Enthusiasm for Clairbourn Abounds in Parent Photo Contests

For people who have discovered the warmth, supportive atmosphere, and academic advantages at Clairbourn, enthusiasm runs high.  Parents, who enroll for elementary or middle school grades, often remark that they wish they had known about Clairbourn School sooner for preschool and Kindergarten!

So, in order to create more awareness about all that Clairbourn has to offer, and also to teach families how to use the school’s photo-sharing website, a “Clairbourn Around Town” photo contest was held in November and December of 2019. Parents were asked to take and submit off-campus photos that showcase the Clairbourn spirit. The entries were very creative, and both parents and students got in on the action.

Entries to the photo contest included a Big Bear snowman photo, students in Taekwondo class, students eating a cotton candy ice cream treat at MilkCow Cafe, a California coast photo with sea lions, a lakeside photo in Taiwan, and a photo at a local car racing speedway.

Parents took photos at Kidspace, Catalina Island, Dana Point, Huntington Gardens, Big Bear, the LA River, Medieval Times, a Taekwondo academy, a local horse stable, a racing speedway, a violin tutor’s house, lots of local restaurants, and some even packed props in their luggage to take pictures in the Bahamas and Taiwan.

The contest’s first place photo was from a family who sport-fishes in the LA River. They waited for two hours for a carp to be caught so this photo could be taken.

In order to ensure fairness in the judging, a well-respected art teacher from a top private high school in the San Fernando Valley was asked to choose the winning photos. Winners from both contest received coveted new Clairbourn-logo merchandise including insulated water bottles, stadium chairs, plush cougar toys, and the ultimate prize of over-sized and waterproof, outdoor fleece blankets.

The beach photo, above, was taken in the Bahamas over a school break, and the night photo was taken at the LA Arboretum’s Moonlight Forest Lantern Festival.

This was the second photo contest of the school year.  The previous contest was held in September and October, and parents were allowed to submit any type of photo of any subject as long as it was taken on campus.  Parents sent in charming landscape photos, staged student shots, well-composed abstract photos, and lots of student candids.

The first photo contest of the year asked parents to submit photos taken on campus of any subject.

Overall, the photo contests turned out to be a great community-building activity. It helped more parents know how to use the photo sharing website, and an added bonus was happy family memories and photos were created along the way!

Clairbourn School Provides Private School Education for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School Grades | Serving Families in the Pasadena, California, Area and Surrounding Cities (K-12 Private Schools) Clairbourn is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Click here to request information.

Creating Scholars and Leaders with Heart

Clairbourn’s Annual Pooh Play

Students from Preschool through Grade 5 attended a warm, and literally fuzzy, Winnie The Pooh play put on by Clairbourn middle school students who signed up for the elective. Drama teacher Paul Barker authored and directed the show, and the concept was inspired by A. A. Milne’s characters from the Winnie the Pooh series. This funny and whimsical play was entitled, “A House is Built on Pooh Corner.” The storyline covers the antics of Pooh, Piglet, and friends working together to build Eeyore a new house—which may have been his old house rebuilt.

Drama teacher Paul Barker (center) wrote and directed this Pooh Play inspired by A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh series.
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Fourth and Fifth Grade Service Project: Learning The Power of Giving

Clairbourn School’s service opportunities for students hold impactful lessons on giving, empathy, selflessness, and kindness. Whether it’s donating food or holding a book drive, such opportunities can improve work ethics in young students and can provide them with a sense of greater purpose. It can also help them become valued, contributing members of society as well as good human beings. Aristotle once wrote, “What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” 

Grades 4 & 5 Operation Santa Paws

Grade 4 and 5 students at Clairbourn School are seeking donations for Operation Santa Paws to help animals in shelters. Students are asking for a variety of pet supplies including dog and cat food, blankets/towels, and durable animal toys. Bring your donations to Clairbourn’s Reception Office by Thursday, December 19, to support our students’ service-learning effort.

Clairbourn fourth and fifth graders announce their service project with Operation Santa Paws
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Student Growth Through Gardening: How Clairbourn’s Garden Expands Education

Only in a garden can one experience the technicolor tartness of biting into a fresh tomato, enjoy the smell of sun-warmed, scented herbs, and delight in the buzzing bees, who offer a pollinator’s promise of good things to come. In today’s technology-centric world, Clairbourn School’s gardens provide students with a way to connect with life’s simple, outdoor pleasures. But more importantly, they offer a way for students to understand humanity’s role in maintaining a healthy, life-sustaining ecosystem.

These bountiful and beautiful gardens, full of vegetables, herbs, and fruit provide a tangible experience that will never be duplicated by an iPad app, a textbook, or a video. In an era where children spend more time indoors, Clairbourn’s garden beckons them into an outdoor environment where they can use all of their senses to see, smell, hear, taste, touch, and learn in a new way. Albert Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature, and you will understand everything better.” 

JPK – Grade 5: Fall Harvest

Farmer Loretta from Harvest to Home taught Clairbourn students from JPK through Grade 5 about fall crops, soil health, pollinators and how to make Confetti Salad using edible flowers, herbs, and mixed vegetables.

Watch this 2-minute video of students experiencing fall harvest classes in the Clairbourn garden.
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