SLO County Roundup

South County

Lucia Mar administrators are moving forward with their plan to create an updated mission and vision for the school district to guide it for the next 10 years.

The school district board this week voted 5-0 to approve a framework and a list of skills students need to be successful in the 21st century. Trustees Erik Howell and David Foster were absent.

The purpose of the work is to set an ambitious goal — to become a model school district for 21st century learning in the nation — and then develop ways for the district’s schools, teachers and students to meet that goal.

The next step is to develop action plans and expand an oversight committee to include more community residents and business owners, Superintendent Jim Hogeboom said.

“The question is how we’re going to do this and where are we going to get the money for it,” he said, noting the district has applied for one grant and plans to apply for more.

District officials started working on the plan earlier this year, holding three community forums to focus on what skills students need in order to be successful in the 21st century.

Employees and school board members also visited several schools around the country that are seen as innovative, including the New Technology high schools in Napa and Los Angeles.

The idea of 21st century learning includes a focus on core subject areas as well as other skills, such as teamwork and critical thinking. There is also an emphasis on using technology to engage students working in teams on projects and on foreign-language skills.

— Cynthia Lambert

Morro Bay

A helicopter will be flying over Morro Bay and surrounding beaches this weekend filming for a tourism video.

The helicopter is with Aspect Studios. Filming will take place today and Sunday, said Rick Carr, events director for the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call 772-4467.

— David Sneed

Paso Robles

The city’s community demonstration garden is planning a new event to begin today.

Members of Transition Paso Robles, the private group that runs the garden at a city park, will explain how to convert lawns into drought-resistant, food-producing landscapes and will introduce the concept of what organizers call a “food forest.” The public is also welcome to participate in hands-on activities.

The “Open Garden” events are planned for 10 a.m. to noon today, as well as the fourth Saturday of each month through September. The garden is at Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Drive in Paso Robles.

In October, the Paso Robles City Council approved creation of a demonstration lawns-to-food garden in front of the Centennial Park Community Center. The garden is a partnership between Transition Paso Robles and the city’s library and recreation services department.

Age-appropriate workshops and activities are also planned at the garden throughout the summer.

For information about the event, call Anna Rempel at 226-5700 or Rosalie Wolff at 237-8972.

— Tonya Strickland

Morro Bay

Project Surf Camp, a nonprofit organization that introduces people with disabilities to surfing and other ocean activities, will hold its second annual fundraiser on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. in Morro Bay.

The event will include pizza, a bounce house, face painting and live music at Pizza Port, located at 787 Main St.

For more information about Project Surf Camp, go to www.projectsurfcamp.com or call 235-1157.

— Cynthia Lambert