LAGUNA LINKS 2/9/17

P H O T O S | V I D E O | W E B S I T E

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

"THE GIVING OF LOVE IS AN EDUCATION WITHIN ITSELF."

-Eleanor Roosevelt, Diplomat, U.S. First Lady

THIRD GRADERS BUILD CONFIDENCE AND MEMORIES AT LEGO® EXPO

The BUTTERFLY BUNCH, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, and PEREGRINE FALCONS did a fantastic job last weekend at the First LEGO League, Jr. Expo! We are so proud of our fourteen LEGO League students for creating Creature Craze LEGO models and display boards together, and for speaking so knowledgeably and eloquently to many visitors who checked out the boards throughout the viewing time. To demonstrate and celebrate their accomplishments back at school, FIRST LEGO League, Jr. teams briefly presented their models at the Tecolote Tuesday meeting earlier this week.

Read more about the experience and watch videos here. View photos here.

Third graders, thank you for bringing innovation and collaboration to Carlsbad on behalf of Laguna Blanca!

LAGUNA FEMALE ATHLETES ATTEND LUNCHEON CELEBRATING WOMEN IN SPORTS

The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table hosted a National Women in Sports Day Luncheon at Earl Warren Showgrounds on Monday, February 6. National Women in Sports Day celebrates girls and women in sports around the country, and this luncheon was specifically for those in Santa Barbara County. Keynote speakers included two local women who are fresh off competing in the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The following female athletes were invited by the Athletic Department to attend:

Maddy Nicolson '17
Zaira Paredes-Villegas '17
Aura Carlson '18
Tiffany Yabsley '18
Clare Ogle '18
Kathryn Norris '18
Hannah Miller '18
Annabelle Finefrock '18
Julia Fay '18
Julia Bernard '18
Julia Guglielmo '20
Natalie McCaffery '20

Way to represent Women in Sports, Laguna athletes!

LAGUNA'S CHRISTIAN BRANCH RECEIVES HONORABLE MENTION ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to Christian Branch '20 for receiving Honorable Mention Athlete of the Week this week. Last week, Branch scored 32 points with eight three-pointers during the Condor League boys basketball game versus Midland.

Enjoy this clip of Christian making quite an impressive shot!

LAGUNA'S GOT TALENT

CLICK FOR HIGHLIGHT REEL

BOYS BASKETBALL FINISHES WITH 3 STRAIGHT WINS

By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor

Laguna Blanca won its third straight game, beating Ojai Valley 59-44 in a Condor League basketball finale on Wednesday.

Junior Jackson Hurley led the Owls with 19 points, scoring 12 in the first quarter. Junior Aidan O'Donnell chipped in 15 points to help carry the load.

STUDENTS LEARN THE ART OF STORYTELLING

Beloved Storyteller Michael Katz has shared his talent with Laguna students for over a decade. A storyteller since 1984, he has been featured at such illustrious locations as the openings of both the Los Angeles Getty Center and the Disney Concert Hall. He is the host of the NPR radio storytelling program Katz Pajamas and was the founding Artistic Director for the Flying Leap Storytelling Festival in Solvang, California.

Lower School students enjoyed his storytelling residency this week, which included in-class workshops for the second, third, and fourth graders, and assembly performances for all grades.

Michael's workshops are based around language and theatre arts and cover reading comprehension, theatrical movement, storytelling rhythm, sequencing, vocal projection, eye contact, and so much more! Ask your children today what they learned from Michael Katz!

SCIENCE DISCOVERY NIGHT

On Wednesday afternoon, eleven community groups came to the Lower School to offer a variety of engaging science activities for students and families. Hands-on activities included a navigational treasure hunt with a compass, building a flower and pollinator, matching radiographs to animals and watching a live ultrasound of the heart of Max the dog, holding a sea star and sea urchin, watching water and pollutants flow through a watershed, viewing leaves through a microscope, looking at various rocks from space, and learning about reptiles (and maybe even holding the boa!).

Thanks to Lower School Science Instructor Clara Svedlund for organizing and facilitating t he Family Science Discovery Event, and thanks to everyone who participated and attended. Click here for event photos.

LOWER SCHOOL ART PREVIEW

Laguna parent and artist Masha Keating recently shared her talents with our Lower School students and co-created art pieces for our spring benefit silent auction. The spectacularly vivid pieces were available to preview on Wednesday evening at the Art and Wine Preview Party at SBCast. Earlier this week at the Parents’ Auxiliary Lunch & Learn event, Masha shared her story about emigrating to the United States from Russia when she was just 13 years old, and explained how that journey was nothing compared to the one she has taken through her own artwork. In the past 20 years, she has found—and re-imagined—herself through both oil and digital painting. Her story is powerful. It includes influences of family, strong mentors, and shifting her creative process.

For the student art fundraiser, Masha created a combination of real and digital paintings, applying her digital techniques to photos of existing paintings made by the students in Grades EK-4. Each child created a Rorschach print by spilling the paint on paper and folding the paper in two. “It was so exciting for them to unfold the paper and discover what surprising image awaited inside,” explains Masha. Masha also shared with the children how sometimes art is about removing your control and allowing the process itself to create the work. After collecting photos of everyone's work, Masha digitally combined the images from each class into one 24x24 inch composition per grade, then added some digital manipulation and painting of her own. The end results will be up for bid at the spring benefit on March 11. In addition to the student pieces, Masha is donating one of her own works of art—Sky Dance, digital painting on metal, 18x36 inches—to be auctioned at the event.

CLICK TO PREVIEW THE ART PROJECTS BY GRADE

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!

SPOT THE SNAKE CONTINUES TO HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN LAGUNA HEARTS

Last week, Laguna said goodbye to Spot, a ball python pictured above at left (photo circa 1997). This reptile friend slithered into the hearts and hands of the Laguna community twenty years ago. In fact, Science Instructor Mr. Neustadt received Spot from a student the year Blake Dorfman '02 (now LBS English Instructor) was in the seventh grade.

Spot will be long remembered for her occasional escapes and the celebration each time she was recovered! She went missing again in late November and reappeared a few weeks ago near the classroom door. Sadly, she died shortly after her return.

Spot will live forever in our hearts. She leaves behind Carl, a 5-foot gopher snake who has called Mr. Neustadt's science classroom "home" for the past 15 years.

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:

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

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

LAGUNA JUNIOR CAMILA LEMERE TO DEBUT SHORT FILM AT SB INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY 2/11

Be sure to check out Camila Lemere's '18 short film, When the Lights Go Out, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 10-10-10 Screening this Saturday, February 11 at the Arlington Theatre at 2pm. FREE ADMISSION. Early arrival recommended.

The film is about a family of four moving into a house that is under renovation. Avery, the eldest daughter, is having trouble with the move and with her family. The film tells the story of how she deals with those struggles through finding independence but also realizing that she needs her family.

Come show your Owl support for the following Laguna students, who all contributed to the film:

Director: Camila Lemere '18
Producer: Joan Curran '17
Cinematographer: Matthew Goldsholl '17
Colorist: Travis Smillie '17

Cast
Holly Tobias '17
Simon Lea '20
Kendall White '18
Sasha Hsu '18
Tiffany Yabsley '18

Crew
Rose Houglet '18
Aura Carlson '18
Zaira Paredes-Villegas '17
Melissa Silva '17
Kathryn Norris '18
Alex Koke '19

Best of luck, Camila, on your big debut at this prestigious local film festival!

SPRING BENEFIT SNEAK PEEK--LIVE AUCTION ITEM!

MAKE PLANS FOR SPRING BREAK 2017 IN TELLURIDE:

A PERFECT GETAWAY FOR ONE WEEK IN COLORADO

Joyful Noise Lodge is generously being offered to the Laguna community just in time for Spring Break 2017. Your choice of Saturday, March 25 – Saturday, April 1, 2017 or Saturday, April 1 – Saturday, April 8, 2017. This is a unique opportunity to stay at this incredible custom designed mountain ski-in / ski-out retreat. Ideal for families, friends, and multiple families.

Comfortably sleeps 12
True ski-in / ski-out access is 20 feet away with ski locker room, boot dryers; easy access to/from Galloping Goose and Bridges ski runs
Benchmark estate has three levels with incredible views from almost every window
Exquisite interior with luxury, designer furnishings, antiques, and custom art
Private Hot Tub
Large exterior decks with sprawling views of the San Sophia mountain range and 14,000 ft peaks

This amazing stay at Joyful Noise Lodge is just one of the incredible Live Auction offerings at our Spring Benefit on Saturday, March 11. Come ready to raise your paddle! iViva Laguna!

FOUR WAYS YOU CAN HELP!

1. More great items are still needed… We are looking for generous donations of items such as: sporting event tickets, concert tickets, vacation destinations (near and far), cabins & condos, fine wines, rounds of golf, behind the scenes experiences, jewelry, art, and anything special. Donations forms are online. Please deliver donations to Braun House or the office on either campus. With every donation that is brought in, your name will be entered for a chance to win a guest room on the night of the event at the Bacara Resort and Spa. There is no limit to the number of times your name can be entered. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, February 21 at 5pm. The drawing for the hotel room will take place at our committee meeting on February 22 at 8:30AM.

2. Underwriters make this event so magical... The generosity shown by underwriters ensures every dollar raised at the benefit goes directly to helping the school provide the best education possible for our students. Deadline for event sponsors to be included in the event program is February 27.

3. Attend a committee meeting at 8:30 at any of the following meetings… It’s never too late to share your ideas and talents.

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

4. Make plans to attend the event on Saturday, March 11! Invitations will be mailed next week. Tickets are available online. Formal Spanish-inspired attire is encouraged.

QUESTIONS? Please contact event co-chairs Belle and Bert Regeer or the development office.

LAGUNA BLANCA’S STAGE BAND & HANDS4OTHERS CLUB HOSTS BENEFIT CONCERT 2/27

Did you know that access to clean water is the first step to breaking the cycle of poverty?

Did you know that one of our alums continued working on his Laguna Blanca safe water senior project throughout college and now operates a non-profit dedicated to solving this crisis?

Did you know that on Monday, February 27, the Laguna Blanca Stage Band and Hands4Others will be hosting a benefit concert to raise money to provide clean, safe water to people living in remote villages around the world? Laguna's own Maxx Christal '19, H4O Club President, and alum Spencer Dusebout '11 have teamed up with Music Instructor Jillian Honorof and Math Instructor Paul Chiment to achieve the goal of raising enough money to build one complete water treatment facility for one village.

Please mark your calendars for the evening of February 27. The show begins at 6:00, but arrive at 5:30 to be sure to get a seat. Cover charge is $5 for students and $10 for adults with ALL proceeds going to Hands4Others.

SOhO serves dinner, or you can just grab a refreshment. If you would like dinner, you should make a reservation (962-7776).

For more information, visit H4O or SOhO .

Laguna Blanca’s Parents’ Auxiliary always needs fresh faces and enthusiasm to complement the faithful and fabulous parents who are already involved. If you see an event or program that you’d like to help with—even just a little—please contact Stacey Fell, PA Secretary, or come to any Auxiliary meeting for information. The next and last meeting of this year is on May 9 from 11:45AM-1PM in the Middle School Rugg Room.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities for the 2017-18 school year, please CLICK HERE and identify a position that interests you, or tell us about someone you think would be a great addition to the team. Short job descriptions are included on the second page of the Nominating Form.

FORMS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 28.

Thank you for helping to make Laguna Blanca an even better place for our students!

REVOLUTION PREP ACT & SAT PRACTICE EXAMS COMING THIS SPRING

This spring, Laguna will host Revolution Prep Practice Exams for the ACT and SAT, in order to provide opportunities for students to practice taking full-length, proctored practice tests in preparation for the official exams. The exams will take place in Laguna's library and are free.

Upon enrollment, Academic Advisor Jayme Wakefield of Revolution Prep will schedule a score report review at a time convenient for you. During the session, Jayme will break down your child’s score to understand areas of strength and weakness and develop a custom preparation plan.

Practice Exam dates at Laguna will be held on the following dates:

SAT Practice Exam on Saturday, April 15, 9AM-1PM

ACT Practice Exam on Saturday, April 22, 9AM-1PM

Click here for more information about the program and registration. Contact Academic Advisor Jayme Wakefield at (424) 214-2390 or [email protected] for additional details.

Congratulations to the winners of the Spring Benefit ticket raffle held at this week's Lunch & Learn: Barbi Zimmerman and Don Sabino. Both winners generously donated their tickets to faculty and staff.

PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: The Parents' Auxiliary Gathering / Lunch & Learn has been moved from April 25 to May 9. Please mark your calendar so you can join us!