Now that we are just about a month into the new school year, students and families are beginning to hear about programs and groups available to students at ANCS outside of “regular” school hours. A range of enrichment classes, clubs, and other extracurricular activities enhances the learning students do in the classroom with their teachers by offering opportunities for different skills to be honed and different settings in which to use them. At our elementary campus, after-school enrichment classes (the first of which are starting in September) provide students with the chance to learn alongside classmates of different ages and to gain some new skills in a small group environment. For example, past classes have focused on computer coding, cooking, soap-making, science experiments, running, and improv. At the middle campus, after-school clubs are often student-initiated and a space for our middle schoolers to try on leadership roles in managing clubs with a supportive faculty advisor. A listing of available clubs will soon be on our website and will include areas of focus like being a part of the cast or crew for drama productions, skateboarding, art, computers, and a queer-straight student alliance. We’ve even got a farm at the middle school that students can help to maintain and in which they can learn. And, of course, there are plenty of athletics options through our participation in a few local sports leagues competing in activities like flag football, cheer, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, cross country, baseball, soccer and more, all of them available to all middle school students and several extending down to 4th or 5th graders. You can contact our athletics coordinator, Santina Cambor, with questions.
None of these programs could happen without dedicated teachers, staff members, parents, and other community members who give of their time and talents to lead, coach, and support our students in these extracurricular activities. Additionally, given that our local/state funding accounts just for the learning that happens during the normal school day, there are expenses associated with each of these activities that we must pay, and we strive to make all of the activities accessible to all of our students. We aim to charge only modest fees and offer scholarships to families and receive generous funding from our PTCA to help offset these costs in a way that is as inclusive as possible.
To our ANCS parents and caregivers, I encourage you to explore with your child the various after-school extracurricular options available and find an opportunity for extended learning. And if there’s something you’d like to see that isn’t currently offered, ask your student to suggest it at school!