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Big turnout for first Newport-Mesa State of the Schools breakfast

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Linen-draped tables packed with fresh fruit, pastries and eggs filled the gymnasium at Corona del Mar High School Wednesday morning for the district’s first State of the Schools breakfast.

More than 200 parents, district employees and city officials from Newport Beach and Costa Mesa attended the sold-out fundraiser, which benefited the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation.

The event was so well received that the district had to add two extra tables to accommodate guests at the last minute, said spokeswoman Laura Boss.

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“The goal this year was to have an inaugural program and see how it was received by the community,” she said.

The district hopes to make the breakfast an annual event.

Initial estimates show that ticket sales amounted to about $6,000.

However, the costs from the breakfast have not yet been deducted from the total raised, according to Boss.

The foundation will use proceeds to help provide money to individual teachers through its grant program, said Barbara Harrington, foundation president.

Teachers may write requests for grants, up to $1,000 annually, to be considered by the foundation.

Typically, the grants fund classroom equipment like instruments or technology, Harrington said.

The organization is the only fundraising group that gives money to all schools in Newport-Mesa.

In 2012, the foundation raised slightly more than $1 million, according to tax forms.

While guests feasted on a variety of breakfast foods, Supt. Fred Navarro highlighted the district’s priorities, which focus on behavior, creativity and innovation, and academics.

Navarro showed a video which showcased the district’s recent improvements to the high school campuses, including the pool at Costa Mesa, the revamped Jim Scott Stadium at Estancia High School and the new middle school enclaves at Corona del Mar and Costa Mesa High.

“We have some of the best-maintained and best-looking facilities in the state,” Paul Reed, deputy superintendent and the district’s chief business official, said in the video.

The presentation also featured segments on the district’s academic programs; the summer academies for music, reading, engineering and athletics; as well as information about Common Core curriculum development and highlighted district’s focus on improving attendance.

A significant portion of the video focused on the district’s push to implement technology in the classroom.

“We don’t often get to share this depth of information,” Navarro said. “It was an opportunity to open the window into our district and let people peek in.”

A recording of the event will be posted on the district’s website next week.

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