After School Adventurers (ASA) is the Country Day School's unique after-school program from 3:10pm-6pm 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.
Term I Fall (12 weeks): Aug. 30–Nov. 18
Term II Winter (12 weeks): Nov. 29–March 3
Term III Spring (11 weeks): March 6–June 2
Daily Care Mondays (8 sessions): $208
Daily Care Tuesdays (11 sessions): $286
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.
Terry Polczynski
After-School Adventurers Site Coordinator
412-254-4772
adventurers@shadysideacademy.org
Sarah Payne
Director of After School
412-254-4772
adventurers@shadysideacademy.org
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. All activities will be done while still strictly adhering to SSA COVID-19 safety protocols. Activities include:
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. 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.
Total of (8) Mondays in Winter Term
Ages and Times: K-5 3:45- 5:15pm
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! Students should be prepared with boots, snowpants, winter jacket, hat, and nylon mittens (not cotton because once they get wet their hands will get really cold!). Woods Play class is purely old fashioned, free play in the woods and on the trails!
Total of (11) Tuesdays in Winter Term
Ages and Times: Grades PK-5: 3:30-4 pm
Rates: Grades PK-K: $200 per term
Minimum enrollment of 10 students (maximum of 20 groups)
Mindful Movement PK-5: In this course, we dispel any bias that mindfulness means sitting still or being bored. Mindfulness means being aware, & fully present with kindness and curiosity- what better way to start children off on the basic physical literacy of mindfulness than through movement? This series will be a sampler of classes guided towards self-regulation including body scans, yoga, tai chi, dancing, drumming, and more!
Total of (12) Wednesdays in Winter Term
Grades PK-5, 3:30-4:30
Rate: $200 per term
*Need Minimum enrollment of 3 students per class (Max 10 per group)
The wonderful teachers of Manhattan Mandarin will help your child begin his/her journey
towards Mandarin fluency. Children will build the foundation of essential language skills in a fun
and engaging class that focuses on tonal pronunciation, sentence building, initial character
writing, numbers, family, foods, and hobbies. Songs will be sung and projects will be completed
while your child falls in love with learning Mandarin and all about Chinese culture.
Total of (12) Thursdays in Winter Term
Ages and Times: Grades PK-K: 3:30-4 p.m.; Grades 1-2: 4-4:30 p.m.; Grades 3-5: 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Rates: Grades PK-2: $135 per term; Grades 3-5: $153 per term
*Minimum enrollment of 5 students per group or 15 per grade level (maximum of 12 students PK-K and 15 students Grades 1-2 and 3-5)
With decades of experience, award winning Coach Mark Haffner combines exercises, positive encouragement and skilled training to help students advance to the next level as tennis pros. With an emphasis on agility and fun, Coach Mark pairs students of similar ability and age level to help encourage students to be "players not spectators." Students in the lower class levels will learn basic skills of dynamic and static movement, while students in the older classes will develop skills to play at a competitive level. Tennis rackets are provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own.
Total of (12) Fridays in Winter Term
Ages and Times: Grades PK-5: 3:30-4:15 p.m.
Rates: $275 per term.
Minimum enrollment of 8 students (maximum of 16)
Students will learn coordination with music, discipline, and confidence all while exploring the principles of DANCE!!! The INK Experience invites students to explore the world of performing arts through dancing, costume, physical education, and wellness. The INK experience is sure to leave a positive mark with a fun-filled program aimed to encourage youth to be the best they can be!
$80 Per Day • 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Hosted at the Shady Side Academy Junior School in Point Breeze and open to Pre K- 5 students from either Country Day School or Junior School.
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.
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), failing any daily COVID health screening, or required quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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, s/he 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, s/he 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.
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.
What safety measures are taking place during after school hours?
ASA follows the same COVID-19 safety protocol that is practiced during the school day, including age-based cohorts, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and optional mask wearing.
After School Adventurers registration for Winter Term 2023 will open on Tuesday November 7th, at 10:30 a.m. and close on Sunday Nov. 20 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.
Winter Term Break Camp registration will be available at the beginning of Winter Term After School registration.
After School Adventurers spring term enrichment offerings and specific program details will be posted on Monday, Feb. 6. Registration for ASA spring term will open Thursday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. Spring term begins Monday, March 6, and runs until Friday, June 2. See you after school!