After School Adventurers
After School Adventurers (ASA) is Country Day School's unique after-school program from 3:10 p.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Friday. Students receive a fun and engaging experience that can be customized to fit their individual needs and interests, without ever having to leave the campus! Options include enrichment classes, study center, unstructured play, organized games and more! Rates are offered by the term for daily enrollments, add-on enrichment opportunities as well as emergency drop-ins.
Please note: There is no longer a full year or an all-inclusive enrollment option. Students must enroll PER TERM for the after school program as well as individual enrichment courses.
- General Info
- Enrichment Classes!
- In-Service Days/Break Camps
- Policies and Procedures
- FAQ
- Register Now!
General Info
2023-2024 ASA Dates & Rates
Terms:
Term I Fall (12 weeks): Aug. 28–Nov. 17
Term II Winter (12 weeks): Nov. 27–March 1
Term III Spring (12 weeks): March 4–June 4
Term I Fall:
Daily Care Mondays (9 sessions): $234
Daily Care Tuesdays (12 sessions): $312
Daily Care Wednesdays (12 sessions): $312
Daily Care Thursdays (12 sessions): $312
Daily Care Fridays (12 sessions): $312
Daily Drop-In (Emergency Day-of): $35
Daily Care term rates include a daily snack and any supplies needed for daily activities plus homework help in the Study Center. Rates exclude Enrichment Programs, In-Service Days and Break Camps. All enrichment programs are in addition to the Daily Care fees. Enrichment classes are only eligible to those enrolled in Daily Care. Please note that all after school programming and enrollment space is contingent on staffing and overall enrollment. Programs may be adapted and/or canceled based on enrollment. If this occurs we will communicate it immediately to all enrolled families. If a day-of emergency arises and after care is needed please reach out as soon as possible so we can accommodate and assist.
CONTACT
Terry Polczynski
After-School Adventurers Site Coordinator
412-254-4772
adventurers@shadysideacademy.org
Sarah Chedwick
Director of After School
412-473-4375
adventurers@shadysideacademy.org
Program Features
Students will venture in age-based cohorts throughout after school hours. Each day will feature fun and engaging activities, including outdoor/indoor organized sports and games, arts and crafts, homework time and more.
Play Time! Included w/Daily Care enrollment
Play time includes the gymnasium, field and playground. Students begin each afternoon with recess and a snack before beginning their individual schedules. Adventurers can enjoy play time for the entire afternoon or return there after enrichment classes, music lessons or Study Center time. In addition to unstructured play time, a staff member may lead a variety of daily games and intramural sports.
Study Center Included w/Daily Care enrollment|
The Study Center is run by an educator who works closely with students to ensure students have the opportunity to complete their homework during after school hours. This is available to students grades 1-5 and Monday-Thursday. The Study Center is not available on Fridays.
Snack Included w/Daily Care enrollment
Enrichment Classes Additional Fees Apply
A wide variety of enrichment classes are available at an additional cost Monday through Friday, from sports to art to theater to science. Adventurers have access to one enrichment class each day that they are enrolled. See the Enrichment Classes tab for class information.
Enrichment Classes!
Monday
Total of Eight Mondays in Fall Term
No Enrichment classes the first week of school!
- September 11, 18
- October 2, 9, 16, 30
- November 6, 13
Woods Play with Ms. Karen Difiore
Grades K-5: 3:45 – 5:15 p.m.
Rate: $150 per term
Minimum 5 per class (maximum 15 per class)
We will head into the woods to hike, play and explore! There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing; which means we will be heading outside for every class, regardless of the weather! Students should be prepared to get dirty, muddy and possibly wet if we get rain or snow! Woods Play class is purely old fashioned, free play in the woods and on the trails!
Introduction to Elementary Bird Watching with Mr. Rebitch
Grades 3-5: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Rate: $150 per term
Minimum 5 students (maximum 15 per class)
The Introduction to Elementary Bird Watching class is designed to foster an appreciation for birds and their natural habitats among young learners. This engaging and interactive course aims to introduce elementary school students to the wonderful world of birds, teaching them essential bird identification skills, basic bird behavior and the importance of conservation. Mr. Rebitch has been an experienced birder for many years and is excited to share his love of bird watching with our Country Day students. All necessary equipment will be provided, however students may bring their own binoculars if they choose.
Tuesday
Total of Twelve Tuesdays in Fall Term
No Enrichment classes the first week of school!
- September 5, 12, 19, 26
- October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- November 7, 14
NASA: Mad Science's Academy of Future Space Explorers!
Grades PK-5: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Rate: $250 per term
Maximum enrollment of 20 students (class minimum 10 students)
From our Earth's atmosphere to the outreaches of our solar system, this hands-on program sends participants on a quest for exploration! Comets, planets, stars and more are all waiting to be discovered. We will learn about the four forces of flight, rocket propulsion and the challenges of space travel!
Wednesday
Total of Eleven Wednesdays in Fall Term
No Enrichment Classes the first week of school!
- Sept 6, 13, 20, 27
- Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
- Nov 1, 8, 15
Martial Arts- Oom Yung Doe
Grades PK-5: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Rate: $235.00 for term
*Need Minimum enrollment of 7 students per class (Max 15 per group)
Oom Yung Doe teaches eight complete martial arts as one. Through our course curriculum, students will gain a better understanding of their mind and body. Physically, they will develop coordination, strength and flexibility. Mentally, they will develop respect, discipline and focus. At the end of the semester, students will be given the opportunity to test for their first rank in Oom Yung Doe. See what your child can achieve through traditional martial arts training by experienced black belt medalists Ian Rubijonobond and Lily O'Neill.
Thursday
Total of Twelve Thursdays in Fall Term
No Enrichment Classes the first week of school!
- Sept 7, 14, 21, 28
- Oct 5, 12, 19, 26
- Nov 2, 9, 16
Pittsburgh Botanical Garden Nature Outreach Classes
Grades PK-5: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Rate: $175.00 per term
Maximum enrollment of 15 students (class minimum 9 students)
Dr. Mark Miller and his team from the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden are coming to Shady Side this fall to teach us more about the science we can find in nature! Our students will explore concepts of botany and learn about local wildlife by utilizing local trails along Shady Side's campus. Topics like pollinators, bird buddies, edible parts of plants, the secret life of seeds, super soils and more will be covered in these nature based science excursions!
Friday
Total of Twelve Fridays in Spring Term
No Enrichment classes the first week of school!
- Sept 8, 15, 22, 29
- Oct 6, 13, 20, 27
- Nov 3, 10, 17
Soccer Shots
Grades PK-5: 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Rate: $150 per term
*Need Minimum enrollment of 5 students per class (Max 20 per group)
The Soccer Shots program provides children an opportunity for social development, participation, confidence and fun through the game of soccer. Our Empower curriculum is focused on breaking down new skills and encourages growth with balance, movement and basic soccer concepts. It is supported with visuals and can be altered to accommodate children’s needs. We celebrate growth, confidence and participation in our classes!
In-Service Days/Break Camps
In-Service Days
Hosted at both Country Day School and Junior School campuses
$80 Per Day • 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- October 23, 2023
- November 20, 2023
- January 2, 2024
- January 12, 2024
- April 15, 2024
- May 20, 2024
- Space is limited and enrollment is competitive. Please be sure to sign up when registration becomes available!
- Waiting List: If the program is sold out online, please make sure to formally enroll in the specific waiting list. If space becomes available we will be in contact immediately for a seamless transition into the program. (Waitlisted does not guarantee a spot)
No Care Available
- Monday, Sept. 5 – Labor Day
- Monday, Sept. 26 – Rosh Hashanah
- Wednesday, Oct. 5 – Yom Kippur
- Monday, Oct. 24 – Diwali
- Monday-Friday, Nov. 22-26 – Thanksgiving Break
- Monday, Dec. 26-Monday, Jan. 2 – Winter Break
- Monday, Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Monday, Feb. 20 – Presidents' Day
- Friday, April 7 – Good Friday
- Monday, May 29 – Memorial Day
Break Camps
Hosted at the Shady Side Academy Junior School in Point Breeze and open to PK-5 students from either Country Day School or Junior School.
(Pricing to be determined, programming for these break camps are contingent on staffing availability)
Winter Break Camp: December 18-22
Spring Break Camps: March 18-22 & March 25-28
- Families must provide lunches and snacks daily.
- Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SSA Junior School.
- FREE before care begins at 8 a.m.
- After care is available until 6 p.m. at an additional cost of $20 per child.
- All activities included in the program cost.
- Late registrations are subject to a $20 fee. Some programs may not accept late registrations.
Policies and Procedures
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.
Absences:
To maintain proper records and ensure the safety of our students and staff, there will be no refunds or pro-rated fees for missed days/time at SSA After School programs. This includes, but is not limited to, due to illness/injury (including COVID-19), vacation or early dismissal.
Enrollment & Payment:
After school requires a per child application deposit of $25, via credit card, to complete enrollment. The remaining balance will be billed on a term basis via your VC Pay student account. Charges sent to VC Pay will be added after the end of the each term in November, February and June. All enrichment programs are in addition to the Daily Care fees. Enrichment classes are only eligible to those enrolled in Daily Care. Each enrichment class requires a minimum number of students enrolled to conduct the class, and cancellations cannot be made after enrichment classes begin. All Drop-in Daily care attendees must enroll formally via the Camp Brain system at least one time per term. If attending cross country or any non-ASA clubs and needing after care, families must enroll in the Drop-In Daily Care or the appropriate Daily Care day of the week. Please note, there will be no billing adjustments for any cancellations following the first week of After School per term start.
Waiting List:
Due to staff limits and enrollment caps, waiting lists are available for specific days and programs. If a program and/or day is sold out online please make sure to formally enroll in the specific waiting list. If space becomes available we will be in contact immediately for a seamless transition into the program. Being waitlisted does not guarantee a spot.
Drop-Ins:
Due to limited staffing, we are only accepting day-of emergency drop-ins. If you are in need please contact adventurers@shadysideacademy.org immediately so we can assist! Each new enrollment, per term, requires a one-time online registration.
Rules:
SSA After School subscribes to the Guiding Principles of Shady Side Academy: Honesty, Kindness, Responsibility, Respect and Safety. It’s paramount that children act accordingly and participate as good citizens in the SSA Summer community.
Things that are never okay to do at After School:
- Hitting, shoving, pushing or physical violence
- Verbal abuse, offensive language or bullying
- Lying or manipulating the truth
- Stealing or taking things without asking
- Destroying property
- Possessing, using or distributing drugs or alcohol
- Bringing weapons of any kind to school
- Ignoring staff or staff directions
Consequences at After School:
We expect all children to follow the "Shady Side Way" and demonstrate care, respect and responsibility at all times; children must also exhibit self-control, kindness and follow instructions. Children who do not follow the rules will be asked to take responsibility for their actions.
If a student breaks a rule, they will receive a verbal warning from a counselor and will talk through their choices and come up with a plan to rejoin the group after they have taken some time to calm down and reflect on their actions.
If the child ignores the verbal warning and continues with poor behavior, both the child and a parent/guardian may be asked to meet with the Director or Site-Coordinator to help the child make a constructive plan for improved behavior.
If after the meeting the child still does not follow the after school rules, they may be suspended and/or asked to leave the program. In this case, a refund will not be issued.
In extreme cases, to ensure the safety of the after school community, the Director or Site-Coordinator(s) reserve the right to expel a child at their own discretion. In this situation, refunds will not be provided.
FAQ
How do I register?
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. At the beginning of each term, you will receive an email to let you know that registration is open. Visit the Register Now! tab above to find the link to our online registration site when registration is open.
Do I need to send payment with my registration?
There will be a non-refundable application deposit fee of $25, paid via credit card. The remainder of your after-school balance will be billed by the school at the end of each term via your Student Account in November, February and June .
How do I pick my child up from After School Adventurers?
For the safety of your child, all doors to the Country Day School are locked. Guardians will not be permitted to enter the building. You can reach us by texting 724-472-8731 when you arrive, and an ASA staff member will bring your child to your vehicle.
Who are the instructors for the program? Are students properly supervised?
Under direction of After School Director Sarah Chedwick, Site-Coordinator Terry Polczynski and a consistent group of qualified and experienced staff supervise students during activities, homework help and playtime.
Register Now!
After School Adventurers Registration
After School Adventurers registration for Fall Term 2023 will open on Tuesday, August 15, at 10 a.m. and close on Sunday, August. 27, at 4 p.m. at the link below.
All after-school programming is contingent on student enrollment.
Note: After School Adventurers is only available to currently enrolled SSA CDS families.
In-Service Day Registration
In-Service Day Registration will also open the same day of After School registration each term with the days that are available for In-Service Day care that term. Don't forget to register, spaces fill up fast!
Winter Break Camp Registration will open mid-November.
Spring Break Camp Registration will open mid- February.