Head of School Update
Waiver Update and Happy Break
Dear Clairbourn Families,
As we approach Thanksgiving, I know we all have so much for which to be grateful. This community is high on my gratitude list.
As we looked at the survey responses from the grades to be impacted by the waiver application, I was struck by the thoughtful and caring responses.
We have applied for the waiver which, if approved, will give us permission to do on-campus activities for Grade 2 and below. It will be several weeks before we get a response back from the county and then the state, but that might be good timing for us. Right now, we need the COVID numbers to start trending in a better direction before we want to bring students back to campus.
The benefit of applying right now for the waiver, is that we will not have to wait in a long line of applicants when the numbers look more favorable later.
Many people asked us what the protocols will be when we return. This document has a good deal of information about our procedures. It is a work in progress and will be changed as guidance changes or new information becomes available.
As we enjoy our Thanksgiving break, I wish for all of you to have many experiences that bring you joy, recharge your soul, and fill your family with love.
Amy Patzlaff, Ed.D.
Head of School
Choir Fun:
Middle School Singers
Sign Up for the Virtual Holiday Concert!
Middle school students are invited to participate in a virtual choir for Ms. Kiertzner's "Holiday Virtual Concert 2020." To sign up, please do the following steps:
1. Send Ms. Kiertzner an email at rkiertzner@clairbourn.org to let her know you are interested in participating, and she will then give you access to the Google Classroom where all of the materials for the virtual choir are located. 2. Use this link to go to the Google Classroom for all of the songs and learning tools.
3. Once you have learned the songs, watch the "How To" video, which will show you how to make your video recording and send it to Ms. Kiertzner.
Once you've sent in your video, you're done! Ms. Kiertzner will incorporate your video into one big virtual performance choir. We'll publish the video show date in the eCourier when it is ready to air.
CFA Restaurant Fundraiser
 Thank you to everyone who participated in the Dan Modern Chinese Restaurant fundraiser. It was a great turnout in support of our school! Way to go Clairbourn!
Shop for the Holidays! The Scrip Gift Card Sale Runs Now Through December 4
It’s time to purchase Scrip Gift Cards for the holidays. The Scrip program allows you to purchase physical gift cards, at face value, from some of your favorite retailers. The school will get a percentage of all Scrip gift card purchases. There are two ways to purchase Scrip Gift Cards:
- Purchase Scrip Gift Cards on the CFA Online Store
(A small credit card processing fee will be charged for all online orders).
- Purchase Scrip Gift Cards using this Scrip Order Form and mail or return to school by Dec. 4.
Group Teacher Gifts
Teacher Appreciation Group Gift Card Drive Runs Now through December 4
Every holiday season, the CFA organizes a group gift card drive to make it easier for parents to show their appreciation for our faculty and staff. The Group Gift Card Program allows you to participate in a group gift for your child’s teachers and to acknowledge the other faculty and staff that interact with you and your children.
Clairbourn faculty and staff pre-select the Scrip gift cards they would like to receive and families contribute toward the purchase of those cards. Gift cards will be distributed to the teachers, along with a list of the families that contributed to their group gift.
There are two ways to participate in the Teacher Group Scrip Gift:
- Go to the CFA Online Store. (A small credit card processing fee will be charged for all online orders).
- Use the Teacher Group Scrip Gift Order Form. Be sure to mail or return it to school by Dec. 4.
Gift Cards to our faculty and staff will be delivered the week of Dec 14.
Have questions? Contact one of these CFA Teacher Group Scrip Co-chairs:
Festival of Lights
Buy Tickets to Tanaka Farms Hikari
Looking for a fun and safe way to celebrate the holidays AND support the CFA and our school? Visit Tanaka Farms Hikari - Festival of Lights this holiday season and Clairbourn will earn $5 for every ticket booked by December 6 using the code “ClairbournLights."
Hikari in Japanese means “shine” and this holiday season, Tanaka Farms will light up and shine the 30-acre farm with over a mile of holiday and farm-themed twinkling lights. Plus, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there will be a special visit from Santa!
Buy tickets on or before December 6 and use the code “ClairbournLights” at checkout. Purchase Tickets
Support the Door of Hope
Toy & Gift Card Drive Nov.30 - Dec.4
This year, the CFA is teaming up with our Student Council to bring some holiday joy to our friends at Door of Hope. Door of Hope is a charitable organization in Pasadena that assists families and children experiencing homelessness and supports them as they rebuild their lives.
Door of Hope is hosting a Winter Carnival on December 12 for all their current residents and graduated families (over 100 children and 60 parents), and Door of Hope can use our help in bringing them some holiday joy.
During the week of November 30 through December 4, we will a hold a Target Gift Card and Toy Drive in support of Door of Hope’s Winter Carnival.
You can donate in two ways:
1) Drop off a $25 Target Gift Card or a toy (for any age and gender) at school. There will be a drop-off box at transportation.
2) Donate $25 through our online Clairbourn Store and we will purchase the Target Gift Card on your behalf.
The CFA will deliver all donated gift cards and toys to the Door of Hope on December 10.
Annual Fund Donations
Be a Part of Our One Big Grateful Heart!
 We just kicked off the Annual Fund and we already have 37% participation for the whole school. Did you know that 100% of our Trustees already donated? Also, the Kindergarten Class already has 87% participation. This is great news. Thank you all for your support!
Have you seen our Donor Wall? Help us to fill it up by donating today! Our goal is to reach 100 percent participation in 100 days by February 8th. Every donation counts, and your gift makes a key difference in all aspects of your child's education at Clairbourn.
Check out the participation levels so far!
JPK – 41% Participation
PK – 11% Participation
Kindergarten – 87% Participation
1st Grade – 33% Participation
2nd Grade – 35% Participation
3rd Grade – 35% Participation
4th Grade – 23% Participation
5th Grade – 22% Participation
6th Grade – 17% Participation
7th Grade – 11% Participation
8th Grade – 27% Participation
Faculty/Staff – 58% Participation
Annual Fund Donation Levels To Consider:
Life Benefactor - $20,000 and Up
President Circle - $10,000 - $19,999
Founder Circle - $5,000 - $9,999
Trustee Circle - $2,500 - $4,999
Head of School Circle - $1,000 - $2,499
Cougar Circle – Up to $999
Donate Online
You may also mail a check, payable to "Clairbourn School.
All gifts are 100 percent tax deductible.
A special thank you goes to our amazing Annual Fund Co-Chairs, Livia Aryananda and Bhart Manwani, and all the Captains (Siyi Zhao, Jun Lau, Dana Lee Wong, Ting Sung, Lucy Balikian, and Kate Liu) this year. If you have any questions, please contact your Class Captains or email development@clairbourn.org.
Time to Apply Siblings!
Clairbourn Applications are Coming In
 If your family has additional children that you want to attend Clairbourn, or if you have friends that are interested in attending, now is the time to Apply Online. We've been getting a steady stream of applications since October 1st. Be sure to secure official applicant status so you don't miss out on consideration for your desired grade level.
If friends want to attend one of our Virtual Tour Meetings, they can Book a Tour for December 5, or for other upcoming dates. Have questions? Contact our Director of Enrollment Management Karen Paciorek at admissions@clairbourn.org.
Epic ABC Song for Kids
Make Your Day with this ABC Career Song
Six-year-old Sam White is a Kindergartener living in Memphis Tennessee, who just broke the Internet with an original ABC Song rap about careers that he wrote, memorized, and performed. It's especially great to see how he handles the letters X, Y, and Z. #YouCanBeABCs
Morning Assembly
Catch up On Morning Assembly Messages
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No Time Limits on Turkey Day!
Zoom announced last week that, "As a thank you to our customers, we will be lifting the 40-minute limit for all meetings globally from midnight ET on Nov. 26 through 6 a.m. ET on Nov. 27 so your family gatherings don't get cut short." |
Heart & Friendship
8th-graders are known for mentioning the warm friendships they make at Clairbourn when writing their remembrance speeches. Parents also love the life-long friendships they form with other parents in their childrens' grades.
Understanding what makes a good friend and being friendly is an important part of learning how to have "Heart" at Clairbourn.
The philosopher Balthasar Gracian wrote, "There is no desert like living without friends. Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil. It is the sole remedy against misfortune, the very ventilation of the soul."
The upcoming holidays are a great opportunity to virtually check in with friends. It not only helps them, but also cares for your mind, body, and soul!
Clairbourn is "Creating Scholars and Leaders with Heart!"
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Staying Healthy: Read a Book
If pandemic restrictions make you crave a break from adult responsibilities, take a tip from inventor and writer Lin Yutang and crack open a good book:
"The man who has not the habit of reading is imprisoned in his immediate world, in respect to time and space. His life falls into a set routine; he is limited to contact and conversation with a few friends and acquaintances, and he sees only what happens in his immediate neighborhood. From this prison there is no escape.
But the moment he takes up a book, he immediately enters a different world...into a different country or a different age....Now to be able to live two hours out of twelve in a different world and take one's thoughts off the claims of the immediate present is, of course, a privilege to be envied by people shut up in their bodily prison."
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Relaxing Fiction for Grown-ups
An atmospheric fiction novel with a slow pace could be just what you need to recharge over the Thanksgiving break!
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Student Accomplishments
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!
with the details including a photo or video if you have one.
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Computer Support
If you need technical help for CougarNet or device help, contact our computer teacher Mr. Barker. pbarker@clairbourn.org |
Community Support
Check out our COVID-19 Resources Page designed to help kids keep busy, families stay healthy, and parents be supported. |
Stay Connected
Follow us on these social media accounts.
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Review Us Online
“People who give the best are those who give of themselves – your time, talents, words, knowledge.”
― Omoakhuana Anthonia
Use your time, talent, words, and knowledge to spread the news about Clairbourn on these sites:
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