In honor of the historic Mars Rover, Perseverance, landing yesterday, Lower School students had a special LEGO building challenge in Ms. Svedlund's science class.

We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about Laguna’s Head of School Search to visit our website. A new webpage includes details about the search process and timeline, FAQs, as well as community updates.

For any questions about the search, please contact Search Committee Co-Chairs Billie Billie Fitzpatrick or Ellen McDermott Charney.

We love having these furry friends on campus! This is one of our favorite annual traditions, which always brings lots of smiles and wagging tails! Thank you, seniors, for sharing the puppy love with us today!

After nearly five long months of legal preparation and working with local attorneys who volunteer their time, Laguna Blanca’s Mock Trial Team—a student club open to students in Grades 9-12—will compete this Saturday, February 20 in the annual all-day Santa Barbara County Mock Trial competition. All parents and friends are invited to the Awards Ceremony that will take place via Zoom following the competition. Please contact Teacher Coach Jessica Tyler for further information.

The students will serve as defenders, prosecutors, witnesses, clerk, and bailiff in a trial regarding Burglary, Aiding and Abetting, and Accessory After the Fact: featuring a pretrial argument on the 5^th Amendment.

Best of luck to the following members of the Mock Trial team, and a special thank you to our Lead Attorney Coach Neil Levinson and District Attorneys Sarah Barkley and Shelly Mossembekker. We so appreciate the time and expertise you shared with our students, providing them with a unique introduction to the legal system and memorable experience.

Laguna Blanca is once again partnering with the Los Padres Forest Association for this year's Upper School working vacation from March 29 - April 2. Beginning at Cold Spring Saddle, the mission will be to backpack into Cottam Camp and to perform trail maintenance in the nearby area. Although the work will be hard, safety, friendship, and fun are the priorities!  

This trip is open to all interested Upper School students. Space is limited, so those interested in participating must submit a deposit check of $100, payable to Laguna Blanca, at the Main Office as soon as possible. A small waiting list will be maintained.

Questions? Reach out to Matt Struckmeyer.

During this event, you will hear from:

We hope you will join us!

Congratulations to Sixth Grade Teacher Allison Armstrong and her husband, Ty, who welcomed a beautiful baby boy on February 4! Baby Bodie, we're so glad you're here!

Lower School Art Teacher Courtney Guay and Upper School History Teacher Kevin Guay welcomed an adorable baby boy, Callan, on February 9! Congratulations to the Guay family on your sweet new addition!

By Daisy Finefrock '21 for SB Independent

As we enter 2021, there’s no hotter author anywhere than Angie Thomas. She currently rules the New York Times Hardcover Young Adult list with two revolutionary and relatable novels about Black lives in America in the top five. Her newest, Concrete Rose, occupies the top spot, while The Hate U Give (THUG), which has been on the list for more than 200 weeks, comes in at number four. With THUG in particular, and in part due to the success of the 2018 film adaptation, Thomas is fast approaching a level of popularity more commonly associated with franchises like the Harry Potter series and The Hunger Games.

At Laguna Blanca School, 9th grade English teacher Ashley Tidey has been requiring that students read The Hate U Give since 2018. She describes it as a “game changer,” and adds that while she still includes canonical works such as The Great Gatsby and Of Mice and Men on her 9th grade English syllabus, her drive to explore Thomas’s work with her students has “revolutionized” her teaching of literature.

Is there a particular topic you would like to talk about? Please email Kim with your questions or topics you’d like to address during our time together.

We want to support and connect with you through this parenting adventure!

Is there a particular topic you would like to take about or need help navigating? If so, please comment on the Google form below, and we will gather some ideas for meaningful connection this spring.

Thank you,

Andra Wilson, Challenge Success Coordinator

Kim Valentine, School Counselor

This week's Gratitude Gram is dedicated to our Head of Upper School Melissa Alkire. Melissa's strength in leadership is matched by her ability to authentically connect with students and faculty alike. Her positive energy and endless dedication to Laguna is admirable and inspiring to us all. We love having her as our Upper School leader. Thank you, Melissa, for all you do!

"Thank you Melissa for your tireless energy and the care you show for our students and for us!"

"We are so grateful for Melissa for being such a strong communicator and continuing the Happening Now weekly updates. We are so inspired by your energy and optimism and we are sooooo lucky to have you at the helm!"

"Thank you to Melissa for figuring out how Laguna works and helping us to make it work even better."

"You’re a Rock Star Melissa! Truly! You could rule the world! Your energy and team spirit are extraordinary."

"Melissa Alkire is a true gem in our community. She joined Laguna during a very difficult year and approaches each challenge with strength, confidence, and grace. We are all better for having her as our Upper School leader. Thank you, Melissa, for the countless hours dedicated to Laguna, the constant encouragement, and your friendship!"

"In her first year, Melissa has gone far above and beyond of what is expected for a new leader to handle. From the moment she stepped foot on California soil, she has given 110% to Laguna. She has an immeasurable depth to her leadership, vision, and breadth of knowledge across all aspects of school life, academics, and community. We are so grateful to have Melissa at Laguna!"