Seiter Family Early Childhood Center

Progress Update - West Campus Renovation Project, Phase III

September 2007

The slab was poured and framing began as school opened for the

2007-08 school year. 

Summer 2007

Underground utilities are put in place during the summer months.

December 13, 2006

Seiter Family Early Childhood Center Groundbreaking Ceremony - Golden shovels and yellow roses signified that the ground was broken for the new Seiter Family Early Childhood Center on December 13, 2006.

The Board of Trustees, Dr. Robert Nafie and his wife Leslie, and West Campus Renewal Project Phase III Chairmen Mr. and Mrs. David Beringer were on hand as the entire school gathered in the preschool play yard to honor Mr. and Mrs. John Seiter for their lead gift. The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome by Dr. Nafie.

Early Childhood Director Mrs. Karen Paciorek then introduced the Junior Pre-Kindergarten students. They each presented Linda Seiter with a yellow rose. The Pre-Kindergarten classes then sang beautifully the hymn "A Grateful Heart a Garden is". The JPK and PK students wrote letters of gratitude and current Clairbourn students JT and Collin Williamson, and Caroline Simmons then read the letters to their grandparents Linda and John Seiter.

The ceremony culminated with John Seiter digging heartily into the ground and lifting a golden shovel full of dirt to the cheers of the students, the teachers and staff, and the guests. Board of Trustees President Mrs. Joann Baker closed the ceremony with the following remarks:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, let me convey our very deep appreciation for this generous gift, which makes the Seiter Family Early Childhood Center a reality on the Clairbourn campus and thus enables the School to move forward toward its goal of completing Phase III of the West Campus Renovation Project.

This moment in Clairbourn's history is indeed a memorable milestone. As we participate in this groundbreaking ceremony, the Trustees cannot help but recall other such ceremonies, each significant in furthering Clairbourn's commitment to offering outstanding educational opportunities to all its students. We are grateful for all the progress that has been made during the past 80 years and for those individuals whose vision for the school impelled them to come forward to be part of each forward step along the way.

Now, as we are gathered here at today's groundbreaking ceremony, the Trustees recognize this occasion as yet another significant milestone for Clairbourn, one that reinforces the School's commitment to early childhood education in the San Gabriel Valley and that opens up exciting opportunities for our littlest Cougars. Indeed, the Seiter Family Early Childhood Center will enrich the Clairbourn experience, placing the School in the forefront of independent schools offering this level of education and assuring all involved with Clairbourn School that offering quality education from Junior Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade continues to be an essential part of today's vision for the school.

As the Seiter Family Early Childhood Center takes its place as an integral part of the life of this campus, the Trustees have every reason to be grateful to the Seiter Family as benefactors who caught the vision of this opportunity and who were impelled to come forward to be part of Clairbourn School's next forward step along the way. For this, we say "thank you." In closing, let me indicate how glad the Trustees are that each of you is with us to experience this memorable step of progress which will enable you, as the future unfolds, to look back on this moment with profound appreciation and sincere joy.

Joann N. Baker President Board of Trustees

March 2, 2006

We’re climbing! The response to the $500,000 challenge grant has been gratifying! Over 55 families have responded to the call and have contributed or pledged over $360,000. The total campaign is now closing in on $900,000, reaching towards the $1.35 million. Have you sent your pledge yet?

Presenting an up-to-date facility to prospective parents is vital to a strong enrollment in the fall. While there are traditionally ample applicants to fill the three youngest classes, the forecast by population experts says that this trend will soften in the next 10 to 15 years. Clairbourn isn’t relying on such statistics to drive our program, but we are mindful that quality facilities make it easy for prospective parents to favor a Clairbourn experience for their children. They won’t have to overlook outdated or worn facilities to see the quality program and features of the ECD.

Mrs. Karen Paciorek, Director of the Early Childhood Department, says, “The learning environment is an important part of any successful Early Childhood program. Our new preschool facility will allow us to put a fresh new face on an already high quality program and make it easy for prospective families to see how committed we are to making Clairbourn the best that it can be.”

February 23, 2006

Something that is not evident on the floor plan or the site plan is the change of elevation of the new facility. At present the preschool building is the lowest point on the campus. There will be considerable fill dirt brought in to raise the elevation of the Seiter Family Early Childhood Center. At least 2 1/2 to 3 feet! There will be a retaining wall along the eastern border of the area next to the playing field to compensate for the difference.

The play yard and bike track, however, will be fairly level. But as the area slopes up towards Cougar Corner in the final 20 feet of the play area, there will be built-in seating of earth and logs for the audience of the “Trellis Theatre.” This charming feature, situated in the bike track infield, includes four of the columns from the exisiting play yard, columns built back in the early part of the last century. The new “Trellis Theatre” will have room for dramatic play and small presentations.

The teachers will tell you that “pretending” and “play-acting” is a healthy component to learning styles and they look forward to incorporating this new venue into their program.

February 16, 2006

A challenge grant of $500,000 is on the table! Clairbourn parents are asked to equal this amount through their collective contributions, bringing $1,000,000 to the project. This, together with other funds from friends, corporations and foundations, will help us to the $1.35 million necessary for the new Seiter Family Early Childhood Center.

To date, 26 families are among those who have supported the project with contributions. We now have over $353,200 towards the challenge for a total of $853,200.