The Anneliese Journal
Willowbrook Campus Welcomes Alex Parsons as Animal Care Specialist
We are thrilled to welcome Alex Parsons as our new Animal Care Specialist at our Willowbrook Campus. Alex will be carrying on in the footsteps of Janet O’Faolain, implementing the robust programming that Janet created for the school over the last several years. Here’s a little about Alex, in her own words: “Animals have always been a passion of mine since I was a young child. I first learned to ride at 6 years old, and went on to
Students Return for Back-to-School Learning Fun at All 3 Campuses
Students returned for back-to-school learning fun at all three Anneliese Schools campuses this week, and what an eventful week it was! Across grades, from Willowbrook to Aliso to Manzanita, students met their teachers for the 2023-24 school year and settled into class rhythms and routines. Here’s a peek at scenes from all three campuses this week. Ms. Patti’s K2 class enjoyed both recess and class time together. Willowbrook Campus Our Nursery to 6th campus in Laguna Beach’s Wilderness Canyon
Spring Has Sprung in Our Campus Gardens
Spring has sprung! Students at our Aliso and Manzanita Campuses have been delighting in the beautiful gifts of the season through our nature studies and eco-literacy curriculum. They have been busy harvesting their plantings with Gardening Teacher, Ms. Sami, and exploring the plants and garden insects around them.
Sixth Graders Visit Fiji for Cultural Immersion
The 6th Grade trip to Fiji is an Anneliese Schools tradition, and the culminating cultural immersion for our sixth graders before they leave us. The trip is focused on experiencing the Fijian culture by becoming immersed in it, in one of the most beautiful examples of unspoiled nature one can find in the world. It is easy to be initially enticed by the picturesque landscapes, crystal clear water, and colorful reefs. But everyone who has been lucky enough to experience
Sixth Graders Embark on Sculpture & Research Report
Our sixth graders have begun a sculpture unit with their art teacher, Brittany, a local sculpture artist. The first stage of the creative process leading up to sculpting an original dragon included some background research before preparing their Bestiary Report. This preliminary brainstorming involves a design sketch, their dragon’s species name, location, and descriptions of the dragon’s physical characteristics and behavior. Our sculptors then began to shape their dragons around a wire armature, mounted on a pedestal base. This interdisciplinary
September 2026 – Pumpkin Mushroom Soup – Recipe of the Month
September 2026 Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Mushroom Soup This fresh and seasonal dish is prepared utilizing fresh Fall ingredients pumpkin & mushrooms. Watch Video in Vimeo https://vimeo.com/1231397195Ingredient List: 1 pound pumpkin, chopped 1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup onion, chopped 2 tablespoons butter (or vegan butter) 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder 1 tablespoon curry powder 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth) 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream) Salt and pepper to taste Method: In a soup pot, sauté