Today's guest writer is Meredith Spencer, Director of Enrichment & After-School Programs
November 19, 2008
As the school day winds down, X-Care revs into high gear from 2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. as we prepare the day’s activities and snacks and await dismissal. The lower school multi-purpose room is a whirlwind of activity from 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; some might even call it chaotic, but for me, it remains one of my favorite times of day. When kindergarteners burst onto the scene, they are so full of excitement and joy that even the most trying of days takes an immediate turn for the better. The once quiet, painfully shy students who needed guidance transitioning from school-day to after-school in September, have become boisterous experts, navigating their way through the after-school routine. Watching their growth over this brief period is incredible.
As the grades file in, I get the opportunity to check in with students and receive updates about their day. From excitement over losing a tooth or celebrating a birthday, to sharing interesting facts learned that day, their stomachs are grumbling and they are ready for first snack (crackers or fruit) and eager to get their afternoon play started. The whiteboard lists what’s happening and what will be offered for second snack (the most important aspect of X-Care for students!). After check-in is finished, activity clubs, enrichment classes and study hall are announced and the intensity of the past half-hour dies down a little as kids disperse until second snack is served. Many students remain in the multi-purpose room to play card or board games, draw, make paper airplanes, assemble Legos or prepare snack, so the room is always buzzing with activity.
Each member of our talented staff brings a unique skill set to the extended care team and enables us to offer a variety of stimulating, fun activities for your children. I want to introduce them and encourage you to take a moment during pick-up to meet them. Robert Dinh, Kathy Ma, Rochelle Rainey returned to RDS for their 2nd year, Ruby Rogers and Yannira Toscano for their 3rd year, and new to RDS this year are Sara Baker, Latifa Cleveland, Meredith Macleod and Jennifer Padilla. Robert and Kathy are our resident sports enthusiasts and can often be seen playing baseball, basketball and football along with other team sports on the playground and Back-40. Both are also amazing cooks and have prepared many delicious snacks for X-Care.
In addition to free play and enrichment classes, daily activity clubs are offered every two months, led by X-Care staff. These classes are offered free of charge to kids who are enrolled in X-Care. We kicked off the first rotation with: Story Telling Club for grades K-2, Monster Sewing Club for grades 3-5, Cooking Club for grades 2-5, Sports Club for grades 5-8, and Journaling Club in X-Plus for grades 6-8. Students in Cooking Club had the opportunity to make culinary delights for everyone to enjoy including: bruschetta, spinach & artichoke dip, fruit tarts, pizza, wontons, fish ‘n chips, toasted sandwiches and tostadas. Our second rotation of activity clubs started in November and includes: Cooking Club for grades 2-5, Costume Club for grades K-5, Monster Sewing Club for grades K-3, Journaling Club for grades 6-8, and Movement for grades K-2. If your child is interested in any of these clubs, please encourage her/him to participate. Clubs usually run from 3:30-4:30 on the scheduled day and we also offer clubs during In-Service days when school is closed and X-Care is open.
See you around the playground,
Meredith Spencer
Director of Enrichment & After-School Programs