Maimonides After-School brochure Winter/Spring 2023

WINTER 2023 INTO SPRING

MAIMONIDES SCHOOL

ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

Winter 2023 into Spring

After-School Program for Kindergarten through 7th grade

Maimonides School Activities Program

The After-School Program

Winter 2023 into Spring

Welcome to the Winter 2023 into Spring semester!

Meet our new director, Joshua Kaminski!

Hello Maimonides family! My name is Joshua Kaminski and I am honored to be taking over the wonderful After-School Program that Deborah has created. I am a Columbia University graduate and have spent my career dedicated to working with and bettering the lives of students. Before coming to Maimonides School, I worked in Columbia’s Recreation Department helping to manage their afterschool and summer programs. I’m excited to get started, and can’t wait to be a part of such a wonderful program. I can be reached at jkaminski@maimonides.org

We are so happy to bring you yet another semester full of energy, creativity, and our theme of the year: simcha, joy! We have a festival of wonderful activities for your children!

Our courses range from A to Y this semester, All Sports to Yoga! Hurry and register! Numbers are limited in many of our courses. Registration closes on Friday, February 10. Activities begin the week of February 27.

Registrations are billed by the Business Office through Veracross. Please note our billing policy for Bus Recess: Children in Grades K-2 who sign up for after-school activities will be billed only for Bus Recess periods that they attend.

The After-School Program would once again like to give tremendous thanks to HaMorah Michal and Dr. Barry Bessler for sponsoring our Mishmar for Grades 5-6 program this year. All students in Grades 5-6 who would like to attend Mishmar may do so at no cost. This is in memory of their beloved father and grandfather, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski z”l. Thank you, HaMorah and Dr. Bessler! We are very grateful.

Cancellation Policy:

Tuition payments are refundable before the beginning of the second class (less the cost of the first class). No refund is available to students attending more than one session of a class

The After-School Program extends many thanks and heartfelt appreciation to all our teachers who make it the wonderful program that it is! We also thank Mrs. Elka Tovah Davidoff very much for all the help she gives to make our marvelous brochure possible.

REGISTRATION

Please click here to sign up for our wonderful after-school programs.

Registration closes on Friday, February 10

Classes begin the week of February 27

Registration costs will be billed to your account via Veracross. Please direct all inquiries to jkaminski@maimonides.org

Classes

See the next page for the dates of our weekly classes.

MONDAYS

All Sports (Grades K-2) Option 1

Circuit Makers 101 (Grades K-2) Meets February 27; March 13, 20, 27; April 17 – FIVE MEETINGS ONLY

Can be paired with:

LEGO Junior Builders (Grades K-2) Meets April 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22; June 5 – SIX MEETINGS ONLY

App Inventors (Grades 3-6) Meets February 27; March 13, 20, 27; April 17 – FIVE MEETINGS ONLY

Can be paired with:

Intro to LEGO WeDo 2.0 (Grades 3-6) Meets April 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22; June 5 – SIX MEETINGS ONLY

Culinary Delights (Grades K-2)

Mah Jongg (Grades 3-6)

TUESDAYS

All Sports (Grades 3-6) Option 1

Arts & Crafts (Grades K-7)

Rhythmic Gymnastics (Grades K-7)

Yoga (Grades K-7)

WEDNESDAYS

All Sports (Grades K-2) Option 2

All Sports (Grades 3-6) Option 2

Chess (Grades K-7)

Coding with Kids (Grades K-2)

Knitting Club (Grades 3-7)

THURSDAYS

June’s Broadway Kids (Grades K-2)

Karate (Grades K-7)

Mishmar (Grades K-2, 3-4, and 5-6)

Dates

Mondays

February 27

March 13, 20, 27

April 17, 24

May 1, 8, 15, 22

Make-up: June 5 (10 sessions)

Tuesdays

February 28

March 14, 28

April 18, 25

May 9, 16, 23, 30

Make-up: June 6 (9 sessions)

Wednesdays

March 1, 15, 22, 29

April 19, 26

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Make-up: June 7 (11 sessions)

Thursdays

March 2, 9, 23, 30

April 20, 27

May 4, 11, 18

June 1

Make-up: June 8 (10 sessions)

ALL SPORTS for Grades K-2 (Option 1)

Mr. Haim Zion

Come and join us! Our All Sports program will include soccer, kickball, dodgeball, touch football, and lots more! Students will learn important teamplaying skills, as well as cooperation and respect, as they learn to play several games.

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Gym

MINIMUM 10

Cost $175

APP INVENTORS

Circuit Lab

Want to know how the apps work on a phone or iPad? Or do you already have the next great app idea, and just need to know how to make it? In this no-experience-required course, we use MIT App Inventor software to make fun, creative apps for Android phones and tablets. We will also explore wireless communication by building custom Bluetooth hardware controllers and readouts for our apps. Participants will learn both the programming and design aspects of creating great apps and have the opportunity to build apps of their own with the support of Circuit Lab instructors.

Meets February 27; March 13, 20, 27; April 17FIVE meetings only

Grades 3-6; Session 2 (3:55- 4:50 p.m.) only

Art Room

Cost: $120

CIRCUIT MAKERS 101

Circuit Lab

Let’s get creative with electricity!

In this junior hands-on electronics class students will gain experience with creating their own electronics, designing custom light-up greeting cards, electric games, mazes, and even musical instruments. Each class consists of a circuitry lesson and a hands-on electronics project, using components like lights, buzzers, switches, motors,

and sensors. Circuit Lab staff will make sure participants create a project that they can be proud of each day. Most class days include a take-home project.

Meets February 27; March 13, 20, 27; April 17 -

FIVE meetings only

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Art Room

Cost: $120

CULINARY DELIGHTS

HaMorah Irene Blechner

Students will have fun measuring, mixing, creating, baking, cooking, and enjoying each other’s company. It’s fun, wholesome, and happy. In the process, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are developed. We will practice reading and arithmetic. Best of all, cooking helps instill confidence as students see, taste, and share the results of their efforts.

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Room L9

MAXIMUM 10 (Preference will be given to 2nd graders unable to enroll previously; students who enrolled for Culinary Delights last semester will not be permitted to register again for the spring semester.)

Cost: $240 plus $55 supply fee

INTRO TO LEGO WE DO 2.0

Wicked Cool for Kids

Learn to program free roaming LEGO robots and “make science come to life” as we see science ideas grow from design to action. Get in gear with LEGO’s new updated iPad-based software to build and program Milo the Science Rover and other fun untethered robots. Apply robots to solve realworld problems by creating an earthquake shake table to test house designs, and a bot to sort and recycle items.

Meets April 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22; June 5 –

SIX MEETINGS ONLY

Grades 3-6; Session 2 (3:55- 4:50 p.m.) only

Art Room

MINIMUM 8

Cost: $170

LEGO JUNIOR BUILDERS Wicked Cool for Kids

This introductory K-1 LEGO set allows learning through creativity and constructionism using standard sized LEGO bricks, plates and minifigures. Activities focus on cross-curricular learning through design, building and classification. Earn your builder’s license to construct a bridge, build a wheelchair and create a machine that you invent. Use language skills to set a scene and build with sounds.

Meets April 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22; June 5 –

SIX MEETINGS ONLY

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Art Room

MINIMUM 8

Cost: $170

MAH JONGG

HaMorah Dani Carrus

Do you love complicated luck and strategy games? We are going to be learning and playing Mah Jongg, a traditional Chinese game that has been adapted over the years and played by thousands of people all over the world. We will learn the game basics and then hone our skills. Sign up if you are looking to lose a lot but have fun anyway!

Grades 3-6; Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.) only

Room L14

MINIMUM 5

Cost: $150

Tuesdays

ALL SPORTS for Grades 3-6 (Option 1)

Mr. Haim Zion

Our All Sports program will include soccer, kickball, dodgeball, touch football, and lots more! Students will learn important team-playing skills, as well as cooperation and respect, as they learn to play several games. Come and join us!

Grades 3-6; Session 2 (3:55- 4:50 p.m.) only Gym

MINIMUM 10

Cost $160

ARTS & CRAFTS

Ms. Devorah Aroesty-Cohen

Arts & Crafts will involve a fun and creative weekly session, exploring and experimenting with a variety of crafting materials. We will enjoy everything from painting, to selfguided abstract art, to projects that revolve around an upcoming holiday, and everything in between! The goal is for children to express themselves artistically in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Grades K-2 - Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.)

Grades 3-7 - Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.)

Room L8

MINIMUM 10

Cost: $140 plus $25 supply fee

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Boston Rhythmic

Rhythmic Gymnastics is an Olympic sport combining dance, gymnastics, and circus skills in routines set to music. (Israel won a gold medal in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the Olympics in 2021!) Gymnasts demonstrate amazing flexibility and perform acrobatic skills while handling small apparatus such as a hoop, ribbon, ball, clubs, and ropes. Exciting tosses and catches, extreme flexibility, graceful dance moves, and expressive performances make this sport a delight. Come and join us!

Grades K-2 - Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.)

Grades 3-7 - Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.)

Gym when available, otherwise Room L9 (Grades K-2); Art Room (Grades 3-7)

MINIMUM 10

Cost: $190

Tuesdays

YOGA Pretzel Kids

What exactly is Pretzel Kids®? To kids we’re fun, fun, fun! To parents, we are the answer to helping your children stay physically fit and deal more effectively with pressure. We’re all that and more! Our proven curriculum and amazingly fun yoga program incorporates poses, imaginative games, and relaxation techniques. Kids laugh, learn, exercise, breathe, and have a blast. Better yet, they leave class with big smiles on their faces! For more information on Pretzel Kids®, please go to pretzelkids. com.

Grades K-2 - Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.)

Grades 3-7 - Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.)

Room L14 MINIMUM 7

Cost $170

Please bring a yoga mat.

Wednesdays

ALL SPORTS for Grades K-2

Mr. Haim Zion

(Option

2)

Come and join us! Our All Sports program will include basketball, baseball, soccer, kickball, dodgeball, touch football, and lots more! Students will learn important team-playing skills, as well as cooperation and respect, as they learn to play several games.

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Gym

MINIMUM 10

Cost $195

ALL SPORTS for Grades 3-6

Ms. Kate Hickenlooper

(Option

2)

Our All Sports program will include soccer, kickball, dodgeball, touch football, and lots more! Students will learn important team-playing skills, as well as cooperation and respect, as they learn to play several games. Come and join us!

Grades 3-6; Session 2 (3:55- 4:50 p.m.) only

Gym

MINIMUM 10

Cost $195

CHESS

Four Knights Chess Academy

Founded by chess grandmasters

Leonid Kritz and Eugene Perelshteyn, Four Knights Chess Academy focuses on developing skills that will benefit children outside of chess, and make kids intellectually stronger and more creative in their approach to solving problems. Their program uses chess as a tool to teach kids how to visualize and manipulate complex structures in their minds, ask the right questions to solve problems efficiently, and work under time pressure. Students will learn chess in a way that incorporates both building and acquiring a unique set of skills which will be useful in their academic and professional careers.

Grades K-2 - Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.)

Grades 3-7 - Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.)

Room L14

MINIMUM 6

Cost: $255

Wednesdays

CODING WITH KIDS

HaMorah Kira Smordin

We will be advancing the skills of young coders and engaging students in STEAM learning experiences. Students will get a chance to explore ScratchJr, code.org, KIBO robots, and more. We will be fostering students’ collaboration and 21st century learning skills.

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Room L8

MINIMUM 6; MAXIMUM 10

Cost: $230

KNITTING CLUB

Mrs. Sharona Vedol

Knitting is an incredible skill. With just two basic stitches, knitters can make ripples, curves, cables, lace, and more! In this club, new knitters will learn basic skills such as knitting and purling before moving on to increases and double-points and cables, oh my! More experienced knitters will choose simple patterns and learn the skills they need to complete them. The students will also bring home materials they’ll need to work on projects at home!

Grades 3-7; Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.) only

Room L1

MINIMUM 5

Cost: $220 plus $45 supply fee

Thursdays

JUNE’S BROADWAY KIDS

Mrs. June Gerrie

Come and join June’s Broadway Kids as we sing, dance, and act our way through numerous journeys. Students will use their imaginations to build characters and become storytellers. Using improv games and physical movement, we will have fun creating characters and stories. Areas of focus will include concentration, memory, eye contact, improvisation, public speaking, singing, dancing, and acting games. Students will build confidence by working on their stage presentation and having fun with the group.

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Please contact Joshua Kaminski if you would like June to run an older group.

Room L9

MINIMUM 10

Cost: $160

KARATE

Perro Shotokan Karate

Perro Shotokan Karate teaches traditional Japanese Karate, a martial art that emphasizes blocking and striking techniques. Classes are broken down into three segments: Basics, Kumite, and Kata. Students are taught practical self-defense in a structured and safe environment.

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.)

Grades 3-7; Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.)

Gym

MINIMUM 5

Cost: $195

Thursdays

MISHMAR for Grades K-2

HaMorah Irene Blechner

Torah learning for its own sake (lishma) is extremely important in our tradition. We are delighted to bring you this enrichment. This shemittah year is a particularly auspicious time to increase our Torah study, as many rishonim say that the purpose of the shemittah year was to take a break from work and have more time for Torah. Children will explore different Jewish concepts and ideals through story, song, art projects, and play.

Grades K-2; Session 1 (3:00-3:45 p.m.) only

Room L9

MINIMUM 10

Cost: $100

MISHMAR for Grades 3-4

Mr. Shmuel Silberman

Torah learning for its own sake (lishma) is extremely important in our tradition. One of the pillars of Maimonides School is the centrality of Torah study, and the belief that we as Jews thirst for Torah out of love and passion and not only because it is required. Mishmar is a way in which your children can participate in extra Torah study, and a way you can model for them that Torah is a part of our lives above and beyond school.

We are delighted to bring you this enrichment. Each session will begin with recess (outside if possible), a snack eaten outside, and then our Torah study.

Grades 3-4; Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.) only

Room L15

MINIMUM 10

Cost: $100

MISHMAR for Grades 4-6

Rabbi Yaakov Beker

Torah learning for its own sake (lishma) is extremely important in our tradition. One of the pillars of Maimonides School is the centrality of Torah study, and the belief that we as Jews thirst for Torah out of love and passion and not only because it is required. Mishmar is a way in which your children can participate in extra Torah study, and a way you can model for them that Torah is a part of our lives above and beyond school.

The After-School Program would like to give tremendous thanks to HaMorah Michal and Dr. Barry Bessler for sponsoring our Mishmar for Grades 4-6 program this year. All students in Grades 5-6 who would like to attend Mishmar may do so at no cost. This is in memory of their beloved father and grandfather, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski z”l. Thank you, HaMorah and Dr. Bessler! We are very grateful.

We are delighted to bring you this enrichment. Each session will begin with recess (outside if possible), a snack eaten outside, and then our Torah study.

Grades 5-6; Session 2 (3:55-4:50 p.m.) only

Room L16

Cost: $0

Private Lessons

These private music lessons are offered at school through the After-School Program.

A registration fee of $25 per semester will be applied in addition to the cost of the lessons.

GUITAR, PIANO, RECORDER, VOICE, UKULELE

Leah Nussbaum offers private lessons at all levels.

Contact her directly at (617) 281-1849 or lnussbaum@maimonides.org

PIANO

June Gerrie offers private piano lessons at all levels.

Contact her directly at (617) 719-4936 or junegerrie1@gmail.com

VIOLIN

Amos Lawrence offers private lessons encouraging the mastery of violin, from beginners to advanced level.

Contact him directly at (617) 505-6412 or amoslawrence1@gmail.com

Faculty Notes

RABBI YAAKOV BEKER (Mishmar) is our Sixth Grade Limudei Kodesh teacher. He received Semicha from Ner Israel Rabbinical College.

MRS. IRENE BLECHNER (Culinary Delights) is our Kindergarten Limudei Kodesh teacher. She has taught at Maimonides for many years. HaMorah Irene has built her culinary expertise by working with numerous caterers in her early years, as well as planning menus and cooking for her family. Her favorite hobbies include reading cookbooks for fun and working in her garden.

BOSTON RHYTHMIC (Rhythmic Gymnastics) has been training thousands of children in the Boston area in the beautiful Olympic sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics since 2002. With multiple locations around Boston and programs for all ages and skill levels, Boston Rhythmic is the area’s largest rhythmic gymnastics program, with a mission to “empower children to reach beyond what they think is possible.”

MS. DANI CARRUS (Mah Jongg) is our First Grade General Studies teacher. She is in her ninth year at Maimonides. HaMorah Dani has a Master’s in Education and a certificate in early education robotics. She has been a player of Mah Jongg for many years. Besides loving the game, she loves creativity and mint ice cream.

CIRCUIT LAB (App Inventors, Circuit Makers) is a small educational company operating in the Boston area, founded in 2015. Their mission is to get kids excited about computers and electronics, and to train them in what they believe to be the most useful of modern-day skills. They show them how to use electronic devices not just as entertainment to be consumed, but as tools to be manipulated and a medium to practice creative design in a fun and engaging way. Their team of educators has broad experience teaching kids about engineering and technology, and they are passionate about sharing their message with the world.

MS. DEVORAH AROESTY-COHEN (Arts & Crafts) is our classroom assistant for fifth grade, and has been a teaching assistant for several years. Ms. Aroesty-Cohen loves creative and artistic pursuits!

FOUR KNIGHTS CHESS ACADEMY (Chess) believes that chess develops four fundamental skills: Logic, memory, concentration, and strategic thinking. Its founders are Leonid Kritz, a German chess Grandmaster (attaining the title at age 19), and Eugene Pereishteyn, a Grandmaster born in Zhytomir, Ukraine. Together they have more than 30 years of experience building childcentric chess education programs.

MRS. JUNE GERRIE (June’s Broadway Kids, Piano) is an accomplished pianist, singer, actress, and dancer. She studied music theory at Brandeis. Mrs. Gerrie has taught piano for many years across several age groups

MR. AMOS LAWRENCE (Violin) has a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance from the New England Conservatory. He studied with Ivan Galamian, Itzhak Perlman’s teacher.

Faculty Notes

MRS. LEAH (LINDA) NUSSBAUM (Guitar, Piano, Recorder, Voice, Ukulele) is our Maimonides music teacher. In addition to her experience teaching music in the classroom, HaMorah Leah has been teaching music privately for decades. She offers individual lessons in piano, guitar, voice, and recorder at her home near the school or on Zoom. Students have the opportunity to build skill in ear training, sight reading, technique, and artistry, and hopefully to play at a yearly recital.

SENSEI CHIP PERRO (Karate) began his martial arts study at the age of six. After training for over thirty years, Perro holds a second-degree black belt ranking with the Japanese Karate Association, based in Tokyo, Japan. As a martial artist, Perro teaches traditional and practical Karate to both children and adults. As a filmmaker, Perro uses his martial arts knowledge to train actors for on-screen action roles. He is currently in preproduction for the upcoming martial arts feature film Teriyaki Chicken Rescue.

PRETZEL KIDS (Yoga) is a yoga studio which offers curriculumbased, structured, engaging, playful, and fun yoga classes created by school teachers. Kids learn important yoga and mindfulness skills that they can carry through their lives. All teachers are certified in the Pretzel Kids method.

MR. SHMUEL SILBERMAN (Mishmar Grades 3-4) studied Torah at Yeshiva University, Shapells/Darche Noam, and Yeshiva Shor Yoshuv. He began teaching at Maimonides when Bill Clinton was president. His motto for Jewish learning is “Let my people know.”

MS. KIRA SMORDIN (Coding with Kids) is our First Grade Limudei Kodesh teacher. She has been teaching for over five years. She loves connecting with kids and helping each student grow. She also loves integrating new STEAM activities into her teaching and into everyday life.

MRS. SHARONA VEDOL (Sewing Club) is our Middle School Administrative Assistant. She loves knitting and sewing and makes almost all her own clothes. She is an enthusiastic crafter and loves sharing what she’s learned.

WICKED COOL FOR KIDS (LEGO Junior Builders, Intro to LEGO We Do 2.0) is a small, local, woman-owned business which has been providing customized enrichment programs for kids in grades K-5 for over ten years. According to their program, “We offer complete hands-on STEAM-based programs that extend learning beyond the school day and beyond the school year. Our programs challenge kids to investigate their world through science, art, and technology. We base our programs on three fundamental principles: Learning, fun, and safety. Our curriculum is structured around an experiential environment aligned to national educational standards where we engage kids in a range of challenging activities.”

MR. HAIM ZION (All Sports) is our Maimonides Physical Education teacher. Mr. Zion has taught sports for more than 20 years. He coached the tennis National Championships in Israel. Mr. Zion likes to run, do yoga, and work out at the gym.

TO REGISTER ONLINE PLEASE GO TO http://tinyurl.com/maimonidesafterschool

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