Neighborhood Newsletter
A dynamic, engaging education. A nurturing, inclusive community.
MAR VISTA COMMITTEE COUNCIL AT WINDWARD (ROOM 410)
Windward is proud to host the Mar Vista Committee 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.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
1st Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
ELECTIONS AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE
1st Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
1st Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITMENT
WILDFIRE IMPACT
Like many others, the Windward Community has been deeply affected by the recent fires. Our hearts go out to the 48+ families and employees who lost their homes, as well as to the many others still unable to return. In response, we’ve provided a range of support services, including temporary housing, transportation, clothing, gift cards, toiletries, and counseling support. Additionally, we’ve extended our community’s generosity to local apartment complexes that have welcomed fire-impacted individuals.
SUMMER CAMPS WE HOPE YOU’LL JOIN US!
As a school operating in a residential neighborhood, we strive to do our part in remaining a good neighbor. We hope this ongoing commitment to road safety and campus etiquette will further the positive relationship we have with our neighbors. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns regarding traffic, parking, or security.
Please contact us with any questions:
Dawn Barrett, Associate Head of School for Advancement, Finance, & Operations
dbarrett@windwardschool.org
Direct Line (424) 289-1015
Lindsay Gonzales, Director of Infrastructure and Risk Management
lgonzales@windwardschool.org
Direct Line (424) 289-1004
Stay Involved!
Raul Villa, Facilities Manager
rvilla@windwardschool.org
Direct Line (424) 289-1018
Uriel Aguirre, Plant and Vendor Manager uaguirre@windwardschool.org
Direct Line (424) 289-1171
Interested in staying up to date with all of Windward’s events? Follow us on Instagram for all Windward news and updates!
Greg Moreno, Security Manager gmoreno@windwardschool.org
Direct Line (424) 289-1171
Hiliana Gomez, Community Engagement and Advancement Liaison
hgomez@windwardschool.org
Direct Line (424) 289-1000
WPLUM COMMITTEE
1st Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
EDUCATION ART & CULTURE COMMITTEE
2nd Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY & HOMELESS COMMITTEE
2nd Wednesday from 6 - 8:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE & FINANCE COMMITTEE
2nd Thursday from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
MAR VISTA BOARD MEETING (Academic Hub - Room 20)
3rd Thursday from 6:30 - 9 p.m.
For questions please contact Hiliana Gomez at hgomez@windwardschool.org
Fuel your passion at Windward this Summer! Windward Summer Camps are open to the public and are a great way to meet new friends and enjoy the Summer learning something new. Whether your child wants an enriching academic experience, an opportunity to grow as an artist, or a chance to develop athletic skills, Windward has a camp for you. Visit windwardschool.org/summercamp for camp details and registration! Please reach out to summercamps@ windwardschool.org if you have any questions or need additional information.
MARCH 2025 10: 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
13: Spring Coffeehouse #1, 7 p.m.
14: Spring Coffeehouse #2, 7 p.m. 17: Parent/Guardian Affinity Groups Meeting, 6 p.m.
20: Collaborative Arts Festival Performance, 6 p.m.
Scan the QR code to view camp offerings & register today!
APRIL 2025 (cont.)
14: Honors Advanced Theatre Ensemble Performance, 7 p.m.
16: Honors Advanced Theatre Ensemble Performance, 7 p.m.
17: Parent Guild Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
27: Class of 2031 Event, 5 p.m.
3: Spring Music Concert Plugged, 3 p.m.
6: 9th Grade Parent/Guardian Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
23:
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
INNOVATION & ARTS CENTER
We are pleased to share that the project is scheduled to be completed in early June 2025.
As you have likely noticed, construction is progressing rapidly on the Innovation & Arts Center. As neighbors, you will encounter far less noise at this stage of construction, as the bulk of the exterior work is completed. We thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this project.
Significant exterior milestone efforts over the next few months:
• Stucco and painting of the exterior of the building
• Permanent power of the building
• Mechanical systems online
• Storefront windows installed
• Sidewalk repair
Turner Construction remains committed to supporting our local community by:
• Timing truck arrivals and departures during the quieter hours, minimizing the impact on our traffic on the surrounding streets.
• Monitoring the air quality throughout the day to ensure it is safe for all.
• Managing noise (when possible) to minimize the noise experienced by the local apartment community.
• Staging of materials and personnel all on campus.
• Utilizing designated offsite parking for the contractor and their subcontractors. Windward’s Security Team monitors parking, ensuring that individuals only park in approved areas.
• Traffic Control flaggers and spotters.
• Maintaining good housekeeping (street sweeping and dust control) outside the fencing.
• Robust “Active Caring Program” (which rewards exceptional efforts by the Turner team and subs) - Building Life Award, Water Bottle Recycling Program, Respectful & Inclusive Workshop Training, and Safety Incentive Program.
If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact Dawn Barrett or Lindsay Gonzales.
SERVICE LEARNING IN THE WINTER Our Commitment to the Mar Vista Community!
During the Winter season, our service learning activities focused on giving back to those in need and supporting those facing hardships. This included organizing holiday donation drives to provide essential items for families in need, participating in Giving Tuesday, and extending our efforts to assist those affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles. We look forward to continuing our service-learning partnership with the local community!
MAR VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FALL
BEAUTIFICATION
DAY
In November, the Windward Girls Soccer team joined the Mar Vista Elementary School Beatification Day on their campus. The morning included helping with classroom clean-up, garden maintenance, and painting.
HOLIDAY SEASON OF GIVING
Fall
Festival Baskets for Allies for Every Child
Our Windward families provided 100 baskets to the families at Allies for Every Child, complete with food to contribute to a Thanksgiving meal and a gift card. After delivering the baskets, students and parents set up an arts and crafts fair on their site for the early childhood center students to take part in.
Giving Tuesday
In December, Windward hosted a week-long Giving Tuesday event to support two organizations. The first was Hope in a Suitcase, which supports foster children. Families donated new shoes and clothing items. The second organization was The Pad Project, which works towards menstrual equity and to end period poverty. We collected hundreds of boxes of pads and tampons to create daily and weekly menstrual kits. We also partnered with the Grace and Wisdom Institute, which distributed all of the products throughout the city to make a greater impact on our Los Angeles community.
PATH Holiday Gift Match
CONTINUED TRAFFIC MITIGATION EFFORTS (2024-25)
Windward School continues its commitment to traffic mitigation efforts. Notably, the recent fires across Los Angeles have been devastating and many of the School’s community members have been affected. Our bus program has made increased efforts to not only maintain current ridership but also assist our relocated families.
The School’s bus efforts and increased carpool requirements have significantly lessened the number of cars coming to and from the School during daily drop-off and pick-up. The School’s Security Team also continues to monitor the local neighborhoods to ensure community safety and School parking adherence.
Windward School is thankful for the support of the Mar Vista community. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lindsay Gonzales.
Windward partnered once again with PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) and their housing site, Family Commons. During the holiday season, we matched Windward families with the 81 PATH families to provide holiday gifts for each family member.
PROJECT: CAMP SERVICE PROJECT
In January, Windward families packed comfort kits for Save the Children, which works in partnership with the Red Cross and Project:Camp. Project:Camp has opened several pop-up camps around the Los Angeles area to help support children who have been displaced by the wildfires; During the event, we packed 150 comfort kits along with handmade cards that were distributed across the city.
UPCOMING SERVICE EVENTS SPRING 2025
• 9th and 10th Grade Mini-Service Retreats
• After-School Enrichment Classes with Mar Vista Elementary School
• Wise Reader to Leaders Book Drive
• Enrichment at Home Virtual Tutoring Sessions
