Mindful World

Grades K-3: 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Fall Term
Sept. 9, 16, 23; Oct. 7, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11
NO classes Sept. 30; Oct. 14

Mindful World is a unique program combining mindfulness, art, and international cultures to teach children social-emotional skills, literacy, and to be citizens of the world. Bonnie Weiss, owner of The School of Mindful Arts, will guide students through folktales about body awareness, mediation practices, and make shadow puppets to do plays in small groups.

Break the Mold!

Grades PK-K: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Fall Term
Sept. 9, 16, 23; Oct. 7, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11
NO classes Sept. 30; Oct. 14

There’s no limit to the shapes that kinetic sand can take! Break the Mold gives PK and K explorers the opportunity to get their hands dirty, while dreaming up all the things they can sculpt using tools and molds both conventional and more, well… wacky!

Little Pediatrician School (SOLD OUT)

Grades PK-2: 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Fall Term
Sept. 9, 16, 23; Oct. 7, 21, 28 (6 Sessions only)
NO classes Sept. 30; Oct. 14; Nov. 4, 11

An SSA favorite, Little Medical School® is back with a brand-new offering! Future Pediatrician class takes a new twist on the traditional expectant sibling offerings. Using role-playing techniques, students will assume the role of a pediatrician and learn how to hold the baby, do an exam just like a real doctor, change a diaper and keep the baby safe. Each Future Pediatrician will receive a disposable white coat, luxury plush baby, an exclusive mini Baby Box® for safe sleeping, activity sheets and a birth certificate.

Woods Play (SOLD OUT)

Grades K-5: 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Fall Term
Sept. 9, 16, 23; Oct. 7, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11
NO classes Sept. 30; Oct. 14

Into the woods we go…to play, dig, explore, build and create! Join Junior School PE teacher Karen DiFiore as she leads her charges into Frick Park for some good old-fashioned free play, while spending time in nature. Each week, the Woods Play crew will explore a different area of the park to set up camp and then choose how to spend their time there. Disclosure: students will return to school dirtier, muddier, and possibly wetter than when they left. Old clothing and shoes are recommended!

Green Thumbs Gardening

Grades 2-5: 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Fall Term
Sept. 9, 16, 23; Oct. 7, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11
NO classes Sept. 30; Oct. 14

Grow a love of nature and sense of wonder about plants by signing up for this class, hosted by Director of SSA Farms Anna Sekine! Students in grades 2-5 will spend time caring for the chickens and working in the raised garden beds, PK gardens and Foster garden - all on the Junior School campus. They will also have the opportunity to participate in harvesting, tasting and cooking new foods, and preparing the beds for the winter at the end of the term. Let’s dig in!

Yearbook Committee

Grades 4-5: 3:45-5:00 p.m.
Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms
Sept. 9, 16, 23; Oct. 7, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11
NO classes Sept. 30; Oct. 14

This is a class you don’t want to miss! Students in grades 4 and 5 will work alongside Junior School computer science teacher Karen Sandora to create the Junior School yearbook for the 2019-2020 school year. Participants will take photos during school events and learn how to lay them out using provided yearbook software.

 

Basketball

Grade PK: 3:45-4:05 p.m.
Grades K-1: 4:05-4:30 p.m.
Grades 2-5: 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12 (No class Sept. 17)

Coach Steve Berger from North Hills High School is back to teach our future NBA and WNBA players how to properly dribble a basketball and work on other ball-handling skills. Players will also work on stamina and endurance through running drills and shooting practice. For older students, the session ends with an opportunity to apply their skills in a friendly game!

Classic Games

Grades PK-1: 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12

Time to kick it old school with board games! End your day by playing some classics, such as Twister, Candy Land and Snakes and Ladders to get your mind and body moving. In addition to playing games, students will also work together to create their own unique game by the end of the term!

Lab Ratz Science Club (SOLD OUT)

Grades 1-5, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Sept. 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8 (Five classes only!)

Fun, safe, and educational, Lab Ratz Science Club addresses flagging interest in the sciences among students nationwide. By catering to the natural curiosity of children, Lab Ratz Science Club creates a learning environment where students are led to answers through questioning and hands-on experimentation, rather than with lectures. In addition, the individual creativity of each participant is stimulated to promote problem solving and to apply concepts.

Dance

Ballet - Grades PK-K: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Broadway Jazz - Grades 1-5: 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms
Sept. 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12

Another ASE favorite, Bodiography, are back with all the moves! Ms. Kaylin Treese will help to establish solid dance foundations with our younger students in ballet, and then build on those steps in Broadway Jazz with our older students.  It is recommended that enrolled PK-K students purchase ballet shoes. NOTE: This is a yearlong class that culminates in a dance recital in May.

Nerf Football

Grades PK-K: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Grades 1-5: 4:15-5:00 p.m.
Sept. 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12

Our Junior School students love to play football during recess, and this class is the perfect way to introduce and enhance their skills. Mr. Bryan Vrcic will teach the fundamentals, such as passing, kicking, running, and all-around team play. Here we go, SSA, he we go!

Cartoons and Comic Strips

Grades 2-5: 4:15-5:00 p.m.
Sept. 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12

Do you like to draw? Do you like comic books, web comics, or the newspaper funny pages? In this class, students will develop their drawing skills, create fun and expressive characters, and learn to tell stories visually.  Students will explore classic comic strips and popular cartoon characters in order to develop a unique style and draw their own!

Arts Smarts

Grades PK-K: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Grades 1-5: 4:15-5:00 p.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13 (NO class Oct. 9)

Join ASE’s arts and crafts maven Ms. Chris for an afternoon of fun art projects that will flex your creativity muscles and having you thinking differently about what you see around you! PK-K students will be working on recycled print art, while the 1^st-5^th

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Creative Movement/Tap

Grades PK-1 Creative Movement: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Grades 2 -5 Tap: 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13 (NO class Oct. 9)

Hit the stage for some high-energy dancing with the instructors from MURRdance! Younger students will learn the fundamentals of movement and engage in creative play through dance, while the older students will take their turn making percussion with their feet as the explore the basics of tap dance! It is recommended that enrolled 2-5 students purchase tap shoes.

Martial Arts (SOLD OUT)

Grades K-2: 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13 (NO Class Oct. 9)

Young martial artists will have the chance to learn from the instructors of the Shaolin Studios located in Regent Square! The class will include age-appropriate self-defense techniques, evasive movements from escaping garbs and holds (jiu jitsu) and forms patterned after animals. Predicated on three guiding principles of self-control, respect, and discipline, classes include a combination of warm-ups and stretches, kicks/punches/blocks, techniques, and strength exercises. The benefits of martial arts are increased confidence, improved focus, strength, and discipline.

Tennis

Grade PK: 3:45-4:05 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
Grades K-1: 4:05-4:30 p.m.
Grades 1-5: 4:30-5:15 p.m (SOLD OUT)
Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13 (NO Class Oct. 9)

With 15 years of experience, Coach Mark Haffner combines exercises, positive encouragement and skilled training to help students advance to the next level as tennis pros. With an emphasis on agility and fun, Coach Mark pairs students of similar ability and age level. Tennis rackets are provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own. Note: Returning first grade students may enroll in the 45-minute class.

Mini Movie Makers

Grades 3-5: 3:45-5:00 p.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13 (NO Class Oct. 9)

It’s Hollywood at the Junior School! In this 9-week enrichment course, students will experience movie making from the beginning to the end of the process. Local educator and filmmaker Lindsay Zappala will guide students through creating the script, working through storyboards, acting, directing and editing! Students will come away with a better understanding of the movie making process, more confidence in themselves as performers, and a more refined ability to work creatively with others.

Chess (SOLD OUT)

Grades K-1: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Grades 1-5: 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14 (NO Class Sept. 12)

Joining SSA since 2008, John Young, chess expert and instructor at a number of local schools, teaches everything from the basics of the game to winning strategies. His calm and supportive teaching style provides a comfortable environment for beginner and advanced player to develop their game. Note: Returning first grade students may sign up for the hour-long class. New students should sign up for the 30-minutes class to learn the basics.

Story Drama

Grades PK-K: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14 (NO Class Sept. 12)

Dive into the world of your favorite stories and picture books by becoming them! In this class, students will spark their imaginations using acting skills like mime, role-play, and improvisation to journey with their favorite characters!

Actors' Playground!

Grades 1-3: 4:15-5:00 p.m.
Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14 (NO Class Sept. 12)

Find your voice and develop your style through creative play and fun theater games! Learn more than how to perform--learn how to do what you do best and do it your way! This class will be taught by ASE veteran drama teacher Nancy McGeever.

Gymnastics (SOLD OUT)

Grades PK-K: 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Grades 1-5: 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14 (NO Class Sept. 12)

Students are flipping for gymnastics! (Pun intended.) Join this class that’s structured for beginners to learn the basic gymnastic skills and techniques, which focus on flexibility, coordination, and strengthening. Participants will have the freedom to learn and practice their new skills in a safe and supportive environment!

Soccer Shots

Grade PK: 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Grades K-3: 4:15-5:00 p.m. (SOLD OUT) 
Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14 (NO Class Sept. 12)

Soccer Shots in a program designed to introduce your child to soccer! Coach Matt is an enthusiastic and energetic instructor who teaches students the basics of the game like dribbling, passing, and shooting. Each week, concepts such as teamwork, sharing, and respected are highlighted and discussed.