

--$281,464 in 2019-20

--$292,722 in 2020-21

--$304,431 in 2021-22

None of the increases include Viloria’s health or welfare benefits, according to Assistant Superintendent Leisa Winston, which totaled $58,411 in 2017 according to a public pay and pension database.

A meeting to evaluate Viloria’s performance was held on Thursday, with a follow-up to be conducted in a closed session at the next board meeting, scheduled for Monday. The evaluation will not be made public.