By Santa Barbara Independent Staff

Laguna Blanca has long been known for its signature programs. With titles such as Mission to Mars, Soapbox Derby, Urban Adventures, and its TEDx talks ​— ​returning in February after last year’s pandemic pause ​— ​the independent school embraces project-based learning.

A recent addition, launched in 2017-18, is the Science Research Program, a two-year course of study for motivated students to pursue an invigorating and “deeply edifying odyssey into the weeds of scientific inquiry,” said Tara Broucqsault, the school’s communications director.

Heading up the program, Staci Richard said it’s grown considerably since its initial cohort to a little more than 40 percent of eligible students.

The Science Research Program starts in 10th grade by growing each student’s understanding of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field and teaching them how to read research papers and exposing them to a range of speakers and discussion groups to help channel their enthusiasm.

November 30 is #GivingTuesday, a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy. Individuals, communities, and organizations from across the nation will come together for one common purpose: to encourage gratitude-inspired giving. Let’s celebrate #GivingTuesday together by supporting the Laguna Fund.

Current and prospective families are invited to join us for our next Virtual Open Mic Monday event on Monday, December 6 from 12:15-1PM.

Saturday, November 27

Warm-up at 12PM | Game at 12:30PM

Home for the holidays? Join us on the soccer pitch for the annual Thanksgiving Alumni Soccer Game! Players of all decades are welcome...and alumni parents too!

The fourth annual TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool is coming up on 2/2/22!

Entirely planned and produced by Laguna students in the TEDx class, this event promises a day of unforgettable talks, performances, and conversations.

Our students are currently in the process of selecting speakers, creating and managing a budget, and arranging professional-level audio and visual coverage to share on an international scale. 

 

If you are interested in corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact the TEDx team at tedx@lagunablanca.org.

Laguna Blanca’s Core Values (scholarship, character, balance, and community) can be applied to all of our actions as students and adults at school. Our view of community includes mutually supportive partnership and honorable citizenship. Our view of character includes personal responsibility and consideration of others. We are fortunate to have a beautiful campus in Hope Ranch. With our core values of community and character in mind, let’s do our best to exhibit positive behaviors when on the roads in our neighborhood:

Thank you for your consideration of these community and safety matters.

Be sure to stop by Emmons Arts Center to check out our talented faculty's artwork! The art gallery is open during regular school hours.

Faculty and staff on both campuses enjoyed yummy treats last Thursday, November 11 during Professional Development Day.

Thank you to our thoughtful and generous Parents' Auxilary for keeping us full and happy!

We will also enjoy Thanksgiving dessert at lunch on Friday – apple and pumpkin pie!

Lower School Dress Down Policy: The Lower School occasionally designates dress-down days when students do not need to follow the uniform dress code. On Dress Down days, students may wear shorts or nice jeans. T-shirts must be free of offensive words or images and not be a typical undershirt. Swimsuits and pajamas are not allowed. Athletic shoes continue to be the required footwear for students. Masks are required and do not need to follow the dress-down theme.

Bravo to our student leaders on an excellent first term as fourth grade student council leaders! Coming up next in term two: Blake, Charlie, Kanu, Lindsay, and Morgan.

Kindergartners have been celebrating Friendsgiving all week! Ms. Delwiche first introduced the idea through a read-aloud of The Most Thankful Thing by Lisa McCourt on Monday morning.

Students then compiled a list of things for which they are thankful. The rest of the week, students made small, thoughtful gifts for their classmates.

The class will complete the week with a few more festive projects before Thanksgiving break!

Click the link below to read more about this sweet week in Ms.Delwiche's blog.

Third grade students recently completed a special collaborative book project. Last year's class wrote about their experience with the pandemic in their book entitled Hindsight is 2020. This year, the students wrote about gratitude in their book entitled Forever Thankful.

Please join us (virtually) as we kick off the holiday cheer with song, special guest appearances, and more!

Kindly RSVP at the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact Lower School Admissions Associate Jueun Steinhaus.

The Lower School Winter Concert will take place on the Montecito campus this year! Mrs. Markstrum and Mrs. Guay will transform our pavilion into a beautiful winter wonderland where our talented students will perform an hour of festive music from around the world.

We will provide additional concert details after the break!

The holiday lunch will be held on Thursday, December 2. Please drop off donated items and unwrapped gift cards ranging from $20-$50 by Wednesday, December 1.

Tricia Anderson (Sammy '27)

Miriam Cislo (Sebastian '31)

Leslie Hucko (Evie '26 & John '25)

Michelle Kobashi (Madison '33)

Bill Leitner (Madison '33)

We have a unique volunteer opportunity beginning November 30 to assist with morning check-in each Tuesday and Thursday from 8-9AM on the Hope Ranch campus. Volunteers greet students upon arrival and verify completion of the Ruvna Health Screening. Your help at this time allows our faculty to attend regular meetings and ensures our students can be checked-in to campus safely. If you are a morning person, please consider this opportunity and sign-up here.

RSVPs are required due to limited seating.

Thanks to all those who participated in Tuesday's college Zoom: Paying for College, Financial Aid 101. We demystified many confusing topics, thanks to the help of our expert panelists Emily Peterson of Trinity College and Gil Villanueva of the University of Richmond.

In case you missed it, click the link below for the recording. Have follow-up questions? Don't hesitate to reach out! Email College Counseling.

What is “fit” and why does it matter?

Are students who attend higher-ranked colleges better off later in life?

What do college rankings really measure?

Once your child has been vaccinated, please remember to email your child's vaccination record to Matt Miller. Below is a list of vaccine provider pharmacies in SB County. If you have questions regarding this list, please reach out to Jan Chytilo at Santa Barbara Country Public Health Department.

Everyone should have received an email from Aptitude Clinical Diagnostics to register for free COVID testing through Laguna Blanca. If you have not received the email yet, please check your junk folder or email Health Coordinator Matt Miller.

If your child ever needs to be tested for COVID-19, please contact Matt Miller first and he will authorize you to get tested at Earl Warren Showgrounds at the white drive-up tent. If you need to be tested on a weekend or holiday, you may go directly to Earl Warren for testing; there is no need to contact the school. Please note special Thanksgiving testing hours on Nov 28: 9AM-2PM.

Thank you for continuing to monitor your child for the following COVID-like symptoms and swiftly report positive COVID test results to our Health Coordinator Matt Miller. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any additional medical questions.

•      Fever or chills

•      Cough

•      Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

•      Fatigue

•      Muscle or body aches

•      Headache

•      New loss of taste or smell

•      Sore throat

•      Nausea or vomiting or diarrhea