GSB Lower School: After-School Programs

Lower School After-School Programs Spring 2015

Dear Lower School parents, Welcome to Gill St. Bernard’s after-school program!

While common sense tells us that after-school programs are a good way for children to enhance in-class learning or expand on extracurricular activities and athletics, research has proven it. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics has reported that after-school activities “reinforce lessons learned in the classroom” and evoke “values of teamwork, individual and group responsibility, physical strength and endurance, competition, diversity, and a sense of culture and community” among students.

The pursuit of learning extends far beyond the classroom at Gill St. Bernard’s School, where a wide array of extracurricular offerings ensure balance between mind, body and spirit. In addition to providing an extended day program, which includes both supervised playtime and a nutritious snack, the Lower School currently offers a variety of enrichment programs each season (fall, winter and spring) throughout the academic year. Gill’s enrichment programs are available for a supplemental fee and offer experiences in sports, science, yoga, fine art, music, crafts and more.

Whether participating in athletics, the arts or another after-school club, these unique opportunities allow students to acquire new skills, discover their individual self, overcome challenges and develop a well-rounded sense of character. Please fill-out the registration form and return it to Lower School Administrative Assistant Nancy Stober in the Lower School Office by April 2. For more information on signing-up for any of Gill’s after-school enrichment programs, please contact Mrs. Stober at extension 241.

Warm regards,

Cindy Wyatt

Jane Boyer

Director of Camp and Auxiliary Programs

Lower School Director

Monday Activities Knitting Offered by: Carrie Grabowski Grade Level(s): 3 & 4 No. of Sessions: 5 Enrollment: Min. 4 – Max. 12 Location: Lower School Library Dates: Apr. 13 – May 11 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cost per student: $120 Calling all boys and girls: learn to knit! Beginners will learn basic stitches and make a small stuffed

animal. Advanced students can choose from a number of projects.

Want to create your own animation videos? Students participating in this program will bring inanimate objects to life using stop motion animation Animation Discovery (digital filmmaking). Participants Offered by: Enrich and Grow Academy will create their own digital videos Grade Level(s): 3 & 4 using software developed by a No. of Sessions: 6 leading university team as well as Enrollment: Min. 4 – Max. 12 other basic materials. An animation Location: Room 107 film festival will be held during the Dates: Apr. 13 – May 18 last class to showcase each video Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. creation.

Cost per student: $189

Tuesday Activities Golf Offered by: Enrich and Grow Academy Grade Level(s): K – 4 No. of Sessions: 6 Enrollment: Min. 4 – Max. 16 Location: Meet in front of Evans Hall Dates: Apr. 14 – May 19 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cost per student: $169 Attention all beginners and experienced golfers! Come learn everything there is to know about the game of golf, including swing fundamentals, etiquette, gross motor skills, visual perception, character development, focus and coordination. Participants will swing real-life golf clubs (all equipment provided) while attempting to hit what is called an “almost golf

ball.” Beginners will start at the yellow level—one of five separate programs—with each new level covering additional materials to advance one’s skills!

GSB Girls’ Lacrosse & Leadership Academy Offered by: Janet Holdsworth Grade Level(s): 2 – 4 (girls) No. of Sessions: 8 Enrollment: Min. 5 – Max. 15 Location: Meet in front of the Lower School Office Dates: May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 Time: 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.

Cost per student: $60 Equipment required: Stick, youth goggles, mouth guard

Girls, grades two to four, will learn the sport of lacrosse while also developing skills through drills and fun activities. Coach Janet Holdsworth’s youth curriculum will foster fun, provide exercise and offer opportunities to develop confidence in the sport. Key leadership concepts will also be introduced during each session to help participants better understand what it takes to be a true leader both on and off the lacrosse field! This program will take place in the field space near the Lower School playground. Please contact Coach Holdsworth at coachjan@winningforlife.org for more information regarding all necessary equipment.

Wednesday Activities FabLab Offered by: Jaime Diken & Lynn Prosen Grade Level(s): 3 & 4 Enrollment: Max. 16 No. of Sessions: 5 Location: Lower School Art Room Dates: Apr. 15 – May 13 Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Cost per student: $250 Do you ever wonder what you might find inside a toy, computer or other machine? Do you enjoy taking things apart? Would you like to learn how to use basic tools to fabricate something of your own design?

During this program, students will be encouraged to create new things.

Participants will take apart several

items, learn about different materials, discover the methods for using certain tools and take some time to make something they can take home.

Items will be constructed using materials such as cardboard, wood, paper and plastic. All participants will receive a basic tool kit and safety glasses of their own for the FabLab. Use your imagination and become a maker this spring in the FabLab! Hands-On Engineering Offered by: Enrich and Grow Academy Grade Level(s): 3 & 4 No. of Sessions: 6 Enrollment: Min. 4 – Max. 14 Location: Room 107 Dates: Apr. 15 – May 20

Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cost per student: $149 Do you think like an engineer?

Students in this program will learn about various engineering disciplines while creating their own innovations.

Through the use of a variety of building materials, students will be exposed to various hands-on engineering experiences. Working together in teams, participants will test their designs and learn creative problem-solving. In addition, they will compare designs with other teams and make adjustments to come up with the best construction techniques. Each team will take on real-life engineering challenges that explore concepts in physics, architecture, and mechanical and structural engineering.

Thursday Activities Animal Adventures Offered by: Enrich and Grow Academy Grade Level(s): K – 4 No. of Sessions: 6 Location: Evans Hall Dates: Apr. 16 – May 21 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cost per student: $149 Meet animals from around the world each week during the Animal Adventures program. Participants will experience different animals, including alligators, pythons, tortoises, monitor lizards, sharks, frogs, tarantulas and many more.

Through the use of stories and games, the program will explore animals’ habitats, survival strategies and relationships with humans.

Garden Assistant Program Offered by: Lynn Prosen Grade level(s): 1 – 4 No. of Sessions: 6 Enrollment: Min. 2 – Max. 10 Location: Meet at the Lower School Science Lab Dates: Apr. 16 – May 21 Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Cost: $250 Did you know that soil is made up of different minerals? Did you know that there are good and bad insects in a garden? Did you know that some plants can grow in water?

Students will learn about these things

and more in the Garden Assistant Program (GAP). As a part of GAP, students will help in the GSB garden and greenhouse by preparing and planting seeds. Each GAP member will receive a garden tool kit, a seed starter kit (which we will start in the greenhouse), and will help to plant a special GAP plant bed in the garden.

GAP participants and their families will also be able to share in the garden harvest.

GSB Girls’ Lacrosse & Leadership Academy Offered by: Janet Holdsworth Grade Level(s): 2 – 4 (girls) No. of Sessions: 8 Enrollment: Min. 5 – Max. 15 Location: Meet in front of the Lower School Office Dates: May 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 Time: 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.

Cost per student: $60 Equipment required: Stick, youth goggles, mouth guard See GSB Girls’ Lacrosse & Leadership Academy under Tuesday Activities.

Dates: Apr. 2 – May 21 Time: 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.

Cost per student: $245 Learn to play the wonderful and fun game of chess as a member of the Lower School Chess Club program.

This program will not only teach students all the rules of the game, but give them a better idea of how to go about winning—from the beginning until the end. Participants who already know how to play the game can improve through competitive play, puzzles, and instruction on tactics and strategies. Some students may be invited to play in outside tournaments and events. Depending on participation, a GSB team may also be formed to compete against other schools!

Spring Soccer Offered by: Tony Bednarsky and Donna Bednarsky Grade Level(s): Primary – 4 No. of Sessions: 5 Location: Meet in the Early Childhood Hallway Dates: Apr. 16 – May 14 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cost per student: $150

Lower School Chess Club Offered by: Marty Sobin of Jersey Chess Grade Level(s): 1 – 4 No. of Sessions: 8 Location: Lower School Art Room

Players will be exposed to individual skills via drills and games. Learn soccer in a safe and fun-filled environment.

World of Magic Offered by: Enrich and Grow Academy Grade Level(s): K – 2 No. of Sessions: 6 Location: Room 227 Dates: Apr. 17 – May 22 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cost per student: $159

sleight of hand techniques to perform the disappearing ball act, cup tricks and more. During this program, participants will encounter a boost in self-esteem, and develop selfconfidence, hand-eye coordination and presentation skills. All magic tricks can be taken home, allowing students to master professionally built tricks they will remember for a lifetime!

Friday Activities Spring Basketball Offered by: Mergin Sina Grade Level(s): K – 4 No. of Sessions: 6 Location: Meet in front of the Lower School Office Dates: Apr. 10 – May 15 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cost per student: $325 Players will be exposed to individual skills via drills and games. Learn basketball in a safe and fun-filled environment.

This program will help students mesmerize their family and friends through magic and culminate with a live performance during the final session! Students will learn several

Gladstone, NJ • Primary - Grade 12 • gsbschool.org Gill St. Bernard’s is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school.