Chandler 60th Anniversary Beam Raising ‘Tops Off’ Founders’ Day Chandler School is in the midst of a yearlong celebration of its 60-year anniversary with events big and small to mark the occasion. Students wear special commemorative t-shirts on the 6th of each month, new school banners and flags proclaim the milestone, and a new anniversary logo was created for the school to use throughout the year. The anniversary officially kicked off with an inaugural Founders’ Day breakfast and celebration on Oct. 1, 2010, with students, faculty, many parents and a few special guests in attendance. The highlight of the ceremony was the raising of a steel beam, signed by each of Chandler’s 419 students and 70 faculty members, who watched with delight as it was lowered into place as part of the structure of the new Middle School facility under construction. “Chandler School is an institution that strengthens the city of Pasadena because people want to live here and send their children to school here,” said Pasadena Mayor Bogaard in his remarks to the crowd during the Founders’ Day ceremony. The School’s co-founder, Catherine Chandler, also was on hand for the big event. “This is exciting,” said Mrs. Chandler, who explained that she was thankful the school had continued to thrive for the last 60 years and is excited to see the new South Campus as the next chapter in the school’s history. “Everything is going to be wonderful,” she said. Head of School John Finch gave the crowd a brief history lesson describing significant steps in the school’s journey to its standing of excellence in the greater Pasadena community and hinted of even greater things to come. “Sixty years ago, Chandler Day School was founded by
Tom and Katie Chandler in a house on Mariposa Street in Altadena,” Finch told the assembled crowd. “As you can tell by her presence here today, Mrs. Chandler is still very active in the school community. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler wanted a school that would provide students with a challenging academic program, but at the same time, emphasize good character development. Under their leadership and that of a caring, dedicated faculty, Chandler School thrived right from the start.” “Today, with approximately 419 enrolled students, Chandler School is widely considered to be one of the best – I think it is the very best – K-8 independent schools in the San Gabriel Valley. The new South Campus is a very fitting 60th birthday present for the Chandler School community,” Finch concluded.
Anniversary Family Picnic Ends With A Bang! Following closely on the heels of Founders’ Day was a special picnic for current Chandler families and faculty to celebrate the 60th anniversary. Not even the day’s slight rainfall could dampen the spirits of the picnic-goers who came out for the Family Picnic at Caltech’s Tournament Park on October 17, 2010. There was plenty of good food, including IN-N-OUT burgers and commemorative cupcakes for the crowd. Students and siblings played games of catch and frisbee and lined up for face painting and shamrock tattoos. In the background, ’50s-themed music and radio ads, all voiced by Chandler Trustee Matt Wright ’74 CHS ’78, paid tribute to the school’s founding date of 1950. At the conclusion of the event, Finch and Board of Trustees President Christopher Rising ’83 led the entire group in a chorus of “Happy Birthday to Chandler School.” Just as the song concluded, a giant balloon at the top of the 60th Anniversary balloon pillar popped open with a bang, showering attendees, including Mrs. Chandler, with confetti and smaller balloons, creating a dramatic finish to a fun-filled day.
Anniversary Celebrations to Continue with All-Decades Reunion and Gala The yearlong celebration continues with an All-Decades Alumni & Past Parent Reunion inside the Rose Bowl from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, 2011. Special tents marking the six decades will be scattered around the field making it easy for alumni and their families to reconnect with each other and enjoy memorabilia from their days at Chandler. A special barbecue lunch will be
Shamrock FALL 2010/Winter 2011
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