A dynamic, engaging education. A nurturing, inclusive community.
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
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITMENT
As 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
Uriel Aguirre, Plant and Vendor Manager uaguirre@windwardschool.org
Direct Line (424) 289-1171
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 Stay Involved!
Interested in staying up to date with all of Windward’s events? Follow us on Instagram for all Windward news and updates!
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: COMMUNITY GATHERING PLAZA
ELECTIONS AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
PLANNING & LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
EDUCATION ART & CULTURE COMMITTEE
PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY & HOMELESS COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MAR VISTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (Academic Hub - Room 20)
For questions, please contact Hiliana Gomez at hgomez@windwardschool.org
We continue to work through the final approval process for the Milken Family Community Gathering Plaza with the Army Corps of Engineers. At this time, approvals are expected in late Spring. To minimize disruption to campus and our neighbors, we are planning to complete construction during the summer months. We will continue to keep you updated if there are any changes.
As a reminder, if you would like to schedule a tour of the new Innovation & Arts Center, please contact Dawn Barrett at dbarrett@windwardschool.org. We will also share opportunities to attend events in the new space as they become available.
YOUR SUMMER STARTS HERE: 2026 WINDWARD SUMMER CAMPS
Open to the public for students in Grades 2 and up! Scan the QR code to explore our camp offerings and register today! ACADEMICS • ARTS • ATHLETICS
FEBRUARY 2026
6: Evening of Dance Performance, 7 p.m.
7: Evening of Dance Performance, 2 p.m.
12: 10th Grade Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
16-20: President’s Week (No School)
26: W!T Match, Windward’s Improv Troupe, 4 p.m. (Open to our Neighbors)
MARCH 2026
CALENDAR
9: 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7 p.m.
12: Spring Coffeehouse Show #1, 7 p.m.
13: Spring Coffeehouse Show #2, 7 p.m.
19: VMA Exhibition #4 Opening, 5 p.m.
19: Collaborative Arts Festival Performance, 6 p.m. (Open to our Neighbors)
23-31: Spring Break
https://bit.ly/46Eulfx
APRIL 2026
1-3: Spring Break
14: Honors Advancement Theater Performance, 7 p.m.
15: Honors Advancement Theater Performance, 7 p.m.
17: W!T Family Match, 6 p.m. (Open to our Neighbors)
21: Works in Progress: A Middle School Theater Showcase, 5 p.m.
23: Spring Concert Plugged, 7 p.m. (Open to our Neighbors)
24: Spring Concert Plugged, 7 p.m. (Open to our Neighbors)
27: 8th Grade Parent/Guardian Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
30: Spring Dance Concert. 7 p.m.
THIS SPRING AT WINDWARD!
W!T MATCHES, WINDWARD’S IMPROV TROUPE
• February 26 - 4 p.m.
• April 17 - 6 p.m.
Windward’s improv company, W!T, showcases fully improvised shows throughout the year. W!T performs both short and long form comedy. Highlights include the Faculty show, Alumni show, Family show, and Senior Tribute show! You won’t want to miss these joyful performances that bring our school community together in laughter! For ticket information, contact boxoffice@windwardschool.org.
COLLABORATIVE ARTS
FESTIVAL
• March 19 - 6 p.m
Featuring student artists in the Performing Arts and Video and Media Arts Departments, the Collaborative Arts Festival showcases collaborative student work from disciplines including Performing Arts, Visual & Media Arts, Collaborative Arts Capstone, and more. This interactive and roving event makes use of both our indoor and outdoor spaces, and includes original, student-created works of music, choreography, film, theater, improvisation, and visual art.
The event is presented with the assistance of the Collaborative Arts Club, and is a great opportunity to experience the extraordinary creative talent and dedication of Windward students! For ticket information, contact boxoffice@windwardschool.org.
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
WELL WORK CONTINUES ON CAMPUS
As we’ve previously shared, the City of Santa Monica manages a series of municipal water wells located on or near Windward’s campus. At times, the City is required to conduct maintenance or infrastructure work on these wells, which can occasionally create noise or other temporary disruptions. While we understand and share the community’s frustration when this happens, please note that Windward has no control over the timing, scope, or schedule of this City-managed work.
The City is currently working 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 by Summer 2026.
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 Dawn Barrett for more information.
INCREASED TRAFFIC MITIGATION EFFORTS COMING IN 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR
With the 2025-26 school year well underway, Windward remains deeply committed to upholding its transportation requirements and supporting smooth traffic flow for our students and neighbors alike. This year, a significant portion of our student body is enrolled in the bus program, and all carpools are being regularly monitored by our Security and Administrative teams to ensure compliance and efficiency.
These collective efforts have already helped ease congestion during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, and we hope they’ve also contributed to a more seamless traffic experience in the surrounding neighborhood.
Now that the School’s construction project has officially reached completion (hooray!), our on-campus parking and circulation have greatly improved. We are deeply grateful for the continued support and partnership of the Mar Vista community.
For the 2026-27 school year we will be increasing our efforts on busing, requiring Grades 7, 8, and 9 to participate in the program. In addition, we are offering a convenient shuttle from the National/Sawtelle location. Carpools will be required for all other trips to campus.
For questions or concerns, please contact Dawn Barrett at dbarrett@windwardschool.org.
SERVICE LEARNING AT WINDWARD
As we get deeper into 2026 our students continue to show strong enthusiasm for service learning projects both on and off campus. After a busy holiday season, we are excited to refocus and move forward with many meaningful projects planned for the months ahead. We look forward to continuing our work in the Mar Vista community as the school year progresses.
ALLIES FOR EVERY CHILD
Fall Festival
Our annual Fall Festival, held in partnership with Allies for Every Child, kicks off our holiday service season. Windward families prepare and donate more than 60 Thanksgiving baskets filled with supplies to create a complete Thanksgiving meal, along with gift cards. Windward students and parent volunteers then deliver and distribute the baskets and host arts and crafts activities for the children and families who attend the Early Childhood Center.
Family Portraits
Family Portraits is one of the most meaningful events of the year. Windward student photographers, in partnership with Windward photography teacher Hannah Northenor, spend a morning at Allies for Every Child capturing family portraits for Allies families. The work doesn’t end when the photo sessions conclude—students are then given a class assignment to carefully edit each photograph and design, print, and assemble the best photos that are personally delivered to each family.
HOPE IN A SUITCASE
For our annual Winter Holiday Drive, Windward School partners with Hope in a Suitcase to support foster youth during the holiday season. Windward families generously fulfill wish lists for more than 60 foster youth, ensuring each child receives meaningful and thoughtful gifts. When those wish lists are completed, our community continues to step up, collecting essential items to meet additional urgent requests for a female teen residential home. Through this collective effort, Windward families help bring comfort and joy to young people during the holidays.
10TH GRADE SERVICE TRIPS
At the start of October, we launched our 10th Grade service retreats. All 10th Grade students are required to participate in at least one service trip during the school year. We partnered with Surfrider and Miry’s List for the first two retreats. As the year has progressed, students have continued to participate in service experiences with PATH and Bread & Roses, deepening their understanding of housing insecurity and food justice in our community. We are also looking ahead to upcoming retreats with Hope in a Suitcase in March and Our Big Kitchen in April, which will provide additional opportunities for handson service.
UPCOMING SERVICE EVENTS SPRING 2026
• 10th Grade experiential Service Learning trips: PATH, Bread and Roses, Hope in a Suitcase, and Our Big Kitchen LA
• Middle School parent/student service event with Westside Food Bank
• 9th-11th Grade Service Honors Society