Events 2023 - 2024

COMMUNITY ARTS & SCIENCE DAY

May 10, 2024
Community Arts and Science Day Team is planning a full day of STEAM activities! The morning will be dedicated to fun and easy art and science workshops led by parents and community members.  In the afternoon we will have our annual Egg Drop!


Children's Day Celebration

May 5th, is “Kodomo no Hi,” also known as Children’s Day, in Japan. It’s a holiday celebrating the health and happiness of children. We celebrated Children's Day at Clarendon, where JBBP children enjoyed fresh Kashiwa Mochi, which is a long standing tradition for Children’s Day – to eat a mochi with anko wrapped in oak leaf. Throughout the day, the students had a chance to take a look at the Kabuto in the lobby as well as the Koinobori in the Middle Yard, sing the Koinobori song, and enjoy Kashiwamochi with their peers.


CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

April 13 - 14 & 20 - 21, 2024
Mark your calendar for the weekends of April 13 - 14 and 20 - 21 for the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown! Come join the FUN and volunteer to staff the Clarendon Udon Booth at the festival.


Tomodachi Auction

March 8 - 20, 2024
Mark your calendars! We're holding the Tomodachi Auction online and in-person again this year. We'll have lots of items for you to bid on, from gift certificates to unique experiences to wine.
The Tomodachi Auction is one of our largest fundraisers. We auction off donations from our community and local businesses to fund our JBBP program. Last year we made more than $25K that helped fund field trips, art programs, technology on campus, and much more.


Hinamatsuri Celebration

March 1, 2024
JBBP students had a chance to celebrate Hinamatsuri, or Dolls’ Day (the actual day is March 3rd).  Throughout the day, our students had a chance to take a look at the Hina Dolls in the lobby, sing the Hinamatsuri song, and enjoy sakuramochi with their peers.


Tea Ceremony Workshop

February 29, 2024
JBBP students observied and participatied in a Japanese Tea Ceremony Workshop led by Mitsuko Omachi Sensei. The students were extremely respectful and well-behaved, almost mesmerized by the calm atmosphere, the sound of bamboo whisking the tea powder, the sight of hot tea in a handmade ceramic bowl, and the subtle aromas.

The children got to enjoy a sweet mochi right before being given a little cup of hot matcha (green tea), which was a nice contrast to the bitter tea. 


Kagamikai Mochi Pounding Performance

February 20, 2024
Kagamikai returned to Clarendon for the first time in eight years! Kagamikai has been preserving the traditions of mochi-tsuki since 1989, and some of them are grandparents to current students, some are alumni of Clarendon JBBP, and some are parents of current Clarendon JBBP staff! Many of the students (and teachers) got to participate in the mochi pounding, and every class received a delivery of mochi with kinako powder (soybean powder) afterwards. 


Fred Korematsu Civil Rights Assembly

February 2, 2024
The Clarendon community will have an annual Fred Korematsu Civil Rights Assembly on Friday, Feb 2nd. It features Mr. Dale Minami who was the lead attorney for the Fred Korematsu’s legal team in the 1983 case of Korematsu v. United States. Mr. Minami will speak to students about Japanese American incarceration camp experiences during WWII, his experiences working with Fred Korematsu, as well as the importance of standing up for what is right and never giving up. 


OSHOUGATSU CELEBRATION

January 2024
Throughout the month of January, JBBP classes will celebrate the New Year (Oshougatsu), Japanese style. Buddy classes will enjoy making ozouni (mochi with broth), cutting up the vegetables and rolling up mochi. They will also play various traditional Oshougatsu games with their buddies.


Performing Arts Night

December 14, 2023
We kicked off the celebration of JBBP’s 50th Anniversary at last year’s PAN, and we will be wrapping up the celebration at this year’s PAN. All the students in JBBP, from Kindergarten through 5th grade, will be singing beautiful Japanese songs chosen by our wonderful music teacher, Ruriko Sensei.


walk-a-thon

October 15, 2023
Mark your calendars! Walkathon is a joint community effort run by parents to fundraise for our SC and JBBP programs.  The whole community is invited to come out and support Clarendon walkers in person at Lincoln High School’s track.


Otsukimi Celebration

October 5, 2023
It’s time to celebrate Otsukimi (Harvest Moon)! Although the actual day is September 29th, this year JBBP will be celebrating Otsukimi on October 5th. On this day, children will make dango (dumplings) and create Otsukimi-related art with their buddies.


Undoukai (sports day)

September 26, 2023
The Undoukai Committee is planning the annual Undoukai (Sports Day) to take place in the Upper Yard on Tuesday, Sept. 26th. This is a school-wide event, including both Second Community and JBBP. Each class has signed up for 45-50-minute slots and will participate in the following activities: Rajio Taiso, Noodle Relay, Tamaire (bean bags in a basket), and Re-lei Relay. We thank you in advance for signing up to volunteer!


BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

September 6, 2023
Get ready to meet your teachers, other parents, and get a closer view into your child(ren)’s classroom and school experience. Presentations run from about 6:30 - 8pm, starting in the cafeteria and then in your child(ren)’s classroom.


50th anniversary open house

August 27, 2023
In honor of JBBP’s 50th Anniversary, we are planning a spectacular event to take place in August. Come one, come all to celebrate 50 years of JBBP’s unique, significant, and unforgettable history.


NEW FAMILY WELCOME PLAYDATE

August 6, 2023
If you are new to Clarendon for the 23/24 school year, please join us for a welcome playdate at Midtown Terrace on Sunday, Aug 6 from 10am - Noon. We will have games and snacks and answers to questions you may have. We are still planning this event and will share more details soon, but please save the date! We are so excited to meet you!