What is an engineer? What do they do? In this class we will put the tools of engineers into practice. Beginning with the Engineering Design Process, we will study and plan a variety of hands-on projects with basic concepts that introduce a world of building and inventing. How can we design an airplane to fly farther? What shapes make the strongest bridges? How do we choose and use materials efficiently? Let’s discover the answers together!
Student Limit: 12

Teacher: Ms. Kanofsky
An introduction to painting with watercolor and acrylics.

Student Limit: 12

Teacher: Ms. Kettmann
This class introduces students to computer science and the programming language Scratch. Different themes attract and engage students of varying backgrounds and interests. All materials are free and easy to use. In the first unit, called “Music & Sound,” students use the computer to play musical notes, create a music video, and build an interactive music display while learning how programming is used to create music.

Limited to intermediate students. Primary students with basic computer skills may be admitted on a case by case basis.

Student Limit: 10

Teacher: Mr. Kelso
“A Christmas Carol”: Scrooge is at it again in this melodramatically hilarious version of “A Christmas Carol.” Your kids will have a blast being ghosts and bah-humbugging around on stage!

Student Limit: 12

Teacher: Ms. Ragsdale
Room: 3
If there's a problem, yo we'll solve it! For this class we will explore the math behind some of our favorite activities. We will crack secret spy codes, build shape structures, and play games like Toilet Paper Olympics to discover ways to use math. No calculators needed here, and put down the pencil and paper, because we will develop our math sense with games and fun new ways of thinking.

Student Limit: 14

Teacher: Ms. Kanofsky
Students will be making jewelry from recycled materials, using clay to make beads, learning the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical pattern design, and metal stamping.

Student Limit: 12

Teacher: CaliKids - Mrs. Jones
In this class, children are encouraged to try fundamental skills with positive reinforcement for self-reliance and following directions. These age-appropriate classes focus on enhancing strength, flexibility, self-esteem, and social skills through gymnastics, fitness skills, tumbling, music, relays, and drills -- with the safest spotting techniques and communication.

Student Limit: 12
*For the first two weeks, students will meet in the classroom before heading out to the field.

Teacher: Ms. Volk
Students will explore different age-appropriate games, which will be educational in nature and will foster the development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Additionally social skills and sportsmanship will be highlighted.

Student Limit: 12

Teacher: Ms. Kettman
Classroom: On the basketball courts
Kids get a chance to spend some serious time running around, playing some of the classic outside games like kickball, dodgeball, foursquare, and capture the flag.

*For the first two weeks, students will meet in the classroom before heading out to the field.

Teacher: Ms. Ragsdale
Astronomy is the study of outer space. For this class we will blast off from Earth and discover our universe. We will explore natural objects in space - from nearby celestial bodies like our neighboring planets and moons, to faraway wonders like stars, asteroids, meteors, galaxies and black holes. We will also explore human interaction with space: who figured out that the Earth is round? How do we know about other planets? Will we ever travel to distant stars? Get ready space cadets, to become astronomers!

Student Limit: 12

Teacher: Ms. Volk
Going old school with a classic Charlotte Mason activity, Ms. Volk will lead the children in activities that combine nature, drawing, and writing. Students will explore nature around campus, sketch drawings of what they find, and create short narratives on what they discover.

Class Limit: 12

Teacher: CaliKids Fitness - Mrs. Jones
Classroom: Outside
This is a fun-filled and challenging class of jumping, swinging, climbing, leaping, balancing, and rolling. The class focuses on constantly changing obstacles for all skill levels, designed to accommodate boys and girls between 5 to 10 years old. While building strength, stamina and agility, kids learn very valuable skills that can be carried to everyday life, including patience and determination.

*For the first two weeks, students will meet in the classroom before heading out to the field.

Student limit: 13

Teacher: Mr. Bartel
Room: Field
Archery is a unique sport that can be enjoyed by virtually anyone regardless of their athletic ability or previous experience. Besides being fun, archery builds personal confidence, mental concentration, and community involvement. The purpose of this class is to introduce and reinforce the proper archery safety, warm-up exercises, equipment knowledge, shooting form, and range etiquette so that each student can achieve a measure of success in this life¬long sport through the USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) program. Students enrolled in this class are eligible to participate in our local quarterly archery tournaments with Central Coast Archery, NCCS Archery, TLC Archery, and Alliance Archery of Santa Maria.

Although USA Archery Youth Membership is not required, it is highly encouraged.

Student limit: 8
*For the first two weeks, students will meet in the classroom before heading out to the field.

Note: Traditionally, the 2:00 class is for more experienced archers.

Teacher: Mr. Stapley
Room: 13
Students will learn how to tell basic jokes, great stories, and to think on their feet. Improv practice profoundly helps with conversational and basic social skills, and if nothing else, this class will be very fun and very funny. Mr. Stapley was a core member of SLO High's extremely popular Improv club, and he’ll be joined by guest comedians from local improv troupes throughout the year. Our Director of Community Life, Mike Godsey, was also a longtime advisor for the Improv Club at SLO High, and he will be helping oversee this club.

Student limit: 14

Teacher: Mr. Yorke
This club is dedicated to practicing and preparing for Science Bowl, which is a prestigious team competition with many different schools. We are also hoping to participate in various other smaller competitions along the way, especially for the younger kids in the club. (It should be noted that last year’s club was “Science Club” and was not committed to the team competition.) Since Science Bowl is at the end of our 2nd trimester, the 3rd trimester will provide space and support for individual or small-group research and experiments based on each individual student’s interest(s).

Teacher: Ms. Crozier
Students of all skill levels will enjoy direct instruction in the art of painting on canvas. There will be, of course, quiet time for creating personal masterpieces in this class, but there is also a second club from 2:00-3:30 that is dedicated to student-driven projects and open studio.

Student limit: 12

Teacher: Mr. Bartel
Archery is a unique sport that can be enjoyed by virtually anyone regardless of their athletic ability or previous experience. Besides being fun, archery builds personal confidence, mental concentration, and community involvement. The purpose of this class is to introduce and reinforce the proper archery safety, warm-up exercises, equipment knowledge, shooting form, and range etiquette so that each student can achieve a measure of success in this life¬long sport through the USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) program. Students enrolled in this class are eligible to participate in our local quarterly archery tournaments with Central Coast Archery, NCCS Archery, TLC Archery, and Alliance Archery of Santa Maria.

Although USA Archery Youth Membership is not required, it is highly encouraged.

Student limit: 8
*For the first two weeks, students will meet in the classroom before heading out to the field.

Beginners will be welcomed, but traditionally, the 2:00 class is for more experienced archers.

Teacher: Mr. Kelso
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”: It’s Alive!!! That’s right, this melodramatically funny version will have your kids “coming apart at the seams.” You’ll give your "right arms" to see this more than once. Everyone will be in “stitches” laughing all quarter long! We must have a bolt loose to do this one with the kids! But hilarious fun will ensue!

Class limit: 12

Teacher: Mr. Yorke
With all the VEX robotics equipment they need, the Robotics Club is ready to have fun in team competitions throughout the year. And a fun fact: In many of these competitions, each team pairs up with a different school for each round, so kids learn how to collaborate with others while they solve problems and design robotic solutions. We’re planning on buying a brand-new robotics field (thus the materials fee) which will allow us access to into the aforementioned competitions.

Student Limit: 12

Teacher: Ms. Crozier
Let's get our creative juices flowing! Join us to explore different art mediums and forms of visual art expression. There are no rights or wrongs in art! As Bob Ross says, "We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” Spark your imagination and see what you create! This is an open studio environment.

Class limit: 12

Teacher: Ms. Joukovski
The debate club is looking to build on last year’s success and travel as far as the Bay Area for some exciting competitions. Obviously, debate is a great way to practice logic, listening, critical thinking, and all rhetorical skills. As with all clubs, students of all skill levels are invited to participate, but this club will be taking their love of debate seriously.

Student limit: 10