Thank you to the Family Association for hosting a beautiful Holiday Luncheon at Cabrillo Pavilion yesterday! It was such a fun and meaningful way to be together as a community and toast the holidays during this festive season.

Special appreciation to FA volunteers Belle Regeer, Yumi Bollag, Debbie Popovich, Vanessa Carrington, Olga Murphy, Michelle Withee, Kelly Avery, Deva Dalporto, and Mindy Provance for all of their hard work in making this event happen!

Thank you, also, to Music Teacher Molly Markstrum and our fourth grade carolers who shared their talents with us.

We hope to see you there!

Hosted at the home of Nicholas ’98 and Shelly Miller, the Alumni Holiday Party was a festive gathering of alums ranging from the classes of 1962 through 2016. Board members and alumni parents were also in attendance and delicious wine from the various labels that the Miller family produces was enjoyed by all!

The Christmas of 80 local foster children—ranging from infants to 20 years old—will be much brighter because of the big hearts of Laguna’s families, teachers, staff, and admin! Very thankful CASA of Santa Barbara reps picked up the gift drive haul today. Thank you to the many elves for joining us in our 11th annual gift drive effort to bring smiles and love to children who need it most.

Because it is so cold right now, their community partners have asked to put a major focus this year on sleeping bags, either new or used. If you attach a name to a sleeping bag that you donate, your advisory will get a birdhouse point! Thank you very much in advance for anything you might be able to contribute—even the smallest donated items make an immediate and huge difference.

Get ready for TEDxLBS 2023! The last day to order the 2023 TEDxLBS crewneck is on December 23. The shirts will arrive in mid-January.

Middle and Upper School students, enjoy hot chocolate next Thursday in the MS driveway over lunch!

Ms. Maillard's seventh grade students explored their origins and ancestry after they read The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez, an autobiography recounting the author’s family’s immigration journey. Students connected the story with the quarterly theme of “Belonging” and explored the values of acceptance and inclusion by interviewing older relatives about their own expedition through North America or from abroad. This bonding moment resulted in pride as they discovered extraordinary facts, new links with many countries, and the importance of resilience and courage. The multiple-step project involved the subjects of English, Geography, and Latin.

We’re so grateful to have Jueun and Ursula represent our school at the conference. To learn more about why a conference devoted to People of Color exists, please read "Why This Matters" by Dr. Liza Talusan.

After Tecolote Tuesday this week, the fourth graders met with Upper School Sock Club member Molly Morouse '23. They brainstormed ways to get the word out to Lower School students about the Warm Things Drive. Since sleeping bags are a high-need item, the fourth graders organized a friendly contest to encourage students to bring them in. The Lower School class with the most sleeping bags donated will receive an extra recess period! If your family donates a sleeping bag to the drive, please write your child’s grade level visibly on a label or tape and attach it to the sleeping bag.

Friday, December 16

Friday, December 16

Monday, December 19 - Monday, January 2

Tuesday, January 3

Friday, January 27

By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor

Laguna Blanca roared past Providence 67-29 in a non-league boys basketball game on Tuesday night at Laguna's Merovick Gym.

Senior Michael Chang scored 14 points, had five rebounds, five steals, and six assists to pace the Owls' attack. Carson Steward '25 was a force, scoring 22 points and grabbing six rebounds.

Ganden Walker '24 was the rebounding leader with 14.

"The kids did a good job of running their offense and defense for most of the game," said coach Phil Sherman. "I was happy about the rebounding and hustle of Ganden Walker."

By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor

Laguna Blanca's boys soccer team erupted for five goals in the second half to beat Santa Clara 8-3 on Tuesday.

The Owls fell behind 2-0 but roared back on goals by Baylor Wilson '26, Brody McGonigle '24, and Frankie Baron '23 to lead 3-2 at halftime.

Santa Clara tied the score early in the second half before Laguna Blanca took over the match. Frankie Baron put the Owls back in the lead and Wilson followed with his second goal of the game. Andreas McClintock '24, Aden Meisel '23, and Mason Berg '24 added goals for the blowout win.

By Tom Bolton, Noozhawk Executive Editor & Dennis Moran, Noozhawk Correspondent

Laguna Blanca’s Natalie Bianchi '24 scored two goals and Alexandra Siegel '23 and Regina Lujan '24 added one apiece in a 4-1 win over Dunn Tuesday.

“The girls created lots of plays and good chances to score,” Owls coach Jose Rodriguez said. “We had a good amount of corner kicks as well. They were communicating very well. I was able to rotate all my players in.”

GO OWLS!

All Laguna families (Gr. EK-12) are invited to join authors Rick Clark and Brennan Barnard in Spaulding for a discussion of their book, The Truth about College Admission. See more event information below!

They will provide insight from both sides of the desk in working with students and their families, discuss recent trends, provide tips for your college search and selection experience, explain how schools make decisions, and what you can do to stand out. They inject much-needed levity and sanity into what can often be an uncertain or anxious time. They look forward to answering your questions.