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SPOTLIGHT ON SEUSSICAL

BRAVO to the cast & crew for an incredible production of Seussical the Musical last weekend! Make sure to congratulate your fellow classmates, and check out the pictures from the show.

US ART STUDENTS TAKE AN INSPIRATIONAL STUDIO TOUR

On Friday, April 15, Mr. Uyesaka's Upper School Drawing and Painting students enjoyed a rare opportunity to visit the Carpinteria hillside studio and home of internationally acclaimed artist and Laguna parent, Russell Young and his wife, Finola Hughes. The students got a sneak peek at Mr. Young's new silk screen work and abstract "El Nino" series. He shared both the internal and technical processes involved in his creative expression and gave the students a glimpse of several projects in the works for future shows. "It was an inspiring and enlightening time," said Mr. U.

MEET US AT THE NET

Come support our seniors at the boys volleyball game on Friday, April 29 at 5PM in Merovick Gym! Seniors Armon Ghodoussi, Bjorn Lindskog, Chris Costantino, Phillip Fauntleroy, and Pierce O'Donnell (above) will be honored before the game. Free popcorn and nachos will be available in the foyer-- so get there early!

INSPIRING YOUNG TOMB RAIDERS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

A simulated archaeological dig has been part of the sixth grade curriculum for over 20 years. This year, 22 students divided into excavation teams to conduct formal research on an ancient culture, and construct artifacts to bury for another team of aspiring archaeologists to excavate. Once the artifacts are meticulously unearthed and documented, the teams analyze and present their formal findings at the Sixth Grade Archaeological Conference in June.

SIX FLAGS TAKES LEARNING TO NEW HEIGHTS

Whether you’re being blasted backwards at 100mph on Superman: Escape from Krypton, or taking a leisurely ride down a six story plunge on the Jet Stream, all of the fantastic forces, velocity, and acceleration that you feel are a part of physics!

LBS Physical Science students traveled to Six Flags Magic Mountain Amusement Park for “Science Day” last Wednesday. The event focused specifically on science and hands-on activities that enhance students' understanding of Newtonian Mechanics.

As part of the trip, each student was required to participate in the Physics Day activities in the park and collect data via their smartphones on various rides throughout the day. The physical data collected will be analyzed and used to calculate forces acting on a rider at different points during the rides. With these forces, students will be able to calculate the work and power necessary to move riders through a ride; find the centripetal acceleration associated with the circular motion component of certain rides; and use their understanding of the law of conservation of energy to approximate velocities and altitudes of riders at different points in the ride. Dizzying, but fun!

3 PLACES FAMILIES SHOULD MAKE PHONE-FREE

You're sitting down to dinner and -- buzz, buzz! -- your phone starts vibrating. You're driving your kid to practice and -- beep, beep! -- a call comes in. You're tucking your kid into bed and -- squawk, squawk! -- an app begs to be played. It never fails: Technology interrupts our most treasured family moments.

SPEAKING OUT AGAINST BULLYING

Laguna Blanca eighth grader Sydney Hlavaty earned first place for her essay, “Peaceful End to Cyber Bullying: What are your thoughts on ending bullying?” in the Santa Barbara Youth Council essay contest.

Now in its third year, the Santa Barbara Youth Council annually hosts Anti-Bullying activities, including speak outs and youth essay contests. The essay contests, available to all Santa Barbara students in grades 7 and 8, honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., based on the prompt “Peaceful End to Cyber-Bullying.”

Congratulations on your recognition and your excellent and thoughtful writing, Sydney!

6 TIPS TO GET YOU MENTALLY PREPARED FOR COLLEGE

If you’ve chosen the school, are set on a major, and already have your financial aid squared away, you might think you’re 100% ready for college. But are you mentally prepared for what is to come? During these last couple months before college, take time to review a few things you may have overlooked.

SAVE THE DATE!

Please save the date for our upcoming Experiential Ed/NOLA Night—Stories, Pictures, Projects—on Wednesday, May 4, 6:15 PM in Spaulding Auditorium. This year’s event will be slightly different from the format of the previous trip-sharing evenings following the Grades 9/10 interdisciplinary trips (NYC 2014 and London 2015). The trip-goers themselves will share stories and photos, and, in addition, the entire ninth-grade class will display the research-based New Orleans creative projects they have been working on for months. This part of the evening will be similar to the science fair model, and will feature their wide variety of humanities projects, including posters, Mardi Gras shoebox floats, and website pages.

Special notes:

• Please email Dr. Tidey if your child would like to have pizza before the event (5:45 PM outside Spaulding Auditorium).

• Students should not worry about changing clothes if they are coming from sports or other practices and the boys’ volleyball game.

• Ninth graders are not required to attend, but attendance is very strongly encouraged.

MIDDLE SCHOOL OWLS RACE TO VICTORY

Laguna Middle School students competed alongside students from eight other area schools last Thursday at the Annual Laguna Relays event. LBS eighth grade girls placed third in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, while eighth grade boys placed second in the 4x100 relay. Owls swept first place in the co-ed 4x400 relay with efforts from eighth graders Ella Delwiche, Julia Guglielmo, Brian McClintock, and Ben Fellows (above).

Way to soar, Owls!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE AP EXAMS?

The AP Exams are fast approaching. To view the exam schedule, click here.

For details on subjects and location, check the schedules page on our website.

Attendance policy:

All AP students are expected to take the AP exams.

Students scheduled to take a morning exam must attend afternoon classes that day.

Students scheduled to take the afternoon exam are not required to attend their morning classes on that day.

ONE-OF-A-KIND AUCTION ITEM

MADE JUST FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Ooh La La! A Springtime in Paris Soiree

Bienvenue! Join us at this grand French Chateau in the heart of Montecito for a chic Parisian cocktail party. Take in the sunset on the beautiful terrace with champagne aperitifs. Mingle with friends while listening to live music and enjoy dancing in the opulence of one of Santa Barbara’s most beautiful homes.

•   $500 per person (all proceeds benefit our school)
•   Friday, April 29, 2016
•   7 - 11 PM
•   Hors d’oeuvres, dessert, champagne and cocktails served

Click here to RSVP and purchase your tickets with Blaire Ridge in the Development office.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteer positions are still available for the 2016-2017 school year. Please consider donating your time to one of the following:

• Grade 10 Room Parents

• PA Meeting Hospitality Chair

• Lunch Volunteer Coordinators (Middle and Upper Schools)

For job descriptions, click the position above.

If interested, please directly contact Barbi Zimmerman.

THANK YOU!

GRANDFRIENDS' DAY IS COMING!

A wonderful opportunity for grandparents and special friends to enjoy a campus visit and experience the school day through the eyes of our students.

Middle & Upper School | Hope Ranch Campus
Students in Grades 5 – 12
Thursday, May 5
9AM – 12PM

Lower School | Montecito Campus
Students in Grades EK – 4
Friday, May 6
9:30AM – 12:30PM

Invitations have been mailed! If your child has a special friend and/or grandparent they would like to invite to campus, please contact Blaire Ridge in the development office with the address information.

RSVPs are due by April 25.