Some very cool student inventions will be showcased later this month at the 26th annual Astounding Inventions contest.

The Irvine Company on Tuesday presented IUSD with the seventh installment of its pledge of more than $21 million over 10 years for enriched curriculum in art, science and music, marking the occasion with a reception, as well as student music performances and science demonstrations.

Northwood High is reporting that its telephones are down this morning, but technicians are on the job and the school hopes to have service restored by this afternoon. In the meantime, those who wish to contact Northwood are urged to do so by email. The school is suggesting these email addresses.

University High School initiated a brief lockdown at about 11:30 a.m. today, and nearby Turtle Rock Elementary School followed suit, but at no time were students or staff in danger.

We're live from the theater at Irvine High School, where the Irvine Town Hall Meeting for School Safety is set to begin in 30 minutes.

Members of the public are invited to attend a special forum on Wednesday, Dec. 19 to talk about school safety following the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn. Irvine Mayor Steven S. Choi has invited IUSD Superintendent Terry Walker, Tustin Unified Superintendent Gregory A.

Tragedies like the one that occurred in Newtown, Conn. tend to make our world a little smaller, sending waves of grief through cities and towns all across the country. Indeed, Sandy Hook Elementary School is nearly 3,000 miles from Irvine, yet the shock and sadness continues to grip our own community.

IUSD Superintendent Terry Walker has issued the following statement on today's tragic events in Newtown, Conn.:

A pair of newly elected school board members officially took the oath of office at Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting, where second-term trustee Gavin Huntley-Fenner was unanimously selected to serve a one-year term as president. Sharon Wallin was tapped to serve as clerk.