LAGUNA @ HOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK
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FIRST GRADE STUDENTS SHOW TRUE COLORS IN TOUCHING YEAR-END VIDEO
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Enjoy this sweet video created by the talented Mrs. Vanetti and her first grade students to celebrate the end of the school year and the special bond this class has! What a meaningful message, today and always.
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SECOND GRADERS PREP FOR FATHER'S DAY WITH SPECIAL READER AND CARD MAKING
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For Father’s & Special Friend’s Day, second grade students created cards in a guided art lesson by Mrs. Vance and enjoyed a visit from Mr. Vance as our mystery special guest reader. Mr. Vance read a childhood favorite tale, "Lazy Tommy Pumpkinhead," and the class discussed the pros and cons of relying too much on technology. Mr. Vance then surprised the class and Mrs. Vance by sharing that he had planted 16 pumpkin seeds which Mrs. Vance distributed to her students at the Lower School Car Party on June 4. Notice, the seeds are planted in owl cups!
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SECOND GRADE CREATES PALM TREE BEACH PUBLISHING COMPANY
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Before Spring Break, second graders embarked upon an exciting project where they transformed the classroom into a publishing company! As busy members of Palm Tree Beach Publishing Company, young authors and illustrators signed contracts, created story lines, and used the writing process to develop manuscripts and illustrations for original books. When our school moved to remote learning, they continued the project and adjusted as necessary. In a special Zoom meeting, the class hosted teen author, Danya Belkin, who shared valuable book-writing and publishing tips. Second graders shared their published stories via Zoom at their aloha-themed Publishing Party on June 2.
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WE'RE SEEING SPOTS! WATCH THE LOWER SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF 101 DALMATIONS
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A Note from Molly Markstrum, Lower School Music Instructor
Dear Laguna Blanca School Community:
It is with great pride that I invite you to watch and enjoy the Lower School After School Musical video presentation of
101 Dalmatians!
Our student actors continued to shine within our remote learning atmosphere. They worked incredibly hard throughout the year, but especially during these last few months of school. Rehearsals continued to be held each week via Zoom, and scenes were recorded at home and sent to me. Now, the final result is available for you to view at your convenience.
I applaud each student and their families for their amazing efforts in bringing this production to fruition. Congratulations to everyone!
Please Note: This video is for the Laguna community only. We ask that it not be shared on social media at this time.
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MS ENGINEERING CLASS FORMS CREATIVE STEM BAND
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MS Engineering wanted to do something that Laguna has never done… create the first-ever band composed entirely out of homemade instruments. Students in Mr. Pagano's class used the Engineering Design Process to invent, reinvent,
and invent again
a musical instrument capable of playing a song. Initially, the class intended to build the instruments in the lab with 3D printers, the laser cutter, and a full spectrum of hand tools, but since they couldn’t access them students were forced to think even more creatively and use the materials available to them.
"Whether the instrument was a simple cereal box “banjo” or an elaborate PVC pipe xylophone, they all were required to play a full spectrum of notes," says Mr. Pagano. "
Dylan Comis '25
invented a new type of bass guitar combined with a drum called the 'Drum Bass.'
Grace Trautwein '24
(
below
)
created a fully tune-able guitar using an old crutch. We got a little help from Music Teacher Mr. Moreno, but we probably needed a little more musical instruction!"
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EIGHTH GRADERS PRESENT POWERFUL TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS REMOTELY
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Instead of presenting on stage like they've done in years past, eighth grade students made digital presentations of their year-end Transformation Projects. This project requires students to develop a solution to a local, regional, national, or international problem. Each eighth grader researched their topic, envisioned a solution, and presented their work in three ways: a research essay, a creative presentation, and a STEM component.
The students' passion still shined through each project despite the remote format! From deforestation and cyber bullying to gun control and ocean pollution, students covered a wide range of important topics through impressive presentations that inform and inspire. Congratulations, students!
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MAKE WAY FOR THE LOWER SCHOOL CAR PARADE!
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It was a J O Y to see our Lower School students’ smiling faces on campus Thursday morning at our Lower School Car Parade! This special summer send-off gave faculty and staff the chance to say goodbye to their students and to celebrate a year unlike any other—from a safe distance. We hope you each have a safe and fun summer, and we can’t wait to welcome you back in the fall when we'll hold a special farewell ceremony for the fourth grade class.
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EIGHTH GRADERS CRUISE INTO SUMMER
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The fog lifted just long enough to provide a picturesque mountain backdrop for the Middle School Closing celebration on Thursday. Honored with a special drive-in ceremony on Chase Athletic Fields, the Class of 2024 was greeted by cheering teachers and bubbles. Each eighth grader had a shining moment on stage as teachers shared personalized vignettes, highlighting their time in the Middle School.
Ceremony photos coming soon!
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LAGUNA THEATRE DEPARTMENT HONORS SENIORS WITH TRIBUTE VIDEO & TALKBACK
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On Wednesday night, 6/3, Laguna's theatre community gathered online to applaud the program's graduating seniors. After watching a moving tribute video, the group celebrated their talented cast & crew members as they took their final bows—virtually! Enjoy the commemorative video above!
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SENIORS GATHER FOR DRIVE-IN “PROM” MOVIE
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This year, the ever-creative Class of 2020 swapped their dancing shoes and traditional prom festivities for an evening together under the stars to watch
Spider-Man: Homecoming
. A special shout out to the gracious Tolles Family for the adorable snack wagon contribution! In the end, Spider-Man was outdone by one of our own Owl heroes,
Rhami Zeini '20
, who jump started several dead car batteries. ;)
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LOCKER CLEAN OUT IS ON MONDAY, JUNE 15
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If you are unable or uncomfortable coming to campus, please email
Ms. Braniff
so we can set aside personal items. Thank you!
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IT'S THE FINAL STRETCH FOR SENIORS
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MONDAY, JUNE 8
Launch of Senior Projects 2020 Website
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Senior car parade at 1:30PM
We are so excited to hold our traditional commencement ceremony in-person on July 31 to honor our seniors.
More details to come!
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SUMMER READING LISTS ARE HERE!
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Take advantage of the longer days and dive into a great book (or two) this summer. At Laguna, there is suggested summer reading for students in Grades EK-4 and
required reading for students in Grades 5-12.
SIX BENEFITS OF SUMMER READING
- Improve Reading Skills.
- Increase Desire to Read.
- Improve Self-Esteem.
- Neutralize Summer Learning Loss.
- Improve Comprehension.
- Improve Memory Skills.
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THERE'S STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CAMPS!
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REFUND POLICY FOR SUMMER CAMPS
You may withdraw your child from camp prior to June 15 and receive a refund for all payments made, less a $12 administrative fee to cover the cost of registration services.
After June 15, the refund is 50% of the cost of camp. Withdrawals within one week of the start of camp, or after the start of camp, are not refundable.
Due to the Covid-19 situation, it may become necessary to cancel camp, or significantly alter the camp program. In that case, you will be eligible for a full refund.
Please allow two weeks for processing refunds.
Questions? Please email
Sophia Lozada
.
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ARTS @ LAGUNA 2020 UPDATE
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While the traditional Arts @ Laguna will not be in session this year, we look forward to seeing its triumphant return next summer. There is an upcoming option for a virtual arts camp that Sarah Jacobs is planning. Stay tuned for more details!
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SOAR WITH US IN LAGUNA MIDDLE SCHOOL!
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S
TEM |
O
utdoor Movement |
A
rts |
R
eal World Learning
For Rising Grades 5-8 Students
Spend the morning on our Hope Ranch campus exploring across disciplines in this exciting thematic camp, featuring robotic engineering, design thinking, modern storytelling, and outdoor movement. In the afternoons, campers take a deep dive into an area of interest.
JULY 20-24
Circus Maximus
JULY 27-31
Escape from Zombieland
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WEEK 1 IS FULL!
SPACE STILL AVAILABLE FOR WEEK 2: AUGUST 10-14
Summer 2020 at Laguna promises tons of fun and sun for camp-goers. Students ages 4-10 will be placed in age-based groups and will experience a variety of offerings throughout the day, including arts and crafts; outside sports and games, including rock wall climbing; LEGO engineering; and prepping for singing stardom in music. With so much to do and explore, each day will be a fun and engaging experience!
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KEEP LEARNING THIS SUMMER!
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Head of Lower School Dr. Andy Surber is offering the community a unique collection of camps this July on the Lower School campus.
Focused on the FUNdamentals, Snowy Plover Summer Camps provide academic experiences that empower
campers ages 4-11 to grow and develop fundamental skills as they discover new talents and interests.
With class sizes capped at 6 students, Snowy Plover Summer Camps create a safe, experience-rich environment that allows students to build confidence, friendships, and love of learning.
Choose between four weeks of Reading Camps and/or four weeks of Math & Science Camps.
Each week has a different and exciting theme!
A one-week only Kindergarten Boot Camp is also offered.
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AUGUST 10-14 | 8:30AM - 2:30PM | 4125 PALOMA DRIVE
FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO ENTER GR. 5-12 CONFIDENTLY
- Embark on a trip of self-discovery where you learn about how you learn.
- Acquire the tools you need to thrive in the coming school year.
- Sharpen your academic skills in math and writing, improve organization and study skills.
- Have fun making new friends while exploring Laguna's beautiful Hope Ranch campus.
Registration is now open!
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COLLEGE ESSAY SUMMER WORKSHOP
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AUGUST 3-7 | 8:30AM - 4PM
FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 9-12 IN FALL 2020
Get a jump start on your essay with this intensive writing workshop, designed to create a space for students to begin the creative process of drafting their college essay early, which will allow for the essay to evolve over time. Students will work with Laguna’s seasoned Director of College Counseling Matt Struckmeyer to develop a confident voice and uncover their authentic story in an essay that reflects their values and life experiences.
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RE-IMAGINE SUMMER WITH SCHOOL COUNSELOR KIM VALENTINE
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Little did we know that this year’s TEDx theme would be put to good use this spring and summer. RE-Imagine is our current motto!
We have the opportunity to RE-Imagine what a fun, relaxing, and good ‘ol summer break can be! So, what CAN you do this summer?
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WORDS FROM OUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR: "PUT YOUR OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST"
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BY KIM VALENTINE
There was a time when “the talk” parents had with their children was about the birds and the bees. Today, “the talk” many parents are looking for guidance on are about race and racism. As with any “talk,” there is a range of approaches to these conversations and a range of comfort levels with the topic. We are here to support you if this is a topic that you are ready to explore.
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By Sierra Filucci of
Commonsense Media
Movies, TV, and books can be powerful teaching tools when it comes to helping kids understand race, racism, and a history of racial oppression.
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