Early College High School (ECHS) teacher Mrs. Anne Lawrence was selected as the 2019 Outstanding Teacher as part of the LA Clippers Teacher Appreciation Program. Mrs. Lawrence was recognized for her hard work and dedication to students.

Mrs. Lawrence has greatly influenced students as the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) senior seminar teacher, in addition to her regular role (math teacher or whatever regular teaching assignment she has at the school). She also serves as a California College Application Success Campaign committee member and developed the feature sophomore project, a project where 10th-grade students create a virtual nonprofit organization, to be a community-involved experience.

“Mrs. Lawrence is extremely committed to our students, always willing to do what it takes to ensure their success,” said ECHS Principal Dr. Dave Martinez. “She never ceases to amaze me and we are proud to have her on our team,” he said.

Mrs. Lawrence will be recognized at an on-court ceremony on November 7, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

This is the third year in a row that an ECHS teacher has been recognized by the Los Angeles Clippers. Past recipients include Mrs. Treffner (2017) and Mrs. Wurn (2018).

For the first time in her career, Newport Beach premier handbag designer Suzan Lee Paek of Suzan Lee Designs has partnered with Mariners Christian School in Costa Mesa to create a one-of-a-kind opportunity for two students to experience the thrill of designing an actual on-the-market designer handbag.

The exotic leather handbags, based on the students’ designs, were auctioned off at a school fundraiser on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach.

A limited number of the purses will also be offered on Suzan’s website for the general public, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting MCS.

As Founder and Creative Director of Suzan Lee Designs, Suzan was inspired to become involved after learning about the school’s growing Maker Education program and integration of design thinking throughout the curriculum.  She is also known for her strong Christian faith.

“When I learned of Mariners’ educational focus on creativity and the design thinking process within a Christian school setting, I felt compelled to create something special that would benefit both the children and the school,” said Lee.

The winning students’ designs were selected by Suzan from a school-wide contest of more than 100 entries from MCS students grades K-8^th.  The two winners are Mary Jane Pfaff, whose mother is MCS Maker Education Facilitator, and Kawaii Sanita, whose mother is MCS Fine Arts teacher.

“I was overwhelmed by the talent I saw in all the entries.  It was difficult to pick! I’m pleased to see that our winners showcase artistic talent running in the family,” said Lee.

When asked how it felt to have her design chosen for production by Lee, 5^th grader Mary Jane Pfaff said, “Now I really feel like a true designer.  I always used to draw and create designs, but no one knew about them.  Now I can say that I am a real designer and I have one of my purses in an actual store!”

“We are so honored that Suzan would lend her talent and experience to create such a unique learning opportunity for students.  The fact that the funds raised through the sale of these handbags will help build our Maker Education program is a bonus,” commented MCS Head of School Troy Moore.

“This project warms my heart. I’m going to get my other designer, artist, and manufacturer friends to join me in encouraging our future generation,” said Lee.

Suzan Lee Designs is a worldwide fashion brand that specializes in exotic leather bags and accessories for both women and men.  The student-inspired handbags will be available at suzanlee.com, and 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to Mariners Christian School.  More about Suzan Lee designs can be found on her website.

After a four-year hiatus, Walk to School Day will return in Costa Mesa on Oct. 4 at three elementary schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

The schools talking part in this year’s event are the following:

• College Park — Click here for route details and times for this school.
• Kaiser — Click here for route details and times for this school.
• Victoria — Click here for route details and times for this school.

City elected leaders, staffers from the Fire and Police Departments, Public Services and the City Manager’s Office will be out that day to assist families as they walk their children to school.

The first Walk to School Day – called Walk Our Children to School Day – was held in 1997. Since then, it’s come a long way. In May 2012, the first-ever National Bike to School Day was celebrated across the USA. Event organizers have reported that this one-day event has led to great changes such as long-term walking and bicycling programs, new sidewalks and pathways, enforcement of unsafe driving behaviors and needed policy changes at schools and in communities.

Costa Mesa Parks & Community Services will again offer after-school programs for both early childhood and teens starting this school year as well as swim lessons for adults and youth.

For elementary-aged children the city offers to the Recreation on Campus for Kids, or R.O.C.K.S, Afterschool Program at 11 sites throughout the city.

The R.O.C.K.S Program will also offer Youth Fitness Programs, showing kids that health and exercise can be fun.

After-school care for teens is offered at three Teen Center locations. These free programs take place at the Downtown Recreation Center, TeWinkle Intermediate, and Costa Mesa Middle School and will be open on the first day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Any teenagers who want to stop by after school, make a few new friends, try something new and have a good time are welcome.

Teen Center permission slips will be available at 7th and 8th grade registration days at Costa Mesa Middle School, TeWinkle Intermediate, and Ensign Intermediate. Please call (714) 327-7562 for more information.

Click here for more.

Additionally, fall youth and adult swim lessons will be held at the Downtown Aquatic Center at 1860 Anaheim Ave. beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5. Registration will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 8 a.m. online or at the Downtown Aquatic Center.

The pool is heated year-round. Please call (714) 327-7564 for more information.

Check out the city’s website for a full listing of fall programs and classes by clicking here.

On Thursday, June 15 Mariners Christian School held it’s graduation ceremony for the Eighth Grade Graduating Class of 2017.  Eighth grade students, families, friends, and the entire MCS faculty and staff gathered in the beautiful sanctuary at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach to present diplomas, listen to music and keynote speakers, view a slideshow of middle school memories, and acknowledge key student accomplishments and leadership awards.

The program included:

• Student Welcome by John Herold, Student Council President
• Invocation by Graham Nelson, Student Council Vice President
• Special Message from Heather Harrison, Middle School Principal
• Worship music by MCS Student Worship Band
• Alumni Heritage College Scholarship presented by Chris Spurgin, Middle School Teacher
• Eighth Grade Speech by student Mia Collier
• Salutatorian Awards presented by Tami Thurston, Middle School Teacher
• Valedictorian Speech by student Grace Jones
• Bill Jones Leadership & Integrity Awards by John Hellriegel, Middle School Teacher
• Special Gift to 8^th Grade Class, Troy Moore, Head of School
• Commencement Address by Brian Darrow, Pastor of The W Church and MCS Dad
• Benediction by Carrie Olson, MCS Board Member and MCS Mom

Eighty-three eighth grade students received their diplomas while wearing formal white graduation gowns in the lovely setting of St. Andrews Church.

Mayor Katrina Foley and City Manager Tom Hatch recently attended a meeting at the OC Fair & Event Center to learn about some of the changes coming to this year’s event as well as details about the City Day at the fair.

The 2017 OC Fair runs July 14 – August 13 (Wednesday-Sunday).

City Day for Costa Mesa will take place on Friday July 21. The event, which will begin atwill include a raising of the Costa Mesa city flag as well as a performance of the National Anthem.

The theme of the 127th Fair is “Farm Fresh Fun,” and is a tribute to agriculture in the county. There are several new offerings including new weekend hours. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Friday: Noon – Midnight and Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m. – Midnight. The Fair is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Pricing has also changed. Click here for more information on pricing and admission.

There will also be a new ride at the fair called “Endeavor,” as well as full-contact jousting, an olive oil competition, a mini-van demolition derby and an e-sports tournament.

Also new at the fair this year is the Heroes Hall veterans museum and the Pacific Symphony will have its summer concert series at the Pacific Amphitheatre.

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson recently announced that 275 middle schools and high schools are being honored under the Gold Ribbon Schools Awards Program.

Schools applied for the award based on a model program or practice their school has adopted that includes standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that can be replicated by other local educational agencies. The award acknowledged elementary schools last year.

“These terrific schools are leading the way in embracing our new rigorous academic standards and showing others how to help students succeed on their way to 21st century careers and college,” Torlakson said. “I look forward to traveling the state to honor these schools and to help share the programs, methods, and techniques that are working.”

The Gold Ribbon Awards recognize California schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These include the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

The 2017 Gold Ribbon Schools as well as the 2017 Exemplary Program recipients, Title I Academic Achieving Award Schools, 2017 Green Ribbon Schools, 2017 Civic Learning Award Schools, and the National Blue Ribbon Schools from 2016, will be honored in May during regional ceremonies held in Costa Mesa, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Visalia, and Sacramento.

Click here to read the California Department of Education full News Release.

The City of Costa Mesa received its first round of school board approved athletic facility grant requests from the school district last week.

Some of the improvements at Estancia High include new bleachers for the multipurpose fields, various sports training equipment and all new outdoor basketball rims and nets for the exterior courts.

Newport Harbor is requesting a new scoreboard for their Varsity Baseball field.

More grants are slated later in the year for Costa Mesa High School

When Mariners Christian School student’s came back from Christmas break, they were welcomed by a New Year’s surprise: a brand new, state-of-the-art 57,000-square-foot AstroTurf athletic field.

To help celebrate this new addition, on Wednesday, Jan. 25 over 150 students, parents and teachers gathered for a special after school event to dedicate the new athletic facilities. The ceremony included remarks by the Head of School, Troy Moore, a prayer dedication by an 8th grader, Levi Darrow, a ribbon cutting ceremony and finally, fun field games that included the participation of students, teachers, and parents.

In April 2016, MCS launched a fundraising campaign to replace the natural grass field, which was 30 years old and significantly impacted by the extended drought conditions, with professional-grade AstroTurf.  The total project cost was $440,000.

By October 2016, the fundraising goal was reached, and construction commenced in November.  The new field, now featuring AstroTurf with a 2-star FIFA rating, includes permanent zoning stripes for flag football, soccer (small and full sided), and PE/recess lines.

Mayor Katrina Foley, Council Member John Stephens and members of the police and fire departments paid a visit to the Westside Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday to deliver 100 donated new coats to the children there.

This is Mayor Foley’s eighth year of holding a coat drive for the city’s low-income community. In addition to the new coats, about about 50 gently used coats and sweatshirts were donated as well as $1,884 raised for the Fire Association charity drive and approximately 40 toys for the OCBA Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Foley and Stephens took questions from the kids in the after school program as did members of police and fire. Emergency coordinator Brenda Emrick urged the children to take a safety pledge and take proper precautions during the holiday season.

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The Costa Mesa High School and Middle School Foundation reported another successful Home Tour this year.

More than 160 visitors walked through the homes and the ticket purchasers came from as far away as Pasadena and San Clemente.  

Many were returning guests from the last two years. 

Many visitors commented on how they loved the home decor, variety in the housing styles and neighborhoods, and they really enjoyed the friendly and informative docents. 

Visitors also raved about the food from Greenleaf Gourmet Chop Shop and they enjoyed browsing the store at Room & Board.  In addition to those businesses, the event was sponsored the City of Costa Mesa, The Triangle, Gatehouse, SOCO, Pottery Barn and Darlene Stinson from TNG Real Estate and Star Real Estate.

According to ticket sales, the Home Tour likely took in about $23,000 gross, which is more than double what was raised last year on the tour. 

The date for next year’s event is already set for Dec. 7, 2017 from 3-8 p.m.

See slideshow from this year’s event below:

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The public is invited to view some of Costa Mesa’s finest homes decked out for the holidays as well as the new Heroes Hall museum at the OC Fair & Event Center at the third annual Costa Mesa Home Tour on Dec. 1.

The event dubbed “Home for the Holidays” is presented by the Costa Mesa Middle and High School Foundation and takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. and will finish with a closing reception at the Room & Board store at SOCO.

Tickets to the event are $50 and proceeds will benefit high school arts programs as well as help provide transportation for Orange County students who are visiting Heroes Hall on field trips.

In addition to Heroes Hall, those taking part in the event will get to visit five local homes that are decorated for the holiday season.

Sponsors for this year’s event includes the City of Costa Mesa, Greenleaf Gourmet Chop Shop, Room & Board, Gatehouse, SOCO, Pottery Barn and realtors from RE/MAX and Star Real Estate.

For more information on the Home Tour please click here.

Below is a video of last year’s Home Tour