Head of School Update
Dear Clairbourn Families,
This week I have been struck by the creativity and ingenuity of our faculty and the adaptability of the students. The third grade wagon train has been making their way around campus, the fourth grade has been on a virtual adventure across the state of California, and the fifth grade arrived at school as American colonists and patriots. The Middle School is gearing up for the Student Council elections and had to find an alternate way to both make speeches and vote. The music classes have found ways to record their offerings for a spring concert (coming soon). Art classes have been filled with endless opportunities for creative expressions in new ways. Each and every class has their own examples of adaptation to the current situation. I love the way the teachers from each and every grade have modeled for the students flexibility and creativity. Based on conversations with the students I see each day on campus, they are not feeling a loss of things they can’t do, because they are too busy enjoying the activities they can do. They are enjoying connections with their peers, either in person or virtually. They are participating with enthusiasm in the activities and learning a great deal along the way. Way to go Cougars!
There is a lot to be grateful for as we wind down the year!
Amy Patzlaff, Ed.D.
Head of School
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The Board of Trustees is pleased to welcome Clairbourn alumni parent Dr. Liva Gritton to the Board. Her three children, Jada, Jasmine and Raymond, all graduated from Clairbourn School. The Gritton family’s long history with Clairbourn began in 2008 and they were here for nine consecutive years. Liva will not only bring an extensive knowledge about private school education and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) from both the parent and student side, she will also bring her passion for helping others. Liva believes Clairbourn was a wonderful foundation for her children and helped them each grow in different ways.
Liva graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. She received her Medical Doctorate degree from the University of California, San Diego, and completed her internship at Harvard Medical School. She was an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UC Irvine, and also the Medical Director in Acute Rehabilitation Services. Liva assisted in opening the Rehabilitation Center at Valley Presbyterian Hospital and also functions as the Medical Director of their Wound Care Services Department and Hyperbaric Center.
Liva’s oldest child, Jasmine, was a National elite track and field youth athlete. Liva loved that Clairbourn gave Jasmine the opportunity to have fun and explore other sports and activities. She was a member of the Student Council and graduated in 2012. Jasmine went on to Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks and played volleyball at Boston College, where she graduated in 2020. Jasmine is currently working as a Creative Strategist for a digital marketing company, and recently launched her own clothing line.
Raymond is the family’s middle child, and he was also a huge fan of Clairbourn sports. He graduated from Clairbourn in 2015 and from Don Bosco Technical Institute in 2019, where he led their baseball team to CIF for the first time in over a decade. Liva feels that Clairbourn’s balanced approach helped Ray on and off the sports field. Clairbourn was instrumental in Ray's decision to become a teacher. He just completed his sophomore year at the University of San Diego, and is a member of their club golf team.
Liva’s youngest child, Jada, developed her love of writing at Clairbourn, where she also enjoyed participating in sports and pottery. She graduated from Flintridge Preparatory School in 2020 and just completed her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is a staff writer for the school publication, HerCampus UPenn.
Liva lives in San Marino with her husband Raymond who is also a physician. Clairbourn is excited to have her on the Board. We strongly believe Liva’s unwavering commitment to serve the community will bring valuable input as a Clairbourn Trustee. Please join us in celebrating Dr. Liva Gritton’s new appointment to our Board of Trustees.
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Class of 2021 Highlights
Hooray to our Class of 2021! The 8th graders are proud to show off their Clairbourn yard signs!
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Social Study Virtual Trips
The virtual field trip with California Weekly Explorer is designed to allow 4th grade students to actively participate in an interactive tour of California’s rich history. Through the use of games, music, and storytelling, history comes alive! The program focuses on major events that shaped our great state of California. A large topographical map of California is built for students to experience California’s geography hands-on.
5th grade students were able to actively participate in a lively retelling of our nation’s beginnings with the Walk Through Revolution virtual field trip. Students explored the famous events, historical figures, and relevant vocabulary of this pivotal point in America’s history. Through dramatic activities, students “became” famous men and women of the American Revolution. Flags, maps, re-enactments, music, and games helped students explore and understand the importance of American liberty and patriotism.
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Keeping Clairbourn Connections Alive
Middle School English teacher Mrs. Barker and Middle School students produced a game show called “Good Choice” to deliver morning assembly messages and more specifically, to explore good vs. bad choices. The episodes and their messages have been well received by students in all grades.
Good Choice was so popular that a kindergarten student was inspired to create an episode of her own! It is heartening to see how older students can use technology to explore different ways to reach and connect with the Lower School students. Bravo to our enthusiastic Middle School students for participating in this production and their creativity!
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Oregon Trail Continues
Third grade is happy to report Dusty's (aka Mrs. Ward) wagon train reached Independence Rock in time to celebrate Independence Day with some of the other pioneers on the Oregon Trail. They are almost halfway through the journey and it was a nice break. Students have been traveling for 64 days, and have covered a total of 814 miles since they left Independence, Missouri. All of the pioneers carved their names on Independence Rock and there were a lot of dancing and games along the way. Third graders learned how to play jumping frogs and are learning another game called jacks.
Travelers have been very fortunate on this trip so far. The Clark family did have to dump some of their supplies early on as their wagon was too heavy. The Owens family had some damage to their wagon and they nearly lost Jasper on one of their river crossings. Fortunately, the quick-thinking pioneers were able to right the wagon and pull Jasper out of the water just in time! This week, they will continue along the trail and head to Fort Bridger. They need to make it all the way to Oregon City before the weather turns difficult at the end of October.
Wagons Ho! Dusty Miller (aka Mrs. Ward)
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Our scholars and leaders in action: Student Council
Clairbourn students have lots of opportunities to work on their leadership skills. Running for Middle School Student Council is a great example of our cougars showing heart. Elections for next school year's officers occurred this morning and we had excellent candidates running for each office. Let's welcome the new elected officers for 2021-2022!
Clairbourn is "Creating Scholars and Leaders with Heart!"
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New School Photos
A lot is happening on campus and here are a few highlights this week!
You must be a Vidigami member to view the school photo album. Please email Jeanette Zamora at jzamora@clairbourn.org if you need help accessing your Vidigami account. |
Summer Camp with Parker-Anderson
Parker-Anderson is offering exciting educational, in person, enrichment classes here at Clairbourn School this summer. The summer program is 8 weeks long from June 14 to August 6. Enroll by visiting Parker-Anderson's website.
Please call Parker-Anderson directly at 818-650-8676 or Michelle Cogswell at 626-286-3108. |
Student Accomplishments
First grader Isabella Jones completed her third piano recital on May 15, 2021. Here she is playing “The Bugle Boys” by Faber. Isabella began taking piano lessons last summer - all through Zoom - with the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Congratulations!
Send in your student updates! Did your student win an award, learn a new skill, make something cool, have an adventure, or do a service project? We'd love to post it in the eCourier!
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Morning Assembly
Monday 05-17
Tuesday 05-18
Wednesday 05-19
Thursday 05-20
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Community Support
Check out our COVID-19 Resources Page designed to help kids keep busy, families stay healthy, and parents be supported. |
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