A WONDERLAND-SIZED THANK YOU!
FROM HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL ANDY SURBER:

"Owls in Wonderland was a fantastic event with over 750 guests in attendance. This event could not have taken place without the help and support of many parents, students, and staff across all divisions and departments of the school. I have so much gratitude for all who were able to attend and especially everyone who worked the event. We are looking forward to using the information gathered and the relationships started to kick-off the upcoming admission season."

Special thanks to Lower School Art Instructor Courtney Guay for organizing and running such a magical day!
COME PLAY, COME CHEER
LAGUNA ALUMNI SOCCER GAME IS ALMOST HERE!
Whether you played sports in the early days, or cheered along the sidelines throughout the decades, we hope you will return home to Hope Ranch for our special Thanksgiving weekend alumni soccer game celebration!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Hope Ranch Athletic Fields
10:30AM - Warm-Up
11AM - Game
12:30PM - Postgame Picnic

Reservations are appreciated.

Please email Director of Development Marcy Jacobs or call her at 805.687.2462.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR A BREAKFAST CHAT WITH THE COLLEGE COUNSELOR ON 12/12
Join Laguna's Director of College Counseling Matt Struckmeyer for a "Breakfast Chat with the College Counselor" on Wednesday, December 12 from 8:30-10AM in the Hope Ranch gym foyer.

This casual Q&A session is the perfect opportunity to connect with Mr. Struckmeyer and learn more about Laguna's college counseling offerings as well as the college admissions process. In addition, Mr. Struckmeyer will be discussing this article during the session.

All parents of children in Grades 8-12 are welcome to attend this session and can stay as long or as little as schedules allow.

If you are unable to make it to this event, mark your calendars for a "Lunch Chat with the College Counselor" that will take place during the third week of January 2019.

QUESTIONS?
LAGUNA'S IN THE NEWS!
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AT LAGUNA
“Jane Air” and Missions to Mars Showcase Engaging Form of Education

By Camie Barnwell, SB Independent

Laguna Blanca first opened its doors 85 years ago in bucolic Hope Ranch to 40 boys taught by six faculty. Today, the school proudly stands as a pillar of academic excellence, serving 375 coed students on two campuses: 35 acres in Hope Ranch for secondary students, and a two-acre site in Montecito serving grades EK-4.

One point of distinction in Laguna Blanca’s instructional approach is known as project-based learning (PBL), in which students work together on an interdisciplinary project over an extended period of time to solve a real-world problem or answer a complex question. Students then demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation for a real audience.

PBL was rolled out as a school-wide initiative in 2014 because “it’s so clearly the gold star of best practices in 21st-century education,” said Ashley Tidey, Laguna Blanca’s experiential learning coordinator and English instructor. “It offers the highest level of creative and invested team-based problem-solving in K-12 education. It’s not just college preparatory; it’s real-world preparatory."

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
CHILDREN'S INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS ARE COMING
Explore Art, Science, Music, Technology, and Cooking!

OPEN HOUSE FOR GRADES EK-4
NOVEMBER 27, 2018
3:30-5PM
260 SAN YSIDRO ROAD

Click here to reserve a spot!
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL LAGUNA BLANCA MASTER BUILDER COMPETITION
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019
4125 PALOMA DRIVE
12:30-4PM

For local students in Grades K-6
Free admission | Space is Limited
Awards & Prizes for winners
LEGO kit for all participants

QUESTIONS? Contact Zack Moore.

EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS: SAVE THE DATE FOR "BRIDGE THE DRIVEWAY" EVENT ON 12/7
On Friday, December 7, Laguna eighth grade students will get the chance to learn more about the Upper School programs including: IoT, theatre, experiential learning opportunities, TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool, and the Fourth Estate.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Lunch will be provided for all eighth graders, so please be sure to cancel your child's lunch service for this day.

QUESTIONS? Contact Shane Lopes.
LAGUNA COMMUNITY INVITED TO TAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLASS SURVEY
Laguna's Middle School Entrepreneurship class is currently consulting with local towel company Riviera Towel Company on ways to maximize their market potential.

One student team invites the community to complete a brief survey, which will help them better understand their target audience and further develop their business recommendations for the company.

Please click here to take the survey.
GET READY FOR THANKSGIVING WITH "MADE DELICIOUS"
Looking for a delicious dessert to share at your Thanksgiving gathering next week? Look no further than Laguna Upper School students Phoebe Stein '21 and Daisy Finefrock '21's video series, Made Delicious, where they recently whipped up a cinnamon apple crumble that is perfect for the fall season. Click on the video above for the full tutorial.

Both students are staff members of the Fourth Estate Magazine. Phoebe is the Arts & Entertainment and Opinion Editor and Daisy is the News and Feature Editor.
PARENTS' AUXILIARY HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY 12/5 | 11AM
You should have received an e-invitation from the Parents' Auxiliary for Laguna's festive Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 5 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 salad, Chinese chicken salad, or butternut squash ravioli).

Kindly RSVP to the invitation by November 23. We hope to see you all there in holiday attire! 

Questions? Contact Laguna parent Belle Regeer.
LAGUNA JUNIOR AUDREY MURPHY INVITED TO PERFORM IN 2019 HIGH SCHOOL HONORS PERFORMANCE SERIES
Congratulations to Audrey Murphy '20 who has been invited to audition for the Honors Concert Choir - 2019 High School Honors Performance Series to be held at Carnegie Hall in February.

The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform at Carnegie Hall.

“Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing," says Morgan Smith, program director. "We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected nearly 700 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians will never forget."

LAGUNA ALUMNA DANI ABRAMS '16 CONTINUES TO SHINE ON THE VOLLEYBALL COURT AT BOWDOIN COLLEGE
Proud Owl moment! We are thrilled for former Laguna standout Dani Abrams '16 on her continued success on the volleyball court.

Dani and the Bowdoin Polar Bears are the 2018 NESCAC Conference champs and are now headed to the regionals!

Congratulations, Dani!
SHOP DECKERS' LAGUNA FUNDRAISER!
WHEN: Thursday, December 6, 2018
WHERE: 6601 Hollister Avenue in Goleta

Enjoy a day of discounted shopping at the Deckers Brand Showcase with 20 percent off and another 20 percent donated to the school!


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

Ways to RSVP: 

1) Email Jessica Tyler 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.
GIVE BACK THROUGH LAGUNA'S 2018 FOSTER CARE HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE
Two of Laguna Blanca's core values are "Community" and "Character." In keeping with those values, we, as a school, participate in various fundraising efforts throughout the year to assist people, animals, and organizations in need, both locally and globally. It is such a joy to see our students give from the heart and take notice of those less fortunate.

Now in its eighth year, the Foster Child Holiday Gift Drive remains a favorite of many on the Hope Ranch campus! There are more than 800 children in the Santa Barbara County foster care system, and each year LBS does its part to make the holiday season a little brighter for many of these children without permanent homes.

CASA gives us a supply of "wish lists" from children (infants to teens) who are living with foster families or in foster care group homes. Requests include items such as clothes, toys, sports equipment, and gift cards. Also included are the name, age, size, and suggested items for each child. Wish lists were offered to students last week in advisory (there is no obligation to participate). Should your child bring one home and you choose not to participate, simply return the list to their advisor or Ms. Valentine as soon as possible.

Gifts are due on Wednesday, morning December 5, when participants bring their unwrapped gifts to Ruston Theater for a special Gr. 5-12 assembly at 10:15AM. CASA representatives will be in attendance, and we'll hand over the hundreds of gifts provided by our families, faculty, and staff. It's a most heartwarming assembly which you are all invited to attend!
VOTING IS OPEN!
Exciting news for Laguna's theatre program!

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:

YOUTH/STUDENT THEATRE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Laguna Blanca School

YOU DON’T SEE ME AWARD
Charlie Jacobs
Annelle King - Grease
Merith Velazquez-Jimenez - Rumors

STAR ON THE RISE
Mia Hilf for Grease

BEST PLAY (NON-MUSICAL)
Rumors - Laguna Blanca Theatre

BEST MUSICAL OR OPERA
Grease - Laguna Blanca Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A YOUTH/HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION
Ava Morouse - Grease
Kendall White - Grease

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Jillian Honoroff - Grease

BEST DIRECTOR
Dana Caldwell - Rumors

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Jackson Hurley - Rumors

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Aidan O'Donnell - Grease
Beau Glazier - Grease
Camila Lemere - Grease

BEST SCENIC DESIGN
Richard Croy - Rumors

BEST LIGHTING
Patricio Rodriguez - Rumors

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Flynn Brady - Rumors

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

Voting ends December 31!
WELCOME TO THE NEST, URSULA!
Please join us in welcoming Ursula Chan to our community!

Ursula is Laguna's new Fourth Grade Instructional Assistant and Lower School Spanish Teacher.

Ms. Chan joins us from Girls Inc. in Goleta where she has worked as a program facilitator for all age groups – kindergarten through sixth grade. Ms. Chan holds a degree from UCSB in Feminist Studies, and has studied abroad in Spain where she spent time studying Spanish. 
 

WHOOO ARE YOU?
NAME: Avery Jones
GRADE: 4

What ONE word would others use to describe you?
Kind

Hardly anybody knows that...
I do hip hop dancing!

Where is your favorite place in the world?
Hawaii


UPCOMING DATES
LOWER SCHOOL

MON 11/19-FRI 11/23
NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break
School Offices Closed

MON 11/26
Classes Resume

TUES 11/27
Gr. EK-4 Open House on Lower School Campus (3:30PM)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MON 11/19-FRI 11/23
NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break
School Offices Closed

MON 11/26
Classes Resume

TUES 11/27
Gr. 5/6 to Reagan Library (8:30AM)

WED 11/28
Gr. 8 to LA Museum of Natural History & California Science Center (7:30AM)
UPPER SCHOOL

FRI 11/16
Marine Science Class to Oxnard Harbor - Anacapa Island (8:30AM)

MON 11/19-FRI 11/23
NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break
School Offices Closed

MON 11/26
Classes Resume