Corona del Mar Today: CdM PTAs chart their course for new school year
The Corona del Mar High School and Middle School PTA groups held a joint meeting last week and discussed changes on campus, the group’s home tour fundraiser and more.
Principal Kathy Scott welcomed the parents to the first PTA meeting of the year.
“Last year, I was like a deer in the headlights,” she said. “Anyway, I survived.”
This school year, she said, more Advanced Placement classes are being offered, although fewer zero period classes are available.
The zero periods, which precede the start of the regular school day to cover electives, advanced studies and remedial work, had historically high rates of absences and other issues, she said. Scott also cited the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has determined that early school start times can cause academic and health problems.
“In the past, we’ve had a lot of issues,” Scott said, including parents calling the school to say their students are sick for zero period. “They’re magically well by first period.”
The new middle school principal, Becky Gogel, told the group the new middle school enclave has been a success for the 800 seventh- and eight-graders.
She also said a new bell schedule was in effect this school year, with late start days to take place on 30 of 34 Mondays of the year. Late start days begin at 9:16 a.m. instead of at 7:50 a.m. The first two late start days of the year, she said, would be Sept. 8 and 15.
Michele Caston, co-chair of the Corona del Mar Home Tour, announced that the only annual PTA fundraiser would take place Oct. 14 and feature seven homes.
Tickets and underwriting opportunities are available online, she said. Volunteers also were selling ornaments, designed and made by Roger’s Gardens, as a home tour fundraiser.
Last year’s tour raised $200,000, Caston said, and this year organizers hope to raise $220,000.
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No charges in fatal bike crash
The driver of a car that struck and killed a bicyclist in November as he turned from Marguerite Avenue onto San Joaquin Hills Road will not be charged.
“After a thorough investigation, we have declined to file charges based on a lack of sufficient evidence to prove criminal conduct beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Farrah Emami, director of public affairs for the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Paul Lin, 41, of Irvine died after being hit Nov. 6 by a vehicle traveling west on San Joaquin Hills Road as he turned left from Marguerite Avenue.
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Car Classic to return Sunday
The 11th annual Coastline Car Classic, featuring rare and classic cars, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the state beach known as Big Corona.
The show’s Italian theme this year means that Maserati and Ferrari’s Formula One-inspired vehicles will be featured, according to a news release.
The new Maserati Ghibli will be on hand as well as automobiles from private collectors, including a car owned by Al Capone and the Batmobile from the 1989 movie.
Tickets are $15. Visitors can also enjoy an Italian and world jazz concert, food and beverages and vendor booths.
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Coast Highway to close for race
The Pacific Coast Tri/Duathlon will take place Sunday, forcing the closure of some lanes of East Coast Highway early in the day.
“The eastbound lanes of Coast Highway will be closed between Pelican Point Drive to the southerly city limits from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday for the Kiwanis Pacific Coast Triathlon,” city spokeswoman Mary Locey said in an email. “During the closure, all eastbound traffic will be shifted over onto the westbound lanes. Within the closure area, all cross streets of the highway will also be closed.”
Corona del Mar Today appears Sunday in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com.