Robotics at Hopkins!

Posted Oct 17, 2010

The popular HPTA extracurricular program “Robotics” has swung into full motion this week at Hopkins.

Ed Harrow teaches this educational, yet extremely fun, course where every child gets to assemble and bring home their own robot.  Both boys and girls alike enjoy the challenge of building these brightly colored and fully mobile robots.

While the children are having fun, they are also learning about circuit boards and infrared sensors and improving their fine motor skills.

Who knows, maybe there is a future roboticist in the group!

By Beth Herlihy

Extracurricular Programs, Hopkins School, Schools, The Runner

Extracurricular Program in Full Swing at Center School

Posted Oct 17, 2010

The Extracurricular Program activities, sponsored by the HPTA, are in process at Center School, and the children are having a ball! The program offers a variety of afterschool classes during the fall season.

The classes, which take place after school from 3:10 to 4:00 p.m., are available to first grade students, and include Little Actors, Super Sports, Karate, and Spanish. Extracurricular classes are also available at Elmwood and Hopkins schools.

The Little Actors class is an 8 week introduction to acting. According to the HPTA, “children will be  introduced to basic acting and improvisational games for the theater. They will expand their imaginations and build confidence by bringing stories to life while practicing listening, turn‐taking, and cooperation skills. Students will present a short performance to family on the last class.”

 Lucy, Kyla, Caleb, Owen, and Brooke practice
 acting really excited about some news!

Students in the Little Actors class, taught by Tina Grady, have had a wonderful time talking about emotions and expressions. Students have learned how to pretend or act to make a face. They practiced being excited, sad, mad, and more. Ms. Grady told students, “we’re not really sad, we’re just acting sad.” and the students put that into practice. Students also acted as if they were walking through thick mud and skating across a slippery pond.

Students play ‘Capture the Flag’ in Super Sports

In the Super Sports program students are offered a variety of sports such as soccer, basketball, mat ball, dodgeball, and kickball. Programs also include proper stretching and warm-up games as well as learning basic skills of each sport. 

This program is coached through F.A.S.T. Athletics. The company was created by three former athletes who wanted to make a difference in each and every school they work with. F.A.S.T. Athletics offers a variety of top-notch programs for children of all ages in mostly afterschool and weekend programs.

This week, students in the Super Sports program played Capture the Flag among other games. Many students said they loved all the games and several said dodgeball was their favorite. The energy in the gym while the students played was contagious!

The next session of extracurricular programs begins in mid-January with sign-ups offered mid-December. Early registration starts December 8.

Popular classes such as Super Sports, Karate, and Little Actors will continue to be offered, while several other classes, such as Chinese, may be an option as well. Look for the E-Flyer for registration news to secure your spot!

By Jamie Weeden

Center School, Extracurricular Programs, Schools, The Runner

Robotics at Hopkins

Posted Mar 7, 2010
When this class is advertised in HPTA’s Extracurricular Program, you better register early because it always sells out!  Ed Harrow captivates students with his jokes and easy demeanor while explaining how to build a robot. 
 
Each week the students work to build and test their robot, which they get to keep. The students receive extra templates so they can program their robots at home.

Photo: Dan Bradbury, Justin McGuirl and Ed Harrow
Photo and article submitted by Marilee Mackertich

Extracurricular Programs, Hopkins School, Schools, The Runner

Middle-Schoolers Get Strong!

Posted Nov 12, 2009
Some do it just for fun, others to get in shape for their favorite sport, while others do it to improve their general physical fitness. These were some of the reasons given by Middle School students who are taking the extracurricular class Strength and Conditioning, taught by Margaret Kennedy. 
At one particular session, the kids moved from station to station, working different parts of their bodies.  While Jack Chase worked on sit-ups, Thomas Onsi jogged in place, and Kaelen Lockhart worked his triceps.
Ms. Kennedy hopes to run the class in the winter, provided there is a space. What a great way to get in shape for lacrosse, baseball, and soccer!

Article by Heidi Krapf

Extracurricular Programs, Middle School, Schools, The Runner

Hopkins Students Enjoying HPTA Extracurricular Programs

Posted Nov 1, 2009

It’s official, the anticipated HPTA Extracurricular Programs started the week of October 19, for fourth- and fifth-graders. Classes range from SuperSports to Sewing, with class sizes ranging from 10-30 students.

Start with Art is being taught by Christine Van. The inspiration for the class is credited to a famous artist, Marc Chagall, quoted for his comment “Art takes off where nature ends.” Chagall was a Russian-born French painter and designer, distinguished for his surrealistic inventiveness. Students had a chance to create their own surreal oil pastels on brown canvas. To get in the spirit of Fall, Christine Van had 27 pumpkins donated by Weston Nurseries, Angel’s Garden Center, and Outpost Farm to be used for acrylic paintings throughout all the courses she teaches.
If you ever wanted to make your own pajamas, now is that chance! Alicia Shambo teaches students the art of sewing. Students happily picked their favorite fabric, set out cutting and pinning their patterns to create their wears and off to the sewing machines they go…


Article and photos by Kelly Asherman

Extracurricular Programs, Hopkins School, Schools, The Runner

HPTA Early Release Day Classes at Elmwood

Posted Oct 17, 2009
An Exciting New Extracurricular Program from the HPTA! 
 Super Sports and F.A.S.T Athletics Instructors

Get up, get going, and get active with a variety of sports, such as:
Soccer, Basketball, Flag Football, Dodgeball, Baseball, and Kickball.
Programs will include proper stretching and warm‐up games
along with  basic skills of each sport.
Each class will end with a high energy game of the sport played that day.
 

Elmwood School Early Release Day Classes (Grades 2 and 3)

Elmwood School Extracurricular Coordinator
Liz Murchie 625‐1121 murchiefamily@verizon.net

Sign‐Up at http://www.hptaonline.com/
VISA, MasterCard and eCheck accepted.

Technical Questions? support@hptaonline.com

Enrollment: Min 10 ‐ Max 30
Location: Elmwood GYM, Pick‐up is in the gym.
Date: Wed., Oct. 14, Wed., Oct 21 and Wed., Nov. 4.
Time: 12:25 to 1:55 (90 min)
Cost: $20 per session, sign up for one day or all three!
BUS NOTES: Parents must send a bus note to the Elmwood School Office FOR EACH CLASS authorizing their child’s participation in the class.

Important Extracurricular Policies:

  • No refunds given except for medical issues.
  • If the HPTA cancels a class due to low enrollment you will receive a full refund or you will have the option of switching to another open class.
  • Prompt pick‐up is required for participation in HPTA extracurricular classes. 

On the first occasion of pick‐up occurring 15 or more minutes late, a warning will be given. An additional late pick‐up will result in the child being withdrawn from the class, without refund, and the child will not be permitted to register for the following session of extracurricular classes.

Elmwood School, Extracurricular Programs, Schools, The Runner

Extracurricular Classes

Important Extracurricular Policies:

  • All registrations requested after the deadline must be sent to extracurricular@hptaonline.com, are subject to a $50 late fee, and are not guaranteed placement.
  • If the HPTA cancels a class due to low enrollment you will receive a full refund or you will have the option of switching to another open class.
  • No other refunds given except for medical issues. Medical refunds will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • Refunds will be given by check.
  • Prompt pick-up is required for participation in HPTA extracurricular classes. On the first occasion of pick-up occurring 15 or more minutes late, a warning will be given. An additional late pick-up will result in the child being withdrawn from the class, without refund, and the child will not be permitted to register for the following session of extracurricular classes.
  • Extracurricular Discipline Policy: All children are expected to cooperate with the instructors and other children. Any child who is considered disruptive may be asked to leave after a conference with parents. The HPTA reserves the right to cancel enrollment, with no refunds, at any time due to disruptive behavior as determined by the instructor and HPTA.
  • Financial Assistance: A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available. To apply for financial assistance, please contact the principal at your child’s school before registration opens. All requests are strictly confidential.