The Gainfield Elementary School Enrichment Program
Winter/Spring 2014
Come and explore a new activity or learn more about something you already love! The
Gainfield PTO is excited to offer seven courses after school on Wednesdays and
Thursdays this winter. Courses will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3:50 pm
for an hour and will meet for six weeks (third week of February through first week of
April). There will be no classes the last week of March due to the early dismissal days.
Students will be dismissed to the media center at 3:40 and then to their enrichment
classes at 3:50. Students may bring a quick peanut/nut-free snack to eat at the
beginning of class. Should school be canceled, a make up class will be offered at the end
of the session. Refunds will be made at the instructor’s discretion. The enrichment
program is not a fundraiser; tuition will be used solely to pay the instructors. If you
would like your child to participate in this program, please fill out the registration
section at the bottom of the flyer and return it as soon as possible in an envelope
marked “Enrichment Program, Alison Sokol.” Classes will be filled on a first-come, firstserved basis. Please make checks payable to GES PTO. Unfortunately, we cannot accept
registration without payment. If you have any questions or if your child would like to
participate in a class and there is a financial hardship in the family, please contact Alison
Sokol (264-1817). You will be notified by email to confirm your child’s enrollment.
We need parent volunteers to help with each class! The position requires a parent to be
present in the library no later than 3:40, supervise children in the library, accompany
children to their assigned room, take attendance, and bring children to the main hallway
at 3:50. Please check the line on the registration form indicating that you wish to be a
part of our enrichment program. If there are not enough registered students or parent
volunteers, we may have to cancel a course.
ALSO, due to security concerns and new dismissal procedures that we are required to
follow, we need one parent volunteer dedicated to manning the front door and assisting
with dismissal of the children to their parent/guardian at the front door of the school.
(The front doors now remain locked after school.) We ask this parent volunteer to arrive
at 4:30 in case any child is picked up early. Please volunteer your time in this capacity for
the safety of our children and to ensure that the enrichment program can run!
Please note that you need to retrieve your child at 4:50. You must wait in the foyer of
the school for your child to be brought to you. You might be asked to show ID when
picking up your child. Your child’s name will be placed on the enrichment list so the
office knows to dismiss him or her to enrichment on the appropriate dates. Please send
in a note if your child is NOT going to stay for enrichment that day.
WEDNESDAY COURSE OFFERINGS (managed by Amanda Farren)
(Meeting 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 4/2)
Art Workshop
Children will create wonderful works of art. Our focus will be on exploring design elements. We will use
line, form and color in drawings, paintings and sculptures! Lots of fun for all ages! Our goal is to create
finished works of art through a process that begins with planning and sketching and will ultimately
become a finished drawing, painting or sculpture.
Open to grades 1-5
Class Size: 8-14
Tuition: $75 plus $15 materials fee
Instructor: Kate Gorham (Owner of The Golden Button, artist and illustrator, and art teacher)
www.goldenbuttonshop.com www.facebook.com/thegoldenbutton
Chess Class—Beginner and beyond
Knowledge of pieces and how they move preferred but not required. Interactive chess session with
guidance from instructor.
Open to grades 1-5
Class Size: 6 – 12
Tuition: $65
Teacher Robert Bova, Gainfield parent
203-505-7131
rsbova@hotmail.com
LEGO® ROBOTICS
Designed by the MIT Media Lab, Lego WeDo Robotics introduces young children to the world of
construction and computer programming. Building with colorful Lego bricks, electric motors and sensors,
the robots are brought to life in a simple drop and drag computer programming environment.
Open to grades 2-5
Class Size: 6-12
Tuition: $75
Instructor: Grace Zapor, TechStars by Computer Explorers
THURSDAY COURSE OFFERINGS (managed by Alison Sokol)
(Meeting 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 4/3)
Entrepreneurship and Money Management
A kids’ guide on how to start your own business! Goals of the class:
*Encourage kids to find their passion and turn it into cash.
*Kids learn independence, collaboration, gain self-esteem and learn to love making money all on their
own!
*We teach the basics of marketing and sales and they learn ways to grow a business at any age.
*We teach facts about money, how much do things cost and what are the best practices to earn, save and
give back.
Instructor: Jennifer Jedow, Gainfield parent, and CEO and founder of Jedow Interactive, LLC.
Jennifer writes: “I have been running my own website design and marketing business for over 20 years. I
consider myself a serial entrepreneur, my husband and I have owned multiple businesses, are investors in
internet based applications and having been teaching entrepreneurship with a company called Live Out
Loud for the last 5 years. I have traveled all over the US and have taught classes as far away as South
Africa. My children have been participating in this program with us and my daughter Emma wrote her
first book at age 8.”
Open to all grades (parents are welcome, too!)
Class size: no minimum or maximum
Cost: $60
www.jedowinteractive.net
jen@jedowinteractive.net
603-714-4718
Yoga for Kids
Yoga is a wonderful tool for developing strength, self-esteem, concentration, and coordination as well as a
great way to reduce stress. Class will include beginner yoga poses, breathing techniques, games and
other activities aimed at keeping the children engaged and interested.
*Children must bring a mat or towel and wear comfortable clothing. An adult must accompany any child
with special needs.
Open to grades 2-5
Instructor: Flow to Fit Yoga, LLC, Amie Meleshkewich, 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Personal
Trainer and CPR Certified, Gainfield parent. Amie has been teaching group and private yoga for 3 years to
adults and children. (*Class will be taught by another 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher on 3/6)
Tuition: $72
Class Size: 6-15
Any questions or for more information call Amie at 203-910-3141 or visit www.flowtofityoga.com
Cake Decorating
Children will learn the art of decorating a variety of delicious confections and get to bring home their
beautiful creations! Each week we will be doing different types of decorating, from cupcakes to cakes and
everything in between. (cupcakes, cookies, candy, panoramic egg, cake, chocolate house)
Open to all grades
Tuition: $100 plus $25 materials fee
Class Size: 10-20
Instructor: Marilyn O”Donnell, owner of Ladybug Cake and Candy Supply, Southbury
Acting
Get bitten by the acting bug! This acting workshop will engage Gainfield’s budding actors, and will include
learning, rehearsing and performing in a mini-musical. Pantochino Productions, Inc. returns to give
children the opportunity to learn lines, songs, and dances as they create characters and perform “Super
Groovy Aladdin” for parents on the last day of class in the gym.
Open to all grades
Tuition: $100
Class size minimum: 15
Instructor: Jimmy Johansmeyer, Pantochino Productions
pantochino.com
------------Tear here and send in with payment ASAP, attn.: Alison Sokol-----------------Student’s Name:_____________________________Grade:____ Teacher:____________
Daytime Phone Number(s): _________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________
__My child will be picked up by (list all who are authorized):
__My child is currently enrolled in and will be dismissed to BAS.
Please indicate desired class and include a check payable to GES PTO.
Wednesday Courses
__Art $90
__Chess $65
__LEGO Robotics $75
Thursday Courses
__Entrepreneurship $60
__Yoga $72
__Cake Decorating $115
__Acting $100
List any allergies or medical conditions that instructor should be aware of:
__________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature: _______________________________________
I will be a Room Volunteer (Print name):
_______________________________________________________
Dates available: ___________________________________
I will be a Dismissal Volunteer (Print name):
Dates available:___________________________________________