EIGHTH GRADE BLASTS OFF TO THE RED PLANET FOR MISSION TO MARS PRESENTATIONS
Congratulations to our eighth graders, who presented their Mission to Mars overviews to a team of “investors” composed of faculty and Upper School students last Friday!

On a quest for the red planet, six teams were tasked with launching and manning the first human mission to Mars, explaining to investors how they would get there, their long-term vision for human life on Mars, and how they would respond when crisis strikes. Each student assumed a leadership position to aid their team in the mission, including ship captain, colony commander, diplomacy and communications, department of defense, lead engineer, medical and health officer, and chief operations officer.

This week, Galaxia 6 was named the winning team! Congratulations to Galaxia six team members Jenny Belton, Sydney Fisher, Tristan King (not pictured), Davis Ohanian, Dionne Peterson, and Dania Zamudio, who are pictured below with Mission to Mars teachers Zack Moore, Anna Alldredge, and Drew Zailik wearing their Star Wars gear for the special announcement!

Click below to watch each team's presentation. Go eighth graders!
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MAXX CHRISTAL '19 IN THE MONTECITO JOURNAL
Dear Montecito by Stella Haffner '19 for the Montecito Journal

Today's letter is a guided tour of Santa Barbara from Maxx Christal '19. Maxx is a Crane and Laguna Blanca alum who was known as something of an adrenaline junkie back in our high school days—almost certainly a reputation he earned after volunteering to go on every climb and zip line during class trips.

Although you might expect the loss of one's sight to define a person, anyone who talks to Maxx's friends or family will hear that he is characterized by his drive for personal development, his enduring positivity as a team player, and his humor. Please enjoy this letter of Maxx's favorite stops around our city.
RE-ENROLLMENT CONTRACTS ARE DUE NEXT FRIDAY, FEB 12
This is a friendly reminder to all current Laguna families that re-enrollment contracts for the 2021-22 school year are due next Friday, February 12.

At the Lower School, you can return your contract to Darla McDavid in the main office, and on the Hope Ranch campus, you may return your contract to the main office window by the flag pole. The admissions team appreciates your promptness during this busy admissions season!
THANK YOU TO OUR PARENTS' AUXILIARY!
Thank you to our thoughtful PA who coordinated special treat deliveries on both campuses today!

On the Lower School campus, faculty and staff received individual boxes filled with delicious Chez Justine Bakery goods, including croissants, cookies, and raspberry ganache brownies!

On the Hope Ranch campus, faculty and staff enjoyed delicious valentine's chocolates, just in time for the upcoming holiday.

Special thank you to Miriam Cisclo, Leslie Hucko and Tricia Anderson for these sweet treats. We are so appreciative!
LAGUNA PARENTS' AUXILIARY 2021-22
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Our school is so much stronger when families come together and volunteer to create, promote, and celebrate Owl pride! Volunteering takes on all shapes and sizes depending on your passions and availability. Look ahead at opportunities for the 2021-22 school year and find a place that is right for you to get involved!

Below are just some of the volunteer positions available for 2021–22. Please take a look at the positions in the nominating form below and return the form below by Monday, February 22 to Janine Seymour.
 
  • Room Parent for Grades EK-12
  • Lunch Volunteer Coordinator - LS/MS/US
  • Faculty Appreciation Chair - LS/US
  • Laguna Wear
  • VP School Spirit
  • Meeting Hospitality Chair
  • Host Family Coordinator LS/MS/US
  • Laguna Fund Class Captain Grades EK-12
 
Questions? 
FREE LIVE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS IS NEXT
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11
From Chaos to Calm: Stop Power Struggles with Kids & Teens...for Good!
Thursday, February 11, 2021
9AM PST

You're invited to join the experts (and moms) of Impact Parents LIVE for practical tips and guidance. Shifting the power struggles, redirecting disrespectful behaviors, and improving relationships with your kids and teens is closer than you think.

In this interactive webinar you'll learn:
  • to intercept your family's 3 most common triggers
  • to avoid unrealistic expectations that lead to power struggles
  • shift the tone of your home in 4 easy steps
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK'S CHALLENGE SUCCESS BOOK CLUB
We had a wonderful night chatting with author Doreen Dodgen-Magee about her book, Deviced! Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World last week!

Below are some tips and take-aways from the author:
 
  • “Parent/guardian conversations about the use of technology should be 100% non-shaming.”
 
  • “It would be a radical act of brain health to watch one show, and watch it all the way through to the ending credits.”
 
  • “Challenge yourself by watching only one episode a week of your favorite show.”
 
  • “Work to use ONE device and ONE platform at a time.”
 
  • “In order to find balance, take an assessment and start where there is the most need.”
 
  • “When thinking about tech use, focus less on time spent, and focus on the content categories first.” (Is the technology I engage with used to....connect, educate, entertain, or hurt?)
 
Missed reading the book? Click here for the Amazon Audible version.
 
Stay tuned for more tips from Deviced!
You are invited to our first PA Lunch & Learn of the year on February 25!

During this event, you will hear from:
  • Head of School Rob Hereford, as well as our Division Heads Andy Surber, Shane Lopes, and Melissa Alkire
  • Board members Billie Fitzpatrick and Ellen Charney, who will provide an update on the Head of School Search
  • Director of College Counseling Matt Struckmeyer, who will lead a conversation about college counseling for all Owls
  • And more!

We hope you will join us!
THIS WEEK'S GRATITUDE GRAM
This week's Gratitude Gram goes out to our Lower School Music Teacher, Molly Markstrum! Molly teaches with heart and her passion for music and education is something you just can't miss. She helped produce our first-ever all-school Virtual Winter Concert with our music department, which was a labor of love and such a gift to our community during a challenging year. Thank you, Molly, for all of your hard work and for keeping the music alive at the Lower School!

Read below for what her colleagues have to say!

Molly Markstrum - I love having the talented Ms. Markstrum right outside my classroom door sharing her musical expertise, amazingly positive attitude, and great sense of humor with students and teachers alike. Molly is my tent buddy. There is no one right now with whom I would rather share hand sanitizer, fresh towels, and frequent laughs.

Molly Markstrum: Watching you cast your musical magical spell over your students is truly inspirational to behold.

Molly Markstrum for pulling off an amazing day of recording performances with the Lower School!
WHOOO ARE YOU?
NAME: Jacob
CLASS: 2031

What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Get dressed.

What is your go-to song of the moment?
"Thriller"

What is something that most people don't know about you?
I am half Mayan.