Stratford Altadena Welcomes the Season of Giving

November begins the season of giving. The lesson of giving back and contributing to one’s community is one that Stratford School Altadena makes its mission to instill in every student. “Education is most meaningful when it inspires us to use what we’ve learned to uplift others and make the world a brighter, better place,” says Stratford’s Early Childhood Education Principal, Veronica Brenes.

While many schools require charity work, Stratford operates on the premise that students should have the opportunity to identify the needs they see within their community, as well as on a larger scale, and actively choose how they would like to contribute in a meaningful way. Stratford’s student council members meet to discuss opportunities within their community and then take the lead in creating a plan, organizing students to join the efforts, and following through with the work or charity drive. This enables students to gain independence, develop leadership skills, and feel empowered to take the lead in contributing to their communities in the future.

This year, Stratford School Altadena students have organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive for the local Friends in Deed foodbank, in a year that has seen an increased need to help our neighbors with food insecurity. Additional charity initiatives include a Toy Drive for Toys for Tots Pasadena, Christmas cards created by 3rd and 4th graders for local nursing and care homes, and holiday cards made by middle school students for members of the military. In addition, Stratford families will make dozens and dozens of cookies to give to the annual Elizabeth House Christmas party, a Stratford annual tradition. 

Gratitude and giving go hand-in-hand. In addition to giving back, part of the Stratford social-emotional learning curriculum focuses on what it means to be thankful. Practicing gratitude gives our children the ability to recognize the abundance of goodness that they have and how sharing that abundance with others brings true meaning and joy to our lives. 

Students also learn the importance of being a good friend and a valued member of their community. Along with contributing, they explore the importance of developing traditions to bring that community together. Students explore Thanksgiving and other cultural holidays that exemplify this. They share their own traditions and learn about the traditions of their peers. In preschool classrooms, they create their own tradition. In preschool, children read the book Stone Soup and then bring in items to make their own soup with one another. 

November and December are magical seasons for good reason. They offer the perfect opportunity to look outside ourselves and discover how taking one small step in giving back can lead to significant changes for those around us, giving us a sense of purpose and connection. “Our Altadena community has faced so many challenges, and this year it feels especially meaningful to come together and give back,” Brenes says. “Watching students learn to care for others and make a positive impact is one of the most rewarding and inspiring parts of teaching. It reminds us all of the power of kindness and community.”

Stratford School Altadena offers an innovative STEAM curriculum in a warm and nurturing environment. They are currently enrolling students in Early Preschool through Grade 8, with Mandarin Bilingual Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten options available. To schedule a tour, email altadena@stratfordshools.com or visit StratfordSchools.com/Altadena to learn more.