Ms. Delwiche pulled out all the stops for kindergarten's 50th day of school celebration yesterday.

From learning how to Hand Jive and blow a bubblegum bubble to enjoying root beer floats and hula hooping, it was a day full of 50s fun!

Ms. Green's third grade class recently published a hardcover class book as part of their Language Arts program. This special book is a time capsule of 2020 from their perspective called Hindsight is 2020. The book features advice and drawings for future generations that highlights what they’ve experienced and learned from 2020.

Thank you to the following students who wrote letters to retirement home residents this fall as part of the Letters from Home Pen Pal Program!

If you're interested in writing a short letter to someone in a retirement home as part of Letters from Home, please email Katherine Ball '23.

The holidays just aren't the same without the Nutcracker! State Street Ballet is streaming a virtual performance on their website of last year's 2019 Nutcracker (Sunday show), with Ashly Pryor '23 as the lead, Clara. You can enjoy the performance from December 19-31.

Ashly is joined on stage by fellow Laguna schoolmates Sloan Brookshire '28 (mouse), Catherine Blabey '30 (little angel), and Juliet Bradley '28 (little Chinese).

Be sure to check it out for some holiday cheer!

We are so thankful for all of our generous parents who spoiled faculty and staff on both campuses today with a delicious lunch, holiday treats, and a festive holiday raffle! We feel so loved!

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Laguna Fund Class Captain team for their work in spreading the news about the 2020-21 Laguna Fund, our Phonathon, and #GivingTuesday. Thanks to their enthusiastic efforts, school-wide family participation increased over 30% this week, and our Kindergarten class hit 100% participation in the Fund!

If you haven’t already given, you can still make a gift online or pledge your support by emailing Danielle Sekurski or calling 805.687.1372.

Please join Laguna's Director of College Counseling Matt Struckmeyer for a special Zoom event next Wednesday, December 9 at 6PM that will cover the ins-and-outs of paying for college.

During this event, Mr. Struckmeyer will review the difference between need-based aid and merit scholarships, which is the source of frequent confusion. He will discuss how Laguna families can compare offers to determine the best deal with a consumer-based approach that pulls the curtains back on how colleges make these decisions, including a breakdown of the most confusing jargon. The session will last exactly an hour, and there will be plenty of time for questions. Please consider joining us!

The upcoming Spanish Tour will take place this Saturday, December 5 at 9:30AM. Kindly RSVP directly to Michelle Finck.

There will also be an English Tour on December 5 at 10:30AM. Please click here to reserve your spot.

The book selection for this year’s Challenge Success Book Club is Deviced! Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World by Doreen Dodgen-Magee.

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Dodgen-Magee, award winning author, speaker, and psychologist, will join us for our discussion. Families of students in all divisions are invited to read and attend this informative and engaging evening.

Using personal stories, cutting edge research, and anecdotes from youth, parents, and professionals, Dodgen-Magee highlights the brain changes that result from excessive technology use and offers an approach to the digital world that enables more informed and lasting change and a healthier long-term perspective. Given that the reader is living within a culture of ever-changing and advancing technologies, Deviced! is written in such a way that its content can weather the constantly changing digital landscape by focusing on the concepts of honest assessment and healthy boundary setting rather than on specific technologies or platforms. Deviced! offers a mindful approach to assessing current technology use, breaking bad habits, setting new norms, and re-engaging with life with renewed richness and awareness.

This week, we are highlighting our Head of Middle School, Shane Lopes!

Shane has gone above and beyond to keep our Middle School students and teachers safe since they've been back on campus, which is a result of many months of hard work and preparation. We are so grateful for your steadfast dedication to our community, Shane!

A few words from his colleagues:

"I've never worked for someone more caring, involved, and hardworking."

"I just really appreciate Shane and all he has been doing."

"Shout out to Shane Lopes for his tireless effort on behalf of the Middle School."

Last week, we recognized our lovely school counselor, Kim Valentine!

A few words from her colleagues:

"Kim Valentine, you are a source of calm and delight :)"

"Thank you for your positivity and always looking out for both the student's and the faculty's well being. We so appreciate you!"

Kim's kind spirit and big heart are felt on both of our campuses, and we are so thankful!

Congratulations to Upper School Math Teacher Jennifer Sawyers Pardue and her husband, Tyler! Asher James Pardue was born on Saturday, November 14, weighing 8 lbs. and measuring 19 inches long. Welcome to the nest, Asher! We can't wait to meet you!