CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2022 AT FIRST ANNUAL SENIOR SEND-OFF |
|
Seniors and their families, faculty and staff, and Grades 5-11 students gathered in Ruston Amphitheater yesterday for a bittersweet assembly celebrating the Class of 2022.
Marking the last day of academic classes for seniors, this celebratory send-off was both reflective and joyous, featuring poetic speeches by English Teacher Bojana Hill (click to view) and Math Teacher Paul Chiment (click to view), as well as fun interactive games organized by Dean of Students Blake Dorfman.
After the ceremony, students met in the senior quad for a class photo in front of the senior wall, which was decorated with the mascots and logos of the almost 100 colleges that accepted the Class of 2022.
We wish this special class the best of luck in their upcoming senior projects, and we can't wait to keep the celebration going at the 88th Commencement Ceremony on June 15!
|
|
COVID TESTING RETURNS TO EARL WARREN
Our partner testing company, Aptitude, has moved back to the Earl Warren Showgrounds, located at 3400 Calle Real. Testing hours are 9AM-4:45PM Monday-Friday and 9AM-1:45PM Saturday and Sunday.
COVID SYMPTOM MONITORING
Thank you for continuing to monitor your child for the following COVID-like symptoms and swiftly reporting positive COVID test results to:
COVID SYMPTOMS
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting or diarrhea
|
|
SOAR AT LAGUNA THIS SUMMER! |
|
Rising students in Grades 5-8 are invited to join us at an exciting summer camp offering, SOAR @ Laguna!
Spend the day exploring a wide range of disciplines in this exciting thematic camp, featuring robotic engineering, design thinking, modern storytelling, visual arts, and outdoor movement.
August 1 -5 - Circus Maximus
August 8 - 12 - Old Spanish Days
|
|
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON IS ON MAY 17 |
|
Please join us on Tuesday, May 17 at 11:30AM for an appreciation luncheon for everyone who has helped Laguna have a spectacular school year.
Whether you volunteered your time, supported the school financially, or cheered for the Owls during a sporting event—we couldn’t have done it without you!
Enjoy a delicious lunch, hear updates from our Family Association Board, and mingle with friends.
Kindly RSVP here by today, May 13.
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022-23 FAMILY ASSOCIATION BOARD |
|
President: Debbie Popovich
Treasurer: Elena DeMeyer
Secretary: Yumi Bollag
VP Hosted Events: Belle Regeer
VP Lower School: Melia Yust
VP Middle School: Deva Dalporto
VP Upper School and VP School Spirit: TBD
The complete list of parent volunteers for 2022-23 can be found here. There are still a few open positions for new and returning parents.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to get involved with your children’s Laguna experience and meet other families! Please contact Yumi Bollag or Sarah Lustfield to learn more.
|
|
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIOR FAMILIES |
|
Please mark the following important dates on your calendar:
PRE-PROM PARTY FOR SENIORS
Saturday, May 14
5-6:15PM
The Fowler Home
PROM
Saturday, May 14
6:30-10PM
Riviera Park
UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETIC BANQUET
Saturday, June 4
4:30-6:45PM
Hope Ranch Athletic Fields
SENIOR PROJECT SCHEDULE
May 16 - 20: Week 1
May 23 - 27: Week 2
May 31 - June 3: Week 3
June 6-9: Senior Project Rehearsals
June 13 & 14: Senior Project Presentations
UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS ASSEMBLY
Friday, June 10
10-11:30AM
Ruston Amphitheatre
*Families will be contacted if their child is an award recipient
SENIOR TO ALUMNI LUNCH
Tuesday, June 14
11:30AM-1:30PM
Merritt Patio
COMMENCEMENT REHEARSAL
Tuesday, June 14
12:30-2:30PM
Merritt Patio
COMMENCEMENT
Wednesday, June 15
Senior Class Photo: 3-3:30PM next to Library
88th Commencement Ceremony: 4-7PM in Ruston Amphitheater
|
|
More event details below and forthcoming. |
|
It's not too late to buy your prom tickets!
Prom takes place tomorrow, May 14 at Riviera Park from 6:30-10pm. Only juniors and seniors may attend with a guest.
Can't wait to see you there!
|
|
STUDENTS DIP TOES INTO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ON GRADE 9/10 COLLEGE DAY |
|
On Tuesday, ninth and tenth graders dedicated the morning to college activities, which College Director Mr. Struckmeyer designed to stir the imagination, build confidence, and tamp down pressure around the college search process. The day featured presentations by Laguna employees Erik Faust, Ron Cino, Michelle Finck, Lucy Lombardi, and Melissa Alkire about their college experiences. This provided students with a glimpse of a broad range of colleges including private research universities (NYU), both urban and rural liberal arts colleges (Trinity, Oberlin), public teaching universities (Cal Poly), out-of-state flagship universities (University of Rhode Island), and mission-driven, midsized private universities (Boston College).
Students completed short written exercises to think critically about their dreams and goals for college, as well as learned about the various degrees (BA, BS, BFA) and college pathways within universities (arts and sciences, business, engineering, nursing, education, performing arts). In addition to interacting with SCOIR and following colleges that interest them, students Zoomed with admissions personnel from Denison University and The New School who shared information about their colleges and addressed general questions.
“The day was meant to plant seeds and begin conversations, not to get lost in the weeds of admissions statistics,” explains Mr. Struckmeyer. “Laguna students are exceptionally well prepared, and they will have lots of choices—the key is to become a sophisticated shopper in the college market.”
|
|
CHARLIE SHELDON COMPETES IN INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE BUILDING FINALS |
|
|
|
Students in Mr. Pagano's Upper School engineering class recently participated in the 2022 International Bridge Building Competition. They were tasked with creating bridges made from thin strips of basswood and only held together with glue. The goal was to span a gap of 30cm and hold the most weight possible.
The class winner was Charlie Sheldon '24, whose bridge weighed 17 grams and carried 9.2 kilograms. This gave him an efficiency score of 537, which is the ratio between how heavy the bridge is and how much weight it can hold before breaking. Charlie qualified for the International Bridge Building Finals, which was last weekend in Pennsylvania. He rebuilt after a spectacular end to his first iteration and raised his efficiency score to 1228.68, coming in 25th place overall. Great job, Charlie!
|
|
SKATER SPACE CLASS TESTS SKATEBOARD BUILDS AT SKATER'S POINT |
|
Ninth and tenth grade students in Mr. Pagano's Skater Space Class—a modern woodshop class offered to Upper School students—recently designed and built their own skateboards by integrating elements of art, engineering, and physical movement.
The class delved into design thinking associated with creating a fully functioning skateboard and the tools of skating. The students began by designing scale models of skateboards (called tech decks or fingerboards) and once they were satisfied with the smaller models, they built their full-size boards.
Earlier this week, the class took their builds to Skater's Point to test them out. They will continue to develop their designs in the coming weeks!
|
|
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TALENT SHOW IS NEXT WEEK! |
|
The Middle School Talent Show & Ukraine Fundraiser is going to be AH-MAZING!
Come out and cheer on your classmates as they take the stage to dazzle us with their humor, vocal & musical talents, dance, and epic lip sync performances.
Friday, May 20
5-7PM
Ruston Amphitheater
All donations and proceeds from food sales will go to Hope for Ukraine, a non-profit supporting the poorest communities in Ukraine.
RSVP here to help us plan accordingly for pizza, snacks, and drinks.
Contact Ms. Valentine with any questions. We hope to see you at the show!
|
|
MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO A FREE DINNER & MOVIE NIGHT ON MAY 27 |
|
Join us for this free event in Spaulding Theatre! Open to all Middle and Upper School students.
FRIDAY, MAY 27
5PM - Build Your Own Ramen Bowl
6PM- Screen Ponyo in Spaulding
8PM- Pick-up
|
|
O.W.L. TEACHER HIGHLIGHTS |
|
Third Grade Teacher Brooke Green immerses students in a month-long simulation of a city, where they all apply for jobs, run city council meetings, manage complex budgets, and create storefronts for the entire school to enjoy. Classroom City officially opened this week!
|
|
Fifth Grade Teacher Jennifer Carney brings history alive. To engage in Revolutionary Era history, Jennifer’s students held congressional debates, rioted against British taxes, analyze artistic representations of the Boston Massacre, and completed a BreakOut Edu challenge on causes of the Revolutionary War.
|
|
Upper School English Teacher Trish McHale guides our seniors through a three-week dynamic leadership opportunity in May, wherein the seniors develop individual projects, partner with organizations and mentors, and volunteer their time while also shadowing workplaces, researching topics, and gaining critical life skills.
|
|
Edison has notified us of an additional power outage is scheduled from Friday, May 13 at 10PM to Saturday, May 14 at 6AM. Servers may be down on Saturday from 4-10AM, which will cause a login outage. |
|
LOWER SCHOOL ART SHOW & SPRING CONCERT IS NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 19 |
|
How Sweet is Our World
THURSDAY 5/19
Art Show: 5:15PM
Concert: 6:30PM
We look forward to celebrating art and music with our families next week on our Lower School campus.
|
|
THIRD GRADE CITY PROJECT IS A HIT! |
|
Third Grade's Classroom City officially opened this week! In this popular project, Ms. Green's students delve into the workings of city council and develop skills in communication, math, public policy, collaboration, and forward-thinking.
Other Lower School grades were invited to enjoy the third graders' mini-city—complete with designed storefronts and creative products to sell. Students shopped for a variety of products from party eggs, handmade candles, and frisbees to artwork, coasters, colorful shoelaces, and more!
|
|
FOURTH GRADERS COMPETE IN BATTLE OF THE BOOKS |
|
On Thursday, a group of fourth graders participated in the annual Battle of the Books. For months, they have been working diligently to read seven acclaimed chapter books. In class, they had discussions, wrote summaries, and practiced identifying events and quotes from each book.
The students traveled to Crane School to compete in mixed-school groups with fourth graders from Crane, Montessori Center School, and Riviera Ridge.
Congratulations to Lindsay and Morgan for being on the winning team, and congratulations to all participants who read seven amazing books and competed in this event!
|
|
OWEN PRYOR '22 NAMED LAGUNA BLANCA'S SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR |
|
BY BARRY PUNZAL, NOOZHAWK SPORTS EDITOR
The initiative that Laguna Blanca student-athlete Owen Pryor has demonstrated in his high school life is remarkable.
A great example of that initiative came during his involvement in the school’s STEM Research Program in his 10th and 11th grade years. During that time, he had to identify and explore a scientific problem, do experimentation, and then make a presentation.
A four-sport athlete who carries a 4.33 grade point average, Pryor’s excellence in the classroom and on the athletic field is being recognized by Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table as Laguna Blanca’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
WAY TO GO, OWEN!
|
|
LAGUNA BLANCA'S KENDALL KESHEN & CATIE FRISTOE WIN CIF SWIM TITLES |
|
BY BARRY PUNZAL, NOOZHAWK SPORTS EDITOR
Laguna Blanca’s two qualifiers for the CIF-SS Division 4 Swimming Finals each won titles on Saturday in Mission Viejo.
Sophomore Kendall Keshen captured the 200 individual medley in 2:14.48 and senior Catie Fristoe was champion in the 100 breaststroke in 1:08.94.
Keshen finished second in the 100 breaststroke in 1:09.43 and Fristoe came in fifth in the 100 freestyle in 57.82.
The two swimmers scored 71 points for Laguna Blanca, which was good for ninth place in the team standings.
Congratulations, Kendall and Catie!
|
|
LAGUNA BLANCA'S RUN IN DIVISION 3 VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS ENDED BY 2ND-SEEDED ROYAL IN SEMIFINALS |
|
BY BARRY PUNZAL, NOOZHAWK SPORTS EDITOR
The result didn’t go their way, but the moment should be something the players on the Laguna Blanca boys volleyball team never forget.
The team from the small private school was playing in the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals before a full house at Merovick Gym.
The Owls ran into a big, powerful Royal High squad and were swept, 25-23 25-17, 25-10, ending a season of playing in the highest division in program history.
For Laguna Blanca to win three playoff matches and come within one match from reaching the Division 3 final, wasn’t lost on coach Jason Donnelly.
“For us to be where we are right now, in this playoff division, is something these guys will never forget,” he said.
|
|
LAGUNA BLANCA'S TENNIS CIF PLAYOFF RUN ENDS IN THE SEMIFINALS |
|
BY BARRY PUNZAL, NOOZHAWK SPORTS EDITOR
Laguna Blanca's CIF tennis run came to an end in an 11-7 loss at West Covina in the Division 5 semifinals on Wednesday.
The top-seeded Owls went 4-1 in the playoffs and advanced to the CIF semifinals for the first time in program history. They started the tournament with a wild-card match after finishing third in the Tri-Valley League.
"I would have loved to see this very deserving group of guys get a chance to play in that title match on Friday, but I can’t be disappointed by the way they competed," said coach Trevor Thorpe." We had a great post-season, and both in the four wins and this loss, we can be proud of our performance and the way we carried ourselves."
The match was played in wind gusts that reached 30 mph, Thorpe said. "But the tennis went on with intensity."
|
|
LOOKING AHEAD
IMPORTANT DATES FOR ALL DIVISIONS
|
|
LOWER SCHOOL
May 17
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
May 19
Lower School Art Show (5:15PM); Spring Concert (6PM)
May 23
Fourth Grade Field Trip to Santa Cruz Island
May 25
Fourth Grade Citizenship Breakfast
May 30
Memorial Day
School Closed
June 2
Willy Wonka Rehearsal in Spaulding (3-5PM)
June 3
Willy Wonka Rehearsal in Spaulding (3-5PM)
June 4
Willy Wonka Tech Rehearsal (9AM-3PM)
June 5
Willy Wonka: 1PM Call Time and 3PM Show
June 8
Lower School Track & Field Day, 1:15PM
June 9
Lower School Closing Ceremony, 9-10AM
|
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL
May 17
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
May 20
MS Service Day & Year-End Celebrations
MS Talent Show & Fundraiser for Ukraine
May 27
Middle & Upper School Dinner & Movie Night (Ponyo)
May 30
Memorial Day
School Closed
|
|
UPPER SCHOOL
May 14
Junior/Senior Prom
May 16
Senior Projects begin
May 17
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
May 27
Middle & Upper School Dinner & Movie Night (Ponyo)
May 30
Memorial Day
School Closed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
