After School Adventurers
After School Adventurers (ASA) is Country Day's unique after-school program. Students receive an all-inclusive experience to fit their individual needs and interests, without ever having to leave the CDS campus! Each day has one class (except Friday), homework help if needed, snack time, unstructured play, organized games and more! Rates are offered one to five days a week per term, or daily drop-in.
General Info
Raquel Kramer
Director of Adventurers Program
724-594-2053
Rkramer@shadysideacademy.org
- ASA is available from 3:30-6 p.m. every day Country Day is in session.
- Snack Included
- Programming also offered for in-service days
2018-2019 Dates and Rates
Term I (12 weeks): Aug. 28–Nov. 15
Term II (12 weeks): Nov. 19–Feb. 21
Term III (12 weeks): Feb. 25–June 3
5 days/week (per term): $1,200
4 days/week (per term): $1,000
3 days/week (per term): $800
2 days/week (per term): $550
1 day/week (per term): $300
Daily Drop-In Rate: $30/day
Each day includes the choice of attending the daily class, as well as snack, recess, games, sports and activities at play time, and access to homework help, if needed.
Late pick-up policy: After 6 p.m., a late pick-up fee of $10/child will be added for the first 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the late fee increases to $10/child per minute. Families who are late more than three times in one term will be charged $10/minute/child on subsequent late pick ups. Charges will be added to the end of term bill.
Program Features
Daily Schedule
3:30-4:00 p.m. Recess at the Gym/Playground
4:00-4:25 p.m. Snack
4:30-5:30 p.m. Daily Class or Play Time or Homework Help!
5:30-6:00 p.m. Structured Play
Play Time!
Play time includes the gymnasium and playground. Students begin each afternoon with recess and a snack before transitioning to the afternoon programming. Adventurers can enjoy play time for the entire afternoon or join in the daily class. In addition to unstructured play time, a staff member may lead a variety of daily games and intramural sports.
Enrichment Classes
A wide variety of enrichment classes are available Monday through Thursday, from sports to art to cooking to science. Adventurers have access to one enrichment class each day that they are registered in After School Adventurers, excluding Fridays. See tab for more information! Enrichment classes are not available for Drop-Ins. Most classes do have maximums and can sell out.
Be Kind Days!
Once a month our ASA students will have the opportunity to give back to others! A non-profit organization will be chosen to benefit from our students’ kindness and creativity. Our first “Be Kind” day will take place on Monday, September 17th students will create bouquets of paper flowers to be distributed to every room in the Family House facility. Family House serves more than 22,000 patients and families staying in Pittsburgh for medical care each year.
In-Service Days/Break Camps
For the 2018-2019 school year, ASA will offer in-service day and school break programming on all days CDS is not in session (excluding the holidays listed below). These exciting day- and week-long camps are much more than six hours of day care. Each affordable program is centered on a theme; over the course of the year, students will travel through time, bake, learn new sports skills, explore our communities and parks, get techy and go on field trips!
Rates & Details
In-Service Day Programs
Open to SSA CDS students only.
Full-day programs: $60
Lunch NOT provided, Snack is provided for After Care
*See schedule to the right for In-Service Dates*
School Break Camps
Open to students from any school - hosted at the SSA Jr. School in Point Breeze.
Weekly rate: $375
Daily rate: $80
Families must provide lunches and snacks daily.
- Break Camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SSA Junior School unless otherwise noted.
- FREE before care begins at 8 a.m.
- After care is available until 6 p.m. at an additional cost of $20 per child (free on in-service days for attendees who are enrolled in ASA the day the program occurs).
- A shuttle between the Junior and Senior School campuses is available for a fee of $5/child for Break Camps. Bus departs the Senior School at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m.
- All activities included in program cost.
- Late registrations are subject to a $20 fee. Some programs may not accept late registrations.
No programming is available on the following holidays:
- Sept. 3 – Labor Day
- Sept. 10 – Rosh Hashanah
- Sept. 19 – Yom Kippur
- Nov. 21, 22, 23 – Thanksgiving Break
- Dec. 24 - Jan. 4 – Winter Break
- Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Feb. 18 – Presidents' Day
- April 19 – Good Friday
- May 27 – Memorial Day
In-Service Day Programs
Sept. 13 - Hopes & Dreams Conferences
Oct. 8 - Columbus Day
Nov. 16 - Evaluation Day
Nov. 26 - Faculty In-Service Day
Dec. 7 - Parent Conferences
Feb. 22 - Optional Parent Conferences
April 1 - Faculty In-Service Day
May 20 - Evaluation Day
May 31 - Parent Conferences
Break Camps
To be announced shortly!
Enrichment Classes!
Winter Term CLASSES
November 20 - February 22, 2019
Monday
Art Studio Mixed Media Fun!
Grades PK-5:
Classes: 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 1/7, 1/14, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11
Join Kelly Bellini to create delightful and imaginative mixed media masterpieces using a variety of materials and tools. Your young artist will enjoy painting, sculpting, collaging and more during this artistic after school adventure!
Tuesday
Kinderbots w/Snapology
Grades PK-1
Classes: 11/20, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19
Children will begin to explore the world of robotics as they build simple models that teach the fundamentals of robotic design. Whether learning about sensors while building drills and magic wands, or discovering ways that gears and pulleys create movement while building helicopters and robotic dogs, your child is sure to have a great time!
Little Medical School
Grades 2-5
Classes: 11/20, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19
Through Winter term, registered students will progress through two of LMS' programs designed for older elementary ages.
Little Medical School 4 Tweens:
The advanced Little Medical School combines interactive demonstrations, crafts, and role playing and student will learn about skin, blood, surgery techniques, and the heart. Students will learn to read an EKG, learn about Celiac Disease, blood disorders and the process of becoming a pre-med student.
Little Medical School Wilderness:
Little Wilderness School brings medicine, science and the importance of health to children in an entertaining, exciting and fun way. Our program will teach children about some of the dangers in the wild and how to safely handle a medical situation. For example, students will learn about snake bites, hypothermia, how to tie a tourniquet, splint a broken leg, filter dirty water, 20 uses of a bandana and how to treat bug bites!
Wednesday
Martial Arts w/Young Brothers Studio
Grades PK-1 3:30-4:15 p.m.
Grades 2-5 4:15-5:00 p.m.
Classes: 11/28, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20
At Young Brothers Tae Kwon Do the focus of our training is not only the physical strength and growth, but also on important skills that lead to personal successes in life. We believe that a healthy individual is characterized by a strong body and mind.
Students are encouraged to kick off their shoes & join us for a fun & exciting traditional training session like none other. Join 5th degree black belt Master Brianne Norris as we strengthen our minds & bodies. Parents, your child will learn discipline, respect & the keys to staying safe at home, school, with friends & anywhere their feet make take them. Kids, prepare to yell, kick, punch & learn how to break boards all while having fun with your friends and classmates!
Thursday
Gamebots w/Snapology
Grades 2-5
Classes: 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21
Calling all gamers! Have a blast creating robotic games each week while learning about robotics. Students will learn about gear ratio, sensors, programming, and pulleys as they create fun to play games. Whether creating a robotic hockey player, pinball machine, or a ring toss, your child is sure to have fun building, learning, and playing.
Little Medical School
Grades PK-1
Classes: 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21
Little Medical School brings medicine, science, and the importance of health to children in an entertaining, exciting, and fun way. Through hands-on demonstrations, crafts, and games, children are actively engaged as they explore the world of medicine. Students registered for LMS will progress through LMS Level #1 and Level #2 during the Winter Term.
SPRING TERM CLASSES
February 25, 2019 - May 30, 2019
Monday
Get Creative with Clay!
Grades: JPK – 5th , 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classes: 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13
We will be building, firing and glazing your own ceramic creations. We’ll also be experimenting with different types of clay and techniques. So, come roll up your sleeves and play with some clay!
Tuesday
Soccer Shots
Grades: JPK – K, 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Grades: 1st – 5th, 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classes: 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23. 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
Soccer Shots is a fun, age-appropriate intro to soccer class for children. We are an official provider for the US Youth Soccer organization! At Soccer Shots Soccer skills, game play, and basic strategy are emphasized. Our program offers children an opportunity to put their soccer skills to work in lengthy game play/scrimmages each week! We start off with a 20 to 25-minute warm-up and skill practice, then scrimmage for the remainder of the session
Wednesday
Snapology
Grades: 1st – 5th, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classes: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
Castles, Kingdoms and Wizards: Students will have the opportunity to use their creativity to solve problems including how to create a catapult, capture wizards, and collaborate as a team to bring a Gryffindor Crest to life. They will have to develop problem-solving skills to resolve this dilemma in a fun unique way. Snapology will help your child feel more comfortable presenting in front of a class by having the child explain each of their builds to their peers in class.
"Old School" Board Game Fun
Grades: JPK-K, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classes: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
Spend some time with your friends playing “old school” board games such as, Memory, Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, and Connect 4.
Thursday
Lab Ratz Science Club
Grades 1st – 5th, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classes: 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30
Fun, safe, and educational, Lab Ratz Science Club addresses flagging interest in the sciences among students nationwide. By catering to the natural curiosity of children, Lab Ratz Science Club creates a learning environment where students are led to answers through questioning and hands-on experimentation, rather than with lectures. In addition, the individual creativity of each participant is stimulated to promote problem solving and to apply concepts.
Paint! Play! Pretend!
Grades: JPK-K, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Classes: 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30
Build a rain cloud and frost a cake (PRETEND!), mix up some ice cream scented paint (PLAY!), experiment with different techniques and materials (PAINT!). This art class focuses on fun and free thinking, along with a lot of experimenting. Perfect for the curious artist!
FAQ
- How do I register?
- Do I need to send payment with my registration?
- If I'm running late, can my child stay after school?
- How do I pick my child up from ASA?
- Who can I contact with questions?
- What is the Tax ID number for tax purposes?
How do I register?
Do I need to send payment with my registration?
If I'm running late, can my child stay after school?
If you encounter an unexpected delay, the After School Adventurers program is available for a $30 daily drop-in rate per child. Students will have access to play time, snack, and homework help. Daily classes MAY be sold out and therefore unavailable. Drop-ins should be emailed to Raquel Kramer at rkramer@shadysideacademy.org.
How do I pick my child up from ASA?
For the safety of your child, all doors to CDS are locked. You can reach us by calling or texting 724-594-2053 when you arrive, and we will open the doors for you to enter the building. If you need to arrange for your child to be ready to be picked up when you arrive, we ask that you call 5-10 minutes in advance of your arrival to allow sufficient time for your child to wrap up an activity and to retrieve his or her belongings.
Who can I contact with questions?
We welcome any and all questions regarding registration, billing and suggestions about future enrichment classes. Please contact Raquel kramer at rkramer@shadysideacademy.org or 724-594-2053.
What is the Tax ID number for tax purposes?
Staff
Raquel Kramer '92, Director of After School Adventurers
Raquel Gonzalez Kramer became Director of the After School Adventurers program at Country Day School in 2018. She is a graduate of Shady Side Academy as well as a former third grade teacher at the Junior School. During the 2017-2018 school year, Mrs. Kramer was a second grade long-term substitute teacher at Country Day.
Prior to Shady Side, Mrs. Kramer was a second grade teacher at St. Edmund's Academy as well as Princeton Day School.
She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bucknell University and a master's degree in education with a focus on curriculum and instruction from Lesley University.
Register Now!
After School Adventurers Registration
After School Adventurers registration for Spring 2018-2019 will open on February 6 at the link below.
Note: After School Adventurers is only available to currently enrolled SSA CDS families.
In-Service Day & Break Camps Registration
Registration for in-service day programs and spring break camp is open at the link below. Future programs will be added throughout the year.
Note: Break camps are open to students in grades PK-5 from any school. In-service day programs are only available to currently enrolled SSA CDS families.