After School
Greenwich Academy offers two after-school enrichment programs for girls in Lower School: Serendipity and Friday Afters. Additionally, LS students 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)
Produced by the Greenwich Academy Parents Association, Friday Afters is open to all Lower School students PC-Group IV. Held on select Fridays, it consists of two 8-week sessions. The program for PC and CC runs 12:30-1:30 PM on the Ridgeview Avenue campus and includes lunch supervision. Parents are asked to provide a bagged, nut-free lunch for their children. The program for Groups I-IV runs from school dismissal until 2:50 PM and includes lunch at the Dining Hall.
We strongly encourage everyone to put down a first, second, and, for Groups I-IV, third choice. There will be a lottery for classes that are over-subscribed.
Questions? Contact Friday Afters Co-Chairs Jen Gonnella and Cindy Handy.
Session II online registration:
Thu Jan. 9-Thu Jan. 16
Program Dates: Select Fridays
January: 24, 31
February: 21, 28
March: 6
April: 3, 17
May: 1 (8 as a make-up date, if needed)
Session II: Jan. 24-May 1
PC & CC
The eight-week session is $260. Payment will be charged to the student’s school billing account. If a cancellation is made before the second lesson, billing accounts will be credited a 50% refund; no refunds after that time.
If classes are oversubscribed, a lottery will be held to determine participants. Girls may register for up to two classes, in order of preference.
The program for PC and CC runs from school dismissal until 1:30 PM on the Ridgeview Avenue campus and includes lunch supervision. Parents are asked to provide a bagged, nut-free lunch.
Classes for PC & CC
Tae Kwon Do
Explore the excitement and fun of Tae Kwon Do! Girls who study Tae Kwon Do develop strength, muscle tone, flexibility, endurance, speed, balance, and coordination. This class will promote self-confidence and increased self-control. Tae Kwon Do unites the body and mind, and it helps enhance spirit and life through training. The girls will learn to respect each other and their elders, avoid conflicts, and develop leadership skills. By the end of the session, the girls will learn the basic blocks and motions of Tae Kwon Do and will earn their first belt!
Instructor: Master Ji, White Tiger Tae Kwon Do
Limit: 15 girls
Green Moon Art Class
Calling all art lovers! Taught by the fabulous Green Moon art studio, the girls will enjoy painting, drawing, and other multi-media art techniques. Through art, they will develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and collaborative experiences. Linking creative skills with imagination, this class will prompt rich social interaction and reflective dialogue. Lessons will include textiles, drawing and painting, S.T.E.M., textures, blending, and sculpting.
Instructor: Green Moon
Limit: 18 girls
I-IV
The eight-week session is $520. Payment will be charged to the student’s school billing account. If a cancellation is made before the second lesson, billing accounts will be credited a 50% refund; no refunds after that time.
If classes are oversubscribed, a lottery will be held to determine participants. Girls may register for up to three classes, in order of preference.
The program for Groups I-IV runs from school dismissal until 2:50 PM and includes lunch at the Dining Hall.
Classes for Groups I-IV
- LEGO Robotics Jr.: Simple Machines (Groups I & II)
- Art Adventure with Future Picassos (Groups I-III)
- Hip-Hop Part 2: Just Dance! (Groups I-III)
- Hands on Pottery: Animal-Themed (Groups I-IV)
- LEGO Robotics (Groups III & IV)
- “Escape the Room” (Groups III & IV)
- Spotlight Theater (Groups III & IV)
LEGO Robotics Jr.: Simple Machines (Groups I & II)
Calling all future engineers! This class is perfect for girls who are excited for the fun challenges of LEGO Robotics. Students will get an introduction to levers, inclined planes, pulleys, and screws. They will complete fun weekly challenges through building motorized mechanisms in teams.
Instructor: Zaniac
Limit: 10 girls
Art Adventure with Future Picassos (Groups I-III)
Create like a master and think like an artist! Through drawing, painting, illustration, cartooning, and art history, the girls will explore different ways to see and develop their visual language. Students will discover artistic choice and make decisions based on curiosity from within. Each week, the class will explore a different topic and complete a piece of art. Artists discussed will include Henri Matisse, Yayoi Kusama, Amy Sherald, Georgia O’Keeffe, Helen Frankenthaler, Hilma af Klimt, Hayao Miyazaki, and Frank Stella.
Instructor: Kathy Chattoraj, Future Picassos
Limit: 18 Girls
Hip-Hop Part 2: Just Dance! (Groups I-III)
Come join the fun in this expanded HIP-HOP dance class, where the girls will learn some of the latest Hip-Hop moves, along with other current and iconic dance styles! The girls will learn the latest moves of Taylor Swift, Rhianna, and Britney Spears, and they will master several other popular dance moves that everyone should know. The girls will collaborate to create a dance compilation to show off their new dance skills to family and friends.
Instructor: Mara Gardel, Magic Dance on the Water
Limit: 15 Girls
Hands on Pottery: Animal-Themed (Groups I-IV)
Hands on Pottery 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, animal-themed projects! From sloth smoothie glasses to safari snack bowls and party llama cake plates, your daughter will create unique projects that you can use at home!
Instructor: Hands on Pottery
Limit: 20 Girls
LEGO Robotics (Groups III & IV)
The girls will work in teams to plan, build, test, and modify their own robotic creations! Students will use Cubelets, Ozobots, Dash & Dot, and other educational kits that mirror programming language used by engineers and scientists. This class will help creative minds put mathematical concepts to the test as the girls develop a better knowledge of robotics, computer programming, and teamwork. Note: No previous robotics experience is required.
Instructor: MacInspires
Limit: 12 Girls
“Escape the Room” (Groups III & IV)
Come solve the puzzles and “escape the room”! This class follows the popular “Escape the Room” model. The girls will be presented with information, such as maps, historical information, building plans, directories, props, and cryptic clues, to help them solve puzzles that will open locks and boxes, allowing them to “escape” within the time allotted. The clues are often in code, requiring that they first “discover” the clue. These codes are visual, physical, mathematical, and language-based, such as riddles. Often, they will need to use tools with which they might not be familiar, such as screwdrivers, compasses, protractors, and origami instructions, to break the code. Through teamwork, communication, and creative thinking, the girls will be challenged to complete the missions each week, while also building confidence and having a great time!
Instructor: Sew Happy
Limit: 12 Girls
Spotlight Theater (Groups III & IV)
Be a part of the theater! In this class, the girls will help create a show that is custom-tailored to the specific cast. Taught by the beloved Danny Young, who many of the girls know from Greenwich Academy camp and after-school offerings, the class will include acting exercises and fun theater games while teaching teamwork and building self-esteem. At the final class, the girls will put on a performance for family and friends. Each girl will have her chance to shine in this fun-filled musical theater class!
Instructor: Daniel Young
Limit: 13 Girls
Registration
Serendipity (LS)
Serendipity runs Mon-Thu for girls in Groups I-IV. Taught by GA teachers and outside instructors, all classes are one hour, from 3:15-4:15 PM. Please pick up your children promptly. Since children who take the bus must leave at 3:45 PM, parents must arrange for alternate transportation on Serendipity days. There are no Serendipity classes on half-days or holidays.
Registration for Spring Serendipity: Sun Feb. 23-Fri Mar. 6
Spring Serendipity classes begin Mar. 30.
Last class: May 14
Monday classes begin: Mar. 30
Tuesday classes begin: Mar. 31
Wednesday classes begin: Apr. 1
Thursday classes begin: Apr. 2
Registration Procedures & General 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 class.
Classes
Monday
Brushes & More
Homework Club
Fee: $105
Teacher: Mrs. Dolan
Groups I-IV
What better way for your child to get her homework completed than to join the Homework Club? GA Learning Specialist Amy Dolan will provide guidance, support, and enrichment, while helping your child get organized and understand what needs to be prioritized. If all homework is completed, literacy and math skills activities tailored to each student will be available for your child.
Hula Hoop Weaving
Fee: $155
Teacher: Mrs. Ellis
Groups I-IV
Come make your own hula hoop rug! New this year, we will not only being using t-shirts of all colors, but we will also be braiding and twisting yarn to use in our masterpieces. Guaranteed to be awesome! Not only will you go home with a fabulous rug, you also get to keep your sparkly hula hoop!
Robotics With Vex IQ
Fee: $105
Teacher: Mr. Rendell
Groups III-IV
Join GA’s first-ever Vex IQ Lower School team! Students will learn how to build and program a Vex IQ robot and participate in this year’s Vex IQ global challenge, Squared Away! Vex IQ is an innovative new robotics system that builds STEM learning by allowing the students to follow simple step-by-step directions for building and programming their creations.
Tuesday
On Stage
Sew Fun
Tinkering Time
Fee: $155
Teacher: Mrs. Casanova
Groups I-IV
Let’s tinker together! Get inspired and dare to innovate, create, and play. We will explore and change, we will work with friends, we will discover new ways of doing things. Tinkering builds problem solving skills. How can I make a window for my house? How can I make a cardboard animal stand up?
Wednesday
Thursday
Computer Fun
Math Club
Fee: $30 (supply fee only)
Teacher: Mrs. Hill
Groups: III & IV only
In Math Club we will be exploring mathematical concepts and themes in ways that encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and the creative application of skills. In addition, the girls will have the opportunity to work collaboratively and engage in conversations that stretch and strengthen their mathematical thinking. The Math Club will be led by Holly Hill and will feature special guests from other divisions.
Sculptey-licious
Fee: $155
Teacher: Mrs. Casanova
Groups II-IV
Use your hands to mold beautiful miniature creations! Use soft, colorful polymer clay to create mini food, unique jewelry, fantastic creatures, and much more. It’s a great opportunity to exercise your fine motor skills, expand your creativity, and have fun at the same time.
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 Head of Lower School). Only these students may attend. There is no fee for Study Hall.
Meeting Times
Study Hall meets in a designated LS classroom Mon-Thu, and runs from dismissal to 3:45 PM. At that time, students straighten up the classroom and the supervising teacher accompanies bus-riders to the Upper School Circle to meet the bus. All other students must be picked up at 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
Check in with the supervising teacher and find a seat
Ask the supervising teacher for assistance with assignments
At dismissal, straighten up room, check out with the supervising teacher
Registration
Please fill out & return this form to the LS office by the second week of school.
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.
Meeting Times
Homework Hall meets Mon-Thu 3:35-5:00 PM in Room 108 (adjacent to the MS office).
Guidelines & Procedures
Students who are not picked up by 3:45 PM are required to check into HW Hall. Snack is provided. Parents or guardians may call the supervisor to request their child to meet outside at their pickup location. Students who have not been picked up by 4:55 PM will be walked to the Lower School Pagoda by the supervisor for a prompt 5:00 PM pickup. 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. Arrangements for students receiving financial assistance may be made through the Financial Aid Office.
Questions?
Contact Mere Tormey in the MS Office; she can also be reached by phone at 203.625.8905.
Pickup Times
Friday Afters (LS)
PC & CC: 1:30 PM Ridgeview Avenue Campus
Groups I-IV: 2:50 PM Lower School Pagoda
Serendipity (LS)
4:15 PM Lower School Pagoda
Study Hall (LS)
3:45 PM at Study Hall
Homework Hall (MS)
5:00 PM at MS Room 108
LS Dismissal
| Mon-Thu | Fri | |
|---|---|---|
| PC | 2:40 PM | 11:30 AM |
| CC |
2:55 PM |
11:45 AM |
| I | 3:00 PM | 11:40 AM |
| II | 3:10 PM | 11:50 AM |
| III | 3:15 PM | 11:55 AM |
| IV | 3:20 PM | 12:00 PM |
MS Dismissal
| Mon-Thu | Fri |
|---|---|
| 3:25 PM | 2:35 PM |