SWOOP ON THE LOOSE! WELCOME, NEW LAGUNA FAMILIES!
This week, newly admitted students and their families received home-delivered care packages from Laguna to celebrate becoming members of our school community. We're SO excited to officially welcome each and every new family to the nest this fall!
LAGUNA @ HOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK
FIRST GRADERS HAVE REMOTE LEARNING FUN WITH "FLAT MS. VANETTI"
This week, Ms. Vanetti read the first two chapters of “Flat Stanley” to her first grade class. Flat Stanley is a character who wakes up one morning to find he’s been flattened by a bulletin board that fell on him as he slept. He’s not hurt by it – just flattened. He uses this to his advantage to do things like slide down a sewer grate to retrieve his mother’s lost ring. Then, he goes to visit a friend in a different state via mail! His dad simply buys a large envelope and adds some extra postage.
 
On the same day that they read the book, students discovered that “Flat Mrs. Vanetti” had arrived in most of their mailboxes. Now, they are busy taking her on lots of adventures! 
SIXTH GRADERS GET A DRIVE-BY SURPRISE FROM THEIR TEACHERS!
Sixth Grade Teacher Allison Armstrong and Sixth Grade Teaching Assistant Jennifer Carney gave their students a sweet surprise when they did a fun drive-by at each student's house! Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Carney celebrated the students who met their reading goal for April with an ice cream drop-off. The rest of the class also got a friendly visit and a little treat!

Click on the arrow above to watch their video documenting all of the reunion excitement!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE (AND CELEBRATION) DAY RE-IMAGINED
This Friday, Middle School students spent their annual service day taking care of themselves, helping in their households, and serving their community. The day was also about students celebrating their hard work and perseverance by taking time to acknowledge their efforts and their families' dedication to remote learning.

We want to see your service and celebration! Be sure to share photos and videos of how you spent your time being of service and having fun. Below are a few examples we already received.
Fifth Grader Joshua hand wrote a letter to his Grandpa.
Sixth Grader Izzy made a homemade pasta lasagna dinner for her family.
Eighth graders Magdalena and Elyse went to PATH Santa Barbara to help sort clothing and make hygiene kits for the 100 residents who live at the shelter. PATH is very open to having more Laguna students and families come volunteer with these types of activities and working in the kitchen to help prep meals for their lunch and dinner service.
Eighth grader Mason picked up trash on Montecito Trail.
Sixth grader Evie baked cookies for her neighbor and offered assistance, if needed.
Seventh grader Dylan combed the beach for litter.
LAGUNA SOPHOMORE MILES SEDLIN LAUNCHES
805 HOMELESS HELPERS INITIATIVE
Fred Rogers once said that we should look for the helpers. In our community, we don't have to look very far to find those who are joining together to support our most vulnerable and in-need populations.

Introducing...the new 805 Homeless Helpers Initiative, created by Laguna's own tenth grade student Miles Sedlin ’ 22 and his brother, Asher. The organization was born out of the recognition of the added challenges the homeless population in our community is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This youth-led effort is dedicated to bolstering assistance for the many who experience homelessness on the Central Coast.
2019-20 END OF YEAR EVENTS
 LOWER SCHOOL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 at 7pm
Virtual Closing Celebration — details to come!

FALL 2020
In-person Fourth Grade Celebration & Farewell for the Class of 2028.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Last day of classes for Middle School — Schedule TBD

8th Grade Closing Celebration at 4pm — details to come!
 

UPPER SCHOOL

FRIDAY, MAY 22 at time tba
Rusack Parking Plaza - Distribution of caps & gowns, senior announcement cards, and care packages provided by the Parents' Auxiliary. Seniors will drive through the gym parking lot to receive their grad gear. More information to come!
 
TUESDAY, MAY 26 at 1PM
Cum Laude Induction Ceremony – Zoom
Current Cum Laude members will induct this year's new members. All juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend.
 
THURSDAY, JUNE 4 at 8PM
In lieu of Prom and pending final approval from the county, a drive-in movie for the senior class will be held on Chase Athletic Fields.
 
Due to health orders, students will not be allowed to leave their cars and bathrooms cannot be provided. Space restrictions require this event to be limited to seniors and those who have been quarantined with them.
 
FRIDAY, JUNE 5 at 1PM
Upper School Awards Assembly – Zoom
All Upper School students are encouraged to attend to honor their peers.
 
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Launch of Senior Projects 2020 Website
 
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
An abbreviated commencement ceremony will be held virtually and will include faculty and student speakers. There will also be a drive-through component on this day in the Rusack Parking Plaza for seniors to wear their caps and gowns and decorate their cars. They will receive their diplomas, yearbooks, and the Senior Issue of The Fourth Estate.
 
Save the date of Friday, July 31 for a more traditional commencement ceremony to be held on campus. More details to come.
LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL OF 2020
Laguna remains committed at this point to opening school in-person on September 9. The extent to which we can continue extracurricular activities—such as athletics—will depend on the conditions at the time.

There is also a small chance that we will be unable to begin with “In-Person Classes” on September 9. In that event, we will deliver remote instruction until we can safely reopen campus.

Regardless, we will spend time this summer honing our remote learning program so that all our teachers are even better prepared to shift into the Laguna @ Home model, should it become necessary.
TIP FROM THE COLLEGE COUNSELOR
If the pandemic has blocked you from your favorite extracurricular activity, use the opportunity to learn a new skill that can be practiced at home. Always wanted to learn chess? Play the guitar? Draw? Build furniture? Greet someone in Mandarin? The internet is awash in how-to videos.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS JOYCE BALAK ON EARNING HER MASTER'S!
Ms. Balak received her master’s degree from the University of Southern California in Enrollment Management on Saturday, May 16!

What an achievement while simultaneously serving Laguna Blanca day and night, and weekends, too!

We are so proud of you, Joyce!
ROCK YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT!
We're spending a lot more time at home these days. Why not learn and lounge in Laguna spirit wear? Check out the Spirit Wear shop to upgrade your closet and stay connected to your Owl Pride!
ANNOUNCING WEEKLY MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL DIVISION HEADS OFFICE HOURS
MIDDLE SCHOOL & UPPER SCHOOL HEAD OFFICE HOURS
MONDAYS FROM 1-2:30PM

If these optional office hours don’t work for your schedule, parents may schedule an appointment outside of these regular office hours.
SHARE YOUR TALENT WITH THE 805 YOUTH FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL
805 Youth Film & Arts Festival is a free, local online film and arts festival honoring the work of Santa Barbara teens ages 12-19 to uplift and inspire the county's community, as well as provide a platform for community support against COVID-19.

Film, photography, art, music, poetry and literature are all accepted.
SELF CARE TIPS FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS FROM SCHOOL COUNSELOR MS. VALENTINE
Take time for yourself every day.
  • You cannot pour from an empty cup.

Go outside for fresh air every day.

Get some exercise every day.

Get enough sleep! 
  • Daily movement/exercise = better sleep
  • Create a sleep routine that gets you ready for rest.

PLAY! LAUGH! SNUGGLE A PET!
SIGNS OF DEPRESSION DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
BY CAROLINE MILLER OF CHILD MIND INSTITUTE

As the coronavirus crisis continues to hold us in its grip, one thing we need to be alert for is depression, in our children as well as ourselves.

Feeling down in this time of forced inactivity and constant uncertainty is unavoidable, and most of us are struggling to stay positive. But depression is more than just feeling sad or having bad days. A child who seems to be stuck in a negative mood — feeling hopeless and not able to enjoy anything — may have depression and may need help to bounce back.
NAME: Giovanna Alvarez
CLASS: 2020

What is the first thing you do in the morning?
I half-consciously slap at my phone to turn off my alarm.

Describe the next to last photo on your phone's camera roll.
It’s a picture of a 3D heart with an arrow going into it. I carved it all out of watermelon. What can I say? I was feeling inspired.

What is your go-to song of the moment?
Today my go-to songs are “Shape of Lies” by Eternal Eclipse and “Unholy War” by Jacob Banks, but I go through about 20-40 songs a month, so my go-to is constantly changing.