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LAGUNA CELEBRATES 83RD COMMENCEMENT
BY SB NEWS-PRESS

Laguna Blanca School graduated its senior class of 20 on Wednesday, June 14 in the school's Ruston Amphitheatre.
 
Laguna Blanca seniors paraded through the amphitheatre before taking their seats by the stage. Besides one small graduation cap mishap received with good natured laughter from the student and audience, the ceremony opening was flawless.   READ MORE... 

COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO
GRADUATION PARTY PHOTO BOOTH PICTURES
Password: LBS2017
MS CLOSING CEREMONY
LS CLOSING CEREMONY
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL AWARD CEREMONIES
Congratulations to all the Middle and Upper School students for their achievements in the 2016-2017 school year!

A complete list of this year's award winners can be found on our website:

LAGUNA HONORS ROSE STEEBER WITH 2017 FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARD
M ost people can remember a teacher who inspired them or maybe even changed their lives. On June 14 at Laguna Blanca’s 83rd Commencement Ceremony, Academic Services Coordinator and Latin Instructor Rose Steeber was recognized for being one of those gifted teachers and was honored with the school’s distinguished Faculty Excellence Award.

Nominated by her peers, Rose is frequently recognized for the diverse ways she positively impacts the school community. As the leader of Laguna’s Academic Services Program, students with learning differences have benefited from her advice and advocacy.

LAGUNA FUND VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Our heartfelt gratitude to 2016/17 Laguna Fund Co-Chairs Julia Rodgers (mother of Clay ’18) and David Bradley ’99 (father of Colin ’30 and Juliet ’28) for their commitment to uphold Laguna's nearly 85-year history of giving. Together, with a dedicated team of Class Captains—Rebecca Ball, Kristen Blabey, Pam Brown, Elisabeth Fowler, Brandi Fraser, Vicky Lopez, Peter Morris, Nancy O’Connor, Erica Schreiber, and Jane Weaver—they raised more than $500,000 in unrestricted funds to support each and every one of our 360 students this year. 
NICOLSON COMBINES SCIENCE, LANGUAGE, AND HEART FOR A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
Congratulations to Maddy Nicolson who was awarded the Best Senior Project Award at the 2017 commencement ceremony for her study on stem cell research. Maddy ventured to Panama to navigate the landscape of science so that she could, in her own words,  “see this research  brought to life at a place with both a research and a treatment center.”

Meghan Roarty, Maddy's senior project advisor noted, “While Maddy’s journey undoubtedly strengthened her passion for, and enhanced her breadth of knowledge about stem cell research, the surprising impact was how emotionally transformative the experience ended up being. Maddy’s intimate view into this world of patients receiving life-altering treatments did, in fact, alter her appreciation of how science and compassion can be so deeply intertwined.”  

The Senior Project Award represents high honors for a collective body of work, and outstanding participation in all senior project requirements. The top award is given to the student who demonstrates activity that goes significantly beyond the required work.

Keep up these outstanding efforts, Maddy!

Click here to watch Maddy's project presentation.
A GIFT TO LAGUNA FROM THE CLASS OF 2017
This year's senior class continued the tradition of giving back to the Laguna community instead of receiving the traditional senior gift from the Parents' Auxiliary. The seniors dedicated a Monterey Cypress tree near the outdoor basketball courts in memory of coach and teacher Davies Kabogoza.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Class of 2017.
SUMMER 2017 READING LISTS 
READY, SET, READ! At Laguna, there is required summer reading for students in grades 3-12, and suggested summer reading for students in early kindergarten through grade 2.

CLICK HERE for a list of summer reading by grade level. Note: Seminar course reading lists are now posted.
FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL ROB HEREFORD

As we look ahead to the upcoming 2017-18 school year, we are excited to welcome thirteen new faculty and staff members to the Laguna community. Our new colleagues join us because they value the same things about Laguna as we do, and I know that you will enjoy getting to know each of them in the coming school year!  I am confident that this group of new faculty and staff will work with you all to continue to strengthen our community and the incredible learning environment we create for our students.  
 
NEW FACULTY/STAFF MEMBERS 
Eva Asselstine, Development Administrative Assistant
Kelley Baeza, Math Instructor
Kate Donovan, Early Kindergarten Instructional Assistant 
Alexandra Goodman, Administrative Assistant to Admissions Office with Support for College Counseling
Pamela Ellgen, Communications Coordinator
LeAnne Iverson, Fifth Grade Art Instructor
Shelbee Keller, Second Grade Instructor
Sarah Lukenbill, Human Resources Generalist & Business Office Assistant
John Pagano, STEM Instructor
SheriAnn Simpson, Spanish Instructor
Victoria Wang, Accounting Associate
Valerie Yoshimura, French Instructor
Drew Zailik, Humanities Instructor
 
FAREWELL
I would also like to let you know of those faculty and staff members who are departing. We are thankful for the impact they each made on the Laguna community during their year(s) of service:  
                
Mara Balak, Second Grade Instructor
Savanna Bomer, First & Second Grade Instructional Assistant
Kito Cetrulo, Assistant Director of the Laguna Fund and Special Gifts
Christine Chan, Admissions Assistant
Maureen Foley, Fifth Grade Art Instructor
Gail Hess, Finance Assistant
Kayla Horibe, Early Kindergarten Instructional Assistant
Jamie Lopes, Communications Coordinator
Maud Maillard, French Instructor
Ron Murphy, Spanish Instructor
Joel Poholsky, Math Instructor
Therese Potter, Sixth Grade Instructional Assistant
Heather Shakespeare, Finance Assistant
Megan Shellabarger, Early Kindergarten Instructional Assistant
Vinh Tran, MS/US Robotics and Engineering Instructor
 
Finally, I would like to make you aware of a few position changes within the administration:
 
Blaire Ridge – Assistant Director of Donor and Database Management
Michele Sandlin will work on a part-time basis as the Registrar next year, with Alexandra Goodman providing part-time support in college counseling.
WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT OUR LAGUNA ALUMNI!
Whether you have an alum who graduated from college, was recognized with an award, started a family, embarked on a new career, traveled the world, published a book, or simply has a story to share – we would love to hear from you!

Please send along class notes, updates, and photos to Tara Broucqsault by July 15 to be included in Laguna Blanca’s Fall Magazine.

Thank you!
WISHING EVERYONE A SAFE, HAPPY, AND ADVENTUROUS SUMMER BREAK!
LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL
LOWER SCHOOL

WED 8/30
EK/K Student/Parent Welcome Picnic (5-7PM)

TUES 9/5 
Gr. EK-4 Student/Parent Welcome & Orientation at  LS Campus (9-10AM)

WED 9/6 
Gr. EK-4 First Day of Classes

TUES 9/12 
Parent Welcome Coffee
HR Campus (9-11AM)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

TUES 9/5
Orientation for New Gr. 5-12 Students/Parents & All Students Gr. 5, 7, 9 (8:15-9:00AM)

Gr. 5-12 First Day of School--students retrieve schedule on Merritt Patio (8:45AM)

Gr. 7 & 8 Tech Bootcamp (Time TBA)

TUES 9/12
Parent Welcome Coffee
HR Campus (9-11AM)
UPPER SCHOOL

TUES 9/5
Orientation for New Gr. 5-12 Students/Parents & All Students Gr. 5, 7, 9 (8:15-9:00AM)

Gr. 5-12 First Day of School--students retrieve schedule on Merritt Patio (8:45AM)

Gr. 9 & New US Students Tech Bootcamp (Time TBA)

TUES 9/12
Parent Welcome Coffee
HR Campus (9-11AM)