Grades: 5-8

We will build a shared understanding of what it means to be kind and how to implement showing kindness to others. We will explore kindness through role playing/problem solving, keeping a daily kindness journal about kindness students have observed and/or what they did to promote kindness, practicing empathy for others, creating a kindness interactive wall, baking for our families, and reading books about kindness. We will work together to create ways that we could spread kindness to others through collaboration with different organizations (dog shelters, homeless children, to other students and teachers around West, etc). .

Grades: 7-8

This advanced section challenges students to create more sophisticated mixed-media pieces by blending digital photography and collage. Students will use their iPads to capture high-quality images, and then digitally manipulate them to enhance colors, add effects, or create digital collages. From there, they will print their edited photos and combine them with a variety of found materials to make expressive, multidimensional art. They'll explore how photography and collage can work together to communicate emotions, tell stories, or reflect personal experiences.

Grades: 4-8

Miniature Painting brings students into the creative and relaxing hobby of painting gaming miniatures for display or use as game pieces.

Grades: 1-4

Get ready to plan the ultimate parties in this fun and creative summer class! Each week, we’ll design a new party with an exciting theme—from spa parties to tea parties and carnival extravaganzas. You’ll choose the decorations, music, party favors, and snacks to make each event unforgettable. Along the way, you’ll unleash your creativity, work as a team, and learn what it takes to throw a fantastic party. Join us for a summer full of fun and imagination at the party-planning palooza!

Grades: 2-6

Stay cool this summer and learn computer coding the fun and easy way. Students will learn coding basics through hands-on projects, using coding apps, websites, and even robots! From animated stories to interactive games, participants will dive into the world of coding in a fun and dynamic way. This class is designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. Beat the summer heat while embracing technology and unleashing creativity!

Grades 1-3

Looking to maintain and strengthen your reading muscles this summer? Interested in avoiding the "summer slide"? Join us in reviewing skills that will support your reader's literacy foundation. We will engage in read alouds, practice foundational skills, and grow together inch by inch! Participants will engage in projects connected to read alouds and stories that we read. 

Grades 1-4

Unlock creativity and calm with Zen Masters, the ultimate Summer Explorations class! From crafting personal Zen gardens and designing colorful mosaics to diamond painting and DIY fidgets, kids can choose projects that inspire them. With additional activities like journaling, coloring, puzzling and more, this class is designed to help students reduce stress and discover their inner peace—all while having fun and making new friends. Give your child the opportunity to master their Zen this summer!

Grades: 1-4

Have fun playing a variety of the best PE games. Game styles will include invasion games, targeting games, net games, and cooperative games.