Clairbourn alumnus Goro Toshima, Class of 1984, is an award winning director and cinematographer based in Los Angeles. His work on the renowned documentary “City of Gold” received rave reviews. We had a chance to talk to Goro on the phone and ask him about his experience at Clairbourn, how he became interested in documentary filmmaking and any advice he has for Clairbourn students and alumni.
Board of Trustees announce to Clairbourn’s staff the appointment of Dr. Amy Patzlaff as the new Head of School.
After an extensive nationwide Head of School search, it is my honor to announce that the Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Amy Patzlaff to become our next Head of School, effective July 1, 2018.
Dr. Patzlaff was chosen from a national pool of impressive candidates after a very thorough search process. This unanimous appointment was the result of united and enthusiastic support from the Head Search Committee. In Dr. Patzlaff, we have found a passionate, enthusiastic, and dynamic leader to build upon the thirty-nine years of Dr. Nafie’s inspiring headship.
Young Alumni on the Leadership Council
Alums Richard and Eric Dong have just become the youngest members of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Leadership Council.
As excellent swimmers, debaters and pianists, both brothers began venturing into financial investments in 2010 and have since, not only endowed their middle and high school with philanthropic gifts, but also created an endowment for the International Leadership Foundation (IFL), which supports leadership training, global democracy and governance initiatives with an emphasis on Asian countries. They presented the Richard and Eric Dong Endowment Fund to 500 distinguished guests, including Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao and her father, Secretary Norman Minetta, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Ted Liu, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and State Senator Hwang. They are paving the way in helping address some of the world’s most pressing human rights issues. Continue reading “Richard and Eric Dong, Youngest Members of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Leadership Council”
Cara Barker is Clairbourn’s middle school language, and drama teacher.
Cara Barker was recently awarded a $1,000 grant sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Marino. Earlier in the fall, She applied for The William G. “Bill” Steele Mini Grant Program for Classroom Innovation, and her proposal was to provide students with audio recording equipment to help them with their music-making endeavors. As her grant application states, “Currently, the school has no dedicated audio recording equipment.These purchases will be used in the classroom during electives and summer school and will be made available for student performances at talent shows and music programs. Students will perform and record rhythm combinations, chordal intervals, and melody lines.
Young alums and current student lead fundraising efforts and volunteerism
Clairbourn alums and students are consistently at the forefront of leading altruistic projects. Tiffany Chang was in fourth grade when her teacher Mrs. Mary-Kaye Halferty taught her to knit scarves during recess, and what started as a craft skill, has now become a fully-fledged nonprofit organization. The Madhatter Knits has over 80 members and three school chapters. To top it off, the organization can now boast that it has raised $10,500 for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, surpassing its target fundraising goal!
The idea for the organization started at Clairbourn School. Once Tiffany mastered how to knit a beanie, she spread the knowledge by teaching her sister Kimberly and her cousins Christie and Kathryn Huang. Upon discovering that a knit hat could make a huge difference in the lives of premature babies (preemies), they dedicated themselves to making and donating 160 knit hats to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) that first year and to date, they have donated over 2,000 hats to various hospitals.
In 2014, they named themselves “Madhatter Knits” and created an Executive Team. Today, the organization is made up of a diverse group of young women with a common altruistic goal and vision – to help and support the preemies and their families in need. The organization also has a plethora of volunteers devoted to helping premature infants and their families feel warmth and love during challenging times.
Their most recent project was fundraising for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). As junior ambassadors for the CHLA, they surpassed their fundraising goal. The junior ambassadors include Clairbourn alums Kimberly Chang (Class of 2021), Tiffany Chang (Class of 2018), Christie Huang (Class of 2013), Kathryn Huang (Class of 2014), Emmerson Waite (Class of 2018*), Sara Lowin (Class of 2018) and current student Andrea M. Together, these young, inspiring leaders exemplify what the famous anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Clairbourn School is proud to have such thoughtful and committed alums and students changing the world by “knitting our love to tiny beginnings.”
Madhatter Knits was able to sponsor three out of the 10 GoKarts that were needed by CHLA. GoKarts provide CHLA patients a fun escape and a way for them to just be kids. CHLA is still in need of 10 mobile gaming GoKarts for patients who might not be able to leave their room/bed. If you are interested in learning more about this project or want to be involved with Madhatter Knits, please contact Janny Chang at jchang@clairbourn.org.
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.
Young Clairbourn Alums Give Additional Scholarship Funding in Honor of Headmaster
Alumni Richard and Eric Dong returned to campus to give an additional $20,000 to the Richard and Eric Dong Scholarship for Music and Arts at Clairbourn School in honor of Dr. Nafie’s thirty-nine years of service to the school and the community. When the scholarship fund was initiated in 2014, the boys contributed $30,000 to establish the fund. This year, they wanted to contribute $20,000 to the fund in Dr. Nafie’s honor and to express gratitude to him as their wonderful former headmaster. As philanthropy is a core value in the Dong family, they wanted to show young people the importance of generously giving back to others. Richard and Eric also performed a musical recital and shared with students their exemplary piano playing skills. Dr. Nafie introduced them both and shared a biography of their accomplishments, followed by a short speech by Richard Dong. Watch the videos and read Richard Dong’s speech below: Continue reading “Richard and Eric Dong Give Additional $20,000 to Clairbourn in Honor of Dr. Nafie”
Eric and Richard DongAlums Richard and Eric Dong, from the Clairbourn Classes of 2014 and 2016, made a generous gift of $75,000 from their own personal investment earnings to San Marino High School to support music, arts, athletics, student organizations, staff and faculty appreciation and recognition at San Marino High School. Continue reading “New Richard & Eric Dong Endowment at SMHS”
Carina Walker, Kim Elsesser, Miwa Takayanagi, Board of Trustee President Margaret Breazeal, Justin W., Bridget Paciorek, Bradley M., Livia Aryananda, Michelle X., Matthew R., Jane Wang, Brian X., Kerry Reiling, Jake J., Jeffrey R., William Marelich, Jack P., Akira T., Chase W., Morgan K., Anthony C., Karen Paciorek, Coach John Paciorek, Kris Mohandie, Nova W., Ashby Z., Janna Hawes, Sherri Notley, Josh Elmore, Ashlee N., Kelson J., Nancy Larr, Headmaster Dr. Robert Nafie, Atticus W., Sara Williams, Terry Xu, Christian M., Carson P., Janice Elmore, Aidan C., Keith Zee, Jane Marks, Monica Chiu, Kyle Schaberg, Caroline K., and Dora Kwan.
Retiring Clairbourn Coach John Paciorek was honored in early April at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new state-of-the-art batting cage built on campus in his honor. Paciorek will be retiring after 41 years from Clairbourn School at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
Joining the gathering of students and staff at the site of the new facility were a host of donors including the Batting Cage Fund Chairs and current Clairbourn Parents Dr. William Marelich and Dr. Kim Elsesser. The Marelich family had interest in leading the fund because of their son’s experience with John Paciorek as a coach. “We all know about his famous baseball statistic, but the reason we admire John Paciorek isn’t his record-setting performance in baseball’s Major Leagues. We appreciate him because of the joy he’s brought to Clairbourn students, and also to our son Bradley. John is not your typical P.E. teacher. He quotes philosophy, writes books, and never waivers in his pursuit of perfection. We are indebted to him for sharing his passion for learning and constant self-improvement with our son Bradley and all Clairbourn students.”
Batting Cage Fund Chairs Dr. William Marelich, Bradley Marelich, and Dr. Kim Elsesser.
The new batting cage, built by U.S. Sports Netting, is one of the largest and nicest in the area. It measures in at 70 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 12 feet high. It is an all-weather structure with a hard metal roof, interior padding over the poles, poly mesh panels that skim the chain-link sides to screen out the wind and sun-glare, and it includes UV treated and weatherproof black nylon netting inside the cage. There are two L-shaped protection panels which project from the sides, a movable custom 10-inch high pitching mound, and the structure has LED lighting on the ceiling and artificial turf on the floor. Pitching is handled by a top-of-the-line Iron Mike machine which is durable, very accurate, and will allow student athletes to experience the speed of pitches faced in games. The machine can also accommodate pitching distances from 45 feet up to 60 feet.
Eighth-graders congratulate Coach Paciorek: Oliver B., Jeffrey R., Zoe G., Sherry F., Emma L., Megan J., Makenna K., Evan X., and Alex X.
Sixth-graders Kristy S., Samantha F., Angie C., Emily W., Chelsea C., and Kayla L. congratulate Coach Paciorek.
Fifth-graders Wendy W., Raymond M., Aidan C., Cyanne J., Christian M., William H., Raymond T., and Andrew P. congratulate Coach Paciorek as they tour the new batting cage.
Headmaster Dr. Nafie greets first grade students Hayden Y., Akira T., and Athan C. as they exit the new batting cage.
Coach John Paciorek speaking to the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Coach Paciorek with his after-school baseball class students Adrienne X., Hayden Y., Jay Z., Akira T., Carson P., Anderson G., Jack P., Lukas D., Valen S., Marc C., Athan C., Ian L., Heath W., Atticus W., Atticus S., Jerry Z., Wesley C., Shogo H., Lucas H., and Jason Q.
Headmaster Dr. Robert Nafie, Board of Trustees President Margaret Breazeal, Coach John Paciorek, Dr. William Marelich, Bradley Marelich, and Dr. Kim Elsesser.
Fans and friends of Coach Paciorek are encouraged to visit his Facebook Retirement page where they can send a greeting to Coach, share comments, and enjoy 41 years of photos at https://www.facebook.com/CoachPaciorek.
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.
New Clairbourn Trustee at Large Jane Marks with her husband Jerry and son Christian.
The Clairbourn Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of current Clairbourn parent Jane Marks to the Board. As the ultimate private school customer (having experienced a total of 19 consecutive school years since 1998 for all three of her children), she brings a wealth of knowledge to the table about private school education on both the parent-experience and student-experience sides.
Her oldest son is Jordan Marks, Class of 2008, who attended from Pre-K to 8th grade. Her daughter Taylor Marks, Class of 2011, started in 2001 and stayed for Pre-K to 8th grade. Christian Marks is her youngest son. He started in Junior Pre-K in the Fall of 2008 and is part of the graduating class of 2020.
When looking for schools almost 20 years ago, Jane and her husband Jerry were set on finding a great private school for their Children. Clairbourn stood out from the competition because they found it to have strong academics combined with a nurturing environment. Clairbourn was so welcoming and felt like home. They were also attracted to the public-speaking emphasis and appreciated the universal values shared at morning Chapel.
Taylor Marks (center) attended Clairbourn from preschool to 8th Grade and graduated in 2011
Even though all three of her children are very different people, Clairbourn turned out to be a right fit for each of them because she could see they were achieving academically, they were successful in other activities, and they loved going to school and loved the process of learning. This success has continued for her two older children through high school and college.
She also appreciates that this love of learning goes hand-in-hand with a powerful spirit of self-motivation to be one’s best without an undue sense of pressure or competition. Jane credits Clairbourn with hitting the right balance between study-time and cultivating the other sides of personal development which she considers to be deeply healthy for children.
As a long-time parent, Jane has been involved on campus as a volunteer in almost every available capacity including current secretary of the CFA Executive Board. She has volunteered at Cougar Corner, book fairs, carnivals, spring auctions, room parent activities, special lunches, dances, and more. She considers these school-focused years as very precious, and even though she serves on her neighborhood board and has served on the La Salle High School Mother’s Alumni Group, Clairbourn gets the lion’s share of her volunteer time.
Jordan Marks (back row, far right) attended Clairbourn from preschool to 8th Grade and graduated in 2008.
Jane shared, “There is nowhere else quite like Clairbourn. This school attracts people who appreciate balance, quality of life, and values in addition to top academic performance. We have nice families here and my children have nice friends. It is a great community. I feel lucky to be able to come on campus to volunteer and participate. It is my number one job. My children can see my commitment to the school and they have appreciated school even more as a result.”
If you see Jane around campus, be sure to say “Hi” and take a moment to get to know her better. Jane has a B.S. in Business from Cal State Los Angeles, has worked in sales in the Title Insurance Industry, and has a host of personal interests that range from Western horse riding, to gardening, skiing, running. We hope you will enjoy getting to know Jane and will join us in celebrating her appointment to our school board.
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.
The Clairbourn Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of alum and former Clairbourn parent Lucy Huang to the Board.
New Clairbourn Trustee at Large Lucy Huang Chang with her daughter Kimberly.
Lucy Huang earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education both at University of Southern California. Lucy is co-founder of Charter Enterprise which has been a leader in its field, specializing in industry-leading outdoor gas barbecue grills sold in specialty stores and mass-merchant stores as well as commercial food service equipment for renowned nationwide hotels, restaurants, and fast food chains.
