Afterschool Classes
Afterschool classes are open to all children, including children from other schools and the homeschool community.
The Fall 2023 session runs from September-December. Please pack a snack for students attending Afterschool classes.
For HMS families, play-based Aftercare for N-8th Grade is also available from 3-5PM.
MONDAY CLASSES
Earth Rhythms (N3s - PreK)
Teacher: Jon Lee Rucker
Total Cost: $350 (12 classes) | Mondays from 3-4pm
Class Description: Our goal is to inspire awe for nature, respect for our place within it. Students will learn about the Earth and numerous ways that human beings can engage with it, how to be stewards, how to commune by deepening knowledge of the plant world and soil biology, as well as practical skills. The time will involve student participation in music with a nature based theme. Earth Rhythms will feature wisdom and songs to help the children grow with the seasons.
Teacher Bio: Jon Lee Rucker is an Eco-Social Movement Strategist - Community Builder, Event Organizer - Musician/Poet and Farmer. He is the creator of the PermaJam festival. Jon has been farming since 2011 where he helped grow food for 200 families on a biodynamic CSA. In 2016 he started PermaJam, which bridged many earth-centric cultures through community gatherings, permaculture teachings, and the celebration of our regeneration. Jon currently lives with his wife Camille and their 3 year old daughter in Olivebridge, NY. They own and operate Wild Beauty Farms, a CSA and Private Farm. “Enrich soil to grow high quality food. Nourish people to build a strong community.”
Earth Rhythms (K - 2nd Grade)
Teacher: Jon Lee Rucker
Total Cost: $350 (12 classes) | Mondays from 4-5pm (please register students for Afterschool care from 3-4pm)
Class Description: Our goal is to inspire awe for nature, respect for our place within it. Students will learn about the Earth and numerous ways that human beings can engage with it, how to be stewards, how to commune by deepening knowledge of the plant world and soil biology, as well as practical skills. The time will involve student participation in music with a nature based theme. Earth Rhythms will feature wisdom and songs to help the children grow with the seasons. Jon Lee Rucker is an eco-social movement strategist, community builder, event organizer - musician/poet, father and farmer. He is the creator of the PermaJam festival.
Teacher Bio: Jon Lee Rucker is an Eco-Social Movement Strategist - Community Builder, Event Organizer - Musician/Poet and Farmer. He is the creator of the PermaJam festival. Jon has been farming since 2011 where he helped grow food for 200 families on a biodynamic CSA. In 2016 he started PermaJam, which bridged many earth-centric cultures through community gatherings, permaculture teachings, and the celebration of our regeneration. Jon currently lives with his wife Camille and their 3 year old daughter in Olivebridge, NY. They own and operate Wild Beauty Farms, a CSA and Private Farm. “Enrich soil to grow high quality food. Nourish people to build a strong community.”
Introduction to Pottery (3rd - 8th Grade)
Teacher: Pamela Peltzman
Total Cost: $540 (12 classes) | Mondays from 3:10-5pm in the Art Room
Class Description: In a warm and fun atmosphere, learn and explore various ways to create your own collection of functional ceramics. We will focus on hand building techniques, such as pinching, coil building, and slab construction to create a variety of personalized forms, and you may even try your hand at the pottery wheel. You will then explore decorating techniques to further personalize your wares, such as stamping, sgraffito, inlay, and painting with colored clay slips and glazes. At the end of the session we will have a celebration, eating and drinking from your finished pieces, and then you can take them home to enjoy for years to come.
Teacher Bio: Pamela Peltzman is a parent of 3 young children and a studio potter in Shokan, NY. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from SUNY New Paltz in 2005 and continued with post baccalaureate studies at the University of Hartford and Penn State University. Pamela has taught at the Peter's Valley School of Craft, and most recently, has been teaching after school clay programs to students at Phoenicia Elementary School and supporting art classes at Bennett Elementary. She enjoys sharing her passion for clay with students of all ages, specializing in functional wheel thrown and hand built pottery. Pamela's love for clay weaves in and out of all aspects of her daily life, as her partner is a potter and educator as well. They host the Hudson Valley Pottery Tour at their home every October.
TUESDAY CLASSES
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Introduction to Pottery (K - 2nd Grade)
Teacher: Janine Louis
Total Cost: $540 (12 classes) | Tuesdays from 3:10-5pm in the Art Room
Class Description: Realize a personal goal in clay! Working with the instructor or independently, you will pursue your own ceramic project objectives. You will learn about the basic principles of clay work. Students will explore a variety of ceramic construction methods that include basic pottery skills and hand-building methods. Students will learn pinching, slab work, and coiling. Students will also learn basic surface decoration and glazing techniques. Come with ideas, personal challenges, just plain interest, and a willingness to get your hands dirty and have some fun!
Teacher Bio: Janine has been an early childhood educator for some 20 years. She has worked in many different educational settings over the years, most notably at an international school in the city. It has been wonderful for her to bring this educational knowledge to High Meadow. Janine holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a New York certified teacher. Janine believes that individuality, progress, and change are fundamental to one's education. That children are inspired to learn from what they consider most relevant to their lives. That students learn best when curriculum is centered around their experiences, interests, needs and their individual abilities.
High Meadow Chess Club (K - 8th Grade)
Teacher: Coach D. Suris
Total Cost: $240 (12 classes) | Tuesdays from 3:10-5pm
Class Description: Classes with Coach D are focused on learning the fundamentals of how to play chess... and having fun! Her assistant, Cathy Young, teaches new beginners (and those students who need a refresher) how the pieces move and capture, how to correctly set up the board, and the very basics of game play, check, and checkmate. Once students have learned the basics, Coach D teaches openings, strategies, and tactics, as well as checkmate patterns that are more advanced. By the end of the semester (depending on individual abilities and motivation) beginners will be able to play a simple game from start to finish. The goals for intermediate players are to learn opening principles, defenses (usually for black,) en passant, how to shepherd a pawn to the opposite side, and advanced checkmating patterns (endgame.)
Teacher Bio: Coach D. Suris has been teaching children how to play chess for over 20 years. She began with teaching after school chess programs in the Rhinebeck school district (where she still teaches) and has led programs in Tivoli, Saugerties, and most recently in Accord at Inness. For the last 2 summers, she has worked with Camp Ramapo for Children in Rhinebeck, as their day camp chess program instructor. She works together with her assistant, Cathy Young, who teaches the beginners, while Coach D works with the intermediate and advanced students. They have worked with children of all ages and abilities, including children with learning disabilities and children on the spectrum. In addition, Coach D and Cathy run the Rockin’ Rooks Chess Team, a competitive chess club based in Rhinecliff at the Morton Memorial Library. For over 15 years, they have instructed students grades K-12 accompanied them to tournaments, including the NY State championships in Saratoga. The Rockin’ Rooks team has been the subject of a number of newspaper articles and has won numerous 1st place trophies and awards.
Plant Wisdom + Holistic Potion Making (3rd - 8th Grade)
Teacher: Jenny Mulak
Total Cost: $540 (12 classes)|Tuesdays from 3:10-5pm
Class Description: Discover the magic and healing powers of plants, herbs and flowers. All foraged on HMS property! Flower and herbal practitioner Jenny Mulak takes students on a 12 week journey into the ancient ways of honoring and celebrating nature. Nature trail walks, time in the garden with sketch books, and plant education all lead students to creating items for a home apothecary. Plants have healing properties, from supporting our immune system, to refreshing our skin, to soothing bug bites and bruises - and so much more! Possible take home creations include an immune boosting syrup and/or oxymel, an aromatic hydrosol, and a healing salve. After 12 weeks students will have created their own products from scratch and made friends with the plants around them! What to bring: Long sleeves and pants Close-toed shoes for walks on the nature trail A Hat Bug Spray Sketch book and/or journal
Teacher Bio: Jenny Mulak is an herbalist/herbal consultant, flower practitioner, a writer and a curious student of spiritual teachings. She also works as a certified yoga teacher and reiki master skilled in the art of energy healing.Jenny has a degree in English and an MBA from NYU. She grows,forages and makes all the herbal potions for her product line "Cosmic Mother" formerly known as "Jennifer Juniper". She is delighted to make her home in Shokan, NY with her partner, Ariel, and their two rescue pups. After working in the corporate world for almost 20 years, Jenny found her true calling with the plants and flowers. She is very excited to share her knowledge and inspire kids to get excited about celebrating nature!
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Robotics (3rd - 8th Grade)
Teacher: Chris Madden
Total Cost: $480 (12 classes) | Tuesdays from 3:10-5pm
Class Description: Want to learn the concepts that drive the technology all around us? High Meadow Robotics Class is a STEM-focused program engaging kids from rising 3rd grade to rising 8th grade. Students will participate in collaborative learning, skill-based challenges and exciting competitions with experienced mentors. Apply STEM concepts with Arduino kits, Sphero and LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime programs and connect with real high school competition teams from FIRST LEGO® League. Be inspired, experiment and hone critical thinking skills to manifest action in the technology around you!
Teacher Bio: Chris Maddern (he/him) is an engineer working in facility automation and decarbonization, with more than 16 years of experience in building sciences. He has completed more than 800 projects helping commercial and residential buildings reduce energy consumption, increase health and wellness and provide financial security to the world’s largest real estate companies. In his spare time, Chris is an enthusiast on programming, robotics and renewable energy and has provided countless hours with young engineers in teaching applied sciences.
WEDNESDAY CLASSES
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Wayfinder Wednesdays (1st - 8th Grade)
Teacher: The Wayfinder Experience
Total Cost: $540 (13 classes) | Wednesdays from 3:10-5pm in the PAC
Class Description: The Wayfinder Experience is a live-action role-playing company based in Kingston, New York. Wayfinder runs summer camps, events, school programs and workshops for teens, children and adults. The centerpiece of our programs is the Adventure Game, a transformative experience that challenges players physically, mentally and emotionally, while immersing them in an exciting world of fantasy. This program will feature the fun building blocks that have made Wayfinder a staple in the Hudson Valley for 20 years. Come and join us for improv theater games, foam swordplay, and fun crafting projects!
Teacher Bio: The Wayfinder Experience is a live-action role-playing company, based in Kingston, New York. We run summer camps, events, school programs and workshops for teens, children and adults. The centerpiece of our programs is the Adventure Game, a transformative experience that challenges players physically, mentally and emotionally, while immersing them in an exciting world of fantasy. Read all about the Wayfinder Experience at wayfinderexperience.com.
THURSDAY CLASSES
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Circus Arts (2nd - 8th Grade)
Teacher: Richard Sky
Total Cost: $480 | Thursdays from 3:30-5pm in the PAC
Class Description: We are pleased to announce that the Circus Arts Enrichment Class is coming to High Meadow School for Fall 2023. This class will offer the opportunity to learn clowning, tumbling, juggling, partnering for acrobatics, globe and barrel walking, unicycling, stilting, aerial silks and a touch of magic skills.
Teacher Bio: Richard Sky will be running the program. He has owned and operated Ultimate Gymnastics School for 25 years. Since then he has been performing and teaching Circus Arts and has done magnificent things here at High Meadow with our community. You may remember him from years past…
FRIDAY CLASSES
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La Finca Futbol (K - 3rd Grade)
Teacher: Jed Tucker
Total Cost: $325 (11 classes) | Fridays from 3:15 -4:15pm
Class Description: La Finca’s approach to futbol development starts with a focus on individual ball mastery and community building around the sport of futbol. In addition to physical developments in strength, agility and balance, the ball mastery training activities improve the child’s focus and concentration that supports academic success as well. These clinics are designed for beginner to intermediate players. There will be a minimum of two experienced coaches per session and a maximum of 12 players. Necessary sports equipment is provided. Children must have appropriate soccer footwear for outdoor use. Cleats are best.
Teacher Bio: La Finca Futbol is dedicated to developing real futbol in the United States. And so, our simple solution is make technical soccer competency among children as common as walking. Everyone can do it! Our approach to training is based on the simple idea that first, we build players, then we teach them the game. Learn more at lafincafutbol.com
La Finca Futbol (4th - 8th Grade)
Teacher: Jed Tucker
Total Cost: $325 (11 classes) | Fridays from 4:15-5:15pm
Class Description: La Finca’s approach to futbol development starts with a focus on individual ball mastery and community building around the sport of futbol. In addition to physical developments in strength, agility and balance, the ball mastery training activities improve the child’s focus and concentration that supports academic success as well. These clinics are designed for beginner to intermediate players. There will be a minimum of two experienced coaches per session and a maximum of 12 players. Necessary sports equipment is provided. Children must have appropriate soccer footwear for outdoor use. Cleats are best.
Teacher Bio: La Finca Futbol is dedicated to developing real futbol in the United States. And so, our simple solution is make technical soccer competency among children as common as walking. Everyone can do it! Our approach to training is based on the simple idea that first, we build players, then we teach them the game. Learn more at lafincafutbol.com
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Please contact Gordon Garrand with questions about Afterschool classes or Aftercare. Remember to pack a snack for students attending Afterschool classes or Afterschool care.
Inoculations
All students must be fully vaccinated to attend Afterschool classes.
Payment
Please complete individual registration for each student. Families can choose to pay in full at the time of registration; a monthly payment option is also available. Only families receiving financial aid for tuition are eligible for a reduced rate. All families must be in good financial standing to register their children for after school classes, including sports; as well as aftercare. If you have any questions about payment, please contact Bonita Chase.
Changes and Cancellations
If you decide to cancel or change enrollment after the first class meeting, you will be eligible for a full refund and no fees will be charged. Afterward, if you decide to cancel or change enrollment, refunds are prorated and there is a $50 administrative charge:
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Withdrawals the second week are 100% refundable
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Withdrawals prior to the fourth week are 50% refundable
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Withdrawals after five weeks are nonrefundable.
Adding on Aftercare
For families that need additional coverage, play-based Aftercare is available until 5PM. You can reserve a space for your child on the days you need coverage. Charges for Aftercare will continue to be billed monthly via FACTS based on actual student attendance.
Pick Up
Students will be dismissed outside on the quad. Please park so you can check out your student in person with the Afterschool teacher.
