Spring Enrichment Club Offerings
	We are pleased to announce a number of Enrichment Clubs after school.  Please note that these clubs are open to the public, so register early! Registration forms appear at the end of each listing.   SPRING ENRICHMENT CLUB OFFERINGS Preschool Students   French Club – Les Coccinelles Your preschooler will be gently ushered into learning foundational basic French in this eight-week club. This playful introduction to the language incorporates songs (written specifically for young learners that reinforce new vocabulary), telling a magical story together, creative movement, some sign language gestures, finger-play, simple games, stories and a snack – all in French! Puppetry, vocal intonation, facial expression, colorful props and music will assist the children with comprehension and the ability to mimic the new sounds and retain what they learn from week to week.   Instructor: Franc-O-Fun Instructor Grades: Preschool 3’s & 4’s Maximum Enrollment: 8 Participants Mondays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 & 6/4 Time: 2:15 - 3:00 PM Location: Two's Classroom Cost: $185.00   Kempo Karate Class Students will learn a series of punches, kicks, and blocks in a fun yet controlled environment. Martial Arts concepts will be used to build students’ self-confidence while improving their focus, self-discipline and respect for others. Your child will gain a healthy understanding of self-defense in a high-energy environment. Socks (no sneakers) and play clothes are required. Master Scott Craigue, owner and head instructor at Kempo Academy of Martial Arts in Ridgefield, will teach this club. Master Craigue has 23 years of experience teaching Martial Arts. Through his years of extensive study and training, he has achieved a 7th degree black belt in Shaolin Chun Fa, a 3rd degree black belt in American Kempo and a black sash in Chinese Kung Fu.   Instructor: Scott Craigue Grades: 3’s & 4’s Maximum Enrollment: 12 Participants Mondays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/14 Time: 2:15 – 3:00 PM Location: Preschool Multi-Purpose Room Cost: $185.00   Springtime Science Come discover all the exciting changes that the spring season brings. Together we will explore the world outside as well as in our classroom. Activities will include growing and caring for plants and flowers, a nature walk, a surprise spring treasure hunt and several related arts and crafts projects. Participants will get a chance to use magnifying glasses and learn the basics of using a compass.   Instructor: Pam Davies Grades: Preschool 3’s & 4’s Maximum Enrollment: 8 Participants Tuesdays: 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8 & 5/15 Time: 2:15 - 3:00 PM Location: Mrs. Rotunda’s Classroom Cost: $185.00   Mandarin Chinese Participants will be introduced to basic Mandarin Chinese through songs, storytelling, interactive games and painting Chinese character strokes. Your preschooler will also learn simple dialogue and basic Chinese characters. Learning the Chinese language can be a valuable life tool.   Instructor: Yanmei (Mei) Rinaldi – Teacher at HuaXia Chinese School Grades: Preschool 3’s & 4’s Maximum Enrollment: 8 Participants Thursdays: 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10 & 5/17 Time: 2:15 - 3:00 PM Location: Two's Classroom Cost: $200.00   Fun in the Sun (Creative Movement) This winter may have disappointed us with so little snow, but we can just about guarantee that the spring will be filled with sunshine. This club is designed for children to let loose and have a blast by exerting their pent up energy. Participants will learn the meaning of teamwork and sportsmanship while having a terrific time. We will continue to build upon and improve your child’s coordination, listening ability and large motor skills. Parachute games, an obstacle course, soccer and kite flying are just a few of the outdoor sports that participants will enjoy. On nice days, we will spend time down on our beautiful lower fields, but parent pick up will always be in the lobby.   Instructor: Kristeen Chickering Grades: Preschool 3’s & 4’s Maximum Enrollment: 12 Participants Fridays: 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1 & 6/8 Time: 2:15 - 3:00 PM Location: Gymnasium & Outdoors - P/U in Summit Lobby Cost: $185.00     For a printable version of the preschool offerings this spring, please click here. To register for any of our Preschool Enrichment clubs, please print the Registration Form and submit your completed form and check (made out to Ridgefield Academy) to Donna Talmadge in the Summit Building Main Office.     SPRING ENRICHMENT CLUB OFFERINGS Foundation (Kindergarten) – 8th Grade Students     The Return of the Patriots Search for the Lost Treasure VII In this exciting club, you will have a chance to protect, steal and search for the lost treasure. Are you up for the challenge? You will participate in many events as you try to find Ridgefield Academy’s missing treasure. Will your team be the one to locate it? Capture the Medallion, Rainbow Tag, Battleship, Patriot Ship and Maryland Rules RHINO BALL are just some of the activities you can look forward to. Run - don’t walk - to sign up for this club or you may miss out on all the fun! Sneakers and gym attire/play clothes are required.   Instructor(s): Marc Lindstrom Grades: Foundation - 3rd Maximum enrollment: 18 Participants Mondays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/21 Time: 3:45 – 4:45 PM Location: Lower Field/Gymnasium (inclement weather) Cost: $185.00   Calling All Authors! This club was a big hit with our Lower School students, so Mrs. G has decided to offer it to the RA Middle & Upper School students.   It is time for YOU to create your VERY OWN ORIGINAL BOOK! Write and illustrate your own paperback book, right here from the RA Library. You will use the computers to tell your story through text and drawings, then your work will be sent to a company that will turn it into a real paperback book for you to treasure for years to come! When finished, your book will include a title page, a dedication page, and a page “About the Author,” just like a real book. Your book will also be placed on display in the RA library for others to read and enjoy. If you love to create stories and want to take that first step toward becoming an author, it’s time to begin writing.   Instructor: Marie Girolamo Grades: 4th - 8th Maximum Enrollment: 12 Participants Mondays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/14 Time: 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Location: Summit Library Cost: $200.00   En Garde! Did you ever dream of fencing? Imagine yourself competing against opponents with foils, epees, or sabres. Perhaps you've seen the great US Olympic fencing medalists, or even watched matches between collegiate teams such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton or Notre Dame. Or maybe you just picked up a stick in your backyard and started dueling! If so, then time for you to start learning to fence. This program will teach you everything you need to learn for competition, with real fencing weapons and tactics. Sign up now to see what modern fencing is all about.   Instructor: Lasha Sopromadze (Two-time Georgian national champion) Grades: 3rd - 8th Maximum Enrollment: 14 Participants Mondays: 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/14 Time: 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Location: Dining Hall/Stage Cost: $250.00 (cost includes equipment rental)   Adventures in Art In this fun after school club we will explore a variety of materials including paint, duct tape, ceramic clay, glazes and more. Participants will make an African instrument, a kooky toy sculpture, ceramic figures and a treasure chest or purse. You can enjoy your snack, relax, converse with friends and learn new ways to make amazing art projects all within the span of one hour. Hope you can join us!   Instructor: Joan Wheeler Grades: 1st - 3rd Maximum Enrollment: 15 Participants Tuesdays: 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/8, 5/15 & 5/22 Time: 3:45 – 4:45 PM Location: Art Room Cost: $200.00   Three Piggy Opera Does your child like singing, acting, and dancing? Join our after-school Rising Stars Acting club and perform in the classic story of the Three Little Pigs. With energetic songs and exciting choreography, this show is fun for all! Participants will learn the basics of singing and acting and have the added payoff of a musical show on the big stage in this fun, low-stress club. Students will receive learning CD’s of all the music so they can practice at home. Please note there may be one or two added dress rehearsals closer to the time of the performance. This club is also scheduled to meet until 5:00 PM rather than 4:45 PM. Due to the length of this club, we ask that all parents arrive promptly for pick-up.   Instructor: Joe Santaniello - Boston Conservatory Grad/Crystal Theater Director Grades: Foundation - 3rd Maximum Enrollment: 18 Participants Tuesdays: 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8 & 5/15 Time: 3:45 – 5:00 PM Location: Turner Hall Cost: $200.00   Chess Club (Lower School) Novice students will learn the rules of the game, including piece movement and checkmate. All students will learn the castling rules, stalemate, and the tricky "en passant" rules. Students will learn fundamental strategic principles as well as basic mating patterns and essential tactics such as the pin, fork, skewer and discovered attack. In addition to lessons, each club session will consist of friendly games in which students can apply what they have been learning.   Instructor: Peter Barkman Grades: Foundation – 3rd Maximum Enrollment: 18 Participants Tuesdays: 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8 & 5/15 Time: 3:45 – 4:45 PM Location: Dining Hall Cost: $200.00   Introduction to Tennis It's often been said that tennis is a sport for a lifetime and now is the time to give your children something they'll enjoy for the rest of their lives. Conducted by a Four Seasons Racquet Club certified professional instructor, our tennis club will feature a wide variety of innovative drills, skills, games and above all, lots of fun. This exciting club will also feature many of the USTA's new Quickstart tennis techniques guaranteed to get children playing and enjoying tennis immediately. Participants will need to supply their own tennis racquets.   Instructor: Gary Stein - Four Seasons Instructor Grades: 2nd – 5th Maximum Enrollment: 12 Participants Wednesdays: 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23 & 5/30 Time: 3:45 – 4:45 PM Location: Gymnasium Cost: $225.00    Kung Fu Nunchuks with Michelangelo Michelangelo is coming to Ridgefield Academy! The nunchuk wielding Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle will be offering all interested students the ability to learn the Kung Fu form he is so famous for. As an employee of Mirage Entertainment, Master Craigue performed live as Michelangelo, with the rest of the turtles, at various venues along the eastern seaboard. Master Craigue, holds a Black Sash in Kung Fu, and will be offering a club that will teach participants how to use nunchuks, in a safe, fun environment. Children who finish this club will be promoted to a Yellow Sash in Kung Fu. Don’t miss your chance to learn Kung Fu from one of the original Teenage Mutant Turtles.   Instructor: Scott Craigue Grades: Foundation - 5th Maximum Enrollment: 12 Participants Thursdays: 3/29, 4/5, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17 & 5/24 Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM Location: Stage/Dining Hall Cost: $185.00   Chef Alex's Cooking with Style Chef Alex will be shakin’ and bakin’ in the kitchen once again and he needs your company. He’s looking for children who love to cook and eat, but this time there’s a twist: Chef Alex is going to incorporate some conversational Spanish into his club. The first few weeks will be devoted to preparing your favorite American treats, but for the remaining weeks, he will switch over to Latin cuisine. During this time, Chef Alex will add some “flavor” to the club by teaching participants many Spanish words and phrases used around the kitchen. Your children will be encouraged to interact with him and each other in Spanish. Don’t be surprised if your child comes home one evening and asks “Que hay para la cena?” Instructor: Chef Alex Grades: 1st – 3rd Maximum Enrollment: 12 Participants Thursdays: 3/29, 4/5, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17 & 5/24 Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM Location: Dining Hall Cost: $200.00 Mandarin Chinese Learning the Chinese language can be a valuable life tool. In today’s globalized world, knowing another language can give your child numerous opportunities not available to others. Participants will be introduced to basic Mandarin Chinese through simple dialogue and Chinese characters. Chinese songs, storytelling, interactive games, fun history facts, painting and art will be explored to give everyone a taste of the Chinese culture. Instructor: Yanmei (Mei) Rinaldi – Teacher at HuaXia Chinese School Grades: Foundation – 3rd Maximum Enrollment: 12 Participants Thursdays: 3/29, 4/5, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17 & 5/24 Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM Location: Mrs. Clasby’s Classroom Cost: $220.00 Computer Time with Mrs. G Come join Mrs. G. for an hour of working and playing on the computer! Brainpop with Moby, Tumblebooks, Thinkin' Things, and KidPix are some of the things you can work on. For those of you who like Legos, you can work with software that will allow you to build on the screen! And, of course, there are always the fun games of MrsGsLibrary.com. Printing will be allowed. Instructor: Marie Girolamo Grades: F – 3rd Maximum Enrollment: 15 Participants Fridays: 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1 & 6/8 Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM Location: Summit Library Cost: $185.00 Mr. L’s Quest for King & Queen of the Gym Capture the Medallion, Rhinoball, Pirate Ship and Hide & Go Seek are just a few of the fun games that Mr. L has up his sleeve for this awesome club. Wouldn’t it be great if it were up to the participants to choose which game to play? Well, Mr. L has softened with age, and he will be letting the students vote every week to determine the activity for the upcoming club session. Here’s the kicker: teams will be picked by random (out of a hat) for each activity. The winning team will become KINGS & QUEENS of the GYMNASIUM - until the following week. Let the games begin! Please note that the last club date is a double session. Instructor: Marc Lindstrom Grades: 3rd – 7th Maximum Enrollment: 18 Participants Fridays: 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/11, 5/18 & 6/1 (session ending at 5:45) Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM Location: Lower Field/Gymnasium (inclement weather) Cost: $185.00   For a printable version of the Kindergarten-Eighth grade offerings this spring, please click here. To register for any of our Foundation to Grade 8 clubs, please print the Registration Form and submit your completed form and check (made out to Ridgefield Academy) to Donna Talmadge in the Summit Building Main Office.   All questions regarding our enrichment clubs should be directed to Club Director, Donna Talmadge at (203) 894-1800 x106 or dtalmadge@ridgefieldacademy.org.