AUXILIARY PROGRAMS KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 5 WINTER/SPRING 2026
Discover Pembroke Hill School’s Winter/Spring Auxiliary Programs Our goal is to provide your child with after-school opportunities that are safe, engaging, and enriching. Inside this booklet, you’ll find a complete guide to the wide variety of programs available this season. At Pembroke Hill School, we believe that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends — it expands. Our enrichment programs are thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students discover new passions beyond the classroom. Research shows that participation in after-school enrichment can enhance academic performance, social skills, and emotional well-being. These experiences allow students to grow not only in knowledge, but also in creativity, collaboration, and joy. Registration is open for all of our programming. To keep our programs high-quality, we may need to adjust or cancel an enrichment or athletic offering (for example, if enrollment is low). We’ll share any updates with families as soon as they’re available. Whether your child is picking up an instrument, writing their first story, or finding their voice on stage, we are proud to offer a space where they can explore, create, and shine. We’re excited to share another season of discovery, creativity, and growth with your child. Warmly, Kellee Pearson Director of Auxiliary Programs
Contact Us Kellee Pearson Auxiliary Programs Director kellee.pearson@pembrokehill.org 816-936-1377
Karen Boyle Lower School Division Head kboyle@pembrokehill.org 816-936-1301
Sandy Smith Chief Financial Officer ssmith@pembrokehill.org 816-936-1213
Kindergarten – Grade 5: Extended Day Program Pembroke Hill School’s Extended Day gives Kindergarten - 5th grade students a welcoming space (Deramus Field House) to finish homework, try hands-on activities, and make new friends under the supervision of our caring team. See the contract rate options below and reach out to the business office at: businessoffice@pembrokehill.org if you’d like help selecting the plan that works best for your family. 5 days / until 6:00 p.m. — $5,360 5 days / until 5:00 p.m. — $3,570 5 days / until 4:00 p.m. — $1,790 3 days / until 6:00 p.m. — $3,890 Drop-In — $21 per hour (After 6:00 p.m. there is a late fee of $5.00 per minute.)
Staffing Pembroke Hill School’s Extended Day is staffed by trained Extended Day Coordinators. Working as a team, they create a positive, engaging, and safe environment for our afterschool programming. Extended Day is organized into three cohorts: Kindergarten, Grades 1–2, and Grades 3–5. A daily snack is provided by Dining Hall staff, and individual allergy lists are reviewed and followed.
Overview Our goal is to provide your child with after-school opportunities that are safe, engaging, and enriching. At Pembroke Hill School, we believe learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends — it expands. Our enrichment programs are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students discover new interests beyond the classroom. Enrollment is first-come, first-served and space is limited. To keep programs high-quality, we may adjust or cancel an offering if enrollment is low. Families will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
Registration Links Winter Enrichment Classes (Lower School) No-School Days Childcare
Winter Enrichment Class Details Classes begin at school dismissal and end at 4:15 p.m. Pick up is by 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Students not picked up at class dismissal will be taken to Extended Day in Deramus Field House and may incur the drop-in rate if they do not have a contract for that day. Discounts: Students with an Extended Day contract until 5:00 p.m. or later receive a 50% discount on enrichment classes. There is also a 50% discount for Pembroke Hill Faculty and Staff. Discounts do not apply to private music lessons.
Monday Enrichment Classes Confidence in the Kitchen (Grades 3–5) Dates: January 26, February 2, February 9, February 23, March 2, March 9 Description: Young chefs will build confidence in the kitchen through simple, age-appropriate cooking projects led by professional chefs. Each week, students will practice safe food handling, basic kitchen skills, and easy recipes they can recreate at home while working as a team and having fun.
Tuesday Enrichment Classes Dungeons & Dragons (Grades 2–5) Dates: January 27, February 3, February 10, February 24, March 3, March 10 Location: Intermediate Building Science Room Pick up: 4:30 p.m. Description: Step into a world of imagination and teamwork. Students will learn the basics of Dungeons & Dragons through guided adventures that build creativity, collaboration, problemsolving, and storytelling. No experience necessary—just bring your imagination and a sense of adventure.
Wednesday Enrichment Classes Fencing II (Grades K–5) Dates: January 21, January 28, February 11, February 18, February 25, March 4 Location: Deramus Field House Pick up: 4:30 p.m. Description: This class is for students who previously took Fencing I. Students will continue developing footwork, strategy, and sportsmanship while building skills in a fun and safe environment led by a trained fencing instructor. Raiders Chess Club Q3 (Grades 3–5) Dates: January 21, January 28, February 4, February 11, February 18, February 25 Location: Intermediate Building Science Room Pick up: 4:30 p.m. Description: Students will build chess fundamentals and sharpen strategy through guided instruction and friendly games. Players will practice opening principles, tactics, sportsmanship, and problem-solving in a fun, supportive environment.
Thursday Enrichment Classes Raiders Chess Club Q3 (Grades K–2) Dates: January 22, January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, February 26 Location: Intermediate Building Science Room Pick up: 4:30 p.m. Description: A beginner-friendly chess club where students learn the basics—how pieces move, simple strategies, and good sportsmanship—through mini lessons and lots of play. Perfect for new and returning players. Fencing (Grades K–5) Dates: January 22, January 29, February 12, February 19, February 26, March 5 Description: Students will discover the art, discipline, and excitement of fencing in this six-week course for Grades 2–5. Participants will learn fundamental footwork, strategy, and sportsmanship in a fun and safe environment. Classes meet from dismissal until 4:15 p.m. Pick up by 4:30 p.m.
Friday Enrichment Classes Brick4Kidz LEGO Club (Grades 1–5) Dates: January 23, January 30, February 6, February 20, February 27, March 6 Description: Students will build engaging LEGO models each week while exploring STEM concepts through hands-on design and creativity.
Additional Winter Enrichment Classes (Dates Pending) Rock Climbing Written Out Loud Class
No School Days Childcare (Lower School) Registration Link: https://sites.google.com/pembrokehill.org/phsauxiliaryfall2025programs/schools-out-childcare-ls
February 13 Childcare Valentine’s Day Childcare (Rising Kindergarten–5th Grade) Celebrate Valentine’s season with a full day of crafts, games, and team-building fun focused on friendship, kindness, and creativity.
March 23-27 Childcare Spring Break Childcare (Rising Kindergarten–5th Grade) Join us for a fun-filled week of Spring Break childcare with a little March Madness spirit. Students will enjoy games, friendly team challenges, and basketball-themed craft projects, along with outdoor play and spring-inspired activities like perler beads. It’s a great week to stay active, make friends, and have fun while school is out.
April 17 Childcare National High Five Day Childcare (Rising Kindergarten–5th Grade) A day of teamwork, encouragement, and positivity with fun group games and activities that celebrate building community.
May Childcare Note May childcare is for Rising Kindergarten–5th Grade only (not Early Childhood).
Private Music Instruction Pembroke Hill offers private music instruction to nurture and develop students’ musical talents. Our program provides personalized lessons tailored to each student’s skill level and interests, fostering a deeper appreciation for music and enhancing their overall educational experience. Through one-on-one instruction, students are supported in achieving their musical goals, building confidence, and discovering the joy of music. Key Details for Private Music Lessons: All music lesson fees are $40 per 30-minute session for experienced instructors and $30 per session for entry-level instructors. For Lower School private music lessons, families should contact the instructor directly. Extended Day and faculty/staff discounts do not apply to music lessons.
Private Music Lessons Available In: Piano (K - 12th) Flute (5th - 12th) Percussion (K - 8th) Trombone (3rd - 5th) Trumpet (3rd - 12th) Clarinet and Saxophone (4th - 8th) Oboe (6th - 12th)
Meet Our Instructors Dr. Tomas Aber Dr. Tomas Aber brings a wealth of performing and teaching experience to his clarinet and saxophone students. A graduate of the Juilliard School and UMKC’s Conservatory of Music, he spent three decades as bass clarinetist with the Omaha Symphony and has performed internationally with ensembles such as the Rotterdam Philharmonic and the National Ballet Orchestra of the Netherlands. In Kansas City, he performs with the newEar ensemble and the pop band BCR. Since 2008, Dr. Aber has taught private lessons at Pembroke Hill, where he helps students develop strong fundamentals, confident listening skills, and a relaxed, enjoyable approach to music making. To sign up, email the instructor directly at tbzaber@sbcglobal.net.
Lyra Pherigo Lyra is an accomplished Kansas City musician with decades of experience performing and teaching. As a flutist, she has played with the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, Kansas City Ballet, Civic Opera, and Starlight Theatre, and she also teaches beginning piano (1st grade & up) and vocal performance. To sign up, email the instructor directly at lyradeara@yahoo.com. 7th grade and older for vocal lessons.
Matt Ronan Matt has been teaching drums in Kansas City since 1989 and brings decades of experience to his students. His lessons go beyond just learning beats — students will explore drum set, rudimental percussion, music reading, and the foundations of music theory. As a versatile musician, Matt has performed across genres including rock, blues, jazz, Broadway, and classical. To sign up, email the instructor directly at mronan@speds.org.
Laura Worms Laura has been playing piano since seventh grade, beginning as an organist for her local church. At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) she studied piano for six years with Ruth Slenczynska, the last living pupil of Rachmaninoff. Laura earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance at SIUE, served as a graduate assistant teaching piano to college students, and received a graduate award in Piano Pedagogy. She has taught piano for more than 40 years to students of all ages and ability levels. To sign up, email the instructor directly at r.worms@sbcglobal.net.
Maurice Butler Maurice is a gifted percussionist—primarily on drums—as well as a producer, teacher, and mentor. A gospel and jazz musician, he devoted his life to serving through music and played faithfully for Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, under Pastor Gerard Ballew, his grandfather. A 2021 graduate of Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, Maurice ranked among the top ten students in his class, received the Principal’s Honor Award, and was the only student to earn a scholarship that year. After graduation, he returned to support the concert band and choir, rehearsing with them daily for three years and mentoring young percussionists. Maurice has performed with jazz artist Willie “Shockie” Thornton and spent five summers with Young Jazz KC under Christopher Burnett. This year, he also appeared with the Brady Vocal Ensemble. To schedule 1:1 drum lessons, please email Maurice directly at drummer22mlb@gmail.com.
Stanton “Stan” Kessler Stan is a celebrated trumpet and flugelhorn player, bandleader, and educator in Kansas City. He has led ensembles such as The Sons of Brasil, the Stan Kessler Quartet, and Horacescope, with multiple acclaimed recordings to his name. A dedicated educator, Stan taught jazz trumpet and improvisation at UMKC for over two decades and has served on the faculty of KC Youth Jazz, Metro Jazz Workshop, and the Kansas City Jazz Academy. Recognized with numerous honors —including Musician of the Year (2013) and Favorite Trumpet Player (2022, 2023)—he has also performed alongside jazz greats like Clark Terry, Paquito D’Rivera, Karrin Allyson, and Bobby Watson. To schedule lessons, email Stan directly at stankmusic@earthlink.net. Hannah Quick Hannah is an oboist with 15+ years of experience. In high school, she played principal oboe in the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and the Kansas All-State Band. In 2017, she also played in NAfME's All-National Orchestra. During college, she played oboe in the student-run Harvard College Bach Society Orchestra and the pit orchestra for the Harvard College Opera. Hannah has over 10 years of experience working with beginning through advanced-level oboe students in private lessons. She enjoys teaching and also teaches Middle School English at PHS! To sign up, email the instructor directly at hannah.quick@pembrokehill.org Breanna Mayberry Breanna is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, pursuing degrees in Trombone Performance and Music Education. Originally from a small town about an hour outside of St. Louis, Breanna has earned numerous musical honors, including gold medals at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest, membership in the St. Louis Youth Orchestra, and first chair placement in the All-State Band, where she achieved the top overall trombone score. She has taught middle school low brass students through a summer music program and has served as a clinician for the past two years at Sullivan High School’s band camp, leading visual choreography, marching drill, and low brass instruction. Breanna offers one-on-one lessons for brass students in grades 3–5 and beginning piano lessons for Kindergarten through 2nd grade students who may not yet be ready for a brass instrument. Breanna has access to beginner trombone and trumpet instruments for lesson use. Most lessons are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., with some flexibility to accommodate students’ schedules. To schedule lessons email both Breanna at breajerebrae@gmail.com and Kellee Pearson at kellee.pearson@pembrokehill.org *Entry level instructor.
Amber “Flutienastiness” Underwood Amber Underwood is a Kansas City–based jazz flutist, educator, band director, and bandleader who has been performing since age 8. She earned a B.M. in Flute Performance from Wichita State University, an M.A. in Arts Administration and Music Business from the UMKC Conservatory, and a second master’s degree in Education/Teaching Music from Pittsburg State University. Amber leads Flutienastiness and the SoulPatrol, a modern blend of smooth jazz, R&B, Latin, funk, and gospel that spotlights the flute as a featured solo instrument. A recognized presence in the Kansas City jazz scene, she has opened for Kirk Whalum and her debut album, This Is Me, received international attention and was named one of Kansas City’s Top 25 Jazz Albums (2020). To sign up for flute lessons (Grades 6 and up), email Amber directly at msamberu@gmail.com.