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News from Laguna Beach Unified School District, its teachers, students, staff and Board of Education. | |
Board of Education approves $19M, 45-meter pool modernization concept at Laguna Beach High School | |
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The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education has approved the concept for a $19 million, 45-meter pool modernization at Laguna Beach High School. The modernization is a critical upgrade to the existing pool infrastructure and has undergone significant changes since the original plan was presented in March 2023. The final concept, approved on October 10, was shaped by extensive feedback and adapted to fit the constraints of the existing site. Environmental and neighborhood impacts were carefully considered to support both district and community needs, while mitigating concerns related to light, sound, and neighborhood views.
As part of the next steps, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process will begin to gather additional community input on the potential impacts of the project, including those that may occur during construction. This feedback will be reviewed, and any identified impacts will be addressed through mitigation strategies that will be incorporated into the final construction plans. The current pool, which is at the end of its life cycle, will be replaced with a modernized facility designed to meet both competitive and recreational needs. The new pool will feature seventeen 25-yard lap lanes, each 8 feet wide, accommodating up to 102 swimmers at once. It will include varying lane depths, with one lane ranging from 5 to 7 feet deep and sixteen lanes at a consistent 7 feet. Additionally, the shallow section will maintain its current 750 square foot size, with water depths between 3.5 and 4.5 feet, providing space for a variety of activities and users.
Updated conceptual plans for the pool modernization can be viewed at www.lbusd.org/FMP.
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LBUSD ranks No. 1 among unified school districts in Orange County for statewide English language arts, math, and science scores | |
The California Department of Education released its statewide assessment results this week, with Laguna Beach Unified School District ranking No. 1 among unified districts in Orange County for English language arts, math, and science scores. In LBUSD, 79 percent of students scored proficient or above in English language arts (ELA), 70 percent met or exceeded standards in mathematics and 65 percent of students demonstrated proficiency in science standards.
Districtwide scores in both ELA and mathematics surpassed the Orange County average by approximately 22 percent and exceeded the California state-wide average by approximately 32 percent in ELA and 35 percent in mathematics.
| Thurston Middle School focuses on enrichment, career exploration, well-being for 2024-25 |  | |
At the October 10 Board of Education meeting, Principal Vidal provided an update on Thurston Middle School's key initiatives for the 2024-25 school year. The school this year is focusing on on enhancing enrichment opportunities, expanding career exploration, increasing parent engagement, and building a positive school culture with clear behavioral expectations.
In support of school culture, TMS is reinforcing behavioral expectations and promoting conflict mediation opportunities to maintain a positive, respectful environment. The school is training student leaders to support peer-to-peer discussions and resolve conflicts constructively. New this year to support student well-being is the grand opening of a wellness space on campus, where students can connect with the Student Support Specialist as needed. This centralized space will make it easier for students to access support and resources. Additionally, TMS has implemented digital citizenship programs to build connectedness and support social-emotional growth, ensuring students have the tools to navigate challenges in both school and life.
Parents and families will be offered new opportunities to participate in on-campus activities this year, including more "Lunch with a Waverider" events and options to facilitate book discussions with students.
| Board receives update on LBUSD’s comprehensive wellness programs for students | |
At the Board of Education meeting on October 10, Director of Social and Emotional Support Michael Keller, Ed.D., presented an update on LBUSD’s comprehensive system of student wellness programs. Key highlights included the expansion of services to meet the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of students through a team of specialized personnel, including counselors, student support specialists, nurses, and psychologists.
Dr. Keller emphasized the district’s investment in prevention and intervention, such as WellSpaces at Laguna Beach High School and upcoming at Thurston Middle School, along with targeted counseling programs for both elementary and secondary students. The district's approach integrates academic support, mental health resources, and family engagement to create a comprehensive framework that promotes student success.
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Young artists capture coastal beauty: LPAPA Paint It Out brings students and pros together at Heisler Park |  | |
The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) recently hosted its annual LPAPA Paint It Out event, bringing together students from grades 4 to 12 to paint alongside professional plein air artists at Heisler Park. This unique experience allows students to immerse themselves in the joy of creating art while learning from professionals as they craft their own masterpieces.
This year, the setting was foggy and misty, with the coastline faintly visible through the haze. Students captured the mood with their paintings, using a mix of moody colors and strong compositions that blended the park’s foliage and rocky terrain with the vast Pacific Ocean. They were reminded that the combination of light and the outlined coast would be challenging to capture, but each student was encouraged to bring their own vision and perspective to their work.
Throughout the event, professional artists painted alongside the students, offering valuable advice on techniques such as viewing their paintings from a distance, adding texture, and mastering color mixing. Some students even received the important lesson that knowing when to stop is key to completing a piece of art.
The students were excited and grateful for the opportunity to participate in this day of creativity and learning, as they worked with the sound of crashing waves off the Laguna Beach coast.
| Kindergarteners shine in ABC Fashion Show, blending creativity and confidence |  | |
The music was loud, the beats pulsed through the kids' veins, and the ruby-red carpet sparkled in Top of the World’s MPR as the kindergarten class put on their ABC Fashion Show.
Each child strutted confidently down the red carpet, wearing their own creation—a brown paper bag cut and decorated to represent a letter of the alphabet. For each letter, the garments were decorated with drawings and objects starting with that letter. For example, "P" was for peacock, and one student drew the animal and attached vibrant fake peacock feathers. As their letter was called, each child took their turn down the runway. Some walked confidently, high-fiving friends along the way, while others added flair with a little hip sway or a dramatic pose. One even turned to the camera and let out a playful "roar"!
This fun and educational event wasn’t just about learning the alphabet—it was a confidence booster for the kids. The next day, we learned that one of the most entertaining "models," known for his runway performance, is considered shy by his family!
The event showcased the importance of creativity and fresh approaches to education, helping young minds engage with literacy in a memorable way. These kids will surely never forget their ABCs!
| The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 6 p.m. Visit lbusd.org/board for more information | | | | | |
