Lower School Extended Day Care & Enrichment

Mondays

List of 9 items.

K - 6 Math Teams

Math Team K - 2nd (8:00 a.m.- 8:40 a.m.)
Instructor: Tom Keller

Math Team 3rd - 4th (8:00 a.m. - 8:40 a.m.)
Instructor: Taraka Kaul

Math Team 5th - 6th (3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)
Instructor: Tom Keller

Class Description: The math teams meet on a regular basis each week and practice problems that are typically on contests. Students who sign up enjoy a subscription to Beast Academy and host of resources from different contest prep programs including The Caribou Cup, Noetic Learning, California Mathematics League, Math Kangaroo, and others. CLICK HERE to sign up. You may sign up anytime, even into the second semester.

Instructors Bios: Mrs. Kaul has been coaching the subject she love, math, for a longtime on the Lower Campus. She also teaches 3rd grade and loves seeing students in middle elementary school challenge themselves and work on complex problems. Mr. Keller also loves coaching at all levels. He is the Director of Studies at Sierra Canyon and also teaches Middle School Competitive Math.
Python Video Game Design (3rd-6th)

Python Video Game Design: 3rd-6th (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Third-Party Company

Class Description: In this course, students will learn how to code in Python to create applications that run in the Repl terminal. Students will create 2D graphics-based games such as flappy bird and draw shapes with the turtle module. They will learn how to code variables if statements, run loops to modify data and learn about importing modules and using custom library assets. Join now to become a master coder and game designer!

Instructor Bios: Marilyn Henein received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Northridge. She has taught many classes with CodeFu over the past year. She is excited to share her love of coding with students as they learn new skills and concepts while they let their creativity shine.

Aram Manukyan is working on his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Aram Manukyan has worked as a private tutor with students of all ages. He has tutored math and science and, more recently, has begun to teach introductory computer science. Aram is passionate about teaching children computer science and sharing his knowledge with the Sierra Canyon Lower School students.
Suzuki Strings (Pre-K and K)

Suzuki Strings Pre-K and K (3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Lauren Deutsch

Class Description: This course is for beginning and intermediate violin students. Students will learn the foundation of holding the violin and bow, listening skills to match pitch, making a nice tone on the open strings in many different rhythmic patterns, and enjoying creating music with each other! Intermediate students will also learn to read music while playing and advance through the Suzuki books. Parents are encouraged to attend the class to learn how to help their children practice at home. Participants should commit to taking the course year-round and participate in the final recital at the end of the year. Please contact Dr. Lauren Deutsch for instrument sizing and rental information at ldeutsch@sierracanyonschool.org.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Lauren Deutsch holds a master's and doctoral degree in music performance from UCLA and has been teaching violin privately for twenty years. She has completed original research studying the biomechanics of violin playing. Many of her students have won competitions, held leadership positions with top youth orchestras in the city, and continued their music studies in college. Her students typically start with her as young as 2 or 3 years old and continue studying with her until graduating high school. Lauren also enjoys math and science and holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Kinesiology from USC, where she was awarded a full academic scholarship. Lauren is excited to bring her robust experience to the music program at Sierra Canyon. To find out more about Lauren, please visit www.laurendeutsch.com.
Suzuki Strings (1st-6th)

Suzuki Strings 1st-6th (3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Lauren Deutsch

Class Description: This course is for beginning and intermediate violin students. Students will learn the foundation of holding the violin and bow, listening skills to match pitch, making a nice tone on the open strings in many different rhythmic patterns, and enjoying creating music with each other! Intermediate students will also learn to read music while playing and advance through the Suzuki books. Parents are encouraged to attend the class to learn how to help their children practice at home. Participants should commit to taking the course year-round and participate in the final recital at the end of the year. Please contact Dr. Lauren Deutsch for instrument sizing and rental information at ldeutsch@sierracanyonschool.org.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Lauren Deutsch holds a master's and doctoral degree in music performance from UCLA and has been teaching violin privately for twenty years. She has completed original research studying the biomechanics of violin playing. Many of her students have won competitions, held leadership positions with top youth orchestras in the city, and continued their music studies in college. Her students typically start with her as young as 2 or 3 years old and continue studying with her until graduating high school. Lauren also enjoys math and science and holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Kinesiology from USC, where she was awarded a full academic scholarship. Lauren is excited to bring her robust experience to the music program at Sierra Canyon. To find out more about Lauren, please visit www.laurendeutsch.com.
Cello (Pre-K-2nd)

Cello Pre-K-2nd (3:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Lauren Deutsch and Rachel Coosaia

Class Description:
Rachel Coosaia, a renowned cello teacher, will offer a beginning cello class to Pre-K-6th Grade students. Students will learn the foundation of holding the cello and bow, listening skills to match pitch, making a nice tone on the open strings in many different rhythmic patterns, and enjoying making music with each other! Students will also begin to read music. Parents are encouraged to attend the class to learn how to help their children practice at home. Participants should commit to taking the course year-round and participate in the final recital at the end of the year. Please contact Dr. Lauren Deutsch with any questions and for instrument rental information at ldeutsch@sierracanyonschool.org.

Instructor Bio: Rachel Coosaia is a professional cellist and string instructor in Los Angeles, California. Rachel has more than 30 years of orchestral experience and regularly works as a studio musician. Currently, Rachel has a cello studio comprising 25 private students and experience as a music coach at private independent schools.
Cello (3rd-6th)

Cello 3rd-6th (3:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Lauren Deutsch and Rachel Coosaia

Class Description:
Rachel Coosaia, a renowned cello teacher, will offer a beginning cello class to Pre-K-6th Grade students. Students will learn the foundation of holding the cello and bow, listening skills to match pitch, making a nice tone on the open strings in many different rhythmic patterns, and enjoying making music with each other! Students will also begin to read music. Parents are encouraged to attend the class to learn how to help their children practice at home. Participants should commit to taking the course year-round and participate in the final recital at the end of the year. Please contact Dr. Lauren Deutsch with any questions and for instrument rental information at ldeutsch@sierracanyonschool.org.

Instructor Bio: Rachel Coosaia is a professional cellist and string instructor in Los Angeles, California. Rachel has more than 30 years of orchestral experience and regularly works as a studio musician. Currently, Rachel has a cello studio comprising 25 private students and experience as a music coach at private independent schools.
Green Team (3rd-6th) FREE

Green Team 3rd-6th (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Daniel Johnson & Claudia Lucid

Class Description: The Green Team is open to all students in 3rd through 6th Grade and meets Monday afternoons with Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Lucid. From planting and maintaining the school garden to completing various art projects and discussing environmental issues, this club is the perfect place to develop your 'green thumb' and get your hands dirty. We are looking forward to another fantastic year!

Instructors Bios: Mr. Johnson is starting his 17th year at Sierra Canyon and has been a part of the Green Team for over ten years. Mrs. Lucid is a Pre-K Assistant Teacher and is excited for Green Team! With a passion for gardening and the great outdoors, they are looking forward to a fantastic 2022-2023 school year. Go Green Team!
Homework Club (1st-6th) FREE

Homework Club 1st-6th 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (1st and 2nd) and 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (3rd-6th)
Instructor(s): Lower School Teachers

Class Description: Homework Club is a faculty-supervised homework space offered to 1st through 6th Grade students in designated classrooms. This option is free of charge for all families. Please note that the Homework Club does not meet on rainy days.
Tiny Toes (Pre-K & K)

Tiny Toes Pre-K-K (3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Jessica Steinhart

Class Description: This interactive class builds on basic movements and then quickly moves into dance technique and terminology. Featuring Hip-Hop, Ballet, and Jazz dance forms, Tiny Toes provides students with a true dance studio experience that builds confidence, technique, and coordination. This is a yearlong class culminating in a recital at the end of the school year on May 7.

Instructor Bios: Jessica Steinhart spent her childhood and teenage years dancing at numerous dance studios in the valley and performing in community theater productions. In her college years, she studied with Dennon and Sayhber Rawles, choreographers of Staying Alive, the late Margaret Hyunn, Lisa Lock, and Robert Salas. Jessica founded the Sierra Canyon Lower School Dance Company in the spring of 2015. The Company continues to partner with the Upper Campus Arts and Athletic programs to deliver thrilling performances and entertainment throughout the school year.

Tuesdays

List of 7 items.

Art Coding with Root - Robotics (Pre-K-2nd)

Art Coding with Root - Robotics (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Third-Party Company

Class Description: In this course, students will use robots to compose various images. These images are composed by creating sequences in the application. Students will program the robots using block-based coding to move forward-backward and rotate around based on desired degree and position, creating shapes such as polygons, stars, and triangles. Join now to become a robot master!

Instructor Bio: Marilyn Henein received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Northridge. She has taught many classes with CodeFu over the past year. She is excited to share her love of coding with students as they learn new skills and concepts while they let their creativity shine.

Aram Manukyan is working on his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Aram Manukyan has worked as a private tutor with students of all ages. He has tutored math and science and, more recently, has begun to teach introductory computer science. Aram is passionate about teaching children computer science and sharing his knowledge with the Sierra Canyon Lower School students.
Birthday Club (3rd–6th) FREE

Birthday Club 3rd-6th (8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.)
Instructor(s): Eva Asker and Gabrielle Silk

Class Description: The Birthday Club is designed to acknowledge and celebrate student, faculty, and staff birthdays. Members of the Birthday Club attend weekly meetings where they prepare and deliver birthday cards and goodies to their fellow students.

Instructor Bios: Mrs. Asker and Mrs. Silk are 4th and 5th Grade Lead Teachers at the Lower Campus.
Spanish Club (3rd-6th)

Spanish Club 3rd-6th (8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m.)
Instructor(s): Claudia Zurek

Class Description: ¡Hola chicos! Do you know a lot of Spanish, but what to improve even more? Would you like to advance your Spanish studies and be able to speak and make friends when you travel to a Spanish-speaking country? Maybe you are ready for a higher level of Spanish and are thinking of taking a placement test that will place you at a higher level when you go to middle school. Then this class is for you! Join Ms. Zurek in this class and practice speaking, writing, pronunciation, listening, and grammar with fun and engaging activities! We will be doing short plays and conversations to practice your speaking skills; we will learn to write by creating stories, and we will be learning some famous Spanish songs from well-known Latino and Latina musicians.

Instructor Bio: Claudia Zurek is a native of Colombia and a veteran teacher with two decades of experience in bilingual Education in both the United States and South America. She graduated from the University of Colombia with a major in Educational Leadership and has a post-graduate degree in Second Language Acquisition as well as a Master's in Education. Before coming to Sierra Canyon, Claudia Directed the Spanish program at a private school on the Westside for ten years, where she led Spanish Spelling Bees, school-wide performances, and directed elementary student immersion programs to Costa Rica. Claudia is also the creator and founder of Vivamos Spanish (www.spanishforelementary.com), a comprehensive and fun Pre-K through 6th Grade Spanish learning program used by teachers and students worldwide. Claudia is excited to bring her program and experience to the Spanish program at Sierra Canyon.
3...2...1 Action (Pre-K-2nd)

3...2...1 Action (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Eleane Puell

Class Description: Acting and film production classes. After rehearsal and preparing their scenes, students are ready to shoot. Apart from reinforcing and strengthening their teamwork, the intention is to focus their creativity on their acting and the film industry's different roles. We are allowing them to participate as writers, directors, producers, composers, editors, designers, and so much more. After all the learning and hard work, the students will be able to see the results in a professional short film of their projects and showcase it in front of an audience.

Instructor Bio: Eleane Puell is an actress and producer with more than ten years of experience. Eleane performed a critical role with the major network, Televisa, through her leading roles on the network's most commercially and critically successful programs. She also has her own production company that is in post-production of a short film and pre-producing her first feature film as a co-writer. Her main goal for this program is to give young actors, directors, writers, etc., the confidence, courage, and care for themselves to become great in the role they pick and, of course, have lots of fun!
Fencing (2nd-6th)

Fencing 2nd-6th (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Rafie Sefatkarhaghi

Class Description: The beginner fencing enrichment class will focus on basic technical and tactical skills: on-guard position, footwork, attack, counter-attack, parry, riposte, and many more fencing actions. Fencing is a sport of speed and endurance; we strengthen physical and mental fitness through specific routine exercises. This class aims to expose students to the benefits of self-discipline, hand-eye coordination, balance, focus, mental and physical agility, emotional intelligence, positive attitude, critical thinking, and resilience through fencing.

Instructor Bio: Rafie Sefatkarhaghi has over three decades of competitive and coaching experience. Several of his students are Olympians, world championship Medalists, and Asian championship Medalists. His experience allows him to fully explore every student's potential, regardless of their level, in a safe, proven, and learning-oriented environment. He integrates both innovative pedagogical techniques and a whole mind-body approach to the sport of fencing.
Homework Club (1st-6th) FREE

Homework Club 1st-6th 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (1st and 2nd) and 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (3rd-6th)
Instructor(s): Lower School Teachers

Class Description: Homework Club is a faculty-supervised homework space offered to 1st through 6th Grade students in designated classrooms. This option is free of charge for all families. Please note that the Homework Club does not meet on rainy days.
Jr. Company (1st & 2nd)

Jr. Company 1st-2nd (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Jessica Steinhart

Class Description: Jr. Dance Company begins to blend the foundations of dance and technique with quicker movement and style. Isolations of the body, improving performance quality, and developing complex rhythms will be the primary focus of this entry-level intermediate class. This is a yearlong class culminating in a recital at the end of the school year on May 7. You will need to register again in January.

Instructor Bio: Jessica Steinhart spent her childhood and teenage years dancing at numerous dance studios in the valley and performing in community theater productions. In her college years, she studied with Dennon and Sayhber Rawles, choreographers of Staying Alive, the late Margaret Hyunn, Lisa Lock, and Robert Salas. Jessica founded the Sierra Canyon Lower School Dance Company in the spring of 2015. The Company continues to partner with the Upper Campus Arts and Athletic programs to deliver thrilling performances and entertainment throughout the school year.

Wednesdays

List of 8 items.

Middle School Debate FREE

Middle School Debate
Instructor: Jake Meany

Class Description:

The first practice of 2023 will take place on Wednesday, January 11th.

Please contact Coach Meany for

Instructors Bios: Coach Meany has led Sierra Canyon high school teams to national championships in different forms of Debate. In 2020, the team won a championship in the British Parliamentary category. Because of this success and his passion for working with students on Debate, he has opened up a middle school chapter. He is convinced of its powerful and important impact on students just as past SC Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and successful students have attested.
Pixel Animation and Design (3rd–6th)

Pixel Animation and Design 3rd-6th (3:30-4:30)
Instructor(s): Third-Party Company

Class Description: Our Pixel Animation Video Game Design course on the Bloxels platform will teach our students about front-end and back-end development with a basic block-based color-coding program. They will develop, design, and animate their own side-scroller video game, similar to the old Super Mario video games. It's going to be a blast!

Instructor Bio: Marilyn Henein received her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Northridge. She has taught many classes with CodeFu over the past year. She is excited to share her love of coding with students as they learn new skills and concepts while they let their creativity shine.

Aram Manukyan is working on his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Aram Manukyan has worked as a private tutor for kids and students of all ages. He has tutored math and science and, more recently, has begun to teach introductory computer science. Aram is passionate about teaching children computer science and sharing his knowledge with the Sierra Canyon Lower School students.
Spanish Club (Pre-K-2nd)

Spanish Club Pre-K-2nd (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Claudia Zurek

Class Description: ¡Hola amigos! If you like learning and practicing Español, this class is for you! Come and join Ms. Zurek and Mrs. Anguila for this class and participate in fun and diverse activities that will help you practice your Spanish skills while you have fun with your amigos! In this class, we will play games, sing, dance, create art projects, read stories and even cook some delicious Hispanic recipes for you to taste.

Instructor Bio: Claudia Zurek is a native of Colombia and a veteran teacher with two decades of experience in bilingual Education in both the United States and South America. She graduated from the University of Colombia with a major in Educational Leadership and has a post-graduate degree in Second Language Acquisition as well as a Master's in Education. Before coming to Sierra Canyon, Claudia Directed the Spanish program at a private school on the Westside for ten years, where she led Spanish Spelling Bees, school-wide performances, and directed elementary student immersion programs to Costa Rica. Claudia is also the creator and founder of Vivamos Spanish
(www.spanishforelementary.com), a comprehensive and fun Pre-K through 6th Grade Spanish learning program used by teachers and students worldwide. Claudia is excited to bring her program and experience to the Spanish program at Sierra Canyon.
Basketball Clinic (3rd-6th)

Basketball Clinic 3rd-6th (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Vanessa Torres

Class Description: Whether you are new to the game or a veteran player - come out and have fun running drills, learning plays, and practicing with your friends.

Instructor Bio: Vanessa Torres is part of the Sierra Canyon family. She is a 5th Grade Assistant Teacher and the travel camp manager. She has a passion for playing basketball and loves to teach the fundamentals to the next generation.
3...2...1 ACTION! (3rd-6th)

3...2...1 ACTION! 3rd-6th (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Eleane Puell

Class Description: Acting and film production classes. After rehearsal and preparing their scenes, students are ready to shoot. Apart from reinforcing and strengthening their teamwork, the intention is to focus their creativity on their acting and the film industry's different roles. We are allowing them to participate as writers, directors, producers, composers, editors, designers, and so much more. After all the learning and hard work, the students will be able to see the results in a professional short film of their projects and showcase it in front of an audience.

Instructor Bio: Eleane Puell is an actress and producer with more than ten years of experience. Eleane performed a critical role with the major network, Televisa, through her leading roles on the network's most commercially and critically successful programs. She also has her own production company that is in post-production of a short film and pre-producing her first feature film as a co-writer. Her main goal for this program is to give young actors, directors, writers, etc., the confidence, courage, and care for themselves to become great in the role they pick and, of course, have lots of fun!
Playground Games (Pre-K-2nd)

Playground Games Pre-K-2nd (3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Natalie Ento

Class Description: Playground games enrichment is designed to create a fun environment for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd Grade to participate in physical activity as well as give the students time to play their favorite games in a more structured environment where they will learn the correct rules and be taught new skills; examples of these playground games include soccer, handball, foursquare, jump rope, gaga and more! This class will help your students develop their physical fitness, gain more confidence in their favorite playground games, enhance positive competition, develop positive character, and give them opportunities to build their leadership skills.

Instructor Bio: Natalie Ento is one of our Physical Education teachers on the Lower Campus during the school year.
Homework Club (1st-6th) FREE

Homework Club 1st-6th 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (1st and 2nd) and 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (3rd-6th)
Instructor(s): Lower School Teachers

Class Description: Homework Club is a faculty-supervised homework space offered to 1st through 6th Grade students in designated classrooms. This option is free of charge for all families. Please note that the Homework Club does not meet on rainy days.
Dance Company A/B (3rd-6th)

Company A/B 3rd-6th (3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Instructor(s): Jessica Steinhart

Class Description: Company A & B is a conceptual choreography-based class geared towards older students looking to learn more complex combinations and skills while developing finesse and classical style. It is recommended that dancers have previous dance training and/or are enrolled in a studio class. This is a yearlong class culminating in a recital at the end of the school year on May 7.

Instructor Bio: Jessica Steinhart spent her childhood and teenage years dancing at numerous dance studios in the valley and performing in community theater productions. In her college years, she studied with Dennon and Sayhber Rawles, choreographers of Staying Alive, the late Margaret Hyunn, Lisa Lock, and Robert Salas. Jessica founded the Sierra Canyon Lower School Dance Company in the spring of 2015. The Company continues to partner with the Upper Campus Arts and Athletic programs to deliver thrilling performances and entertainment throughout the school year.