WINTER 2015 FEBRUARY 2ND – APRIL 10TH

NISHUANE EXPLORERS is the before- and after-school enrichment program offering classes in art, music,

science, physical education and more. It’s a fun and full curriculum taught by Nishuane staff, Nishuane

parents and professionals from the community.

Classes start the week of February 2nd *Please note the end date of each course varies*

Morning classes are 8:10 AM - 9:10 AM

Afternoon classes are 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

Registration begins on: Wednesday, January 21st & closes on Tuesday, January 27th

*Registration is first come, first served. Class size is limited.*

COURSES

Monday mornings: 2/2, 2/9, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 and 4/6

*NO CLASS 2/16

Chess–in-a-Nutshell- Steve Moctezuma Chess is easy to learn and fun to play! This course is for novices AND experienced

players. Lessons will be adapted to students’ chess skill levels. Students will hone

their skills by playing practice games with their peers. Chess promotes good

sportsmanship, problem-solving skills, self-discipline and confidence.

(Also offered on Wednesday and Friday mornings!)

Gymnastics - Mr. Eder In this class, students will be working on forward and backward rolls and

cartwheels on the mats. They will also be learning and practicing some moves on

the balance beam, horizontal bars and more. All levels of gymnasts will be sure to

enjoy this class, so come tumble with Mr. Eder! Gymnastics is great for improving

strength, balance and flexibility.

(Also offered on Wednesday mornings!)

Monday afternoons: 2/2, 2/9, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 and 4/6

*NO CLASS 2/16

Fantastic Drawing & Mixed Media – Holly Korus - NEW COURSE!!! Young artists will explore drawing with pastels, crayon and pencil as well as painting with

watercolors and watercolor pencils. From animals to landscapes and everything else in

between. This super fun class is for ALL children who love painting, drawing and creating.

Projects will include animal drawings, color blending with mixed media, 3-D paper

creations and our favorite “Teach Me to Draw…”. All drawings & paintings sent home will

be suitable for framing.

Fashion Passion – Studio Kids Art - NEW COURSE!!! We start with fashionable projects that get young designers thinking about how to

create fashion. Illustration, fabric and textiles and cool fashion lines are what we work

on. There will be an introduction to hand sewing and accessory making!

Golf- TGA Golf This class will cover swing fundamentals, rules, etiquette, scoring, character

development and physical fitness. Students are broken into small groups so they

can focus on each skill and everyone gets the personal attention they need to be

successful. The focus is on building skills and motivation to get your child on the

golf course and experience the game in a positive way, making them life-long

golfers! TGA provides all necessary equipment. All students receive a hat, hat clip

(ball marker), TGA Student Handbook and prizes!

Lab Marvels & Magical Mysteries – Mad Science - NEW COURSE!!! Join us for a new and exciting after-school club this Winter Season! Explore awesome fun

and hands-on science with a magical twist! Use chemistry to concoct and brew up some

exciting science, pressure to understand the air all around us, and get down with density

with our good friend Eggbert! Don’t miss this magical program, where you can construct

marshmallow structure models as you take apart the building blocks of everything as a Jr.

Engineer! Take apart circuits and create a lighting bug to light the way through this

winter season! Learn all about Magic and take part in creating and cracking some of your

favorite magic tricks and fly high as you spread your wings with Fantastic Flyers!

Magic – The Hobby Quest Aspiring young magicians will learn all the tricks of the trade in this fun-filled foray

into the wondrous world of magic. They’ll discover how to make things float in

mid-air, vanish and reappear! They’ll even come home with a secret magic bag full of

amazing tricks to WOW everyone all year long!

SoCo Kids – Emily Klein – NEW COURSE!!!

This fun and dynamic class for socially conscious – aka “SoCo” – kids introduces students

to community service and shows them how even the smallest gestures can create a big

impact in someone’s life. Each week we will learn about a different organization in our

community and create a project to donate, whether it be cat toys for the animal shelter,

a mural for senior houses in town or writing a Valentine card to our volunteer firemen.

Photos of the projects will be taken so that each child can have a reminder of their

participation in our community.

Tuesday mornings: 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31 and 4/7

*NO CLASS 2/17

Becoming a Mathemagician – Ms. Bauer - NEW COURSE!!! In “Becoming a Mathemagician” children will learn various math games that foster

the love for everything numbers! We will discover the fascinations of math and all

it has to offer. They will also learn fun games that embody all the remarkable

properties of shapes, numbers, counting and calculating. Learning to love math has

never been so exciting!

Junior Engineers – Snapology - NEW COURSE!!! Young students build fun and simple models using LEGO® Duplo bricks. By playing with

and manipulating the models, they experience pulleys, levers, gears, wheels and axles

while exploring energy, buoyancy and balance.

Tuesday afternoons: 2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31 and 4/7

*NO CLASS 2/17

Acting Fun 01 – Miss Benner (FIRST GRADE ONLY)

This is a basic level acting/drama course that will touch a little bit on all aspects of

theatre. Students will learn stage directions, theatre vocabulary, improvisation, theatre

games, playwriting and musical theatre.

(Acting Fun for 2nd graders is offered on Wednesday afternoons)

Broadway Stars – Ms. Ferreira - NEW COURSE!!! If your child loves to sing and has a dramatic flair, then Broadway Stars is the class to

take! Students will be taught songs from different Broadway musicals and will learn

simple choreography to go along with them. By the end of the session, the students will

put on a small performance for their peers of the songs they learned.

Crafting Stories – Mrs. Seaman - NEW COURSE!!! (SECOND GRADE ONLY) Book club meets craft circle. In this hands-on story-driven class, students will read and

share different stories then complete a craft based on its theme. A fun way to share

your love of reading and make cool projects to take home!

Hip Hop - Miss Nina Students will learn the basic steps of hip-hop dancing with an emphasis on learning to

sequence movement through the building of dance routines. Finding the beat and

being able to work within the various rhythmic patterns of music will also be emphasized.

Students will come away with a firm knowledge of basic hip-hop dancing. But what is most

important, they will have a blast!!

(Also offered on Friday mornings!)

Let’s Draw! – Ms. Daniels Taught by one of Nishuane's Art teachers, students in Let's Draw! will explore many

drawing styles and techniques, such as simple shape animals, fruit and vegetable

still-life and realistic/surreal portraits. Great for blossoming and skilled artists alike,

Let's Draw! is a fun class to enhance all skill levels.

Mandarin – Ms. Lin Nǐ hǎo. Come explore the ancient and modern Chinese culture from festivals to

costumes and from arts to sports. Students will learn Chinese songs, games, art

projects, dances and cooking such as shuttle cock, fan dancing, and silk knotting.

We will also learn common words and expressions that Chinese people use daily.

Tennis - Ms. Denise Our instructor, Ms. Denise is a certified recreational coach who teaches students the

proper techniques for forehand, backhand and basic strokes. A short net and soft

tennis balls will be used. We will have lots of fun and exercise!

(Also offered on Wednesday afternoons!)

Wednesday mornings: 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25 and 4/1

Chess–in-a-Nutshell - Steve Moctezuma Chess is easy to learn and fun to play! This course is for novices AND experienced

players. Lessons will be adapted to students’ chess skill levels. Students will hone

their skills by playing practice games with their peers. Chess promotes good

sportsmanship, problem solving skills, self-discipline and confidence.

(Also offered on Monday and Friday mornings!)

Gymnastics - Mr. Eder In this class, students will be working on forward and backward rolls and

cartwheels on the mats. They will also be learning and practicing some moves on

the balance beam, horizontal bars, and more. All levels of gymnasts will be sure to

enjoy this class, so come tumble with Mr. Eder! Gymnastics is great for improving

strength, balance and flexibility.

(Also offered on Monday mornings!)

**There will be no gymnastics class on 2/18, make-up date is 4/15**

Wednesday afternoons: 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25 and 4/1

Acting Fun 02 – Miss Benner (SECOND GRADE ONLY)

This is an intermediate level acting/drama course that will touch a little bit on

all aspects of theatre. Students will learn stage directions, theatre vocabulary,

improvisation, theatre games, playwriting, theatre history, Shakespeare and musical

theatre. Students will also work on developing characters in a play.

(Acting Fun for 1st graders is offered on Tuesdays)

Contemporary Dance – Jo Freeman - NEW COURSE!!!

YMCA Zumba teacher and Montclair mom brings us a slow-moving class designed to build

stamina and muscle, starting with a warm-up, then learning choreography and ending with

more strength and technique exercises. This Alvin Ailey-inspired class will entice your

passion for dance!

Guitar - Bob Mellman (SECOND GRADE ONLY)

Do you want to learn the basics of guitar playing? In this course, students will

begin to learn how to play both individual notes and basic chords in a variety of styles.

Students will be introduced to rhythms, notes and chords, along with proper playing

technique, knowledge of the parts of a guitar, and how to use a guitar pick.

Guitars will be provided for the class and will stay in the school at all times, so it is

recommended that students have their own to practice with at home.

Robotics and Simple Machines – Explore Science – NEW COURSE!!! By using the scientific method, children will learn to think critically as they integrate

both science and math in our exciting program. Projects include a variety of challenges

where your child will use their problem-solving skills and creativity to build useful objects

from unusual materials. They will create, among other things, their own Pinball

Machine to learn about simple machines and design ROBOTS that can dance or draw!

Sculpture – Ms. Wise Taught by one of Nishuane’s Art teachers, students in Sculpture will explore various

techniques and experiment with form, texture and space using Model Magic as well as

wire and other sculpture materials. Appropriate for all skill levels, from novice sculptor to

seasoned artist.

Tennis - Ms. Denise Our instructor, Ms. Denise is a certified recreational coach who teaches students the

proper techniques for forehand, backhand and the basic strokes. A short net and soft

tennis balls will be used. We will have lots of fun and exercise!

(Also offered on Tuesday afternoons!)

Track and Field - Mr. Eder Do you like to run long distance (1 mile) or sprints? Then lace up your sneakers and bring

your water bottles. Mr. Eder will take students through their paces, indoors and out.

Please have children wear sneakers and bring a water bottle.

Friday mornings: 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 and 4/10

*NO CLASS 4/3

Chess–in-a-Nutshell - Steve Moctezuma Chess is easy to learn and fun to play! This course is for novices AND experienced

players. Lessons will be adapted to students’ chess skill levels. Students will hone

their skills by playing practice games with their peers. Chess promotes good

sportsmanship, problem solving skills, self-discipline and confidence.

(Also offered on Monday and Wednesday mornings!)

Hip Hop - Miss Nina Students will learn the basic steps of hip-hop dancing with an emphasis on learning to

sequence movement through the building of dance routines. Finding the beat and being

able to work within the various rhythmic patterns of music will also be emphasized.

Students will come away with a firm knowledge of basic hip-hop dancing. But what is most

important, they will have a blast!! (Also offered on Tuesday afternoons!)

Friday afternoons: 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 and 4/10

*NO CLASS 2/27 and 4/3

Flying Machines - The Hobby Quest Take an exciting trip into the world of aviation as you build your very own aircraft and

watch them soar overhead. This innovative program is an engaging and exciting foray into

the world of aviation, with a diverse array of models to build and take home. We'll tackle

a few large models such as an unusual-looking plane with a wind-up propeller and round

wings that resembles a UFO. And to prove a great plane doesn't always need a propeller,

we'll also build the SHREK 2, a classic all-wooden glider. This plane is great for

performing loops and stunt tricks and launches with its own slingshot. We'll also explore

motorized craft with THE DRAGONFLY. These are a few of the exciting models you'll be

busy flying outside when the weather cooperates. In fact, you may catch yourself saying

“It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... No wait, it's my airplane.”

Fun with Art! – Ms. Wise - NEW COURSE!!! Taught by one of Nishuane’s own art teachers, Fun with Art is an exploration of art

for the curious or reluctant artist. We will dabble with techniques in painting,

printmaking, sculpture, collage, drawing and other forms of expression over our

nine fun filled-weeks!

Sports and Games - Mr. Eder Do you like soccer, hockey and baseball? How does a game of tag grab you? It’s

games and more with Mr. Eder. A great way to end your day filled with learning and

fun. Please wear sneakers.

Super-Powered Atomic Science – Mad Science Get powered up with science! Explore Radical Robots and build a robotic hand. Explore

the wild side and learn all about animals and underwater life! Mix up some super science

fun while learning all about energy! Take apart crazy machines and build a catapult! Get

connected and dive into communications while understanding how cell phones work and

building your own wired world model! We will also mix up some awesome physical

chemistry. Bubble, pop and fizz while understanding how to separate reactions!

Yoga – Little Om Yoga Explore the relaxing world of yoga with Nishuane parent and Little

Feathers Yoga instructor, Barbie Casasus. Each week the students will

learn the basics of yoga through relaxation and meditation exercises

using “kid-friendly” positions. Mats are provided.

Zumba – Jo Freeman - NEW COURSE!!!

Come and Join the high-energy fun in the New Zumba class! It’s an interesting mix of

Salsa, Cumbia, Reggateon, Haitian and Hip Hop. There's something for everyone! Each

session starts with a warm-up and ends with a party! Let’s relinquish some of that energy

before sending you home!

Course

Days offered

Cost Mon Tue Wed Fri

Morning Explorers

Becoming a Mathemagician X $100

Chess-in-a-Nutshell X X X $110

Gymnastics X X $100

Hip Hop X $100

Junior Engineers X $125

Afternoon Explorers

Acting Fun 01 (1st grade) X $100

Acting Fun 02 (2nd grade) X $100

Broadway Stars X $100

Contemporary Dance X $100

Crafting Stories (2nd grade) X $100

Fantastic Drawing/Mixed Media X $120

Fashion Passion X $120

Flying Machines X $125

Fun with Art! X $120

Golf X $180

Guitar (2nd grade) X $120

Hip Hop X $100

Lab Marvels/Magical Mysteries X $135

Let’s Draw! X $120

Magic X $125

Mandarin X $100

Robotics & Simple Machines X $135

Sculpture X $120

SoCo Kids X $100

Sports & Games X $100

Super-Powered Atomic Science X $135

Tennis X X $100

Track & Field X $100

Yoga X $100

Zumba X $100

Explorers Policies and Procedures Nishuane Explorers is the before- and after-school enrichment program taught by Nishuane

staff, parents and professionals from the community. It is run by volunteers from the Nishuane

School PTA.

Through Explorers, students discover new passions, make connections to the classroom, meet new

friends and most of all – have fun!

Schedule Explorers runs in 8- to 10-week sessions, in the fall and the spring. Students may sign up for as

many classes as desired. Each class meets once per week.

Spring 2014-15 class dates

o Session begins Monday 2/2 and ends Friday 4/10.

o See class listings for complete course dates.

o Dates may shift in the event of weather-related cancellations. An updated

calendar is available at nishuanepta.org.

Classes are held before and after school, every day except Thursday.

Morning classes are held from 8:10am – 9:10am.

Afternoon classes are held from 3:45pm – 4:45pm.

Registration Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes fill quickly and there are no waiting

lists. All classes are subject to cancellation due to under-enrollment.

Spring 2014-15 registration dates

o Catalogs sent home Friday, 1/16

o Registrations accepted Wednesday 1/21 – Tuesday 1/27 (no school 1/19-

1/20)

o Registration CLOSES Tuesday 1/27 at 3:35pm – no additional registrations

accepted

o Registrations confirmed via email by Thursday 1/29

Catalogs and registration forms are sent home in students’ Friday folders two weeks before

classes begin. The catalog and forms will also be available for download at the Nishuane PTA

website at that time.

To register, send completed registration forms and payment in a sealed envelope marked

Nishuane Explorers. Envelopes can be sent to school in your student’s folder or dropped off in the

Explorers box in the Nishuane PTA office.

Registration closes the Tuesday before classes begin – Tuesday, January 27. No additional

signups can be accepted after that time. All registrations will be confirmed by the Friday before

classes begin.

We will contact all families to confirm registration via email. Please ensure that your best

contact information, including a working email address, is included and legible on the

registration form.

The Nishuane PTA reserves the right to balance enrollment to promote equal access and

opportunity to all. Enrollment priority will be reserved for second graders and students who have

not yet taken a particular class.

Costs Tuition per class varies. All materials are provided.

Scholarships are available. Families may indicate their interest on the registration form. Reach

out to Mrs. Williamson, Nishuane’s SAC, with questions.

The PTA relies heavily on your donations to help cover the costs of the classes. Please help all

students at Nishuane enjoy the Explorers classes by donating a class or any small amount to the

program.

The PTA is unable to offer refunds once classes have begun.

Payment Payment is by check. Please write a separate check for each class your student would like to join.

Checks are held securely and deposited by the PTA treasurer when classes begin.

If your student chooses a class that is over-enrolled and is unable to participate, your check will

be shredded by PTA volunteers. Checks cannot be returned.

Siblings Please complete a separate registration form for each student. If you would like siblings to be

placed together in the same class, please return all of your student’s registration forms together

in the same envelope. This will help ensure they are placed in the same class.

Pickup and Drop-off Pickup and drop-off are supervised by Explorers instructors and staff from the main office at

Nishuane School.

Morning classes are from 8:10 – 9:10am. Drop students at the main entrance by

8:10am; students will be escorted to Explorers, and then to their regular

classrooms by 9:20am. Students in YMCA Before-School Care will be escorted to

Explorers.

Afternoon classes are from 3:45 – 4:45pm. Children will be escorted to their

Explorers classes after school dismissal. Pickup is in the auditorium promptly at

4:45pm. YMCA staff will escort students enrolled in aftercare to the cafeteria at

4:45pm.

Weather: Cancellations and Make-Ups In the case of inclement weather, Explorers classes will be cancelled if school is closed. Make-up

classes will be scheduled as soon as possible. They will be offered in the weeks after the cycle, at

the same time and day.

Delayed opening: AM classes cancelled, PM classes proceed as scheduled.

Early dismissal: AM classes proceed as scheduled, PM classes cancelled.

For updated make-up class information, please see the calendar at nishuanepta.org.

Allergies Please notify us if your child has any allergies, by marking the appropriate space on the

registration form.

NOTE: Explorers staff will not have access to any of your child’s prescription

medications provided to the Nurse’s office. Children who may need Epi-Pens should

carry them in their backpacks. Please note, there are no snacks in Explorers

classes.

Clothing and Supplies All materials are provided. Students in physical education and dance classes should wear sneakers

and comfortable clothes.

Other Questions? Please contact nishuaneexplorers@gmail.com. A volunteer will answer your

email as soon as possible.

EXPLORERS REGISTRATION FORM

Complete the form below and return in a sealed envelope marked “PTA Explorers,” either in your

student’s backpack or by hand-delivery to the PTA office.

Enclose separate checks for each class desired, made payable to “Nishuane PTA.” Send sibling

registrations together. Please consider including a donation to fund scholarships for families in need.

Registrations will be accepted from Wednesday, January 21 to Tuesday, January 27. No forms will

be accepted after January 27. Enrollment confirmations will be sent via email by Thursday, January 29.

Registration is first-come, first-served. Class sizes are limited.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY:

Student’s Name: _________________________________________________________________

Teacher: ___________________________________________ Grade:_____________________

Parent/Caregiver: _____________________________ Contact Number:_____________________

Email Address: ___________________________________________________________________

Does your child attend YMCA Morning Care? YES NO Which days? ________________

Does your child attend YMCA After Care? YES NO Which days? ________________

Allergies: __________________________________________________ EPI-PEN? YES NO

**Please note, children who may need Epi-Pens should carry them in their backpacks. Staff will not have access to Epi-Pens in the nurse’s office.

YES, I will support the Explorers Scholarship program! Donation amount: $________ Thank you!

Check here if you are eligible for an Explorers Scholarship (maximum of 1 course per student).

COURSE NAME DAY am or pm COST

1st COURSE

Alternate choice

2nd COURSE

Alternate choice

3rd COURSE

Alternate choice

4th COURSE

Alternate choice

DONATION

TOTAL