Welcome to the 2021-22 school year!
As we come together to kick off a new year of learning, we want to emphasize that our utmost priority is the well-being of our students, staff, and families as we continue to navigate the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click the links below to visit our COVID-19 Resource Page and to reference our updated COVID guidelines. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon and to an exciting year to come!
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OPENING WEEK SCHEDULES BY DIVISION |
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GRADES EK-4
Lower School students will attend optional on-campus student orientation meetings with their teacher on Wednesday, September 8. Please check your email for the link to the Orientation Day sign-up sheets. Students are not required to wear uniforms on that day.
The first day of Lower School with full uniform dress is Thursday, September 9, with morning care available at 7:30AM and classes beginning at 8:15AM. School ends at 3PM, and after-school care runs until 5:30PM. Please note that school ends at 12PM for Early Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, with full days for these grades beginning on Monday, September 13.
GRADES 5-8
We look forward to welcoming Middle School students to the Hope Ranch campus on Wednesday, September 8 for Opening Day & Orientation. On Thursday, September 9, Middle School students will enjoy a one-day class retreat by grade level.
On Friday, September 10, students will attend shortened periods of each of their classes, ending with a welcome BBQ for all students and faculty at 1:30PM. Dismissal is at 2:45PM.
Please click here for the full Middle School Orientation Week schedule by grade level.
GRADES 9-12
Upper School students will join us on the Hope Ranch campus on Wednesday, September 8 for Opening Day & Orientation. On Thursday, September 9, Upper School students will depart on their class retreat by grade level. Please note that seniors will depart for El Capitan on Wednesday, September 8, and will return to campus on Friday, September 10.
On Friday, September 10, students will attend shortened periods of each of their classes, ending with a welcome BBQ for all students and faculty at 1:30PM. Dismissal is at 2:45PM.
Please click here for the full Upper School Orientation Week schedule by grade level. |
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INTRODUCING OUR NEW FACULTY & STAFF! |
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Let's give a warm Laguna welcome to the following new members of our community! |
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Adam Bairzin
MS/US Science & STEM Instructor
Fun fact: Adam was one of the few American citizens born abroad, in Cambridge, England, where he lived until the age of three.
Alyssa Barker
2nd Grade Assistant
Fun Fact: Alyssa has traveled to 18 countries and loves a little adrenaline. She bungee jumped in New Zealand and swam with whale sharks in the Philippines!
Krysta Falloon
EK Assistant
Fun Fact: Krysta met Taylor Swift and got a photo with her when she was 18!
Sarah Fishman
Grade 3/4 Instructional Assistant & Lower School Remote Teacher
Fun fact: Even though she considers herself a very cuddly person, Sarah played rugby in college!
Bryan Gin
Technology Support Specialist & STEM Support
Fun Fact: Over the past decade, Bryan has competed in over 22 different partner dance styles.
Zach Liberto
Upper School Physics Instructor
Fun Fact: the 1973 Disney animated film 'Robin Hood' is the sole reason Zach took up archery as a hobby.
Lucy Lombardi
MS/US English Instructor
Fun Fact: Lucy hiked to the summit of Mt. Whitney and back in a day!
Maud Maillard
Library Assistant
Fun Fact: Maud loves to play the piano!
Michelle Martinez-Mercado
Lower School Spanish Instructor
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Zaira Paredes-Villegas
MS Spanish Instructor
Fun fact: Zaira enjoys reading or watching anything true crime-related and thinks the process of solving a case is fascinating.
Jennifer Richards
Academic Services Assistant
Fun fact: Jennifer has gone on a dogsledding trip in Minnesota!
James Savage
Part-Time Philosophy Instructor
Fun fact: James is an avid runner and has run three marathons, one for an official race and two just for fun.
Jeff Seaton
CFO
Fun Fact: Jeff has been a state champion at one time or another in a racing discipline known as cyclocross in three separate states: Montana, Nevada, and Vermont.
Jueun Steinhaus
Admissions Associate
Fun Fact: Jueun has always wanted to live in a Castle or Victorian House. She got engaged to her husband Matt in a castle in Edinburgh, Scotland and now she will work in a Victorian House at the Lower School! Check and check!
Matt Steinhaus
Director of Athletics
Fun Fact: Matt has been playing the drums since elementary school. He was in the University of Kansas Marching Band percussion section for two years, and then played in a popular party band called “Nobody’s Business” while attending UCSB.
Jannine Tuttle
MS Science & STEM Instructor
Fun fact: Jannine was on the rowing team in college!
Zach Wallace
MS/US Music Instructor
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CHECK OUT OUR MYLAGUNA VIDEO TUTORIALS! |
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LOOKING AHEAD TO FALL OF 2021 |
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UPPER SCHOOL TOP TEN LIST |
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Click on the image above for more helpful tips! |
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SAVE THE DATES FOR UPCOMING PA EVENTS |
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Gr. EK-12 Parent Welcome Coffee (9AM)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Gr. EK-12 Family Picnic & Community Welcome for New Head of School
Ron Cino (5-7PM)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Parents' Auxiliary Lunch & Learn (11:45AM-1PM)
PA REMINDERS AND UPDATES
The PA welcomes all Owls, returning and new, and looks forward to a great school year together!
Class Reps will reach out shortly to introduce themselves and provide more updates on class gatherings.
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WELCOME TO MATT STEINHAUS, LAGUNA'S NEW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS |
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Let's give a warm Laguna welcome to our new Director of Athletics Matt Steinhaus!
Matt arrived at Laguna Blanca after serving for nine years as the Athletic Director at New Roads, a K-12 independent school in Santa Monica, CA. He was the Varsity Baseball head coach at New Roads for ten years, departing as the winningest postseason coach in school history. Matt’s additional coaching roles included assisting on both the Upper and Middle School swim teams.
Matt spent over fifteen years coaching and has had various Board of Director roles such as at Santa Monica Little League and has seen four former players ascend to the Major League level. He grew up primarily in Northern California as an avid local sports fan and participant and was a member of both his high school water polo and swim teams. Matt is a UCSB graduate who also attended the University of Kansas, and considers himself equally a Gaucho and Jayhawk.
Matt and his wife Jueun – who works at the Montecito Campus as the new Lower School Admissions Associate, have two children: Marnie '34 and Beau.
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CHEER ON THE OWLS AT HOME THIS SATURDAY, 8/28! |
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Laguna’s football team is running into their FIRST game of the season this weekend! The Owls will play Orcutt Academy at home this Saturday, 8/28 at 1PM. Show your Owl Pride and come cheer on this hardworking team! Go Owls! |
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ATHLETIC DETAILS BY DIVISION |
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UPPER SCHOOL BOYS SAND VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE BEGINS AUGUST 30 |
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Laguna's Boys Sand Volleyball team will begin practice on Monday, August 30. Workouts will take place every day from Monday, 8/30 through Friday, 9/3 from 1-3PM at the Laguna Blanca sand courts. Be on the lookout next week for the finalized September schedule. |
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PARENT CONNECTIONS – CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHOOL COUNSELOR KIM VALENTINE |
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What to Expect in the Social and Emotional Lives of Your Ninth Grader
Thursday, September 9, 9:15AM
(after parents drop off their child at the gym)
We will gather at the base of the gym parking lot stairs and walk together to Merritt Patio for coffee and conversation to demystify ninth grade. Join us as we connect with fellow parents, learn about the typical social and emotional needs of ninth graders, and where to find connection and support. Q & A to follow.
What to Expect in the Social and Emotional Lives of Your Middle School Student
Thursday, September 9, 4:30PM
(kids return from their trip at 5:30)
We will gather in the MS quad for connection and conversation before heading to the gym for pick up at 5:30. Join us as we connect with fellow parents and learn about the typical social and emotional needs of seventh and eighth graders, and where to find connection and support. Q & A to follow.
What to Expect in the Social and Emotional Lives of Your Fifth & Sixth Grader
Monday, September 13, 8:15AM
(after morning drop off)
We will gather in the MS parking lot and walk to Ruston Theater for coffee, connection, and conversation. Join us as we connect with fellow parents, learn about typical social and emotional needs of fifth and sixth graders, and where to find connection and support. Q & A to follow.
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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR AWARD-WINNING STUDENT MAGAZINE, THE FOURTH ESTATE!
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“What’s the buzz on campus?” Want to find out what your kids forgot to tell you? Miss a game? Don’t fret…read our sports section. Be in the know. Share school happenings with grandparents. Subscribe to The Fourth Estate, Laguna’s student-produced, award-winning magazine, which publishes four times a year with a senior section included in the June issue.
Proceeds from subscriptions will directly benefit the journalism program and go towards publishing costs and conference expenses. As a subscriber, The Fourth Estate will be mailed directly to your door. Please complete the form below to receive all four beautiful issues of The Fourth Estate.
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LAGUNA'S CONLEY BALL AND NIC RICHMOND NAMED 2021 KERBAL ROCKETRY CHALLENGE WINNERS |
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Congratulations to recent Laguna graduates Conley Ball '21 and Nic Richmond '21, who won the 2021 Kerbal Rocketry Challenge for Laguna Blanca! Conley and Nic were both instrumental members of the TARC (Team America Rocketry Challenge) Club while at Laguna.
The pair beat out nearly 250 teams that competed in the first-ever Kerbal Rocketry Challenge after spending three weeks developing their rocket, which is entirely virtual. “Their high-tech Mun base showed the very best of aerospace and innovation,” says the competition judges. The competition took place online in the Kerbal Space Program.
Way to go, Conley and Nic!
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INTRODUCING LAGUNA'S NEWEST TRUSTEES |
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The Laguna Blanca Board of Trustees welcomes three new members: Shelly Gable, Amber Ortiz, and Chris Terrill. Get to know them at the link below! |
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THERE'S STILL TIME TO SWOOP INTO
SUMMER READING!
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Although summer is coming to a close, there's still time to sneak in one last book! At Laguna, there is suggested summer reading for students in Grades EK-4 and required reading for students in Grades 5-12.
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Click the link below to access past issues of Laguna Links. |
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