News Archive

LBUSD will continue to offer student meals at no cost to all students through the end of 2020 to ensure meal options for children continue to be available so children can access meals under all circumstances,

This is the information regarding the reopening of schools that was presented at the September 3, 2020, meeting of the LBUSD Board of Education.

Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School theatre students have garnered two awards and nine nominations in the 15th Annual National Youth Arts Awards for the 2019-2020 season.

At the August 27 special meeting of the Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) Board of Education, the board took action to approve the appointment of Joseph Vidal as Principal of Thurston Middle School (TMS), start date yet to be determined. Mr. Vidal replaces Jennifer Salberg, who resigned in July 2020. He was selected from a candidate pool in a competitive process that included input and participation from the TMS staff and community. 

Mr. Vidal has more than 20 years of experience in school and district administration, currently serving as Senior Director for Cupertino Union School District. He holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and a Master of Science in Special Education from the California State University system.  He also served as an Assistant Principal at Thurston from 2013 to 2015.

“Mr. Vidal distinguished himself as the best candidate for this position, demonstrating his instructional leadership and innovation throughout the interview and screening process,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jason Viloria. “I am excited to welcome him back to the Laguna Beach Unified School District at Thurston Middle School where I am confident he will help the students, teachers, staff, and community thrive,” he concluded. 

Mr. Vidal was one of 10 candidates selected from the pool of applicants to participate in the initial interview process. Six candidates were selected to move forward to the next round and were interviewed separately by two stakeholder panels consisting of parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators. From that group of candidates, three were selected to move on to the final interview panel with the Superintendent and other District administrators. 

“It is with great honor and excitement that I rejoin Thurston Middle School and the Laguna Beach community. As I begin my transition, I am deeply committed to maintaining Thurston's history of excellence and ensuring a rigorous learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging, promotes intellectual growth, and inspires collaboration,” said Mr. Vidal. “I look forward to listening, learning, and partnering with all stakeholders to enhance the educational opportunities for students and staff alike,” he concluded.  

The District will host a meet and greet event for the TMS community to meet Mr. Vidal once his start date is determined. The nature of the event, whether virtual or in-person, will be determined by state guidelines for large gatherings related to COVID-19.  

The Special School Board Meeting regarding the 2020-2021 school year and public comment submissions are available online.

By Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 18, 2020, LBUSD Board meetings will be closed to the public, but will be streamed via teleconference at www.lbusd.org/liveboardmeeting.

Board Agendas can be found online. Public comments may be given for items both on and off the agenda by filling out the electronic public comment form found on the agenda published online.

A recording of the webinar with an FAQ, including the parent survey results, can be found on our dedicated COVID-19 page at www.lbusd.org/covid19. 

Hello Thurston Families,

Wave Rider Check Out Day: On June 9th (8th graders) and June 10th (6th & 7th graders), we will be hosting a drive-through “Check Out” event on campus in order to collect textbooks and borrowed musical instruments (only from students who are not continuing with the music program at Thurston OR at LBHS). We will also be distributing yearbooks, PE lockers items and promotion certificates and medals to our amazing 8th graders.

It is very important that each family helps ensure a safe, appropriately-distanced event, while understanding the significant logistical challenge such an undertaking presents. Please study the map above and arrive at the assigned time according to last name and grade level. And please be sure to obey all traffic patterns. We have worked in conjunction with LBPD to design this route, which has cars come up TEMPLE HILLS, across ALTA LAGUNA, and descend down PARK AVE to turn RIGHT into Thurston’s parking lot. No left turns into the parking lot will be permitted. When exiting the school parking lot, cars will only be allowed to turn RIGHT and go downhill on PARK AVE. Please be respectful of our neighbors by not blocking driveways as you line up along the street.

We will have an all-volunteer staff there to direct traffic and keep things moving through the different stations.I ask that you please respect the directions and requests of these staff members at all times.

It will be especially helpful if everyone in your car can be wearing a mask, and if you can have all items to be returned in your TRUNK (textbooks and instruments if returning) and to receive the items (yearbook, PE clothes and certificates) we will be distributing in a way that respects the current social distancing guidelines.

LBUSD announced today the decision to extend distance learning until further notice, aligned with Governor Newsom’s expectation that school sites will not reopen this school year. LBUSD will continue to implement distance teaching and learning for the duration of the closure, consistent with the Governor’s expectation.

LBUSD announced today the decision to extend distance learning until further notice, aligned with Governor Newsom’s expectation that school sites will not reopen this school year. LBUSD will continue to implement distance teaching and learning for the duration of the closure, consistent with the Governor’s expectation.