It's A Wrap

News from Laguna Beach Unified School District, its teachers, students, staff and Board of Education.

May 24, 2024

Staff present Laguna Beach USD's three-year blueprint for student success and school improvement

On Thursday evening, Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) staff presented the updated Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for 2024-2027 to the Board of Education and community. This strategic document, required by the State of California, outlines the district's commitment to enhancing student outcomes through goal-oriented actions aligned with state education priorities. Comprehensive feedback from the community informed the development of the 2024-2027 LCAP, gathered through an annual survey conducted earlier in the school year and a series of engagement sessions. These inputs were crucial in shaping the plan's focus on improving college and career readiness and social-emotional competencies and ensuring safe, equitable, and inclusive schools.


Significant updates in the new LCAP include:

  • To address the state indicator area of academic performance in English language arts and mathematics, LBUSD instructional teams will continue to focus on high-quality, rigorous, standards-based instruction designed to provide students with engaging and meaningful learning experiences.
  • Students who need foundational academic skills will be provided with supplemental, targeted interventions through school-based, multi-tiered support systems. 
  • Engaging elementary and middle school students in early career exploration through enrichment offerings, elective courses, design thinking, real-world problem-solving, learning exhibitions, career talks, industry partners/community mentors, and integration of career pathway connections embedded within core content instruction.  
  • Integrating professional learning opportunities focused on understanding and incorporating the competencies in the LBUSD Learner Profile and Framework for the Future
  • Providing a comprehensive health education curriculum that promotes the health and safety of students by helping them establish lifelong healthy patterns.


The plan also includes maintaining safe, clean, and functional school facilities to create supportive learning environments for all students. The LCAP will undergo annual reviews to ensure it remains responsive to the community's needs and continues to promote student success in alignment with state standards.

Review the plan and provide feedback

Board approves 2024-25 and 2025-26 Student Instructional Calendars

The Board of Education approved the academic calendars for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years at its Thursday evening meeting. The calendars include a five-day Thanksgiving/fall break and a Thursday start to the school year. The non-student day in January for K-5 and secondary levels will be aligned. The first day of school for the 2024-25 school year will be on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

View the school calendars

Watch This TEDx Talk: How crashing teaches us to fly

Ignited by his experience with project-based learning, Laguna Beach High School student Logan Teeple explains how his journey can serve as a model for other experiential education programs. Logan is passionate about aviation and has devoted the last two years to flying and studying flight. He has completed his first solo flight and is training for the private pilot practical exam. Logan was inspired to pursue aviation by working with a Boeing Aerospace Engineer on multiple research projects through the Authentic Exploratory Research (AER) program at LBHS. AER is an independent research course where students propose driving questions to explore their passions and career pathways in various fields.

Watch now

Board approves grounds maintenance contract, upholding 2018 commitment to organic and non-toxic practices

On Thursday evening, the Board of Education approved the renewal of a contract for grounds maintenance services with Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. The procurement method includes routine landscape maintenance and irrigation repair, aligning with LBUSD's commitment to sustainability by utilizing organic, non-toxic methods. This requirement has been included in LBUSD grounds maintenance contracts since 2018, ensuring the continuation of environmentally friendly maintenance practices for the upcoming fiscal year.

Learn more

Upgraded security camera system approved for Laguna Beach High School

Yesterday evening, the Board of Education approved an advanced security upgrade at Laguna Beach High School, selecting STS Education to replace and add new cameras for enhanced coverage. This upgraded cloud-based system features recognition capabilities, allowing for searches using specific descriptors to improve safety.

Learn more

Breaker Artist Spotlight: Ceramics student Meg Gardner

The ceramics program at LBHS offers a comprehensive journey into the world of ceramic arts, starting with Ceramics 1 and advancing through to AP Studio Art 3D Design. Open to students from grades 9 to 12, the program provides a solid foundation in clay-building techniques and surface finishing effects under the expert instruction of Somer Selway, a seasoned educator with a BFA in ceramics and a master's degree in education. In this edition of our Student Artist Spotlight, we are proud to feature the exceptional work of Meg Gardner, a ceramics student whose journey and achievements exemplify the excellence of the LBHS program.

Learn more about Meg!

Watch the Board Meeting

The next board meeting is a student and staff recognition ceremony scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 6 p.m. Visit lbusd.org/board for more information.

Watch Here
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