THANK YOU!
GIVING TUESDAY A HUGE SUCCESS
Thank you for your overwhelming support on #GivingTuesday. We are grateful to all our families who have contributed to the Laguna Fund this year! Your participation not only helps to enrich our programs and the overall student experience, it also signifies a committed and enthusiastic parent community.

We received 50 gifts for the Laguna Fund this week, yielding $55,000 and increasing our overall parent participation rate from 37 percent to 55 percent! Adding to the excitement, we received a generous pledge from an anonymous donor who would like to celebrate Laguna and the holiday season by offering a $25,000 matching gift challenge to help us reach our 100% parent participation goal.

For those of you in our community who are waiting to make your first-time gift to the Laguna Fund, here is your chance!  In honor of the holiday season and the 25 days of Christmas , all gifts from first-time donors between now and December 25 will be matched (1:1) up to a total of $25,000!

Don’t forget — you can pledge now and pay by the end of our fiscal year, June 30, 2018. If you would like to make a gift or pledge in advance of the phone-a-thon, please contact Director of Development Marcy Jacobs at 687.2461 x201 or click here . 

Thank you!
DRS. WHITE & GRUBE HONOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR RECORD-BREAKING CANDY DRIVE
On Friday, Lauren Neubauer '22 addressed Middle School students announcing the results of the recent candy drive for our military troops. Done in conjunction with local orthodontists Dr. White and Dr. Grube and Operation Gratitude , Lauren spearheaded a candy drive competition to see which House could bring in the most candy after Halloween.

After learning more about Operation Gratitude, Lauren and her fifth grade brother, Will , were inspired to take the extra step and visited local stores to collect leftover candy for the troops, adding many more pounds to the House collections.

With the help of Laguna and the rest of Santa Barbara, Dr. White and Dr. Grube Orthodontists collected 1,300 pounds of Halloween candy to be given to Operation Gratitude who sorts and ships the candy to troops and operations overseas.

Before celebrating their candy drive success with Rori's ice cream, donated by White & Grube Orthodontists, Lauren challenged the students to a goal of collecting 300 pounds of candy next year.

Congrats to Santa Cruz for bringing in the most candy this year!
UCSB SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM INFO NIGHT
TUESDAY 12/5 | 7-8PM | LBS LIBRARY
Families in grades 9-11 are invited to learn about the four- and six-week summer research opportunities at UCSB. These programs provide students with an amazing opportunity to get university-level research experience before attending college. 


6-Week Program: June 24 – August 4, 2018
2018 Applications will open on December 15


4-Week Program: June 24 – July 21, 2018
2018 Applications will open on December 15
3 WAYS TO GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED
Holiday cheer starts at Laguna. And there are so many inspiring ways our students, faculty, and parents are giving back to Santa Barbara and making the season a little brighter for those in need. We are proud of our big-hearted community of givers who so graciously embody our core values of character and community .  


SOCK CLUB: WARM THINGS DRIVE
11/27-12/14

FOSTER CARE HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE
WED 12/6

STUDENT BAKE SALE FOR UNITY SHOPPE
SUNDAY 12/9
SHOP FOR LAGUNA
Start your holiday shopping and support Laguna at the same time at one of these upcoming events. 
CHAUCER'S BOOKSTORE HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER FOR LAGUNA
SUNDAY 12/3 | 4-6PM
Come by to shop for your holiday gifts, see the teacher wish lists, and raise funds for Laguna's Lower School Library while you're at it. Laguna receives 25 percent of EVERYTHING sold at Chaucer's between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00. Tell your friends! 

Lower School parent Cathy Byrd, author of The Boy who Knew Too Much and Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul , will be on hand for book signings. Learn more about Cathy's book, which 20th Century Fox is making into a major motion picture.
 
Chaucer's is located at 3321 State Street.
DECKERS FUNDRAISER FOR LAGUNA
THURSDAY 12/7 | 11AM-5PM
Only pre-registered attendees will be eligible to receive a discount.


In order to participate in this private fundraising event, you must return the completed registration form (link above) by Tuesday, December 5 at 5PM. 

You can RSVP as follows: 

1) Email Jessica Tyler (jtyler@lagunablanca.org) with your completed RSVP slip as an attachment

2) Drop off your completed slip to Jessica Tyler in the Head of School’s Office or Chris Davis in the Main Office

3) Give the completed slip to Darla McDavid in the Lower School Office

Please note: Each student or faculty member is only permitted two (2) guests.
LAGUNA FUND | 12/31

Make a tribute gift in honor of or in memory of an individual. Gifts to the Laguna Fund are fully-tax deductible.

If you are a first-time donor to the Laguna Fund, an anonymous donor has offered to match your pledge or gift 1:1 up to a total of $25,000 — if made by December 25.
PARENTS' AUXILIARY
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY 12/6 | 11AM
You should have received an e-invitation from the Parents' Auxiliary for Laguna's festive Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 6 at 11am. Set at La Cumbre Country Club, the event includes champagne, lunch, and musical entertainment by our talented students. Check out the latest Laguna fashions at the Laguna Spirit Wear table and get a jump on your holiday shopping!

Check your inboxes for the official invitation where you can RSVP and specify entree choices (salmon ravioli, Chinese chicken salad, or butternut squash ravioli).

Kindly RSVP to the invitation by December 1. We hope to see you all there in holiday attire! 

Questions? Contact Laguna parent Jane Weaver .
WHOOO ARE YOU?
NAME:  Sydney Edgecomb
GRADE: 12

What ONE word best describes you?

Determined

What’s an interesting fact about you?

I have a collection of over 150 shot glasses from cities all over the world! I love to travel.

What would be the most amazing adventure you could go on?

Studying abroad! Hopefully in Greece.

PARENT, FACULTY & STAFF HOLIDAY PARTY
SAT 12/9 FROM 5-7PM
Kindly RSVP to the paperless invitation emailed this week. Adults only please.

Childcare is available in the gym & multipurpose room from 4:45-7:15pm. Students can enjoy a fun night of pizza, crafts, and more while you mingle with other parents at the Braun House across the street. If you're not attending the party, your child is still welcome at this event. A donation of $20 per child ($10 per sibling) is requested and due upon arrival at the gym. RSVP to Darla McDavid by Thursday, December 7.
OWLS IN WONDERLAND EVENT PICTURES ARE HERE!
ATHLETICS CORNER
We are so proud of our football team—CIF Division 2 Finalists—for their strong season of play and for their historical run to the championships! Thank you to all the Owl fans for making the trek to Lancaster to cheer on our team.

"Reaching the championship was a vision that originated with the freshmen of 2012 (class of 2016--older brothers of the current senior class). Throughout this journey, we rarely used the words win or championship, ” says Coach Lopes. "There were many early morning workouts and intense afternoon practices with the players focused on the process and working as a team. Seeing the transformation of their characters was priceless and far more rewarding than any win. And going further than any other Laguna football team is proof that football can thrive in our small community."


TY TROSKY HONORED AS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Over Thanksgiving break, Laguna Blanca quarterback Ty Trosky '19 was voted Athlete of the Week by the local sports media.

Trosky ran for three touchdowns and passed for a pair to lead the Owls past top-seed Hesperia Christian, 42-36, in the CIF-Southern Section 8-man football Division 2 semifinals and into the championship game for the first time school history.

The junior rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries and threw for 108 yards, completing 12 of 16 passes. He left the game briefly with a leg injury but returned to finish the biggest win in program history.

"He's a warrior, just like his teammates," Laguna Blanca coach Shane Lopes said of Trosky after the game. "That's the essence of the toughness that one requires to be a great quarterback.”
KELLY BICKETT’S HAT TRICK LIFTS LAGUNA BLANCA PAST BISHOP DIEGO
Kelly Bickett '18 capped a hat trick with a game-winning goal in a 3-2 girls soccer season-opening victory against Bishop Diego on Wednesday.

Bickett converted the game winner on a penalty kick after Bea Lujan was taken down in the 18-yard box with two minutes left in the game.

VOTING IS OPEN!
Exciting news for Laguna and our theater department!

Please take a few moments to vote for the Broadway World Santa Barbara Awards which include nominations for Laguna Blanca School and our talented students.

It’s easy! CLICK HERE , enter your email address, and start voting in each of the following categories:

COMMUNITY/UNIVERSITY THEATER COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Laguna Blanca School

YOUTH/STUDENT THEATRE PROGRAM/PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Laguna Blanca School – Picnic

YOU DON’T SEE ME AWARD
Zaira Paredes-Villegas, stage manager

STAR ON THE RISE
Joan Curran

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A YOUTH/HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION
Camila Lemere ( Picnic ), Joan Curran ( Sweeney Todd ), Travis Smillie ( Sweeney Todd )

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Mathew Goldsholl

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Charlie Jacobs

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Stella Haffner

Thank you for your support! And congratulations to our dazzling theater department!

Voting ends December 31!
WHAT'S THE RIGHT AGE FOR PARENTS TO GET THEIR KIDS A CELL PHONE?
The right age to give kids their first cell phone is really up to parents. Age isn't as important a kid's maturity level, ability to follow home (and their schools') rules, and their sense of responsibility. But when you  hand your children cell phones , you're giving them powerful communication and media-production tools.

MYLAGUNA TIP OF THE WEEK ARCHIVES:
IMPORTANT DATES
LOWER SCHOOL

FRI 12/1
LS Trimester 1 Ends

SUN 12/3
Laguna Blanca Book Fair at Chaucer's Bookstore (4-6PM)

WED 12/6
LS to HR campus for Winter Concert Rehearsal (8:30-11:30AM)

PA Holiday Lunch at La Cumbre Country Club (11AM-1PM)

THURS 12/7
Deckers Fundraiser for Laguna (11AM-5PM)

Lower School Winter Concert, Hope Ranch Campus (6:30PM)

SAT 12/9
Laguna Parent, Faculty & Staff Holiday Party at Braun House (5-7PM)


MIDDLE SCHOOL

SUN 12/3
Laguna Blanca Book Fair at Chaucer's Bookstore (4-6PM)

Parent US Class Visit Day for Gr. 8 and Prospective Gr. 9-12 Parents (10AM-1PM)--rsvp required

WED 12/6
PA Holiday Lunch at La Cumbre Country Club (11AM-1PM)

THURS 12/7
Deckers Fundraiser for Laguna (11AM-5PM)

SAT 12/9
Laguna Parent, Faculty & Staff Holiday Party at Braun House (5-7PM)
UPPER SCHOOL

SAT 12/2
SAT (SB Testing Centers)

SUN 12/3
Laguna Blanca Book Fair at Chaucer's Bookstore (4-6PM)

WED 12/6
PA Holiday Lunch at La Cumbre Country Club (11AM-1PM)

THURS 12/7
Deckers Fundraiser for Laguna (11AM-5PM)

SAT 12/9

ACT Testing

Laguna Parent, Faculty & Staff Holiday Party at Braun House (5-7PM)