Grown-Up CLC Students Open “Time Capsules,” Get a Glimpse Back—and a Peek Forward

Although it serves first- through fourth-graders, the final meeting of the year for Community Learning Center (CLC) was abuzz with the excited energy of high school students. Students who had been part of the alternative program in their elementary-school years were invited by CLC teachers Laia Hansen and Cheryl Beehan to return to the campus and open a pair of “time capsules” that had been sealed in 2000.

Much was made at the time of the changeover to a new millennium, and as a creative writing exercise typical of CLC’s fun, hands-on learning style, the children wrote their predictions and aspirations on posters. The time capsules – large PVC pipes with stoppers glued tightly onto either end – held the rolled-up posters, which were handed out and read aloud in a fun party atmosphere by the 20 or so students.

The posters contained dreams, tender expressions of love for family members and friends, and prognostications – some wacky, some surprisingly realistic, others poignant.

“The year 3000 – Pluto attacks!” laughed one girl as she read her fourth-grade predictions.

“Our houses will talk to us,” read another.

“Hey – ‘People will drive electric cars’!”

“We will make robots do our chores.”

“My mom will be cured of cancer.” (She was; the mom stood nearby, beaming at the scene before her.)

“Look how bad my spelling used to be!”

Desired professions included veterinarian, artist, dancer, deejay student, and simply “kid.”

The seniors in the group announced where they were headed to college in the fall: Harvard, Berkeley, Saddleback, UC Santa Cruz. It was a moment not lost on anyone in the room; a mere eight years after their youthful musings, these students were on the cusp of adulthood.

To add to the evening’s sentimental tone, before they dispersed, the teachers led the students in a favorite tune from the CLC songbook: “I Think You’re Wonderful.”

Third and fourth grade teacher Laia Hansen, who earlier unveiled the time capsules to the waiting youths, observed, “What a poignant evening! I was thrilled having so many of the students take time out of their busy schedules to spend time together, remembering their days in CLC. They seemed excited and genuinely glad to be in the midst of our community once again.

“I was impressed by how mature they were, and the way they communicated with adults and one another in such a caring way. I’m so very proud of all of them.”

Looking around at the gathering, instructional aide Gwen Myers, who with nine years of experience at CLC is the newest CLC teacher, said, “Some students have gone on to other schools and all have made new friends, but they still blend back together, like a family reunion.”

First and second grade teacher Cheryl Beehan noted, “I am so proud to see all these students who are ready to launch into the adult world with such ambition and passion about being able to help make our planet a better, kinder, more peaceful place to live. They are our hope for a bright future. They will make a difference. What a thrill to be able to watch them grow!”

A “school within a school,” Community Learning Center (CLC) is is an alternative program open to all first- through fourth-grade students who reside within the Laguna Beach Unified School District.

Located on the Top of the World Elementary School, the program serves a total of 40 children in two grade-combined classrooms (1st/2nd and 3rd/4th), with a child-centered educational style that creates a partnership among parents, students, teachers, and the community. While meeting state-defined academic requirements, CLC promotes ideals that include community service, character development, conflict resolution and social awareness with a global perspective.

To learn more about CLC and how to place your baby or child on the wait list, visit the Web site: www.lbclc.org.