Class Summaries

Throughout the course, students engaged in engineer-designed projects, exploring the vast creative potential of the LEGO® building system. Each season brings new projects, ensuring both new and returning students can continuously expand their skills and imagination.

First half of the semester projects included:

Snowmobile: Through building a snowmobile, students gained insights into the mechanics of these vehicles, including how pullback motors utilize clock springs to power their builds. This project not only enhances their understanding of engineering principles but also fosters problem-solving skills.

Tugboat: The tugboat project introduced students to the world of maritime engineering. They learned about the importance of overlapping bricks for creating strong connections and how Technic pins are utilized for fastening objects together. By exploring different pin connections, students develop a deeper understanding of structural integrity.

Water Strider: Exploring the fascinating world of biomimicry, students learned about water strider bugs and their unique characteristics. Concepts such as eccentricity (not being centered) were introduced, alongside an understanding of battery-powered motors. Through this project, students not only learn about the natural world but also gain insights into electrical engineering principles.

The second half of the semester projects included:

Playground Grab Bag: The Playground grab bag is a unique build that shows students how the playground equipment they love works. We used a swing set build to show students how to achieve that motion; it must be connected to a pivoting point that will allow that range of motion.  Also, students learned how a seesaw is a large lever that is used for fun, but is also very helpful moving heavy objects by way of a fulcrum.

Catamaran: This build not only teaches students about the unique structure of a catamaran boat, but also the importance of a box frame. Box frames are used as a stable base for things like motors. We also use pullback motors to show our students what a clock spring can do when it is wound tightly, in this case by pulling the build back, it can cause a dramatic burst of energy into forward motion.

Igloo: This igloo build is used to highlight the importance of overlapping. We use this concept in real life by how we structure buildings made of bricks by using each row to cover the previous rows’ breaks between bricks to create a strong long-lasting structure. They also learned the lego type called tiles which can be used to decorate, but also to create bricks that look like they are connected, however be easily removed to see inside a structure.

In the Lyrical class, the students have shown exceptional dedication and effort, leading to significant improvements in their technical skills. Their pirouettes are now more precise and controlled, and their movements exhibit a new level of fluidity. Moreover, their storytelling through dance has greatly enhanced, adding depth and emotion to their performances. Continuing to work on flexibility will further enhance their overall technique and expression. The progress made this semester is a testament to their commitment and passion for dance.

As we wrap up this semester, it’s clear that our players have made significant strides in their basketball skills, focusing on the key areas of passing, shooting, and dribbling. Our sessions were designed to provide a comprehensive understanding and mastery of ball control.

One of the standout activities was Basketball Pacman, where players had to dribble within the court’s lines while avoiding a tagger, enhancing their dribbling precision and spatial awareness. Passing techniques were refined through dynamic team keep-away sessions, which encouraged players to pass the ball skillfully among teammates without the pressure of scoring. This exercise not only improved their passing accuracy but also their ability to maintain possession under pressure.

Recognizing the crucial role of teamwork, we implemented various engaging activities to reinforce these skills. Relay races were a particular highlight, where players dribbled across the court, scored, and quickly passed the ball to their next teammate, fostering both speed and coordination. Each class concluded with spirited small scrimmages, ranging from 2v2s to 4v4s. These scrimmages allowed players to put their refined skills and teamwork into practice in a game-like setting, ensuring a well-rounded development.

Overall, the dedication and hard work of our players have been evident, and their progress throughout the semester has been remarkable. They have not only improved their individual skills but also learned the value of teamwork and collaboration on the court.

The girls in our program not only honed their familiar tumbling skills but also fearlessly tackled new and challenging techniques. In addition to mastering individual skills, the focus extended to collaborative stunts like the double base thigh stand and a half-to-cradle maneuver. Adding a layer of complexity, the girls delved into advanced stunts such as the half library stunt and transition stunt, seamlessly merging two distinct elements into one captivating performance.

Beyond the physical feats, this journey is a lesson in teamwork, emphasizing the importance of synchronization and trust. As they navigate these intricate routines, the girls are not just learning skills; they’re cultivating a strong sense of unity and collaboration within the team.

The Knight School provides an exciting class which includes challenging chess puzzlers for candy prizes, a colorful silicone wristband system in which each color connotes mastery of a different chess tactic, and daily chess tournaments where students play for each other’s Mardi Gras beads!  Students perform better each week without even noticing. During the first half of the semester, students learned the following lessons: Checkmate, Scholarsmate, Forking, Developing, and Pin & Exploit. They have also learned the following terms: Pin, Exploit, Check, Checkmate, “The Golden Rule”, “Touch Move”, “Touch Take”, Chess Notation, Legal Move, Illegal Move, “Flag”, “Stabilize the board”, Fork, Family Fork, Royal Fork, and “Remove the Defender”. Each child is supposed to play three or more games of chess before class meets the following week. Playing chess at home reinforces everything that we have taught in class.

Many of our chess parents report that students develop amazing problem-solving skills, superior sportsmanship, and, perhaps most importantly, a whole new academic confidence that will subsequently color all the classrooms they will ever enter!  Lastly, critical thinking and standardized test scores have been proven to be significantly enhanced by chess mastery.

In class this semester, students have worked on the following projects:

Sprite Customization: Students learned the fundamentals of sprite customization by modifying pre-made sprites in Scratch to create their own unique characters. This process allowed them to express their creativity and personalize their game projects.

 Basic Coding Mechanics: Through exploration of Scratch’s event, motion, and control tabs, students acquired essential coding skills necessary for game development. They learned how to program sprites to respond to various events, control their motion, and interact with the game environment.

Maze Game Development: The class embarked on the creation of a maze game project, applying the coding concepts they learned to develop game mechanics. Students focused on implementing movement controls for their sprites to navigate through maze obstacles and challenges.

Students completed the maze game project in the last half of class, with each adding unique features to their maze. They designed custom title screens and created individual gameplay elements, making each maze a distinct experience. Students mastered the full range of game controls, learning to program character movements and define objectives. They also developed problem-solving skills by debugging and refining their code to ensure smooth gameplay whenever they encountered a glitch.

We were extremely proud of how far our students have come!

This program has been an absolute blast, filled with numerous highlights. We’ve delved into the fascinating world of inventors, exploring the genius behind creations such as the popsicle by Frank Epperson, Christmas lights by Albert Sadacca, swim flippers by Ben Franklin, the snowmobile by Joseph-Armand Bombardier, a toy truck by Robert Patch, and a sweeping device with two heads by Samuel Thomas Houghton.

Our excitement peaked as we watched videos on Maddie Rae and her slime-making prowess, which naturally led us to try it out ourselves. The students thoroughly enjoyed this hands-on experience.

In addition, we delved into the life and work of Louis Braille, offering students the chance to understand firsthand how Braille letters feel when reading. Furthermore, we explored the contributions of William Addis and Washington Sheffield, the inventors of the toothbrush and toothpaste, respectively.

The Lyrical beginner level class has been dedicated to mastering storytelling through movement, fostering an emotional connection to the music, refining body placement, and enhancing breath and fluidity in their dance.

Additionally, the students excelled in their end-of-year performance, showcasing remarkable expression and passionate movement. I hope these students continue their training over the summer to further develop and expand on the skills they’ve acquired.

In class this semester, the following topics/skills have been covered:

Teamwork and Collaboration: Students have been actively engaging in collaborative efforts to build their homes within the Minecraft world. Through this process, they have learned the importance of effective communication and division of tasks to achieve common goals.

Resource Management: The class has explored the concept of resource gathering and distribution. Students have been assigned specific roles, including mining for materials, hunting for food, gardening for sustenance, and protecting the community from hostile mobs. This approach has deepened their understanding of resource utilization and sharing within their community.

Strategic Planning: With the objective of reaching the Nether, students are strategizing and planning their actions accordingly. They are learning to anticipate challenges, devise strategies, and adapt to unforeseen circumstances in their quest to progress in the game.

The primary project completed during the first half of the semester is the construction of individual and communal homes within the Minecraft world. These structures serve as a testament to the students’ collaborative efforts and creative abilities.

After we secured our base, we focused on expansion. We traversed the Minecraft world in all directions, expanding our cities, creating farms, and using landmarks to find our way back. Students explored various biomes, including oceans and mountains, to find valuable resources. They built intricate structures and managed their resources wisely, fostering an environment of teamwork, communication, and fun. The students also engaged in community projects, such as constructing communal spaces and defense systems against hostile mobs as we pushed further into the Minecraft frontier.

We had an exciting time using our U.S. state map to pinpoint all the states where the solar eclipse was visible. We delved into discussions about the eclipse and the compass rose. Our adventures also took us to South Korea, Nigeria, Spain, and Iceland, where we explored landmarks, foods, clothing, flags, and traditional houses. One of our favorite experiences was visiting various locations in the United States to learn about the eclipse. We also discussed each state’s official flags, flowers, and notable landmarks.

Throughout our sessions, students have been immersed in mastering foundational skills and techniques essential for soccer, such as kicking, stopping, and passing. We used a fun game encouraging accuracy, creating points by making an accurate pass into the goal from certain checkpoints. Additionally, we played Soccer Pacman, which encouraged dribbling and control of the ball within the lines of the court while avoiding the tagger.

Beyond individual skills, we’ve instilled a sense of teamwork, emphasizing the value of passing to teammates and collaborating as a unified force on the field. An activity involving groups of four allowed students to practice passing to each other to score a goal, reinforcing teamwork and strategic play. Moreover, we engaged in relay races with our teams, dribbling across the field, scoring, and passing to the next teammate to finish first.

To consolidate our learning, we’ve engaged in spirited small-sided scrimmages where our fundamentals and teamwork seamlessly came to life through passing, dribbling, and scoring. The journey of skill refinement and teamwork continues, promising a dynamic and enjoyable soccer experience for our students.

In this class, students learned to code using platforms like VEXcode, which supports block-based and text-based programming, catering to various skill levels.  Through building and iterating on robot designs, students gained a fundamental understanding of engineering principles such as mechanics, electronics, and design.

Topics covered include:

• Introduce VEX IQ hardware
  • Learn about VEX IQ electronics and structure-building components
  • Explore VEX IQ Robot Brain and controller
• Introduction to Get VEXcode IQ
  • Learn to code using the VEX IQ Coding blocks
  • Understand programming structures like conditionals and loops
  • Learn to program the VEX IQ motors and sensors using the coding blocks
• Build a BaseBot Robot
  • Add movement blocks and learn the concepts of coding the base bot to move around
  • Challenge: play in the Team Freeze Tag competition with your BaseBot
• Learn the function of each sensor and how they are used in the build
  • Color Sensor
  • Touch LED
  • Distance Sensor

Students have explored a range of motions in class so far, including working out their abdominals through sit-ups, quadriceps through squats, and triceps through push-ups.  They participated in warm-up games such as Jump the River, Banana Tag, Turtle Tag, Sharks & Minnows, What Time is it Mr. Fox, and Obstacle Courses.  As part of the lesson plan, the athletes practice star jumps, tuck jumps, pikes, donkey kicks, spider walks log rolls, landing, as well as movement and rhythm.  Students have shown growth in motor development skills, creativity, and personal confidence.

Little Geniuses provides an exciting class which includes puppet shows, songs, dances, and chess puzzlers that help kids learn how to play chess. Each week, kids earn stickers, a colorful silicone wristband system in which each color connotes mastery of a different chess tactic and play daily chess games!  Students perform better each week without even noticing. During the first half of the semester, students learned the following lessons: “Never Ever Cheat,” “I Can Figure Stuff Out,” “Friends Are Always There,” “Every Problem Has A Solution,” and “Always Be A Great Partner”. They have also learned the names of the chess pieces and how each piece moves. The following terms have been introduced: Check, Checkmate, Legal Move, Illegal Move, and Flag. They are also in the process of learning their first checkmate, “The Bomb”. Each child is supposed to play three or more games of chess before class meets the following week. Playing chess at home reinforces everything that we have taught in class.

The Knight School provides an exciting class which includes challenging chess puzzlers for candy prizes, a colorful silicone wristband system in which each color connotes mastery of a different chess tactic, and daily chess tournaments where students play for each other’s Mardi Gras beads!  Students perform better each week without even noticing. During the first half of the semester, students learned the following lessons: Checkmate, Scholarsmate, Forking, Developing, and Pin & Exploit. They have also learned the following terms: Pin, Exploit, Check, Checkmate, “The Golden Rule”, “Touch Move”, “Touch Take”, Chess Notation, Legal Move, Illegal Move, “Flag”, “Stabilize the board”, Fork, Family Fork, Royal Fork, and “Remove the Defender”. Each child is supposed to play three or more games of chess before class meets the following week. Playing chess at home reinforces everything that we have taught in class.

Many of our chess parents report that students develop amazing problem-solving skills, superior sportsmanship, and, perhaps most importantly, a whole new academic confidence that will subsequently color all the classrooms they will ever enter!  Lastly, critical thinking and standardized test scores have been proven to be significantly enhanced by chess mastery.

This spring, the Hillcrest Choir happily welcomed many new members! Our returning students worked hard to help our new singers feel comfortable with many singing games starting in January. They played games like “Here Comes A Bluebird”, “Billy Billy,” and “Alabama Gal”  to build a sense of community while exploring different concepts. The choir has also been learning vocabulary words like “solo,” “duet,” “canon,” and “partner song”.

Starting in February, the choir began expanding their repertoire by preparing for their Spring performances. We loved performing “Hand In Hand” at Grandfriend’s Visiting Day, and we hope you enjoyed the Spring Concert with the Midway Choir. The bird theme was so much fun, and our songs included Kookaburra, Cluck Ol’ Hen, and Three Little Birds.

In the Dance Technique class, the students have demonstrated remarkable dedication and effort. Their hard work is evident in the significant improvements they’ve made in various technical elements. Notably, their pirouettes have become more precise and controlled, showcasing enhanced balance and coordination. Additionally, the students’ flexibility has noticeably increased, allowing for greater range of motion and fluidity in their movements.

This progress is a testament to their perseverance and commitment to refining their skills. The entire class has shown commendable progress, reflected on stage at the 12^th Annual Extend Dance Performance.

Please remember to sign up for dance over the summer and for the next school year. Enjoy your summer!

The Debate Club has excelled in researching subjects for their debates, demonstrating exceptional skill in this area. They have also shown remarkable ability in listening to their opponents and responding with effective rebuttals.

We have dedicated time to discussing TED Talks and exploring what topics they might choose for their own TED Talk. During this exercise, we focused on subjects they are passionate about or highly proficient in. We discovered that speaking about topics they care deeply about is much easier than discussing assigned topics. Each student successfully presented several key points on their chosen subjects.

In the Executive Functioning 8-week after school course, students learned about and practiced developing their executive functioning skills. The units of study were focused on introducing executive functioning and understanding the brain and body connection related to these skills, and then jumping into organization, time management, test taking and study skills, and emotional regulation. All of the 11 main executive function skills were introduced and practiced throughout these units through engaging lessons, games, and real-life application scenarios. Students left the class with a better understanding of their personal executive function strengths and weaknesses, as well as concrete strategies and frameworks to help them tackle their daily tasks, both inside and outside of the classroom.

In Fiber Arts, students explored the versatile world of string art and other fiber arts techniques. They began by crafting unique wire and string cacti, delving into the intricacies of shaping wire and threading string to create artistic representations of these desert plants. Following this, students wove their own baskets, learning traditional weaving techniques and discovering the satisfying process of creating functional art.

Students explored printmaking with palette scraper prints. By overlapping vibrant colors, they created dynamic and textured pieces that showcased their experimentation with color and form.

Op art paper weavings added another layer of artistic discovery. Students cut paper looms in diagonal patterns to produce optical effects when woven, resulting in visually engaging pieces that played with perception and design.

The class concluded with a floral printmaking project. Students used flowers and mallets to create beautiful prints on cards, capturing the delicate details and vibrant hues of natural elements. They even experimented with cabbage to add unique textures and patterns to their floral prints. This diverse exploration of fiber arts provided students with a rich, hands-on experience, fostering creativity and artistic growth.

During this class, students learned how to water and care for their garden space. They also planted flower seeds in the STEM garden, which will be in full bloom when they return to school in the fall. In the final weeks, they planted mini strawberry plants to take home and tend to over the summer for ongoing care.

Gardeners have created a beautiful new garden area called Panther Path. Check it out on Instagram! During this class, students designed the garden and worked with both hand shovels and large shovels to plant mature plants. On rainy days, they planted strawberry seeds for their home gardens and propagated ivy plants as watch-and-grow gifts. This class did an amazing job with the project. I invite you to let them show you the finished result.

The Hip-Hop beginner class continued to explore the fusion of Urban and Street Style Hip-Hop. They also focused on building skills in musicality and rhythm, spatial awareness, and being more grounded.

The class did an amazing job in the 12^th Annual Parish Extend Dance Performance, showcasing their impressive hip-hop moves. I look forward to working with these students over the summer and building on the skills they’ve learned.

In Hip-Hop Jr., dancers have been honing their skills with rib cage isolations, six-step, coffee grinder, toe touch, and glides. They have also learned various combinations and freestyle movements. All the students have worked hard, and I’m excited to see their growth in the upcoming semester. The dancers have put in tremendous effort to perfect their skills for the 12^th Annual Parish Extend Dance Performance. I can’t wait to see them at summer camp and in the fall semester. I hope all the dancers have a wonderful summer.

Students successfully built houses in Minecraft, showcasing their ability to utilize various building materials and implement complex designs. They explored the world of pixel art by creating images on the computer and transferring them into Minecraft using color-coded blocks.

House Building: Students completed their initial task by constructing houses in Minecraft using various building materials. They honed their creativity and design skills by crafting complex structures from scratch, starting with pen-and-paper blueprints.

Pixel Art: Transitioning to pixel art, students learned to create images on the computer using color codes to represent specific blocks in Minecraft. This process enabled them to express their artistic talents while developing an understanding of pixel art principles.

Collaboration: As the semester progresses, students will collaborate in partner groups to tackle more intricate pixel art projects. This collaborative environment fosters teamwork and communication skills while challenging students to think critically and creatively.

The second half of Builder Academy, we looked at famous structures around the world and challenged students not only to replicate, but to improve upon.  We tested their building skills by having them create complex structures, ranging from detailed houses to intricate monuments. Collaboration was a key component, as students worked in teams to complete large-scale projects. Their creativity and design abilities flourished as they tackled challenges and brought their visions to life from the ground up.

In class this semester, the following topics/skills have been covered:

Photography Basics: Students are learning the fundamentals of photography, first by taking turns using phones and tripods to capture images, now being introduced to DSLR cameras. They explored composition, framing, and basic editing techniques.

Canva Editing: Students were introduced to Canva’s editing tools, where they learned to enhance their photographs by removing backgrounds, adding designs, and creating visually appealing stories.

Creative Expression: Utilizing their imagination, students brought their ideas to life by incorporating various backgrounds and elements into their photographs, showcasing their creativity and storytelling abilities.

During the second half of the semester, students set their lens to focus on fine tuning. They worked on composition, framing, and lighting. In addition, they mastered editing techniques using Canva, including removing green screen backgrounds, adding creative elements, and enhancing their images in the postproduction. The students’ work culminated in a visually appealing portfolio that showcases their creativity and technical skills. We printed all the photos students have been editing and created personalized folders for each to showcase all their hard work this semester.

Throughout this semester, we’ve had the joy of witnessing your child blossom in motor development, creativity, and most importantly, personal confidence. Each class, our aim has been to foster self-assurance that will serve as a cornerstone for their future success!

Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve accomplished together:

Anatomy:

• Engaged in exercises targeting abdominals through sit-ups
• Strengthened quadriceps with squats
• Developed triceps with push-ups

Stretching:

• Explored full-body stretches and weekly muscle lessons followed by energizing warm-up runs/activities

Exciting Warm-Up Games:

• Embarked on adventures with games like Jump the River, Banana Tag, Turtle Tag, Sharks & Minnows, and What Time is it Mr. Fox?
• Conquered obstacle courses, enhancing agility and coordination

Dynamic Lesson Plans:

• Mastered the fundamentals of baseball with lessons on base running, batting stance, outfield responsibilities, catching and throwing techniques, and the thrill of hitting the ball
• Dabbled in kickball, honing speed and teamwork
• Enjoyed the excitement of Musical Bases (a twist on Musical Chairs)
• Emphasized the importance of confidence, patience, and teamwork in every class session

As you can see, this semester has been an absolute blast! Our students have shown remarkable progress in their skills and have eagerly embraced each learning opportunity. Don’t hesitate to ask your child to demonstrate any of these topics—they’ll be thrilled to share their newfound knowledge with you! Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education this semester, and we’re excited for more adventures together in the future!

The first half of the semester, artists worked on the following projects:

Klimt Tree of Life:  After studying Klimt’s original painting reference materials, students used gold iridescent paint and metallic markers to make their very own Klimt paintings that included a lot of detail.

Alma Thomas:  Students explored Ms. Alma Thomas’ artwork, a former teacher who became a full-time artist when she retired.  Thomas is recognized as a popular American painter of the 20^th century and the first African-American artist who has work displayed in the White House.  After studying her use of vibrant colors and circular patterns, students created their own Thomas art pieces.

Color Theory Valentines:  In celebration of Valentine’s Day, students created abstract hearts, while studying a color wheel.

Cyanotype Snowflakes:  Students experimented with cyanotypes, which is a photographic printing process that produces cyan-blue prints.  They cut out snowflakes and used the sun to produce the prints.  The artists were so excited about this project that they voted to redo it with another subject matter.

The second half of the semester, artists worked on the following projects:

Alice’s Tilted Tea Cup:  Students used Alice In Wonderland’s teacups to learn about ovals.  They created a template for their ovals and then drew their very own tilted teacups with plenty of patterns and colors.

Neon Alphabet Soup:  Students painted a colorful table cloth with fluorescent Golden High Flow Inks.  Afterwards, they drew in the chartreuse soup bowls and used oil pastels to add in the alphabet pasta.  The last step focused on adding a watercolor napkin and spoon.

Henri Rosseau Tigers:  Famed French artist, Rousseau, was known for painting jungle scenes at a zoo!  Students explored his work and drew their own tigers on black paper with chalk pastels.

Monarch Butterflies:  Students studied and created their own state insect, the monarch butterfly!  Using sharpies, they drew a symmetrical butterfly and then colored it in with liquid watercolor.

The first half of the semester, artists worked on the following projects:

Klimt Tree of Life:  After studying Klimt’s original painting reference materials, students used gold iridescent paint and metallic markers to make their very own Klimt paintings that included a lot of detail.

Alma Thomas:  Students explored Ms. Alma Thomas’ artwork, a former teacher who became a full-time artist when she retired.  Thomas is recognized as a popular American painter of the 20^th century and the first African-American artist who has work displayed in the White House.  After studying her use of vibrant colors and circular patterns, students created their own Thomas art pieces.

Whisper Valentines:  In celebration of Valentine’s Day, students cut out symmetrical hearts, rubbed the edges with chalk pastels, and then transferred the chalk to paper.

Color Theory Donuts: Students used primary colors and white acrylic paint to make donuts of their liking.  The donuts were brown, icing was a tint of their choice, and the students sprinkled and drizzled icing to enhance their artwork.

The second half of the semester, artists worked on the following projects:

Warm Color Ice Cream Cool Color Cake:  Students drew a very tall ice cream cone and used soft pastels to color them in with warm colors.  After, they drew a layered cake on a fancy pedestal and also colored them in with warm pastels.

Kandinsky Abstract:  Students studied Kandinsky, the father of abstract art, especially the shapes, colors, and lines he used.  Using a sharpie pen, they created their own abstract piece, adding beautiful colors with magenta, blue and yellow liquid watercolor.

Neon Alphabet Soup:  Students painted a colorful table cloth with fluorescent Golden High Flow Inks.  Afterwards, they drew in the chartreuse soup bowls and used oil pastels to add in the alphabet pasta.  The last step focused on adding a watercolor napkin and spoon.

Monarch Butterflies:  Students studied and created their own state insect, the monarch butterfly!  Using sharpies, they drew a symmetrical butterfly and then colored it in with liquid watercolor.

We have been diligently continuing our study of ballet barre techniques, focusing on alignment, feet positions, and arm placements. By integrating quality of movement as a key goal, we are making excellent progress with our center barre exercises. Our across-the-floor section now includes steps like chasse chaine, arabesque, tombe pas de bourree, glissade leap, and pique turns.

In Jazz, we’ve reviewed essential movement qualities and terminology, including parallel, plié, ball change, chasse, fan kick, jazz walk, chaines, pirouette, and leap. Our dancers worked hard to perfect their skills for the spring recital.

I’m thrilled with their progress and can’t wait to see them shine at summer camp and during the fall semester.

We continued to work on alignment and reviewed basic ballet terminology, including the positions of the feet and arms: first, second, third, fourth, and fifth. The dancers practiced basic barre techniques such as plié, tendu, dégagé, passé, and relevé. In the center, we explored and reviewed échappé, arabesque, and curtsey. Across the floor, we worked on ballet walks, chassé, and grand jeté.

During the Tap portion of the class, we reviewed basic tap steps including toe tap, heel tap, and shuffle step, and I introduced the shuffle hop step. In Jazz, we focused on fan kicks, jazz walks, chaînés, and jazz leaps. The dancers worked hard to execute their dance skills during the spring recital.

I was excited to see their progress and can’t wait to see them during summer camp and the fall semester. I hope all the dancers have a wonderful summer.

We’ve had an incredible semester with your children as we embarked on an exploration of various disasters at Challenge Island’s Disaster Island! Throughout these past few months, we delved into the realm of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and blizzards, all the while gaining insights into how scientists and engineers have innovated to mitigate their impacts.

Each week, our young participants engaged in collaborative STEAM activities, pooling their talents and skills to tackle challenges related to these disasters. Among the highlights were constructing a resilient suspension bridge capable of withstanding an earthquake, devising structures designed to ensure safety amidst volcanic eruptions, and crafting a pulley system to facilitate the distribution of essential supplies to those in need.

Throughout our golf camp, students worked on new skills such as chipping, putting, and driving. Terms such as driver, wedge, putter, bogey, eagle, and par will be emphasized throughout our time with the students. The athletes have made tremendous improvements with skills such as ball control, accuracy, and have gained an overall understanding of the fundamentals which have helped them grow and become better each day.

A typical class includes stretching, warm-up games (Pac-Man, Animal Game, Pop-Up Tag, Relay-Race), warm-up golf drills (Battleship, Putting in Cone Challenge, Create your own Golf Course, and Golf Baseball), and fundamental practice (chipping, putting, driving, velcro target practice, distance practice, and short-game practice).

Below is a glimpse of the exciting projects and concepts our students have explored.

First half of the semester projects included:

Pedal Boat Duck: Students delved into the mechanics of pedal boats and discovered how they operate. They learned firsthand how pullback motors utilize clock springs to power creations, all while grasping the concept of eccentricity—where things aren’t centered but still perfectly functional.

Bird Bonanza: Students learned about birds and elasticity, harnessing the power of rubber bands to make wings flap and soar.

Playground Paradise: Students learned about the world of playground equipment by understanding the mechanics of levers and fulcrums, discovering how different weights and pressures affect movement and balance.

Second half of the semester projects included:

Bumblebee: The bumblebee build helps our students begin to understand how electric motors work and how we can use them to move things around us by taking electrical energy and converting it to mechanical energy. They also learned about worm gears and how a spiral gear can turn other gears with their unique spiral structure.

Spring Parade Float: The parade float showed students that the direction of movement can affect different structures. We had students build decorations for their floats that rested on a 90-degree angle on their tires, so when the tires rolled perpendicular to the ground, it caused their decorations to spin parallel to the ground by use of that angle.

Treehouse: Students used this build to understand the basic qualifications for a building to be structurally sound, like the importance of a strong base that can support everything built on top of it. Also, they explored how doors need frames to support the movement needed without it affecting the structure.

We embarked on a fascinating journey, creating plastic from corn oil and crafting mini bouncing balls from white glue. We then experimented with doubling the recipe, adding clear glue and glitter to enhance the fun. In our final two classes, we made the ultimate magic stretchy slime and explored the effects of different solutions on melted marshmallows.

In class this semester, the following topics/skills have been covered:

Team Exploration of the Nether: Students are collaboratively exploring the Nether dimension, learning teamwork and problem-solving skills as they navigate its challenges.

Construction and Collaboration: Together, the class has built a communal house in the Nether, demonstrating their ability to work together and constructively contribute to shared goals.

Resource Management and Networking: Using cobblestone, students are establishing a networking system to efficiently transport materials between the Nether and the Overworld, showcasing their resourcefulness and adaptability.

Students continued their exploration into the Nether, facing and overcoming its many challenges. They built complex structures, such as fortresses and transportation systems, to navigate and utilize the Nether’s unique resources. The implementation of automated systems for resource management, using Redstone mechanics, demonstrated their technical prowess and strategic thinking under the harsh environment. We salute our Minecraft explorers!

Wednesday’s Modern dancers had an outstanding semester! Their dedication was truly impressive. Typically, we prepare one performance piece for the end-of-year show, but these students pushed themselves to create two. Their ability to collaborate and master two distinct pieces of choreography showcased their commitment to dance and to each other. The two pieces were entirely different, designed to help the students understand varying movement qualities. I am delighted with their progress and performance. I look forward to continuing to develop their skills. Please remember to sign up for dance over the summer and for the next school year. Enjoy your summer!

Throughout our tennis class, students worked on three new skills: serving the ball, reaction time, and active game participation. Terms such as forehand, backhand, reflex, and real-game practice were emphasized throughout our time with the students. Skills such as ball control, accuracy, and an overall understanding of the fundamentals have helped these students to grow and become better every day.

A typical class includes stretching, warm-up games (Sliders, Animal Game, Head, Shoulders, & Cone, Capture the Flag, and Angry Birds), warm-up tennis drills (Walk the Dog, Racket Bean Bag Toss, Partner toss with a ball and cone, and Tic-Tac-Toe with a partner), and serving and real-time game practice (serving/ball toss skills and accuracy, coach toss and swing over the net, serve across the net to a partner, and one-on-one volley across net).

This semester has been marked by remarkable growth in the students’ motor development, creativity, and most notably, personal confidence. In every class, our primary aim has been to cultivate self-assurance that will serve as a strong foundation for your child’s future success!

Here’s a glimpse of our achievements throughout the semester:

Anatomy:

• Engaged in targeted exercises for abdominals through sit-ups
• Strengthened quadriceps with squats
• Developed triceps with push-ups

Stretching:

• Explored full-body stretches and weekly muscle-focused lessons, culminating in invigorating warm-up runs and activities

Exciting Warm-Up Games:

• Embarked on adventures with games like Jump the River, Turtle Tag, Sharks & Minnows, What Time is it Mr. Fox?, and exhilarating obstacle courses

Dynamic Lesson Plans – Pickleball:

• Perfected forehand and backhand hits
• Enhanced hand-eye coordination through partner volleys (beginning on the floor)
• Practiced balance with the Egg Balance challenge
• Worked on controlled hits off cones over the net
• Mastered serving techniques
• Engaged in one-on-one and two-on-two partner volley games at varying speeds
• Fine-tuned serving power and accuracy through specialized drills
• Reinforced the values of confidence, patience, and teamwork in every class session

As you can see, this semester has been an absolute blast! Our students have demonstrated significant improvements in their skills and have consistently shown eagerness to expand their knowledge. Don’t hesitate to ask your child about any of these topics—I’m certain they would love to share their newfound expertise with you!

In class this semester, the following topics/skills have been covered:

Story Development: Students crafted their superhero stories by brainstorming and outlining beginnings, middles, and ends on paper. This process allowed them to develop plotlines and character arcs.

Green Screen Photography: Utilizing green screen technology, students took pictures and edited backgrounds using Canva, bringing their stories to life visually.

Comic Creation: Students translated their stories into comic book format using Comic Creator 3 software, where they combined text and images to create dynamic comic panels.

During the second part of the semester, students developed their superhero stories into multi-issue comic books, creating rich narratives with well-defined characters for some of our longest comics to date. 8Bit Staff worked with students to flesh out their works and talked about tips on how to word build to create a more polished product. The final printed comic books highlight their storytelling and artistic talents, offering a tangible showcase of their hard work.

The first half of the semester, artists worked on the following projects:

Impasto Landscapes:  Students painted on wooden cradle boards with palette knives to create a heavily textured impasto landscape using fluid, acrylic paint, and light molding paste.

Klimt Mixed Media:  After studying Klimt’s famous painting style, students used images of the head and hands on a board, and then penciled in their own designs, painting them with metallic, bronze, copper, gold, and micaceous oxide, while drawing the patterns with metallic acrylic markers.

Valentine Boxes:  Students made 4 x 6 valentine-inspired acetate boxes with 2-dimensional pieces.  This mixed media project involved several kinds of paper, milangros, bead paints, and metallic markers.

The second half of the semester, artists worked on the following projects:

Contemporary Waterlilies:  Students studied internationally collected artist, Michelle Sakhai, and her use of iridescent and gold leaf works.  They created contemporary waterlines by first painting a background with iridescent bronze and then painted gorgeous lilies on top.

Laura Donavon Shadows:  Following Arizona artist Laura Donavon’s creation of a birds eye view of animals with long shadows, students developed their own burros on a colorfield and made elongated shadows.

Diane Madera Colorful Cactus:  Madera is an Arizona artist known for her high desert landscapes.  Students studied her work and created their own landscape using vibrant acrylics.

Eric Carle Fruitscape:  Students learned about American artist, Eric Carle, who was famous for his simplistic style with painted paper and made their own painted paper with a variety of “brushed” then created a colorful fruitscape.

Mastering the fundamentals in our Cheer and Tumbling Class, students excelled in Lever 1 and 2 Vaulting horse skills. They confidently navigated mounting on and off the Vault, showcasing their prowess. From perfecting skills like Squat on, Bridge mount, Straddle on, to executing a side Vault over the apparatus, their agility and technique shined.

On the Balance Beam, students demonstrated precision with Pony steps forward, coupled with Backward cartwheels under expert guidance. Their journey also involves performing a cartwheel on the beam, skillfully spotting, and executing a flawless round-off off the Beam.

In the realm of Tumbling, creativity takes center stage as students craft their own routines. The culmination of their learned skills results in the captivating V-seat routine, showcasing their individual flair and mastery. The class is not just about technique; it’s about empowering students to express themselves through dynamic and skillful performances.

This spring, the Hillcrest Choir happily welcomed many new members! Our returning students worked hard to help our new singers feel comfortable with many singing games starting in January. They played games like “Here Comes A Bluebird”, “Billy Billy,” and “Alabama Gal”  to build a sense of community while exploring different concepts. The choir has also been learning vocabulary words like “solo,” “duet,” “canon,” and “partner song”.

Starting in February, the choir began expanding their repertoire by preparing for their Spring performances. We loved performing “Hand In Hand” at Grandfriend’s Visiting Day, and we hope you enjoyed the Spring Concert with the Midway Choir. The bird theme was so much fun, and our songs included Kookaburra, Cluck Ol’ Hen, and Three Little Birds.

Thursday’s Contemporary Modern dancers has had a phenomenal semester! This group of dancers out did themselves with the level of complex choreography they learned. They were able to complete two different contemporary modern dance performance pieces for the end of the year performance. It was nice to see these dancers work on their movement quality in different ways. From performing a piece that focused solely on fluidity, suspension, fall and release to a postmodern piece that focused on a combination of everyday movement gestures demonstrated their ability to expand their movement repertoire once again. I look forward to continuing to work with these girls to develop their skills. Please make sure to sign up for dance for next school year. Enjoy your summer!

In the Executive Functioning 8-week after school course, students learned about and practiced developing their executive functioning skills. The units of study were focused on introducing executive functioning and understanding the brain and body connection related to these skills, and then jumping into organization, time management, test taking and study skills, and emotional regulation. All of the 11 main executive function skills were introduced and practiced throughout these units through engaging lessons, games, and real-life application scenarios. Students left the class with a better understanding of their personal executive function strengths and weaknesses, as well as concrete strategies and frameworks to help them tackle their daily tasks, both inside and outside of the classroom.

During this class, students learned how to water and care for their garden space. They also planted flower seeds in the STEM garden, which will be in full bloom when they return to school in the fall. In the final weeks, they planted mini strawberry plants to take home and tend to over the summer for ongoing care.

In Hip-Hop Jr., dancers have been honing their skills with rib cage isolations, six-step, coffee grinder, toe touch, and glides. They have also learned various combinations and freestyle movements. All the students have worked hard, and I’m excited to see their growth in the upcoming semester. The dancers have put in tremendous effort to perfect their skills for the 12^th Annual Parish Extend Dance Performance. I can’t wait to see them at summer camp and in the fall semester. I hope all the dancers have a wonderful summer.

Thursday’s Jazz/HipHop dancers had an amazing semester! This class, though small, was filled with so much personality, and excitement for dance. Throughout the class, we prepared for the end of the year dance show. With a group this young, only one dance routine would be created for them, but I knew this trio was capable of more. I really pushed them, and it paid off greatly. We worked on varying rhythms in Hip Hop, and even started adding in some stunts for the girls. It was a challenge, but they all rose to the occasion. When it came to Jazz, I really pushed their skill and technique by adding everything we worked on throughout the semester into their routine. I am so proud of their work ethic and dedication to the class. I was very happy to watch them do such an amazing job at the end of year show. Please make sure to sign up for dance for next school year. Enjoy your summer!

In our enriching Hola Amigos Spanish classes, we explored a delightful array of engaging topics designed to captivate young minds. From the beauty of spring, to the variety of insects, the sweetness of fruits, to the importance of Earth Day, the significance of celebrating Cinco de Mayo and the amazingness of animals on both land and under the sea, our curriculum embraced a diverse range of themes.

Students not only delved into these fascinating subjects but also actively participated in vocabulary-building activities, paving the way for effective language acquisition. Our classes were filled with laughter and learning as students eagerly embraced a series of interactive games tailored to reinforce the newly acquired vocabulary. These immersive activities not only enhanced language skills but also provided a unique avenue for enjoyment.

We believe in making language learning a joyous journey for your child, where every class is not just an educational opportunity but a memorable adventure they eagerly anticipate. At the end of each class, students were able to take home their coloring sheet that went along with that class lesson. After a few lessons, we would have a review class to refresh and at the end of that class, each student was able to pick a fun prize of their choosing which added an extra layer of excitement and motivation.

In Jazz Technique, we refined our skills in body isolations, musicality, and the art of extending and lengthening the legs to enhance expressive movement. In Beginner Acro, we concentrated on increasing flexibility and strengthening the legs and back to master acrobatic moves such as bridges, cartwheels, and handstands. At the end-of-year dance performance, excitement was building among our students as they eagerly prepared to showcase their newly acquired acrobatic skills and Jazz Technique in a spectacular dance extravaganza!

The enthusiasm of the children and the eagerness to try and learn new things is what makes this class exceptional!  Each week, the students work towards accomplishing our goals based on the three keys of magic 1) Make it Fun, 2) Think of Others, 3) Give your Best.  

On the first day of class, your child received a binder with a Velcro pocket in which to keep all their Magic Adventure Pack (M.A.P) and props.  I have been impressed with how they have kept up with the materials so far. You should be proud that you are raising such responsible children.

Each week, we worked on creating and learning to perform a new magic trick. We play games, share stories, and solve mysteries. We study how to be respectful of others, how to be authentic and giving, and practice communication and presentation skills.

In class this semester, students have worked on the following projects and skills:

City Building: Students have successfully completed their initial task by constructing houses in Minecraft using a variety of building materials. They have expanded their efforts to create a connected cityscape, incorporating bridges and roads into their designs. Throughout this process, they have refined their creativity and design abilities, beginning with pen-and-paper blueprints and translating them into intricate structures within the world of Minecraft.

Collaborative Building: Students have been engaged in collaborative building projects, honing their teamwork and communication skills as they work together to create complex structures within the Minecraft world.

Creative Design: Through the construction of various structures and landscapes, students have explored their creativity and design abilities, learning to implement unique and imaginative ideas into their builds.

Students expanded their cityscapes, incorporating advanced infrastructure elements like bridges, water systems, and public transportation. They engaged in themed projects, such as constructing fantasy kingdoms or futuristic cities, which pushed their creative and design boundaries outside of the norm. Large collaborative projects fostered teamwork and communication, resulting in expansive and intricate builds that showcased their talents and imagination.

Mastering the fundamentals in our Tumbling Class, students are excelling in Lever 1 and 2 Vaulting horse skills. They confidently navigated mounting on and off the Vault, showcasing their prowess. From perfecting skills like Squat on, Bridge mount, Straddle on, to executing a side Vault over the apparatus, their agility and technique shine.

On the Balance Beam, students demonstrated precision with Pony steps forward, coupled with Backward cartwheels under expert guidance. Their journey also involves performing a cartwheel on the beam, skillfully spotting, and executing a flawless round-off off the Beam.

In the realm of Tumbling, creativity takes center stage as students craft their own routines. The culmination of their learned skills results in the captivating V-seat routine, showcasing their individual flair and mastery. The class is not just about technique; it’s about empowering students to express themselves through dynamic and skillful performances.

Students discovered the importance of recycling (upcycling) from a fresh perspective. Beyond recycling food waste, they learned to repurpose items that might otherwise be discarded, transforming them into new, useful creations.

Their journey began with an upcycled lamp project. Using a donated lamp and old Parish yearbooks, they crafted a unique base. With the assistance of a STEM Blair Fellow and specialized tools for drilling holes in the yearbooks, they brought their vision to life. Additionally, the class created a photo frame adorned with buttons and an upcycled birdhouse complete with seeds. Check out their impressive finished products on Instagram!

Throughout our golf camp, students worked on new skills such as chipping, putting, and driving. Terms such as driver, wedge, putter, bogey, eagle, and par will be emphasized throughout our time with the students. The athletes have made tremendous improvements with skills such as ball control, accuracy, and have gained an overall understanding of the fundamentals which have helped them grow and become better each day.

A typical class includes stretching, warm-up games (Pac-Man, Animal Game, Pop-Up Tag, Relay-Race), warm-up golf drills (Battleship, Putting in Cone Challenge, Create your own Golf Course, and Golf Baseball), and fundamental practice (chipping, putting, driving, velcro target practice, distance practice, and short-game practice).

Here’s a glimpse of the exciting projects and concepts our students have explored:

Pallet Town Exploration: Students delve into the lore of Pallet Town in the Pokémon world, while also learning about the mechanics of ball and socket joints. They discover the importance of framing in constructing buildings and structures, laying the groundwork for their own Pokémon adventures.

Pokémon Catcher Challenge: Students master the art of catching Pokémon while gaining insights into the principles of physics. They learn about fulcrums and how they facilitate movement, as well as the concept of center of gravity and its impact on balance. With newfound knowledge, they’re ready to embark on daring Pokémon-catching escapades.

Pokémon Gym Quest: Students uncover the secrets of Pokémon Gyms and their significance in the Pokémon universe. They explore scale models and their practical applications, understanding why they’re essential in designing and planning. Additionally, students discover the functionality of hinges, unlocking doors to new possibilities in their Pokémon engineering endeavors.

Pokemon Evolution (Rotating Platform): The Evolution Rotating Platform focused on two unique types of gears, the clutch gear and worm gear. They learned about clutch gear and how they are structured uniquely to combat excessive torque by making things stop before they break anything with too much force. They also studied worm gears and how a spiral gear can turn other gears with their unique spiral structure.

Pokémon Trainer: Students learn about 90° gear meshing and how some gears do not have to be in line to work. They can meet together at a 90° angle to fit within tight spaces or allow a redirection of force needed for a build. Their 90° gear mesh also utilized torque to be able to fling the arm of their trainer throwing their Pokéball to capture their Pokémon.

Pokemon Battle (Battletracks): This was a fun build because students were able to create their own pokemon and battle their friends. We used this build to teach our students about how we need gears to work together or mesh to move their Pokemon across the tracks. It also shows how the gears do not only work with other gears but also with something like a gear rack which is a straight bar that has teeth cut into it so the gear can mesh by rolling across the rack.

Throughout our soccer class, students worked on new skills: dribbling, passing, and shooting. Terms such as inside foot/outside foot, ball control, and patience were emphasized throughout our time with the students. Skills such as ball control, accuracy, and an overall understanding of the fundamentals have helped these students to grow and become better every day.

A typical class includes stretching, warm-up games (Pac-Man, Animal Game, Pop-Up Tag, and Relay-Race), warm-up soccer drills (one foot on the ball control, shooting with both feet, dribble down court with both feet, and partner passing), and fundamental practice (run full speed towards the ball and kick, small dribbles with control, small/medium/large kicks buildup, inside foot scoring, and outside foot dribbles).

The girls in our program are not only honing their familiar tumbling skills but also fearlessly tackling new and challenging techniques. In addition to mastering individual skills, the focus extends to collaborative stunts like the double base thigh stand and a half-to-cradle maneuver. Adding a layer of complexity, the girls are delving into advanced stunts such as the half library stunt and transition stunt, seamlessly merging two distinct elements into one captivating performance.

Beyond the physical feats, this journey is a lesson in teamwork, emphasizing the importance of synchronization and trust. As they navigate these intricate routines, the girls are not just learning skills; they’re cultivating a strong sense of unity and collaboration within the team.