LAGUNA LINKS 2/3/17

EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS SET THEIR SIGHTS ON MARS

Last Thursday, Laguna eighth graders contended for ways to reach the Red Planet and pioneer the first human settlement. Four companies, four thirty-minute pitches, and four stellar performances wrapped up the annual Mission to Mars project.

As part of this Project-Based Learning (PBL) experience, e ach team created a company, published a website, crafted a presentation, and prepared for expert UCSB panelists. Using their knowledge and skills from English 8, History 8, and Science 8, the students tackled the following essential questions throughout this project: Why should humans go to Mars? How will we get there? How will we sustain life within a Martian colony? How might Martian societies evolve and develop over time? Furthermore, students applied for specific jobs within their companies, and specialized in certain areas for the mission pitch. On Thursday, they presented their findings to a fictitious group of investors--UCSB experts, faculty, administrators, and select students--who challenged the teams with unexpected crisis scenarios such as: oxygen failure, alien contact, or zombie plague.

Congratulations to Team Ares IV (pictured below) who presented the winning pitch.

To read more about this unique learning experience, click here. For additional photos of the presentations, click here .

MEET THE TEAM

HENRY FARRELL RECEIVES SB ATHLETIC ROUND TABLE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD

By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor

Henry Farrell '17 has been fortunate enough to play in two CIF-Southern Section finals during his high school athletic career at Laguna Blanca School.

Farrell is a rare five-sport athlete and an outstanding student as well.

On Monday, he was honored as Laguna Blanca’s Scholar Athlete of the Year at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.

Farrell runs cross country, plays soccer, tennis, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball for the Owls. He played on the soccer team that reached the CIF finals in 2015 and the indoor volleyball squad that played in the championship match last spring.

THIRD GRADERS TRAVEL TO LEGO® EXPO THIS WEEKEND

Three third grade LEGO@Laguna teams--the “Peregrine Falcons,” the “Butterfly Bunch,” and the "Tweeters"--will head down to LEGOLAND this Sunday, February 5 to participate in the Jr. FIRST® LEGO® League EXPO! Each team has worked hard in their after-school club to create a model and display board for the Expo.

The event's theme this season is Creature Craze. While exploring the real-world theme, teams used basic engineering concepts to build a model made entirely of LEGO® elements. They will also learn to present information through a Show Me Poster. Throughout their experience, students operated under the FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. Core Values, celebrating discovery, teamwork, and gracious professionalism.

The teams were challenged with choosing an animal that shares a habitat with the honey bee. The Peregrine Falcons team members picked a Peregrine Falcon as their creature, the Tweeters decided upon a blue bird, and the Butterfly Bunch team members chose a butterfly as their animal.

The FIRST LEGO League Team experience is divided into three sections: Explore, Create and Share. The LEGO@Laguna teams look forward to enjoying the big LEGOLAND adventure this weekend. Read more about this unique opportunity here.

EARLY CHILDHOOD VIDEOS OF STUDENTS STILL NEEDED!

Laguna Junior and SBIFF 10-10-10 finalist Camila Lemere '18 is working on the 2017 Spring Benefit film and needs your help! A huge component of this year’s video will include family home videos and footage from when your child was 0 to 8 years old. Please get out those old boxes of tapes and DVDs and start searching for the cutest videos you can share! Camila has been collecting footage and needs as much as possible. Please send anything her way through Google Drive, Dropbox, Hightail, or email Camila to possibly be featured in the 2017 Spring Benefit Film! Thank you!

HELPFUL TIP: You can get your old home movies converted to DVDs at Costco!

US ASSEMBLY ON LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION PROVIDES PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR STUDENTS

This week's Upper School assembly focused on Leadership Communication and was presented by Rabbi Zalmy Kudan, an invited guest of Sully Israel '19 . Founder of Training.MyGanIsrael.com , Kudan presented Leadership Communication Tools You Can Use With Everyone.

In life we are always communicating, often in uncomfortable situations or on different sides of the issue. At this special assembly, students learned three tried and tested methods to start conversations that inspire respect, cooperation, and problem solving.

The "I'm Wondering" Tool
Learn how to use this conversation starter to respectfully: approach a conflict, offer a suggestion, or make an inquiry.

The "Tell Me" Tool
Here's a tool that allows you to bring up tough conversations without incurring a defensive response. The "Tell Me" Tool inspires open and honest communication.

The "I Need Your Help" Tool
Here's a tool that brings you and your opponent on to the same side of the negotiating table. Learn how to make difficult conversations "team-building" opportunities.

The presentation provided students with sentence frames as conversation-starters--practical tools to improve communication in multiple facets of their lives.

BASKETBALL IN FOCUS

WELCOME TO THE NEST, SHILOH!

There's a new girl in town... she is a feather-footed Brahma who arrived at Laguna's Lower School campus a few weeks ago. Once Shiloh has successfully integrated into the flock, the students will most likely rename her after a flower, like the other hens. The flock is readjusting to life with a new hen. Sunny, the “golden retriever” blonde Buff Orpington hen, has been especially sweet to Shiloh. Please stop by the Lower School to give a warm Laguna welcome to our new feathered friend!

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS DODGE, DUCK, DIP & DIVE DURING ADVISORY PLAY

As part of Laguna's MS Advisory Program, students are encouraged to play collaboratively once a week. Play is crucial for adolescents, both mentally and physically. We also like to gamify our play through our House system (very much like the Houses of Hogwarts, only named after the Channel Islands). During Quarter 1, the Middle Schoolers chose sand volleyball as the House sport. This week, we are finishing up their second season choice: dodgeball. They are into it! It’s wonderful to see our fifth through eighth graders all playing, laughing, and learning together on their House teams. Our House challenges for the next two weeks will be a STEM cardboard chair build and a poetry slam. Afterwards, we’ll start up our third House “sports season” with Capture the Flag.

FIFTH GRADE ART NOW ON EXHIBIT

Come by the Emmons Arts Center now through the end of February to enjoy a variety of paintings and prints created by Laguna's fifth grade students.

The art gallery is open during school hours Monday through Friday.

Art pictured: Ally Jacobs '24, Dia de los Muertos Still Life, Acrylic Paint

THIS SATURDAY 2/4 GEOMETRY SESSION

OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH CLUB

Saturday Sessions of the Middle School Math Club

Saturday, 2/4--Geometry

Saturday, 5/6--Number Theory

Classroom E402

10AM-12PM

It's never too late to join the Middle School Math Club (MSMC)! The goal is to share the joy of mathematics throughout the Middle School, while providing an opportunity for students in Grades 5-8 to experience problem solving situations outside of the math classroom. Participants will solve new mathematical problems and learn new problem solving methods, both individually and as part of a team. The problems will be based on grade appropriate math knowledge, yet may require higher order math problem solving skills.

All activities of the MSMC are free of charge. Saturday sessions will be conducted by Joel Poholsky, and lunch is included! Come give it a try!

To register your child today, please email Joel Poholsky .

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

11:45AM-1PM

RUGG ROOM ON HOPE RANCH CAMPUS

FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS:

MASHA KEATING
Laguna parent of Jacob ’25 and Nathaniel ’23

This year’s featured artist for the spring benefit, Masha will share the unique process she uses to create her mesmerizing, colorful pieces of art.
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KENDRA SABINO
Laguna parent of Isabella ’19 and Augustus ’21

AND

MATT STRUCKMEYER

Director of College Counseling

Come learn about Laguna’s long term vision for an Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Program, kicked off by our two new campus gardens. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the Garden Tour!

All parents are welcomed and appreciated!
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As always, a delicious lunch will be provided.
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T wo tickets to the spring benefit will be raffled!

STUDENTS TO SIT FOR PORTRAITS FOR UPCOMING SPRING BENEFIT

A group of dedicated and talented parent volunteers will take individual photos of each student to display at our upcoming annual spring benefit. Please note the portrait dates below and plan accordingly:

LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS
Tues 2/7 and Wed 2/8
Please be sure to comb your child’s hair on these days. :)

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
Mon 2/13 and Wed 2/15
Please wear or bring a black top for this picture.

UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS
Thurs 2/9 and Fri 2/10
Please wear or bring a black top for this picture.

LS FAMILY SCIENCE DISCOVERY EVENT COMING 2/8

Please join us for the Laguna Blanca Lower School Family Science Discovery event on Wednesday, February 8 from 3:00 to 4:30PM. This event provides students 4 to 10 years old and their families with the opportunity to explore the uses of science in our local community through a variety of hands-on activities. Dive underwater with REEF’s touch tanks. Leave planet Earth for a few moments by venturing into outer space with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit. Learn what it’s like to be a veterinarian with Dr. Timm. With the help of all of these visitors, and a few more surprises, the event proves to be a fun-filled afternoon filled with explorations of the many marvels of science!

Please park off campus for this event; all spots will be taken by the community groups. Please use neighboring streets (Wyant and Sinaloa) for parking. Out of consideration for our neighbors, please do not park on Mimosa. The street is narrow, and cars cannot pass through easily.

Parents and students, if you are interested in helping at this event, please email Lower School Science Instructor Clara Svedlund.

To view photos from last year's event, click here.

JOIN US AT THE ART & WINE PREVIEW PARTY

ART, WINE, HORS D'OEUVRES

Masha Keating has created a stunning piece of art for the Spring Benefit Live Auction. Come and see this donated piece, as well as the collaborative art projects that Masha created with the Lower School students.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
6:00-8:00PM
At the new SBCAST
( Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science, and Technology )
513 GARDEN STREET

We will also collect wine for our wine auction that will be featured at the Spring Benefit.

For the wine enthusiasts, select a nice bottle from your cellar or get creative and bring a special bottle of Spanish wine.

Cellar Empty? You will have an opportunity at the event to make a purchase to go towards the wine auction.

For questions regarding this event, please contact Cynthia McClintock in the Development Office at 687.1752 x206.

SPRING BENEFIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS

PLEASE JOIN US AT 8:30AM

AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:

Wed 2/8 - Multi-Purpose Room, Gym
Wed 2/15 - LS Library
Wed 2/22 - Multi-Purpose Room, Gym
Wed 3/1 - LS Library
Wed 3/8 - FINAL Meeting - Multi-Purpose Room, Gym

Interested in volunteering, m aking a donation, or becoming an event sponsor? Please contact event co-chairs Belle and Bert Regeer or Assistant Director of Special Events and Constituent Relations Cynthia McClintock 687.2461 x206.