WINTER 2026
W
NEIGHBORHOOD
NEWSLETTER
www.windwardschool.org
11350 Palms Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90066
PERMIT NO.32365
LOS ANGELES, CA
U.S. POSTAGE PAID ORGANIZATION NON-PROFIT
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITMENT
A
s a school within a residential community, we are dedicated to doing our part in remaining a good neighbor. Our continued commitment to road safety and campus etiquette reflects our effort to strengthen the positive relationship we share with our neighbors. If you have any questions or concerns regarding traffic, parking, or security, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Dawn Barrett, Associate Head of School for Advancement, Finance, & Operations dbarrett@windwardschool.org Direct Line (424) 289-1015
Raul Villa, Facilities Manager rvilla@windwardschool.org Direct Line (424) 289-1018
Greg Moreno, Security Manager gmoreno@windwardschool.org Direct Line (424) 289-1171
Lindsay Gonzales, Director of Infrastructure and Risk Management lgonzales@windwardschool.org Direct Line (424) 289-1004
Uriel Aguirre, Plant and Vendor Manager uaguirre@windwardschool.org Direct Line (424) 289-1171
Hiliana Gomez, Community Engagement and Advancement Liaison hgomez@windwardschool.org Direct Line (424) 289-1000
Stay Involved!
Interested in staying up to date with all of Windward’s events? Follow us on Instagram for all Windward news and updates!
@windwardschool
MILKEN FAMILY COMMUNITY GATHERING PLAZA COMPLETION We are thrilled to announce the completion of the Milken Family Community Gathering Plaza, an exciting new space that will serve as a central gathering place for the Windward community while connecting our campus across the channel. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to extend our sincere appreciation to our neighbors for your patience, understanding, and support throughout the construction process. We are incredibly grateful for the consideration and goodwill you have shown Windward—not only during the construction of the Plaza, but throughout our recent campus improvements. We feel very fortunate to be part of such a supportive neighborhood community. We hope you will have an opportunity to see and enjoy these new spaces in the years ahead. As a reminder, if you would like to schedule a tour of the DeGeorge Family Innovation & Arts Center and the Milken Family Community Gathering Plaza, please contact Dawn Barrett at dbarrett@ windwardschool.org. We will also continue to share opportunities to visit our campus and join us for upcoming events. Thank you again for your patience, partnership, and continued support of Windward School.
MAR VISTA COMMUNITY COUNCIL AT WINDWARD (ROOM 410) Windward is proud to host the Mar Vista Community Council Meetings. Providing accessible spaces is just one of the many ways we can benefit our local community, and we enjoy having the committees utilize our facilities. Please visit www.marvista. org/calendar for more information. OUTREACH COMMITTEE ELECTIONS AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE PLUM COMMITTEE EDUCATION ART & CULTURE COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY & HOMELESS COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE & FINANCE COMMITTEE MAR VISTA BOARD MEETING (Academic Hub - Room 20)
For questions please contact Hiliana Gomez at hgomez@windwardschool.org.
2026-27 WINTER CALENDAR KEY EVENTS NOVEMBER 5 Prospective Parent Open House #2, 6 p.m.
6 Faculty In-Service, (No School/Office Open)
7 Grandparents & Friends Brunch, 10 a.m.
9 Tales at the Table, 6 p.m. 12 VMA Exhibition Opening #2, 5 p.m. -
CITY OF SANTA MONICA WELL WORK NEARING COMPLETION The City is currently wrapping up work on two new well sites as part of its ongoing water infrastructure improvements: one located in the Sawtelle Parking Lot and another near the channel by the Athletic Field. This project is managed entirely by the City’s Water Division and is expected to be completed in the next few months. We will continue to share updates as we receive them from the City of Santa Monica. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Uriel Aguirre at uaguirre@windwardschool.org for more information.
7 p.m. (open to our neighbors)
23-27 Thanksgiving Break
DECEMBER 1 Prospective Parent Open House #3, 6 p.m.
14 Fall Theatre Production Outreach
Performance, 5:30 p.m. (open to our neighbors)
21-31 Winter Break
JANUARY
STORIES FROM WINDWARD There’s always something happening at Windward, and we’re excited to share a glimpse of life on our campus with our Mar Vista neighbors! From student achievements and creative pursuits to innovative classroom experiences and beloved school traditions, the latest edition of the Windward Magazine offers a closer look at the people and stories that make our school community so special.
4 School Resumes
We invite you to explore the magazine by scanning the QR code below. If you’d like to receive future editions in print, please contact the Windward Communications Office at communications@windwardschool.org.
12 9th/10th Parent Intro to College
We hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about life at Windward!
1 Winter Break
Counseling Night, 6 p.m.
15 Faculty In-Service (No School/Office Open)
18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
SERVICE LEARNING AT WINDWARD
initiatives to bring extra support during this special time of year.
Two months into the school year, our service learning partnerships are in full swing! From preparing meals to assembling essential supply kits and leading interactive workshops, our students are actively making a difference every day in the communities that need it most.
In August, our 10th Grade class kicked off the school year with an immersive service-and-leadership experiential retreat. Students selected partner organizations aligned with their personal interests and spent the day engaged in hands-on learning across the greater Los Angeles area. Through visits to Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA), Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, Mar Vista Family Center, Westside Food Bank, Baby2Baby, and Hope in a Suitcase, our Sophomores gained a deeper understanding of local community needs and what it truly means to be compassionate, active community members.
10TH GRADE AUGUST SERVICE RETREAT
Student leaders have brought passion and commitment to our service clubs. As we move into late Fall, our students and families are gearing up for a busy, impactful holiday season. We look forward to launching several upcoming drives, seasonal meals, and community
20 State of the School (Evening Session), 6:30 p.m.
21 Winter Music Concert Plugged #
1- American, Jazz, Adv Jazz, 7 p.m. (open to our neighbors)
22 Winter Music Concert Plugged # 2Beg, Int, Guitar Class, Rock, 7 p.m. (open to our neighbors)
30 Winter Music Concert Unplugged, 3 p.m. (open to our neighbors)
FEBRUARY 5 Evening of Dance Performance, 7 p.m. (open to our neighbors)
6 Evening of Dance Performance, 2 p.m. (open to our neighbors)
15-19 President’s Week Break (No School/ Office Closed)
For ticket information, contact Hiliana Gomez at hgomez@windwardschool.org
Scan the QR code to view the Fall 2026 Windward Magazine!
MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLOWEEN SPOOK-TACULAR SERVICE EVENT
PLEASE REACH OUT Our Security Team actively monitors the surrounding area to help promote community safety and ensure adherence to the School’s parking, traffic protocols and street crossing. We appreciate everyone’s partnership in following these guidelines, which are designed to support the safety of our students, families, neighbors, and broader community. If you observe a member of our community who may not be following the School’s parking or traffic guidelines, please reach out to Greg Moreno at gmoreno@windwardschool.org. We appreciate your assistance in bringing concerns to our attention so that our team can address them promptly and appropriately.
On October 16, we hosted our first Middle School family service event of the year. The event was to support PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) and its Halloween festival, which it hosts for families living in its temporary and permanent housing facilities. Windward Families came together to sort through costume donations, make themed decorations, and treat bags.
UPCOMING EVENTS • 10th Grade service retreats • Mar Vista Elementary Beautification Day
• Allies For Every Child Thanksgiving Event
• Access Books drive and event
ANNUAL MAR VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING December 17, 2026 via Zoom
Windward School will host its Annual Mar Vista Neighborhood Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 17, from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. via Zoom. Please RSVP by December 7 by contacting Hiliana Gomez at hgomez@windwardschool. org. While the School hosts an annual meeting via Zoom to provide a dedicated opportunity to connect with us, please know that our door is always open. We welcome your questions, feedback, and concerns throughout the year. Please feel free to contact Hiliana Gomez and she will be happy to connect you with the appropriate member of our team. We are committed to being responsive, maintaining open communication, and hearing the perspectives and insights of our community.