Sometime during the 1978-79 school year, this happened at Irvine High School. At first glance, taking a sledgehammer to the driver-side of a sedan might appear to be grounds for some disciplinary action, but this was actually a school-sanctioned event, and we can say with some confidence that no staff members’ cars were harmed.

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has released its latest list of semifinalists who are in the running for prestigious National Merit awards, and 94 of them are from right here in IUSD.

Farewell, summer. We hardly knew ye.

An arraignment was held Wednesday morning for the suspect who allegedly set a number of arson fires and drafted emails outlining plans to harm staff members and students at University High School.

Vehicle shade structures outfitted with energy-producing solar panels will be added to the parking lots of nine campuses, saving the district an additional $305,000 a year, following a vote this month by the IUSD Board of Education.

Capping a year’s worth of meticulous planning with input from hundreds of local stakeholders, IUSD has completed a long-term “facilities roadmap” that will help guide construction and modernization decisions over the next 10 to 20 years.

Each year around this time, the Irvine Public Schools Foundation co-hosts a luncheon to recognize some of the most dedicated parent volunteers in IUSD. While the event usually culminates with one overall winner, a pair of volunteers has earned the top award for 2012.