After School
Greenwich Academy offers two after-school enrichment programs for girls in Lower School: Serendipity and Friday Afters. Additionally, LS students with older LS sisters may take part in Sisters, while girls requiring supervision until a 3:45 PM bus or pickup may register for Study Hall. Finally, Homework Hall is open to Middle Schoolers who cannot be picked up by 3:45 PM. Please find more information, as well as how to register, for all these programs below.
Friday Afters (LS)
Fall 2021 Session I: Sept. 24-Nov. 19
Friday Afters, sponsored by GAPA, is a supervised after-school program run on select Fridays throughout the school year. Participating Group I-IV girls have lunch in the dining hall (PC/CC stay at Ridgeview) followed by one of the many fun and educational extracurricular Friday Afters offerings. The program for PC/CC runs from dismissal until 1:30 PM. The program for Groups I-IV runs from dismissal until 2:45 PM. Friday Afters offerings change mid-year. Costs for the program are charged to your school billing account. Details of the class offerings are sent home prior to the sessions and are posted here.
Please note: If a class is overenrolled, there will be a lottery. To be included in a lottery, you must register anytime during the official registration period.
Questions? Contact GAPA Friday Afters Co-Chairs.
Fall 2021
SCHEDULE & PRICING
Ridgeview classes: $260*
Main campus classes: $520
*This year RAC students have the option to receive a GA lunch for an added cost of $80. The cost of class with the lunch option is $340.
If you have questions about financial assistance to participate, please reach out to Nina Hanlon, Director of Enrollment & Financial Aid.
Meeting times:
- September 24
- October 1, 15, 22, 29
- November 5, 12, 19
- December 3 (Make-up date)
Pickup:
Ridgeview: 1:30 PM
Main campus: 2:45 PM
PC & CC
White Tiger Tae Kwon Do
Fitness, Focus, and Fun! Explore the excitement and fun of Tae Kwon Do. Get exercise while increasing listening skills, focus, and also developing balance and coordination. Additionally, TKD unites the body and spirit and also instills self confidence and respect for others. Your children will learn the basics of Tae Kwon Do with Greenwich’s most sought after martial arts instructors right here on our GA campus.
Instructor: White Tiger TKD
Adventure Soccer
Star Kidz
GROUPS I-IV
- Girls Coding Club (Groups I & II)
- InstaDance (Groups II-IV)
- Hands on Pottery (Groups I-IV)
- Waverly Girl Class (Groups III & IV)
- Fashion Technology 101 (Groups III & IV)
- Fencing Fun 101 (Groups I-IV)
Girls Coding Club (Groups I & II)
Empower young girls with a recipe for the future by introducing the languages of programming. First students will learn how to create stories and games in Scratch and then advance into more traditional languages like HTML, Java, and Python! Coding allows girls to design a project and watch it come to life, developing an important skill that will help close the gender gap in the computer science industries.
Instructor: MacInspires
InstaDance (Groups II-IV)
In this interactive dance class, students will learn kid-friendly dances inspired by todays latest dance craze. In each session, the girls will learn short form dances that help with memory, coordination, and confidence while having fun. Additionally, parents will receive a compilation video at the end of the session.
Instructor: Magic Dance
Hands on Pottery (Groups I-IV)
Darien’s premier pottery studio will be coming to YOU! The girls will paint with glazes on various bisque items to make beautiful hand-crafted pieces of art. Students will use various techniques, including sponge painting, pointillism, masking paper, and much more, to create a number of fun, beautiful, and useful projects!
Instructor: Hands on Pottery
Waverly Girl Class (Groups III & IV)
Inspire. Educate. Illuminate. In this special offering for Group III and IV girls only, the girls will be whisked away on “Waverly Tours,” exploring different cultures each week while participating in an experiential activity that allows them to explore, create, and learn about that culture.
Instructor: Waverly Project
Fashion Technology 101 (Groups III & IV)
Wear custom jewelry you design and make through 3D Printing! Students learn how to manipulate shapes in 3D modeling software to create their own earrings, charms, chains, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and more! MacInspires reviews proper design and measurement techniques critical to completing successful jewelry prints. Problem-solving is encouraged. Creativity is limitless!
Instructor: MacInspires
Fencing Fun 101 (Groups I-IV)
The No. 1 ranked youth fencing club in the country is coming to GA! The Tim Morehouse Fencing Club will help develop coordination, reflexes, balance, and strategic thinking. Fencing challenges players physically and mentally while building confidence and self-control. The girls will learn basic fencing footwork, blade work, and sports rules. Fencing equipment—which includes mask, plastic chest protector, jacket, glove, and a weapon—will be provided.
Instructor: Tim Morehouse Fencing
Serendipity (LS)
Fall 2021: Sept. 20-Dec. 16
The Serendipity Program is available Mon-Thu to LS girls in Groups I-IV. The hourlong classes are mainly taught by GA teachers, with some outside instruction. There are three trimesters and options change each session. Courses range in cost and are charged to your school billing account. Serendipity instructors dismiss girls at 4:15 PM at the LS entrance. There is one pickup line for all groups. Prior to each session, information on Serendipity offerings and dates will be sent home, as well as posted here.
Questions? Contact LS librarian Leesa Singleton.
Winter 2022: Jan. 3-Mar. 10
Registration: Sunday, November 21-Wednesday, December 8
Winter 2022
All classes are one hour 3:15-4:15 PM. Please pick up your daughter(s) promptly. Since the bus leaves at 3:45 PM, parents of bus-riders must arrange for alternate transportation on Serendipity days. The Winter session starts Monday, January 3.
INFO
- All charges will be billed to your school billing account.
- If there are classes for which there are more registrations than we have places, we hold a lottery to decide which children may attend. If your child is placed on the waitlist for a class, she will have priority the next time the class is offered.
- Your daughter may register for more than one class. Please be sure that the class is offered to her grade level.
- We reserve the right to modify classes or change faculty assignments when necessary. Classes with insufficient enrollment will be canceled.
- There are no Serendipity classes on half days or holidays.
- If your daughter drops out of a Serendipity class after the first week and her spot cannot be filled, you will be charged for the entire session.
LATER GATORS
Later Gators is a supervised, unstructured program that provides families with additional child-care coverage after Serendipity classes. Later Gators offers a 5:00 PM pickup for families who have a conflict with Serendipity’s 4:15 PM dismissal.
Instructor: Kelly Fischetti
Fees:
Mon: $80
Tue: $100
Wed: $100
Thu: $80
MON
Classes begin Monday, January 3, 2022.
- Art Exploration - Groups I-IV
- Hula Hoop Weaving - Groups I-IV
- Resident Poets Club - Groups I-IV
- Sensible Scribers - Groups I-III
Art Exploration - Groups I-IV
Art Exploration will introduce the girls to a variety of art forms and materials. From acrylics, beads, crayons, and decoupage to water colors, yarn and zippers, students will create unique projects while manipulating a variety of art mediums. A fun and creative class for all art lovers!
Teacher: Ms. Ayrolo
Fee: $210
Hula Hoop Weaving - Groups I-IV
Resident Poets Club - Groups I-IV
Sensible Scribers - Groups I-III
TUE
Classes begin Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Chess - Groups I-IV
For over 2500 years, chess has provided a fun learning experience for students of all ages and abilities. The National Scholastic Chess Foundation’s after-school enrichment program is tailored to accommodate students of different strengths within the same class. With a balance of structured lessons and supervised play, our students improve their ability to focus, to create and implement plans, and to adapt their thinking when circumstances change. Along the way, they are introduced to the game’s rich history, they learn to win and lose with grace, and to achieve their goals by persevering through adversity.
Teacher: National Scholastic Chess Foundation
Fee: $250
Craft City - Groups I-IV
On Stage! - Groups I-IV
Come explore the world of the theater with us. We will work on all of the different aspects of performing a Broadway show, including scenes, theater games and songs. At the end of the session the girls will perform for friends and family in the new Young Auditorium.
Teacher: Mrs. Ellis & Mrs. Kelley-Young
Fee: $250
Young Yogis - Groups I-IV
Come join us for some relaxing afternoons of yoga and mindfulness! In this class, we will learn foundational yoga poses, play group yoga games, engage in breathing exercises, and practice mindfulness. Through these activities, the girls will develop physical strength and flexibility, as well as emotional self-regulation skills. No yoga experience necessary. This class will be taught by Sophie Kennen, who holds a certificate in teaching children’s yoga.
Teacher: Ms. Kennen
Fee: $250
WED
Classes begin Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Crazy 8s Club for Groups I & II
Mrs. Ellis’ Knitting Nook - Groups I-IV
Come bring a friend and hang out while you make fun and easy projects! Our winter projects will include headbands, necklaces, bracelets, tube scarves and more! Girls will be able to select from new yarn colors and many looms to choose from. Have fun while learning new ways to knit.
Teacher: Mrs. Ellis
Fee: $250
Slime-azing! - Groups I-IV
Slime is a great sensory play activity that helps children explore their senses while boosting their curiosity. Why does slime form in the way that it does? What are some materials that are absolutely necessary to form slime, and how could a lack of those materials affect the slime at the end of making it? What are the different ways to make slime? These are all questions that students will be able to answer at the end of this class, while having fun. Join us for a Slimazing experience!
Teacher: Ms. Armstrong
Fee: $250
THU
Classes begin Thursday, January 6, 2022.
Passport to the World - Groups I-IV
Recorder Karate - Groups III & IV
Group III is not learning the recorder in school this year, but have no fear! Recorder is back and better than ever! Not only will you be learning how to play the instrument but you will receive colored “karate” belts to hang from your beautiful new recorder! Each girl will receive a Yamaha instrument in a case, a music book, as well as digital accompaniments to play along with when at home.
Fee: $210
Teacher: Mrs. Ellis
Sweet Cooking! - Groups II-IV
It might be scary and stressful to imagine your kids in the kitchen. Yet cooking can teach important life skills. Following a recipe builds on literacy, math, time management abilities, and even cleaning skills! Sweet Cooking is intended to be a fun and interactive after school class that will mainly focus on teaching young girls the basics of baking! We will be making everything from sugar cookies, to cupcakes to larger and more complex sweets by the end of the fall session.
Teacher: Ms. Alcantara
Fee: $210
Register Here
Sisters (LS)
Study Hall (LS)
Eligibility
Study Hall is a supervised study time for students in Groups I-IV who are waiting to leave on a bus, waiting to be picked up by a MS or US sister, or have a pickup time that is in conflict with another area school (with approval from the lower school head). Only these students may attend. There is no fee for Study Hall.
Meeting Times
Study Hall commences the first day of school and continues throughout the year Mon-Thu. (Due to the much later MS dismissal and lack of a noon bus, there is no Study Hall on Fri.) Study Hall runs from dismissal to 3:45 PM, at which time bus-riders are brought to the Upper School Circle to meet the bus. All other students must be picked up from Study Hall by 3:45 PM.
Guidelines & Procedures
Although the time is brief, we hope students will use Study Hall to start their homework, so they have less to do when they get home. Girls should:
- Bring all materials and books required for that day’s homework.
- Find a seat on the gathering stairs or in the LS hallway and begin.
- Straighten up and check out with Mr. Ross-Wiley or Mrs. Schneider when it’s time to leave.
Questions?
Contact Colleen Schneider in the LS office.
Homework Hall (MS)
Eligibility
Homework Hall is a supervised study hall held after school for Middle School students who cannot be picked up by 3:45 PM. Students are expected to be picked up promptly after school or under the supervision of a faculty member after 3:45 PM. Students may not wait in the MS or US building unattended at any time.
Meeting Times
Homework Hall meets Mon-Thu 3:35-5:00 PM. There is no Homework Hall on Fridays.
Guidelines & Procedures
Students who are not picked up by 3:45 PM are required to check into HW Hall in the MS library. Parents or guardians may call the supervisor to request their child meet them outside at a pickup location (LS portico or US circle). There is no need to sign up in advance.
The supervisor can be reached during HW Hall hours at 203.485.4058.
Fee
There is no fee for students waiting to board a 4:00 PM bus. All other students who attend HW Hall will be charged $15.00 per session. Anyone with questions about financial assistance should contact Nina Hanlon, Director of Enrollment & Financial Aid.
Questions?
Contact Sarah Barringer or Jenny Colllins in the MS Office; they can also be reached by phone at 203.625.8905.