Lower School Curriculum
Enrichment Programs

After School Program
September 9, 2009

Dear Parents,

The Philosophy Day School offers daily After School classes for grades K-5. The Program will run for two sessions beginning the weeks of:

Grade        First Term                       Second Term   
(K-5)         September 21-January 29    February 1-June 9

A number of classes for the K-5 After School Program have been split by grade level to ensure better instruction. However, since many classes have a minimum enrollment requirement, if the number of students enrolled does not meet the requirement, we may need to revise the schedule and combine the grades into one class. The final determination will be made the second week of the program. Hopefully, this will be unnecessary.

Since holidays conflict with certain classes, the cost per term differs for each activity. The cost per class is $30, however payment for the entire term is due in full. We do not accept drop-ins, your child must be registered in order to attend the class.

In order to enroll in the class, please contact me directly and let me know which courses you would like to enroll your child into. Once you have made your selection, you can guarantee a space for your child by sending payment in full to Philosophy Day School, attention Sheila Friedman / After School Program. Please indicate on the check the session and programs you wish to enroll in. There will be no refunds. Please send payment no later than Friday, September 18.

Thank you,

Amy Pope-Anderson
Administrative Coordinator

PDS After School Program

Kindergarten – 5th Grade
September 21-January 29
Time: 3:30 – 4:30pm

Pick up: Dismissal at 4:30pm in the Reception area.
Please be prompt in picking-up your child.

* We will send an additional notification in January for the second term classes, as they are subject to change.

Course Descriptions and Instructor Bios:

Mondays

Tennis: Coach Andrew has been with us since 2004 and is not only an amazingly talented tennis player and instructor, he is also a professional musician! With humor, patience, and expertise, Coach Andrew leads the children through a variety of activities and games in order to increase their motor skills and coordination, suited to appropriate age levels.

Art: Ms. Rolfson, Associate Teacher in the First Grade, is excited to join Philosophy Day School as the instructor of the After School Art Program. A talented artist, Ms. Rolfson is trained in oil painting, clay, drawing, photography, and multimedia. Suzanne graduated from Vanderbilt University with a double major in studio art and elementary education, and recently completed her master’s degree in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. The after school program classes will introduce students to different styles of painting, drawing techniques, clay construction, and multimedia explorations. There will be an additional materials fee of $30.

Tuesdays

Homework Help: Ms. Rancourt, who will be the Second Grade Head Teacher this year, will be working with students afterschool to assist them with completing their homework packets. Ms. Rancourt has extensive experience with one-on-one tutoring, and was one of the instructors in last year’s Accelerated Reading Program. She plans to supervise and assist students one-on-one and guide them through their work. Miss Rancourt brings incredible patience, dedication, and love to her students.

Ballet: Delia Ahouandjinou returns to us for her second year as an After School ballet teacher. Ms. Ahouandjinou received professional training as a ballerina in Paris and has performed at the National Paris Opera and for the Martha Graham Ensemble. Ms. Ahouandjinou has taught dance, ballet and French in both public and private schools, as well as private instruction. She was recommended to us by the Director of the New York Theater Ballet and brings her classical education to our students. She teaches with incredible grace, poise, discipline and love.

Running Club: Ms. Scott, our Third Grade Teacher, is introducing running to our afterschool program for the first time! Not only is she a fabulous and dedicated teacher, but she is also an avid runner, and will be facilitating a bi-weekly running program for our upper grades. Children in afterschool will have an opportunity to run in Central Park to promote development of running ability and overall health and well being. Using a 2nd-5th Grade running and fitness curriculum designed by Top Olympians, Ms. Scott will place emphasis on proper running form, nutrition to power a healthy body, techniques to train the body to run faster and longer, and the joy and beauty of running in nature.

Wednesdays

Drama: Mrs. Lora has taught Drama here at the Philosophy Day School since 2006. She not only provides our children with weekly drama instruction, but has also done a spectacular job of directing our school theatre productions for the past two years. She is a professionally trained actress, and together with her incredible knowledge and humor, brings those skills, along with her love for children, to our after school program.

Tennis: See Above

Thursdays

Soccer: Coach Hunter returns to our afterschool program for his fourth consecutive year, braving all seasons to bring our children top notch instruction on soccer. Coach Hunter himself has been an avid player for many years and has extensive experience coaching. He has a wonderful connection with the children, whom he leads through games and scrimmages appropriate for all levels.

French: Ms. Pope, a native French speaker, will be teaching afterschool for the first time this year. Most of you will all be familiar with seeing her smiling face in the mornings, at the front desk here at Philosophy Day School! Ms. Pope looks forward to working with a mixed-level class to teach basic conversation skills and songs in French!

Fridays

Knitting: Ms. Hein is new to the First Grade class this year, and an avid and talented knitter. Knitting is an enjoyable, relaxing, and productive skill used by all sorts of people. Students in afterschool will first learn knitting basics – how to knit, purl, cast-on, and bind-off. As students practice these new skills, they will make small squares to donate to the House Rabbit Society. This charitable organization uses small knit items as toys for rabbits in foster care. Once students become proficient with basic skills they will move on to design and make their own scarves to keep or give as gifts. So if you want to practice patience, help bunnies, and learn to knit, join the knitting club!

Chess: Mr. G has been teaching the wildly popular chess class for four years now. Mr. G brings incredible instruction, dedication, and humor to teaching chess, and is very well received by the students. His teaching enhances logical and critical thinking skills, and is open to all levels.