Elementary

Wonka actress, Calah Lane, visited Walt Disney Elementary school for a Q&A on behalf of the Saving Our Daughters organization, meeting with a group of 4th grade girls interested in the performing arts.

Burbank schools celebrated Read Across America Day on March 2nd by bringing in parents and community liaisons to read to students in their classrooms. 

On Friday, January 26th, Bret Harte Elementary held their annual spelling bee competition after school with 28 participants in grades 3rd to 5th.

The State of the Schools is looking up.

Bret Harte Elementary School is saving the planet, one banana peel at a time. Principal Martha Walter has been working with the school’s PTA, Fundraising Committee, and city departments to build a more sustainable campus including kickstarting their Kids Eco Council where students help sort food waste and divert it from the landfill.

As part of Teacher Appreciation Day in May of 2022, the Burbank IKEA asked Burbank teachers to nominate their staff lounge for a makeover. After numerous nominations and being selected into the top 5, Miller Elementary School finally got the call that their lounge had won the refresh.

Bret Harte Elementary School held their annual Apex Fun Run fundraiser on Thursday morning.  The two-week long program was lead by the Apex Leadership Co. who kicked off the events with a school pep rally on September 13th. The fundraiser is anticipated to bring in over $60,000 to help support the school’s STEAM program, music, fine arts and more.

On Wednesday, April 13th, Edison elementary participated in “Art for the Sky” a giant living painting made by the entire 500 count student body and some staff on the grass. The activity was part of a three day art/STEM experience presented by aerial artist and educator, Daniel Dancer, in which the students crowded together into a 80x60 ft lightbulb outline, in honor of their school.

April is World Autism month as well as Autism and Neurodiversity month.  Burbank schools are taking the opportunity to spread acceptance and inclusion of neurodiversity through spirit days, activities and ribbons. Bret Harte Elementary kicked off their month long acceptance campaign on Friday, April 1st by encouraging students and staff to wear blue in support of their fellow students.

Darlene Crain’s second grade class from Bret Harte Elementary, have created clay monster mugs which are on display at the Ugly Mug Coffee House until Halloween. Owners of the Ugly Mug Coffee House, Steve and Emily Nalbantian, had children attending Bret Harte when their coffee shop first opened. “I remember thinking how it was such a great name for a coffee place and the idea just came to me,” said Crain, who tries to do this art project each year with her students.