Author: Jeanette Zamora, Director of Communications and Marketing

Posted on

The Future: Clairbourn School’s Strategic Plan — “Clairbourn Forward”

Clairbourn Forward is the result of 18 months of thinking, dreaming and envisioning the future of Clairbourn School.

The Strategic Plan, Clairbourn Forward, commits us to move with purpose toward our stated goals and keeps us focused on the steps required to achieve these goals. We continue our mission of Creating Scholars and Leaders with Heart while inspiring engaged learners, critical thinkers and empathetic leaders to embrace the next phases of their education and lives with an open mindset, gratitude and purpose.

We are grateful for the collaborative effort from everyone in our community including parents, alumni, faculty, staff, students and trustees. The community contribution showed a strong commitment to Clairbourn’s vision and future goals. In the spring of 2024, the Clairbourn Board of Trustees approved the proposed plan, and we began to implement our vision for the future of Clairbourn.

As we begin this transformative journey, we invite you to support our efforts in making Clairbourn Forward our guide in the years to come!

Pillar 1: Supporting Our Clairbourn Community

Goal Statement: Empower and cultivate an inclusive community that embodies Clairbourn’s mission and core values.

  • Ensure families feel welcomed into our community through volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and intentional ways to connect with faculty, staff, and fellow parents 
  • Prioritize building enrollment and retention by attracting and retaining diverse, mission-aligned families
  • Explore new ways to connect with the broader community and continue to expand service-learning projects
  • Grow the alumni program to deepen connections to Clairbourn through mentorship, collaboration, and communication
  • Support the well-being of faculty and staff with programs and benefits that facilitate personal growth and wellness

Pillar 2:
Learning and Scholarship at Clairbourn

Goal Statement: Evolve an innovative and adaptable program to prepare our students for their future by ensuring academic rigor, intentional social-emotional learning, and independent thinking.

  • Support innovative teaching practices and programming to enhance student experience, well-being, and individualized learning
  • Create a shared understanding of the intersection of academic rigor, global citizenship, and Clairbourn’s core values 
  • Extend the innovation program into additional aspects of the curriculum, emphasizing design thinking and problem-solving
  • Ensure Clairbourn’s facilities are in service to exceptional teaching and learning experiences for our students and faculty

Pillar 3: Modeling Leadership at Clairbourn

Goal Statement: Attract, develop and retain a diverse mission-aligned faculty and staff who embrace the vision of the school and practice the qualities to create scholars and leaders with heart.

  • Continue to support ongoing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to support their growth, enhance the program, and prepare our students for future success
  • Prioritize the well-being of our faculty and staff to promote the close community and open communication at Clairbourn
  • Develop and support a culture of leadership to support continued agency among faculty and staff

Pillar 4: Strengthening Clairbourn’s Future 

Goal Statement: Establish that financial stewardship and sustainability remain at the forefront of our exceptional educational program and dynamic student experience. 

  • Promote long-term stability and future growth through strong fiscal management
  • Engage in targeted community outreach to promote our mission, our resources and what programs we have to offer our broader community to cultivate a culture of philanthropy and support the strategic vision of Clairbourn
  • Invest resources to enhance the student experience such as our exemplary faculty and staff, innovative campus strategy, diversity efforts, and state-of-the-art technology
Posted on

Embrace Your Own Uniqueness. Let’s celebrate the courage it takes to be ourselves!

Imagine you have a box of crayons, each contributing its own unique color to create a beautiful masterpiece. Similarly, each one of you is like a special crayon, adding your own hue to the world. Being yourself means embracing everything that makes you who you are – your likes, dislikes and talents. But it takes courage to show the world your true colors, especially when others may not understand or appreciate your uniqueness.

Our world is like a giant coloring book, and each of you brings something special to its pages. So, embrace your uniqueness, be proud of who you are, and remember you’re all incredible just as you are. When you have the courage to be yourself, you give others permission to do the same, creating a world where everyone can shine in their own way.

We are Scholars and Leaders with Heart.

Posted on

Clairbourn students develop a profound appreciation for the intricacies of the natural world!

In the dynamic world of science education, Clairbourn students embark on fascinating journeys of discovery across various scientific topics. From Earth science and genetics to physics, our students are inspired inside and outside of the classroom!

Sixth grade students unearth the secrets of rocks and minerals. Their learning extends beyond simple identification with an understanding of how minerals form and the intricate processes that shape the three main types of rocks. A critical perspective is fostered by acknowledging the necessity of mining. Through hands-on labs, they simulate mining and reclamation, gaining insights into the impact of human activities on Earth.

In seventh grade classes, the focus shifts to the microscopic world of heredity, DNA and evolution. Students learn the art of genetic prediction using Punnett Squares, allowing them to anticipate the traits of offspring and reverse engineer the genotypes of parents. The discussions of genetic variation and the struggle for survival leads to a deeper understanding of natural selection, demonstrated through examples such as the evolution of whales over millions of years and the rapid shifts in the population of peppered moths in England over a few short years.

Part of our eighth grade curriculum introduces students to the fundamental principles of physics, with a focus on motion, forces and friction. Using distance-time graphs, students explore motion on both small and large scales. Hands-on labs provide practical experience, covering topics ranging from the effects of friction reduction to the application of balanced and unbalanced forces. Through these experiments, our middle school students gain valuable insights into the impact of changing surface textures and masses on motion.

We believe middle school science education allows our students to develop a profound appreciation for the natural world. By engaging in hands-on experiments and theoretical explorations, students are not only acquiring foundational knowledge but also cultivating a curiosity that will propel them forward in their scientific journeys. As these young minds search the wonders of rocks, genetics and physics, they acquire the life skills to become scholars and leaders with heart!

Posted on

A Vibrant Preschool Program full of Exploration, Growth and Connection

As we approach the end of 2023, we are celebrating the growth our preschoolers have made! From embracing Diwali’s festival of lights to a feathery friend’s recent visit in the classroom and outdoor adventures, our little learners’ days have been filled with joy, discovery and hands-on experiences!

At Clairbourn, we are passionate about turning each opportunity into a teaching and learning experience. Besides celebrating Dia de los Muertos and American Indian Heritage Month, students learned about Diwali. Each of these opportunities was designed to explore cultural diversity! They collaborated to assemble a Diwali puzzle and discovered the rich traditions of this Indian holiday through engaging stories. Small groups of students joined in the creative process of making lanterns and sand art.

Students have been enjoying many delightful and educational show and tell sessions. One family brought their pet chicken to school and our teachers turned this experience into a learning opportunity! They discussed the dietary habits of chickens while discovering bugs and worms are on the menu! The fun fact that chickens clean themselves by rolling in the dirt sparked excitement among the children. We love their questions and how they embraced this joyful visit!

Besides time indoors, we value outdoor exploration and take advantage of our beautiful campus. Students often go on outdoor adventure walks, discovering the wonders of nature. They were fascinated by the squirrels, spider webs and bugs they found! To extend the learning experience beyond the classroom, students took their scavenger hunt checklist home to continue exploring and discovering nature at home with their family. Preschool students have taught us to slow down and appreciate all things around us, big or small!

As we reflect on this year’s growth, learning and laughter, these recent activities exemplify the dynamic and enriching experiences our preschool program provides. We remain dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where curiosity is sparked, friendships blossom and the joy of learning is cherished. At Clairbourn, we are committed to creating scholars and leaders with heart!

Posted on

Middle school students learn and build connections beyond the classroom

In our dynamic middle school program, our annual outdoor adventures offer students a transformative experience that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. This year, our students ventured to the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) and Pali Mountain Institute for a three-day trip that broadened their horizons.


During their time at CIMI, students engaged in hands-on activities that allowed them to classify algae, study marine invertebrates and explore touch tanks. Using microscopes, they delved into the world of phytoplankton and zooplankton from the Toyon Bay’s seawater. These interactive labs laid a strong foundation for understanding ecosystems. Students also enjoyed going on a thrilling snorkeling adventure and witnessed a rich diversity of marine life, including kelp bass, opal eyes, blacksmith fish, shovel-nose guitarfish, sea turtles and the iconic Garibaldi, California’s state marine fish.


Beyond the water, students enjoyed guided hikes to learn about Catalina’s history and had the unexpected delight of spotting bison! In the evenings, they discovered the remarkable adaptations that enable deep-sea creatures to thrive through the Creatures of the Deep program. This knowledge enriched students’ understanding of biology, ecology and environmental science.

The annual Pali trip was an enriching experience for our six graders, with a focus on team building, leadership skills and outdoor education. They disconnected from technology and immersed themselves in nature. Students enjoyed many exciting day hikes in the mountains, zipline and ropes courses, and engaged in team-building games such as Who Stole My Chicken against their camp counselors. They particularly loved the experience of dissecting owl pellets which left them both fascinated and informed about the intricate world of animal biology.

Special thanks to our dedicated middle school teachers who chaperoned these trips and provided unwavering support and supervision, and ensured our students’ safety throughout this unforgettable experience.

At Clairbourn, we believe in the power of hands-on learning and curiosity. We love to create opportunities for our students to work together in teams, form friendships and build connections that extend beyond the classroom. Our outdoor adventure trips serve as a key component in our exceptional education in shaping young minds and nurturing a sense of connection to the world and one another.

Posted on

Middle schoolers engage in a diverse reading journey!

To celebrate the start of the new school year, our middle school students are enthusiastically exploring a rich selection of great literature! This literary journey promises to ignite their love for reading and expand their horizons as they dive into novels, poems, and essays from various genres and cultures. Eighth grade students are reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, a classic novel that examines the bonds of friendship and rivalry among a group of teenage friends from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The story explores the negative effects of a divided community, stereotypes and the power of empathy as a response to that impact. 

Seventh graders are embarking on an emotional adventure with Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, a heartwarming tale that explores the complexities of friendship and self-discovery, the theme of empathy as a source of understanding and the role of stories in the human experience. 
 

In sixth grade, students are exploring the historical novel Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, which delves into themes of courage and resistance during World War II. As part of their novel study, six graders spoke with Ethan Paikowsky, a person of Jewish heritage. What made the experience even more special was the opportunity to have this conversation on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish faith. The students got to ask Mr. Paikowsky questions about his perspective on the book; his knowledge of the Holocaust, particularly regarding The March of the Living, during which he traveled to Europe to study the Holocaust with other Jewish teens and Holocaust survivors; and his experience as a Jewish person today in the United States. 

These three novels not only provide students with captivating stories but also offer valuable lessons on Clairbourn’s Code of Ethics – honesty, respect, responsibility, spirituality and citizenship!

Posted on

Clairbourn Regatta: Our Annual Early Learning STEM Event

We are so proud to welcome back our 4th annual Clairbourn Early Learning STEM event — the STEM Regatta! STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. A STEM project like the Clairbourn Regatta blends elements of those subjects in order to introduce our youngest students to the idea of design thinking and the tools they are going to need in order to be successful in the world and workplace of their future.

In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, where success is driven not only by what you know, but by what you can do with what you know, we know it is more important than ever for our young students to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve problems, gather and evaluate evidence, make sense of information, collaborate on projects, and think critically. By introducing these concepts early and at a level our youngest Cougars can understand, we believe we are giving them the chance to become creators, thinkers, problem solvers, doers, innovators and inventors – not to mention highly successful students.

Parents from JPK to K came to campus to observe how our youngest Cougars were challenged with a design problem and how they came up with their creative solutions. The teachers and the students were so excited to share what they were learning. Our STEM event was designed to establish problem solving and critical thinking skills. Children were engaged in structural, mechanical, architectural, and civil engineering ideas. At Clairbourn, we believe in Creating Scholars and Leaders with Heart, and it starts with our youngest students!

Posted on

Third Grade Economy Unit

Market Day was an opportunity for our third grade students to put their economic concepts learned in class into practice. Students worked together with partners to develop a market plan for the product they wanted to produce and sell. Once their product plans were complete, they had four in-class work sessions to produce their products and prepare them for Market Day!

Students determined the price of the products and created advertising posters. This year the students worked in our new I-Lab and learned to use Canva to create these posters.Their products were sold at the annual third grade Market Day. Afterward, students calculated their income, less their production costs, in order to determine their net profit. What a fun and exciting learning experience for our third graders. It also helped to prepare them for future endeavors at the annual Clairbourn Entrepreneurial Fair. Well done, Cougars!

Posted on

Hello from Pali in the beautiful mountains!

We are so ecstatic our outdoor education trip is back this year! Students from sixth to eighth grades went on a wilderness-based journey to Pali Mountain Institute and participated in a variety of adventurous challenges and outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, ropes courses and group games.

It was exhilarating to see our Cougars conquer their fears, persevere, and cheer each other on. The eighth graders kickstarted their day with a huge dose of adrenaline on the zipline. They learned to use their deductive reasoning skills to solve a mystery at CSI: Pali. Seventh graders were challenged with the high ropes course. They scaled and climbed various climbing structures and learned to support each other by belaying. Students also had a great time learning how to hold a bow and trying archery. Sixth graders were kept busy participating in team-building activities, art in nature, and electromagnetic dynamo experiments. They explored on orienteering hikes and enjoyed hands-on activities including engineering and teamwork challenges.

Outdoor education and team building are a big part of our Clairbourn education. They support our students’ emotional, behavioral and intellectual growth. This experience allows students to develop a positive sense of self, independence, confidence, decision-making and problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, and self-discipline. We are so proud of each of our Cougars!

Posted on

Growth Mindset: Music and Inspiration

Clairbourn is about community: teachers are here to pick you up when you need a boost and friends are here to listen when you feel down. Special moments happen on our campus throughout the day each and every day. Clairbourn teaches love by living it: we celebrate love of all kinds, and most of all, we celebrate unconditional love. Our strong parent and school partnership is evident on a daily basis and the 2022 Spring Concert and Carnival were the perfect examples of what our school is all about!
 
Families came together to celebrate the meaning of friendship! Our students shared their joy as they thought of ALL the children around the world, no matter where they live or what language they speak. JPK to fifth grade students showed us what they have learned in music classes. Besides learning how to read and write music, they also learned how to play rhythms, use new instruments, and apply the solfege method!
 
Fourth and fifth graders shared with us the first step to friendship which is to tell the other person that they are your friend and you are a friend to them too. Kindergarteners taught us that showing kindness is one way to be a good friend. Preschool students reminded us how important it is to say I love you (with a skidamarink)! First and second graders showed us what being a great friend means to be there during all the highs and lows and be able to always count on each other. Children sang with pure joy and filled the campus with their passion and confidence. We laughed, smiled and embraced as a community!
 
At Clairbourn, we find countless opportunities to grow. Through music, we inspire and motivate creativity. We teach children to embrace challenges with positivity. Students become secure individuals and are able to see all the good around them. Just like the students reminded us, “Stay positive and don’t forget you are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

Special thank you to the music director for a great show, the administration for your support, to JPK throughfifth grade teachers for your assistance and patience,and to the maintenance crew for yourhard work and clever ideas!

Proudly powered by WordPress