PYLE PANTHER PROGRAMS
2015-2016
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM CATALOG FOR
TEACHER RUN PROGRAMS
REGISTER ON-LINE
www.pay4schoolstuff.com
Session I registration: September 11, 2015 - 9 AM
Session II registration: December 11, 2015 – 9AM
Session III registration: March 18, 2016 – 9AM
ALL REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED PRIOR TO 9AM WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED
SESSION DATES
Session I: September 29-December 3
Session II: January 19-March 10
Session III: April 5 – May 31
EACH PROGRAM RUNS 8 WEEKS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
There are no after school programs on half-days or days off
Questions? Contact the Panther Programs Committee at:
pylepantherprograms@gmail.com
Class Descriptions
The Writing Club (Level 1) – Alan Prunier
($20)
Meets Tuesdays Class limit 30
The Writing Club, sponsored by Mr. Prunier and held on Tuesdays, is an opportunity to
be a part of the growing Writing Program at Pyle Middle School. Your writing will be
directly contributed to the Pyle Inside online magazine (www.pyleinside.com), “On the
Write Track” print magazine, and to various writing contests throughout the year. The
Writing Club is a relaxed but exciting place to meet other creative students interested in
fiction, screenwriting, poetry, comics, drawing, storytelling, and more! Each class will
teach new skills and processes of creating with particular attention to the interests of
students. Students can also learn how to manage a website, format a magazine, and
advertise to reach an audience. In February, we have a “Coffee House” (like an open mic
poetry reading) where students can share their writing and enjoy the accompaniment of
the school jazz band. The class has a registration fee of $20 per Panther Program
session, which offsets print costs and online domain registration. Students may attend
all the classes for each session or drop-in for a few. So, if you are interested in
blossoming as a writer or artist and meet other creative minds, then this is a place for
you. The club size is limited, so please reserve your spot!
The Writing Club (Level 2) – Alan Prunier
($20)
Meets Tuesdays Class limit 10
The Writing Club (Level 2) is a section reserved for previous members of the club. It is
the same club and meets at the same time, except it is designed to reserve spots for
previous members. So, if you have attended sessions regularly in the past, then please
register for this section. DO NOT register for this section, if you have NOT BEEN a regular
at the club before. If you have any questions about whether you should register for
Level 2, then please contact Mr. Prunier at Alan_M_Prunier@mcpsmd.org.
DEBATE (Beg-Intermediate) – Julia Gilman (Whitman student)
($15) ***
Meets Tuesdays Class limit 30
The Debate program focuses on teaching students the skills necessary to be successful
in creating well thought out arguments and having disagreements in a civilized manner.
The critical thinking encouraged in this program just might help students get a later
bedtime (but we aren’t making any promises). There are opportunities throughout the
year to compete against students from around the region at local tournaments. TWO
SESSIONS OF BEG-INT AND ATTENDANCE AT ONE TOURNAMENT IS A PREREQUSITE FOR
ADVANCED DEBATE!
***Fee covers registration, meet fees and DC Urban Debate League tournament
participation fee. Panther Program fee for registrants each session.
DEBATE (Advanced) – Julia Gilman (Whitman student)
TWO SESSIONS OF BEG-INT IS A PREREQUSITE FOR ADVANCED DEBATE!
($15)***
Meets Thursdays Class limit 30
This program allows students who have already had 2 SESSIONS of BeginnerIntermediate (and attended a tournament during that time) to further hone their skills.
There are opportunities throughout the year to compete against students from around
the region at local tournaments; much of advanced debate is spent preparing for
tournaments and students are highly encouraged to attend. TWO SESSIONS OF BEG-INT
IS A PREREQUSITE FOR ADVANCED DEBATE!
***Fee covers registration, meet fees and registration to the DC Urban Debate League.
Panther Program fee for registrants each session.
HOMEWORK CLUB- Mollie Carlin, Sarah Woodard
(No Charge/Drop-in)
Meets Tue/Wed/Thurs No class limit
Drop in whenever you need assistance
MATH MATTERS- teacher - tbd
(No Charge. Field trips/competitions will have small fees.)
Meets Wednesdays Class limit 32
Registration Session I only, meets through early March
Math Matters focuses on preparing students for competitive mathematics. Interested
students should be excited by higher level math and motivated to work through
challenging material. This program is best for students who are already successful with
higher levels of math. 6th graders are encouraged to participate in practices and
become comfortable with the program, but most likely will not be selected to compete.
Students may be invited to participate in some of the 4 MCPS math competitions and
various math contests. All students are invited to participate in an applied math field
trip.
Top students are expected to continue with the second session of Math Matters
through early March. Additional practices may be added if the team qualify for the
state and/or national level of Math Counts. ***Optional field trips/competitions will
have fees.
Pyle Please – Pyle online newspaper – Mr. Munson
(No Charge)
Meets Tuesdays Class limit 35
Pyle Please is the official and first Pyle newspaper in decades. Each member will be
assigned a segment of the newspaper depending on their interests. The currently open
segments are:
 Pyle News (journalists will write articles on Pyle events).
 Beyond Pyle (journalists will write articles on international news).
 Open for debate (a group of journalists will agree on a controversial, but
appropriate, topic and each member will write a short opinion piece on either
side of the argument).
 Staff member of the week (journalist will interview and write an article on any
staff member).
 Tech and website maintenance crew (maintains website, makes edits and
uploads when notified by editors or teacher. Also help and direct short video
segments).
ROBOTICS: ADVANCED-Beverly Parker
($45)
Meets Thursday Class limit 24
Registration Session II only, but class runs January - May
Like LEGO's? This advanced Robotics club uses concepts from Beginner Robotics to
design, build and program LEGO NXT systems to solve a robotics challenge. In this
challenge, students will work in teams guided by engineers from the Naval Surface
Warfare Center Carderock Division, to build an autonomous robot using engineering
concepts. Students will also research a real world engineering problem, develop a
possible solution, and present their findings. The challenge culminating event will
be held at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division in mid May. FEE covers
challenge t-shirts, needed supplies and entry into challenge. Students are expected to
have previous experience with robotics.
Break Dancing – Kerry Chon
($25) Class limit 20
Meets Thursdays
Break dancing, or “b-boying” led by Mr Chon is the original hip hop dance that
originated out of the late 1970’s and exploded onto the mainstream platform ever
since. This acrobatic dance has been featured on popular TV shows such as America’s
Best Dance Crew and So You Think You Can Dance. Mr. Chon has been a hip hop/ break
dancer for the past 16 years. He has competed at local break dance events and has
choreographed hip hop dances for large groups. He currently is a part-time hip hop
dance instructor at DanceTEC Center and Extrava-Dance, both in Columbia, MD. Mr.
Chon also knows nationally and internationally reputable break dancers in the DC
Metropolitan area and has arranged for a guest appearance or two to give a showcase
and help teach the students! As an added bonus, members of Whitman High School’s
break dance club will also be assisting with the club here at Pyle. So whether you are a
formally trained dancer or have never danced before in your life, come register for the
break dance club! It is an excellent opportunity to learn a high-energy and popular
dance while challenging yourself, having fun, and making friends.
Model UN (all grades welcome) – Nick Battan and Nico Goldberg
(Whitman students)
($15) Class limit 30
Meets Wednesdays – (Now meeting for the full 9 weeks of the session)
Model UN is an organized simulation of the United Nations, where students step into
the shoes of ambassadors of countries that are members of the UN. Students are able
to represent different international countries or groups on a provided topic in such
committees as the World Health Organization and the UN Security Council. The
students, better known as “delegates,” debate current issues in the interest of resolving
problems that affect the world. Not only does Model UN introduce students to the
world of diplomacy, negotiation and decision-making, but it also encourages the
development of skills that will be useful throughout their lives: research techniques,
writing, public speaking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, compromise, and
cooperation.
Model UN is a popular youth activity practiced across the world at both the middle
school and high school levels. Join members of the Whitman HS Model UN team for this
fun Panther Program offering, and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more
about what Model UN is all about! Questions? Please
contact NicoGoldberg1@gmail.com or NickBattan@gmail.com.
Social Sports of Pyle (formerly Club Sports and Games)
– Ms Stewart and Ms Mihalich
($25) Class limit 20
Meets Tuesday
Join Ms. Stewart and Ms. Mihalich for indoor and outdoor games like basketball,
kickball, soccer, bocce, and more! This group is open to all students but aims to build
connections and friendships between students who are differently abled and typical
peers at Pyle. We're going to explore the possibilities that exist at the high school level
for cooperative sports - Whitman’s athletic department offers three corollary sports in a
partnership with the Special Olympics (Corollary Team Hand Ball, Unified bocce, and
Allied softball), so we're going to start practicing now! Fee covers registration and
equipment.
PTSA PANTHER PROGRAM VOLUNTEER CO-CHAIRS:
Beth Bautista
Alex Hermes
Pyle Staff Contact-Corie Stewart and Mollie Carlin