BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Student stress is Coffee Break topic

Author and educator Denise Pope, who is on the faculty at the Stanford University School of Education, will speak at the Jan. 16 PTA Coffee Break, from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. in the Sand Dollar Room at the Surf & Sand Resort, 1555 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach.

Pope will examine the ramifications for students of such issues as pressure for grades, competition and integrity. She’ll also offer strategies so students can avoid the traps lurking along the “fast track” to academic success at any price.

Pope, a curriculum expert, has received the Stanford University School of Education Outstanding Teacher and Mentor Award three times. Her book, “Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students,” was named a Notable Book in Education by the American School Board Journal.

For the book, Pope followed a group of motivated and successful students through a school year. On the one hand, the students worked hard in school, participated in extracurricular activities, served their communities, earned awards and honors, and appeared to uphold school values. But they said that, in order to get ahead and meet expectations, they sometimes had to manipulate the system “” even scheming, lying and cheating to attain their goals.

Pope is the founder and director of the Stressed Out Students (SOS) Program and believes that student stress is growing at a high rate.

“In the past 10 years we have seen an alarming increase in academic stress in students of all ages,” Pope said. “The SOS-Stressed Out Students project examines the sources of this stress and works with students, parents, teachers and school communities to devise site-specific strategies to foster student health, integrity, and school engagement.”

A $5 donation is requested to cover coffee and muffins. For more information, contact Judith Anderson at [email protected] or (949) 494-0447.

Lowe’s scholarship application available

Applications are now available for a Lowe’s scholarship program for high school seniors who plan to attend any accredited two- or four-year college or university within the United States.

For more information and to apply, use access key LOWES at Lowes.com/Scholarships.

Baha’i award program seeking nominees

The Laguna Beach Unified School District, along with the Baha’i community of Laguna Beach, is seeking nominations from the community for its Honorary Service Award and Scholarship Program for Outstanding Students at the district.

This program is for students from elementary through high school. There will be two students from Top of the World and two from El Morro Elementary; four from Thurston Middle School; four from Laguna Beach High School; and four faculty members, one from each school chosen. The purpose of the program is to recognize the philanthropic contributions of those selected.

Nominations may be submitted for those candidates who provide community service, either at school or in the community at large, and who have demonstrated a sustained effort of service throughout their activities. These services should be of proven value to the community; reflect an attitude of genuine caring for all humanity, regardless of race, class or religion; and be directed toward the strengthening of bonds among the diverse people of our community.

All nominations should include the individual’s name, address, telephone number and a summary of his/her activities, and be submitted by Jan. 25 to the Baha’is of Laguna Beach, PO Box 1875, Laguna Beach, CA 92652. For more information, call (949) 494-3083, ext. 4.

The awards will be presented at the Laguna Beach High School Artists’ Theatre on Feb. 26.