Fall ’19 Lower School Afterschool

Here is an overview of the Fall 2019 Afterschool offerings for Kindergarten-Grade 4. Registration begins on July 30 and concludes on August 30.  GO HERE for Lower School Afterschool program policies, dates, and registration procedures.

MONDAY 

HOMEWORK CLINIC       3:30-4:30pm – Grades 3-4        $288

BFS Faculty

Homework Clinic provides students with a quiet, small group environment in which to work on homework, while receiving help from our BFS teacher to strengthen skills, strategies and study habits. All Homework Clinic instructors are current BFS teachers.

MAGIC FOREST    3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-2        $372

with Broadway Bound                                   

Combining elements of theatre art and storytelling, this class leads children on an adventure in imagination where they develop a story around their own mythical creatures and landscapes.

SOCCER        3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-1        $312

Junior Sosa                                            

Get your next soccer star signed up to our amazing soccer program! In keeping with the BFS way, our soccer club is child-centered and inclusive. Children experience soccer through carefully planned games that are high on touches and involvement.

BAKING                      3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-2   $360 

Andrea Perlman      4:30-5:30pm – Grades K-2   $336            

Come experience baking for kids in this fun class. Students will create delicious treats and learn basic baking skills. Through this class, kids will enhance motor skills by scooping, chopping, cutting and develop baking-related skills by counting, measuring and weighing ingredients.  Students will get to taste their own creations at the end of class and will leave with yummy recipes to try at home.

CHESS             Beginners 3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-3   $336 

Gary Ryan       Intermediate 4:30-5:30pm – Grades 2-4  $312                                                

In Gary’s beginners class, children learn the fundamentals while having a great time. In intermediate chess, children expand on the skills they gained in Beginner Chess. Children should have at least one year of chess experience in a classroom setting prior to enrollment in Intermediate Chess.

COOL FIT KIDS    3:30-4:30pm – Grades 2-4        $288

Coach Ryan McCann                                

Teamwork makes the dream work! Join the club for awesome games, fun challenges, yoga, movement, exercise and more! Coach Ryan will help you master your form and technique while using mindfulness to find flow in sports and in life. Cool Fit Kids strengthens mental focus, physical awareness and emotional resilience.

CAPOEIRA      4:30-5:30pm – Grades 2-4        $288

Alisha Neverson

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian dance, martial arts, and connection to cultural heritage, which originated in Brazil in the 16th century–emerging as a form of social resistance and cultural expression among enslaved people. This class will focus on learning the foundational movements of a capoeira jogo, a game always played in pairs, including balancing techniques, spins, kicks, and rhythms. Since singing accompanies the capoeira roda (circle), we will learn and practice singing in Portuguese. Classes will touch on capoeira’s history, its most influential teachers and thinkers, and some of the key elements of its playful, savvy, character.

NEW! Direct from the BFS Summer Arts Program:

ELECTRONIC SOUND LAB    4:30-5:30pm – Grades 3-4     $336

Joel Lambdin

Using GarageBand, students will create their own music to learn basic concepts of composition, sound synthesis, and production techniques. Through listening and the modeling of techniques, students then experiment with these concepts on their own laptop, combining the benefits of a classroom setting with the more individualized attention of a lab setting. By the end of the semester, students will have at least one completed original work, a beginning understanding of musical texture and how to create simple structures, the basics of synthesis (wave shapes and the harmonic series), and a starting point for mixing their own music on an industry standard Digital Audio Workstation. No prior musical experience necessary!

TUESDAY 

HOMEWORK CLINIC      3:30-4:30pm – Grades 3-4     $299    

BFS Faculty (See Monday for description)

NEW!  BEGINNING BALLET     3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-1      $312

Christine Scheibl

Students new to ballet learn the fundamentals of the craft, while developing proper alignment, muscle control and self-confidence. Christine came to New York from Vienna, Austria in 1993 to study Ballet with Dance Theater of Harlem. After completing the Professional Training Program, she worked as a Professional dancer performing throughout the USA and participating in outreach programs to bring dance to the community.

NEW!  HIP HOP DANCE   4:30-5:30pm – Grades 3-4        $312

Jamara Hill 

Taught by our very own Brooklyn Friends School PE and dance teacher, Jamara Hill! Jamara, a BFS alumna, not only teaches dance during the school day, she is also teaches and choreographs for the BFS Upper school dance team, Panthers Supreme. Our Hip Hop class will focus on learning choreography, expressing creativity and most importantly, building confidence through dance. Each session will include a brief warmup featuring a series of stretches and aerobic activity. Once students are properly warmed up we will work on combinations and choreography. The class culminates in a show for friends and family. Come join the fun!

CERAMICS                            3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-1        $390

Suzanne Creamer              4:30-5:30pm – Grades 2-4        $364           

Under the guidance of accomplished teaching artist Suzanne Creamer, students explore the unique medium of clay, and learn the basics of coiling, pinching and slump molds through fun projects.

NOTE: Due to previous registration patterns and the limited space in this class, there will be a lottery drawing to determine the participants in these classes. Register as usual and your child will be placed on a “waiting list.” We advise registering for a second class at the same time slot as a back-up. After the lottery draw, we will inform you of the outcome by Sept. 6. Should your child get into the class, the second choice will be dropped from your registration.

KARATE                      3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-1       $364

Sensei Glenn            4:30-5:30pm – Grades 2-4       $338

Karate class will help students build focus, self-esteem, as well as social and leadership skills. Students learn in a traditional environment that emphasizes respect for themselves and for others. The Fitness for Focus method trains the body and mind to adapt to stress, all while students develop confidence, rise in belt level, and have a great time!

NEW!  WORLD PERCUSSION      3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-2        $312

Kaz George 

Using drums, rhythm sticks, shakers, bells, and their own voices, children will explore rhythms from Africa and Latin America. Students will learn to make music together as a group, hand-foot coordination, and basic music theory, while being exposed to music from different cultures around the world.

DOUBLE DUTCH                 3:30-4:30pm – Grades 1-2        $312

Cheryl Foote                     4:30-5:30pm – Grades 3-4       $286

Double Dutch is a vigorous jumping game that children have loved for centuries. In addition to teaching the children how to jump with two ropes, Cheryl teaches traditional jumping songs and hand games. Double Dutch with Cheryl is an Afterschool favorite!

WEDNESDAY 

HOMEWORK CLINIC                                3:30-4:30pm – Grades 3-4          $276       

BFS Faculty

(See Monday for description.)

SOUND OF MUSIC       3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-1        $360

with Drama Zone  

The hills are alive with the sound of music this semester in BFS Afterschool! This fun musical theater class combines singing, dancing, and acting in preparation for a show for family and friends! Group numbers are emphasized but children of all talents are welcome to join. Children learn age appropriate choreography, words and lyrics to songs as well as learning scripted lines for their show. Team spirit is encouraged as children will learn to work together.   

WIZARD OF OZ         4:30-5:30pm – Grades K-3        $360

with Drama Zone  

Come join Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Toto in this exciting production of The WIzard of Oz! Group work is emphasized. No experience necessary but all talents welcome! Classes include appropriate choreography, proper stretching and strengthening, singing instruction with breath support and projection as well as some memorization of lines. Theater and dance games make this a well rounded class. The class culminates in a show for friends and family!    

NEW!  FOOD JUSTICE       3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-1        $312

Rosa Marruffo                4:30-5:30pm – Grades 2-4        $288

Food Justice will educate the hearts, minds, and eating habits of young BFS-ers through hands-on gardening in the classroom and cooking activities. By the end of the semester, students will be able to understand the seed to table process and grow their own plants to eat at home. Some topics will include: Plant parts, soil/worms, nutrition, and more.

FRIENDS OF COLOR       3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-4        No Charge

Friends of Color is open to all students grades K-4 who identify as people of color. Guided by Quaker principles, the purpose is to affirm, protect and nurture the racial and cultural identities of Brooklyn Friends students, acknowledging that racism exists and exploring ways to promote racial justice now and in the future. BFS Lower School faculty Melissa Poitevien, Ashley Okonma, and Afterschool Director Omar Roberts will facilitate this class.

KNITTING        3:30-4:30pm – Grades 2-4         $312     

Cheryl Foote

In this open-level knitting class, children will have the opportunity to learn the basics of knitting, such as casting on and off and basic stitches, as well as expand their skills by working with more intricate stitches and patterns. Knitter extraordinaire and BFS’s beloved Cheryl Foote provides students with the attention they need to improve their skills while having fun.

JEWELRY MAKING     4:30-5:30pm – Grades 3-4        $324

Elena Kanidinc

This is a hands-on class for young designers and makers who want to explore jewelry-making and learn a variety of techniques and materials. Projects include making bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and other adornments…. to gift or keep! Classes are targeted to specific age groups, students’ experience and skill level. Students are encouraged to develop their own style and can take home their own creations.

THURSDAY 

MAD SCIENCE                                3:30-4:30pm – Grades K            $372

Mad Science Instructors            3:30-4:30pm – Grades 1-2        $372

Phreaky Physics: Is your energy potential or kinetic? Find out with us as we explore centrifugal force & gyroscopes.  Become a junior engineer and experiment with axles, pulleys, levers, gears and wheels. Some of the weekly topics in this session are: Harnessing Heat, Life in the Sea, The Birds & the Beasts, Earth Awareness, Nature, The Science of Sport, Mad Science Machines, Mad Magnets, Super Structures, Under Pressure, “Current” Events, Lights…Color…Action! Watts Up, Energy Burst & Fun-damental Forces

MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE     3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-2         $336

Alex Pimienta

Mixed Media Sculpture is geared toward fun and artistic discovery. Students will explore and experiment with different creative techniques and media. They will learn how to create sculptures using many different materials and supplies. Students will use their own imaginations and creativity while making their own original sculptural artwork.

ROBOZOO       3:30-4:30pm – Grades 1-2       $552            

Why do giraffes have long necks? Why are so many fish shaped differently? Why do cheetahs need 4 legs? Students will learn about animals and how their bodies help them perform specific tasks. The class gets to use LEGO ® robotics to create animal robots and make them move. They’ll also learn that concepts like torque, traction, and angular velocity make designing these “anibots” trickier than it may appear. Welcome to the jungle!

IT’S SEW FUN!            Beginners  3:30-4:30pm – Grades 1-3         $364        

China Aroh                 Intermediate  4:30-5:30pm – Grade 3-4     $351

Children develop their imagination and creativity by designing and creating a variety of projects. Younger sewers will work on enhancing their manual dexterity and making simple yet beautiful creations such as quilts, stuffed animals and backpacks. Older sewers will work on more intricate stuffed animals, books, backpacks, t-shirts and ponchos. China earned a degree in Fashion Art & Design from FIT. In addition to teaching children in private and public school settings, she has worked as a costumer for the Joseph Papp Public Theater and as a wardrobe stylist for MTV.

ANIMATION ADVENTURE      3:30-4:30pm – Grades 2-4         $444                                             

with Penciltopia

Children collaborate to create an original stop-action animated short film. Our young filmmakers are involved in every aspect of the production, from conceiving a story, to constructing storyboards and sets, to completing the film using a camera and laptop.

NEW!  YOUNG VOICES CHORUS   4:30-5:30pm – Grades 3-4     $288

Ken Alston Jr.  

Ken Alston Jr, is a virtuoso in opera, classical, spirituals and gospel with many years of experience on theatrical, opera and concert stages. He has performed with the Philadelphia, New Jersey and Chicago Lyric Opera. He has graced stages in Prague, Paris, Armenia, Beijing, Osaka, Edinburg, and London. Young voices is a class where students will express themselves through the medium of song. Students will learn to sing in a group environment learning songs from Broadway (Musical Theater) to folk music. Young voices students will prepare for a performance, and will learn the basic skills of putting on a musical performance, and will also learn voice classifications and basic harmony where possible.

NEW!  PHOTOGRAPHY    4:30-5:30pm – Grades 3-4     $360

Sensei Glenn  

Students are taught to use an Olympus Tough, shockproof camera in discovering visual creativity by making their own images, while learning the basic elements of still photography as the basis for graphic design. Students learn how to understand and use light, perspective and spatial composition to communicate well and express themselves confidently. Students and teacher will create photographs of the other students in the class as well as things from home and places and things in and around the school. The course is taught by a former commercial photographer and current long-time karate instructor with experience bringing discipline to fun things.

FRIDAY 

FENCING                                                    BEGINNER  3:30-4:30pm – Grades K-2  $300

with Amsterdam Fencing Academy    INTERMEDIATE: 4:30-5:30pm – Grades 1-4 $280

Students learn the basics of French classical foil – thrust, parry, and lunge – through fencing related games and drills. Students will use regulation fencing masks, but practice with foam swords in order to ensure safety. Each class starts with a warm up and stretching session, and then moves on to the practice of proper footwork and form. This is followed by skill building games that teach the proper moves and rules that simulate real fencing competition. Once the students are ready, the last ten minutes of class are dedicated to the actual fencing of five point bouts, using the same rules as Olympic sport fencing.  Students must have at least one semester of experience to register for 4:30-5:30 Intermediate Fencing.

TELEVISION PRODUCTION        3:30-4:30pm – Grades 1-3      $300   

with Cinemakidz

Join CinemaKidz and learn how to produce an original tv show. Together, kids will create their very own series—planning, art direction, storyboarding, filming, and editing their shows.

3D VIDEO GAME CODING        3:30-4:30pm – Grades 2-4     $490

with CodeAdvantage

Kodu Plus-Coding to create 3D Video Games: Students create their own 3D video games and adventures while learning fundamental coding concepts such as loops, variables and constructors. In this Game Design class, we combine the child’s love of playing video games with the ability to create those games through coding. Students create and personalize games such as Pac-Man and Space Alien Invaders and even create their very own video game.

NEW MYTHOMAGIC     3:30-4:30pm – Grades 3-4       $300

with Plato Learning             

Mythomagic is an exciting class based on the tabletop role-playing game from the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympian series. Led by their intrepid team of instructors, students create their own mythical heroes, challenge perilous beasts, and solve ancient puzzles in an original quest that combines their favorite mythological characters with new fantastical stories! Using their quick wit and their incredible creativity,  students participate and shape the very stories they are playing through.

NEW ADVENTURES IN MYTHOLOGY         4:30-5:30pm – Grades K-2      $300

with Plato Learning          

Adventures in Mythology is a journey into the world of ancient myths and stories across many cultures, including Greek, Egyyptian, Norse, Indigenous, and more. Adventure in Mythology activities students’ imaginations and takes them on a journey through a world of heroes, monsters, and magic. Each week  a chapter in our original own class story, with activities ranging from amor design to epic live-action adventures, all under the mission of helping each student become the hero they were always meant to be.

FRIENDLY FLYERS    NEW extended class time!      3:30-5:00pm – Grades 3-4        $300

with Cool Run Club    

Cool Run Club is fitness and mindfulness in a single approach. Our experienced running coaches provide a safe space for students to explore running responsibly. From learning functional movements and running mechanics to practicing technique, form and breathing. This class is for all levels. Students will be escorted to Cadman Plaza where Friendly Flyers will take place. For inclement weather, the class will take place in one of the BFS gyms.

LOWER SCHOOL PLAYGROUP – Mondays through Fridays

Children are placed in Playgroups according to grade level. After a long day at school, Playgroup is a chance for Lower School children to socialize with their friends as they engage in free play and structured activities in the classroom, on the roof or in the gym. Older children (grades 2-4), are also given quiet time to work on homework. A light snack is served at the beginning of the afternoon. Playgroup is offered in two timeblocks, 3:00 to 4:30pm and 4:30 to 6:00pm.

Playgroup Fees 

Fees cover the entire semester of Playgroup on the given day and time. Fees for Playgroup vary due to days when Afterschool is not in session, such as holidays, conference days, and professional development days.