Beyond the Bell Programs | The Buckley School

Daily Program Times & Instruction Fees

Mondays 2:30-4:30 p.m. Instruction Fee: $465 Extended Day: $350	Tuesdays 2:30-4:30 p.m. Instruction Fee: $594 Extended Day: $450
Wednesdays - Early Session 1:35-3:05 p.m. Instruction Fee: $627 Extended Day: $475	Wednesdays - Late Session 3:10-4:30 p.m. Instruction Fee: $627 Extended Day: $475
Thursdays 2:30-4:30 p.m. Instruction Fee: $528 Extended Day: $400	Fridays 2:30-4:30 p.m. Instruction Fee: $528 Extended Day: $400

Extended Day

We offer an extended day from the conclusion of Beyond the Bell programs at 4:30 until 6:00 p.m.

Students will have the opportunity to refresh with an allergen-free snack, engage in supervised playtime, enjoy a good book, or work on completing school assignments.

Participants must sign up for a Beyond the Bell program for each day of the week that they enroll in the extended day program. Students enrolled in the extended day program shall be picked up no later than 6:00 p.m.

Mondays

List of 7 items.

Games Games Games with Coach Holland | Grades 1-2

This program will cover many of the games and activities that we study in physical education. Students will play a variety of sports while working on skill development, sportsmanship, and team work. This program is designed for the children to find success while having fun!

Instructor: John Holland
Getting Crafty with Miss Brown | Grades K-2

Calling all crafters! Join Miss Brown for a fun filled afternoon of relaxation and creativity. Participants will be able to hone their fine motor skills and practice using school materials while cutting, gluing, painting, pasting and assembling their own treasures while socializing with peers.

Materials Fee: $70
Instructor: Whitney Brown
Math Mania with Ms Randazzo | Grades 2-5

Join Ms. Randazzo on Mondays after school for Math Mania! Through a variety of fun math games, students will explore fundamental math concepts, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and build confidence in their mathematical abilities. Whether it's through board games that reinforce addition and subtraction, or card games that strengthen fluency for multiplication and division, every game is crafted to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding. Math Mania will also serve as a study hall space for students who need assistance with math homework.

Materials Fee: $5
Instructor: Megan Randazzo
Science through Star Wars & Marvel with Mr. Fox | Grades 2-5

Science isn’t ALL fiction! Join Mr. Fox to explore STEM in this exciting and interactive class that draws on what students already know from their favorite galaxy far, far away and the Marvel Universe to expand their knowledge and understanding of scientific principles. Together, we will investigate how lightsabers work, if traveling at lightspeed is possible, what exactly is the force, and so much more! Let’s join together to see if we might beat Han Solo and complete the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs!

Prior knowledge is not a prerequisite to this SUPER powered course.

Materials Fee: $25
Instructor: Jeremy Fox
Sewing | Grades K-5

Learn to hand sew and embroider with Miss Shannon's Sewing School. All projects teach different sewing skills beginning with learning how to sew on a button. All materials, supplies, and sewing kits are included.

Materials Fee: $70
Instructor: Sonia Sacha from Miss Shannon’s Sewing School
Stories and Slime with Mr. Ayers | Grades K-1

The desire to engage with sensory play comes naturally for children and should be encouraged and supported both at home and in early learning environments. With sensory play, there’s always much more going on than meets the eye. Some benefits of sensory play include building nerve connections to the brain, developing fine motor skills, supporting language development, encouraging scientific thinking and problem solving, and demonstrating mindfulness.

Each week, Mr. Ayers will begin the class by engaging participants in a work of children’s literature. When the story is over, the fun is just beginning! Students will be provided a different sensory experience each week that ties into the book. Participants should bring a big t-shirt from home to cover their uniform, because things may get MESSY, which is probably the most fun of all. Students will bring home their creations (contained and sealed) at the end of each class to enjoy, with permission, of course.

Materials fee: $100
Instructor: John Ayers
Volleyball Club with Mrs. Levitt | Grades 3-5

Serve, set, spike, score! Join us as we get ready to dive into the wonderful game of volleyball! Students will learn and practice the fundamental skills of volleyball and develop an understanding of what it means to be part of a team. Players will be put through drills, exercises and games that will elevate their skill level and overall knowledge of the sport. Participants should bring a healthy and hearty snack, and a change of athletic clothes. Game, set, match!

Materials Fee: $100
Instructor: Sarah Levitt

Tuesdays

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Chess and Board Games with Mr. Fox | Grades 3-5

Are you in third through fifth grade and looking to sharpen your chess skills? Join Mr. Fox for this exciting enrichment program that teaches elementary-aged students the basics of chess. Students will improve their concentration and strategic thinking. Class time will include guided instruction as well as the opportunity to play other opponents, and alternate between chess and other games of strategy and logic.

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Jeremy Fox
Creative Writing with Mr. Fichandler | Grades 2-5

Un-cap your pen, open a new document, or, if you’re fancy, dip your quill in ink, because it’s time to write! In this class, students will craft impressive works of fiction, fantasy, mystery, poetry, memoir, comedy, or whatever their voice as a writer leads them to. Through character- and plot-creation exercises, peer editing, free writing time, and word games, students will complete at least one original piece of writing and explore the playground that is language.

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Matthew Fichandler
Dare to Draw with Ms. Richards | Grades 1-3

Sharpen your pencils and ignite your imagination! Ms. Richards is excited to share her love of art and literature in this fun and heartfelt program. Each week, a fresh and engaging children’s book will be presented, followed by a step-by-step drawing activity inspired by the beloved story. In a warm, tranquil learning atmosphere, technical expertise will be emphasized and creativity encouraged. Students will build a diverse portfolio of their masterpieces to cherish for years to come. Please note, while this class is offered two days a week, enrollment is for only the day selected. The activities will be the same in each section, so please register for only one day.

Materials fee: $65
Instructor: Kylene Richards
Fun Fitness with Coach Cole | Grades K-2

Join Coach Cole for an afternoon filled with fun and fitness. Favorite games will be explored each week with an emphasis on keeping active and creating a kind and inclusive playground community.

Materials: $10
Instructor: Susan Cole
Jazz Funk | Grades 1-5

Jazz funk is an expressive and innovative form of dance that combines hip hop grooves with jazz technique. Students will learn fast paced combinations of movement while finding their own personal style. Class will begin with a warm up focusing on technique, strength and flexibility followed by a center floor combo. Please note that this class is now open to first graders with prior dance experience.

Materials: $10
Instructor: Adi Licht
Junior Rangers: National Parks with Mrs. Levitt | Grades 2-5

The Buckley Griffin will be joining you on a wild adventure through some of the nation’s most beloved national parks. We will be virtually visiting a variety of national parks as well as experiencing indoor camping, hiking our nature trail, participating in national park scavenger hunts, art projects, and even skyping with a national park ranger! The Buckley Griffin will introduce you to the junior ranger program as well as concluding our program with the MacGillivray Freeman’s National Parks Adventure Movie. Be ready to become a national park expert with the Buckley Griffin!

Materials Fee: $75
Instructor: Sarah Levitt
Reader’s Theatre with Mr. Ayers | Grades K-2

Calling all K-2 Readers…this means ALL K-2 students! Reader’s Theatre is a low stress and high engagement strategy for developing oral reading fluency through performing stories. Students will be assigned parts from teacher selected scripts created from familiar children’s literature, fables and fairytales and practice reading them aloud to improve accuracy, speed and expression. Performing a script helps students gain a deeper understanding of text, character and plot. Reader’s Theatre also includes components of social and emotional learning as students collaborate to bring a script to life, fostering teamwork, communication and compromise. The interactive and dramatic nature of this work tends to captivate students and make reading a more enjoyable experience. Studies show that participating in this kind performance also boosts students’ confidence in public speaking and presentation skills. Win! Win! Win! Rehearsal and performances will all happen during Beyond the Bell program time and students may share their work with each other or Buckley faculty and staff to keep the focus on the process of reading and not the product of performance.

Materials: $25
Instructor: John Ayers
Rocket Science and Dino World | Grades K-2

Ready, set, blast off! Explore the universe as we launch everything from Film Canister Rockets to Water Bottle Blasters, Hoopster gliders, and much more! Our adventures will take us through the solar system and beyond as we learn about comets, constellations, and our galaxy! This class is out of this world! When there is nothing left to explore, we will go back in time to the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous eras through all sorts of project-based activities! Excavating a baby dino from an egg, dissecting an owl pellet, and measuring up to the length of a dinosaur are
just some of the Jurassic FUN in this epic adventure!

Materials: $50
Instructor: Parker-Anderson Enrichment

Wednesdays (Early Session)

List of 7 items.

Backgammon | Grades 2-5

Set sail on a math-filled treasure hunt that teaches kids to play one of the world’s most beloved strategy games, backgammon! Two intrepid sailors race around the Bay of Gammon in search of glory, encountering magical creatures and fun challenges at every turn. Along the way, students learn probability, and statistics, all while having a blast.

Milestone: Playing a full game of backgammon with a beginner's understanding of probability and statistics.

Academic Skills: Pattern Recognition, Deductive Reasoning, Addition & Subtraction

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Chess at Three
Ceramics | Grades K-5

This is the perfect class for students to explore their sense of touch! By rolling, pinching, and sculpting, students will make one-of-a-kind clay vessels. From the animal kingdom to inspirational art masters, our young artists will have fun learning basic hand-building skills, and using glaze techniques to finish their pieces. Each one of a kind ceramic piece will be fired in our off-site kiln, wrapped, and returned at the end of the session.

Materials Fee: $361
Instructor: Ms. Zoie from Little Yellow House Art
Culinary Kids Academy | Grades 2-5

CKA is a revolutionary and amazingly FUN, educator created, cooking program that empowers youth to expand their culinary comfort zones, increase their self-esteem and encourages independence - all while learning standards aligned academics...Oh, and they're having a BLAST while they do it! Be it Math, Science, History, Language Arts, Safety or Nutrition, CKA utilizes an engaging and entertaining “stealth teaching technique” that has students completely unaware they are growing in vitally important and impactful ways. Students may think they are just having fun cooking phenomenally delicious recipes for an hour, but what they are truly doing is having experiences that will serve them well both socially and academically for a lifetime. Please note that the 1:35 section is for 2nd graders who have participated in CKA before-5th graders. The later session is available for K-2nd graders.

Materials Fee: $256.50
Instructor: Culinary Kids Academy
Dungeons & Dragons | Grades 4-5

Parents: Whether or not you’re familiar with Dungeons & Dragons as a game, you may have heard of its potential as a unique and dynamic classroom tool. Over the years, teachers have shared countless stories about how D&D has helped students enhance skills in reading, math, deductive reasoning, planning, teamwork, creativity, STEM, social-emotional learning, and more. This collaborative roleplaying game is credited with helping students create meaningful and memorable engagement while validating self-identity & expression.

Students: Our D&D experience is a fun filled adventure spent making new friends and role playing a heroic character while cooperative storytelling inside a choose your own adventure style game. We’ll explore critical thinking & logic skills in order to traverse puzzles and realistic scenarios in an ever expanding adventure. We’ll learn to play a game that involves imagination, acting, reading, and creative writing. By the end of the session, players know how to play the world famous role-playing game: Dungeons & Dragons!

Come join us! Be a hero, adventure with friends and find treasure!

We’ll provide all materials and gladly welcome new or returning players. Each week will be a new & exciting part of learning & storytelling. It’s a chance to explore the world of their imagination.

Materials Fee: $20
Instructor: Mathew Poage
Hip Hop | Grades K-2

A fun energetic dance class for both experienced and brand new dancers. Students will learn the history and origin of hip hop dance and will be introduced to both old and new school hip hop dance styles - from the cabbage patch to the sturdy. They will learn how to isolate, wave, pop and breakdance. Each class starts with a warm up focusing on hip hop technique followed by a fun, energetic and challenging dance routine and educational games.

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Adi Licht
Kids Acting Workshop | Grades K-2

Acting exposes students to characterization, plot structure, ensemble acting, creativity, the art of listening and silence, and following directions all through the use of various theatre games. Come join the fun!

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Parker Anderson Enrichment
Tennis with Henry the Sports Bug | Grades K-1

Designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and gross motor skills through active play such as running, jumping and stretching, kindergarten and first grade students will learn the basics of tennis, engage in fun games, and understand the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Materials fee: $133
Instructor: Henry the Sports Bug

Wednesdays (Late Session)

List of 6 items.

Ceramics | Grades K-5

This is the perfect class for students to explore their sense of touch! By rolling, pinching, and sculpting, students will make one-of-a-kind clay vessels. From the animal kingdom to inspirational art masters, our young artists will have fun learning basic hand-building skills, and using glaze techniques to finish their pieces. Each one of a kind ceramic piece will be fired in our off-site kiln, wrapped, and returned at the end of the session.

Materials Fee: $361
Instructor: Ms. Zoie from Little Yellow House Art
Chess | Grades K-1

Enter Chesslandia, where silly stories, colorful characters, and captivating games get kids learning and loving chess in no time. Students learn how each chess piece moves, one captivating story at a time. With the help of King Chomper and King Shaky, kids will learn piece safety, threat assessment, strategy and gameplay competence.

Milestone: Playing a game of chess through Capture the King using all the pieces correctly.

Academic Skills: Working Memory, Critical Thinking, Fine Motor Skills

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Chess at Three
Compassion in Action with Mrs. Levitt | Grades K-5

Join Mrs. Levitt each week to do good for both our Buckley community, the greater Los Angeles area, across the country or around the world! In this fun and uplifting enrichment, students will spend the afternoon learning about how they can do small things to help others in big ways before putting that knowledge and compassion into action. Activities in the past have included packing meals for the YMCA, making dog treats and blankets for the animal shelter, hosting a Lemonade Stand fundraiser and painting kindness rocks to beautify a community. All time spent in Compassion in Action is eligible for Buckley community service hours. Do good. Feel good.

Materials Fee: $125
Instructor: Sarah Levitt
Culinary Kids Academy | Grades K-2

CKA is a revolutionary and amazingly FUN, educator created, cooking program that empowers youth to expand their culinary comfort zones, increase their self-esteem and encourages independence - all while learning standards aligned academics...Oh, and they're having a BLAST while they do it! Be it Math, Science, History, Language Arts, Safety or Nutrition, CKA utilizes an engaging and entertaining “stealth teaching technique” that has students completely unaware they are growing in vitally important and impactful ways. Students may think they are just having fun cooking phenomenally delicious recipes for an hour, but what they are truly doing is having experiences that will serve them well both socially and academically for a lifetime. Please note that the 3:10 section is for K-2nd graders only. The early session is for our older students and returning 2nd graders who have been in CKA before.

Materials Fee: $256.50
Instructor: Culinary Kids Academy
Intermediate Hip Hop | Grades 3-5

A fun and challenging dance class, where students will be introduced to various hip hop dance genres including old school, new school, locking, house, breakdance and more. Class starts with a warm up focusing on strength, flexibility and hip hop technique followed by a challenging dance routine. Students will
learn a new routine every few weeks to work on performance skills and retaining choreography.

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Adi Licht
Tennis with Henry the Sports Bug | Grades K-5

Designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and gross motor skills through active play such as running, jumping and stretching, second and third grade students will learn the basics of tennis, engage in fun games, and understand the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Materials fee: $133
Instructor: Henry the Sports Bug

Thursdays

List of 7 items.

Anime, Cartooning and Comic Book Creation | Grades K-2

Cartooning is a great way to learn how to sketch and draw. You will learn to create your own characters as well as popular characters from Disney, Anime, and more! Learn about storylines, design, coloring, and lettering, as you create your very own comic book!

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Parker-Anderson Enrichment
Birchguard Quest | Grades K-5

The first game of its kind for this age group, this tabletop role-playing game leads students on a rollicking ride through the fantasy realm of Arborheim, as they strive to become members of the legendary Birchguard. Investigate mysteries, solve puzzles, and topple baddies while exercising academic, social, and reasoning skills.
Milestone: Using teamwork to successfully complete a mission and being able to present a plan to their peers.

Academic Skills: Problem Solving, Quantitative Reasoning, Diplomacy, Collaboration

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Chess at Three
Dare to Draw with Ms. Richards | Grades 1-3

Sharpen your pencils and ignite your imagination! Ms. Richards is excited to share her love of art and literature in this fun and heartfelt program. Each week, a fresh and engaging children’s book will be presented, followed by a step-by-step drawing activity inspired by the beloved story. In a warm, tranquil learning atmosphere, technical expertise will be emphasized and creativity encouraged. Students will build a diverse portfolio of their masterpieces to cherish for years to come. Please note, while this class is offered two days a week, enrollment is for only the day selected. The activities will be the same in each section, so please register for only one day.

Materials fee: $65
Instructor: Kylene Richards
Diamond Games with Coach Holland | Grades 2-4

This program will focus on the skills, drills, and thrills of games like Kickball, Tee Ball, and Baseball. The children will be in a safe and fun environment so that they can comfortably learn new games. We will work to develop hand-eye coordination, and introduce and review throwing and catching mechanics, base running skills, and batting fundamentals. The children will learn teamwork, cooperation, problem-solving, and engage in mini games. We will consistently reinforce having fun, trying your best, and being kind and respectful.

Instructor: John Hollland
Hot Wheels Speedometry with Mrs. Levitt | Grades K-5

Students will use hands-on discovery and learn through a means of exploring scientific concepts such as velocity and gravity, kinetic energy and more through the platform of iconic Hot Wheels! Our student engineers will design,crash and test all things Hot Wheels to prove the science of force and motion through play. Through inquiry and investigation, students will share moments of joy, excitement, curiosity, and wonder. All topics will be presented in a developmentally appropriate way. This class will help promote a Growth Mindset and develop critical thinking skills.

Materials Fee: $150
Instructor: Sarah Levitt
Keyboarding and Study Skills with Miss Brown | Grades 3-5

As schools move further into the digital age, the ability to operate a keyboard efficiently has never been more important. In this enrichment course for upper elementary students, the development of good keyboarding form and techniques will be emphasized. Additionally, students will be guided through important study skills like making flash cards, note-taking, active listening and time management. These fundamentals taught in a caring and supportive environment will build student confidence and foster positive self-esteem.

Instructor: Whitney Brown
World Dance | Grades 1-5

This fun upbeat dance class introduces students to various dance styles from around the world. Students will learn the history and origin of each dance style they are introduced to. Class starts with a warm up focusing on technique, strength and flexibility followed by a fun challenging dance routine and
educational games. Please note that this class is now available to 1st graders with prior dance experience.

Materials Fee: $10
Instructor: Adi Licht

Fridays

List of 5 items.

Brain Games with Mr. Ayers | Grades K-5

Bring your friends to end the week with fun and engaging games that will improve problem-solving skills, concentration, pattern recognition, and visual perception, while enhancing spatial recognition and increasing reaction time. Students will work alone and in pairs or groups to challenge themselves in a non-competitive and enjoyable way.

Materials Fee: $25
Instructor: John Ayers
Improv Theatre with Mr. Fichandler | Grades 3-5

In this class, students will use their imaginations and silliness to engage in improv games and create an original, kid-made play! Students will step into the shoes, boots, cleats, or hooves of any person or creature they dream up, all while practicing important skills such as active listening and flexibility.

Instructor: Matthew Fichandler
Nature Trail Adventures with Mrs. Levitt | Grades K-5

Calling all nature lovers! Buckley Griffin wants you to join him and Mrs. Levitt, aka Mrs. Possum, each Friday afternoon under the canopy of coast live oak trees and chaparral in the Santa Monica Mountains on our famed nature trail to explore,
observe, play, sketch, meditate, and enjoy the natural beauty right in our school canyon. Students will each receive their own nature toolkit with materials chosen to enhance their experience. Buckley Griffin and Mrs. Levitt cannot wait to explore with you!

Please note: Your adventurous self may get dirty so please bring a change of shoes and clothes, a water bottle, hat, your sense of fun and a desire to explore.

Materials Fee: $75
Instructor: Sarah Levitt
Tennis with Henry the Sports Bug | Grades K-5

Designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and gross motor skills through active play such as running, jumping and stretching, fourth and fifth grade students will learn the basics of tennis, engage in fun games, and understand the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Materials fee: $112
Instructor: Henry the Sports Bug
Woodworking: A Workshop for Kids | Grades K-5

This class is a fun-filled introduction into the world of woodworking, specifically designed for beginners. Students will use fine motor skills to forge a strong connection between the hands and the mind. They are encouraged to try new ideas, exercise their imagination and creativity, and are allowed to make mistakes in a safe environment. With the guidance of an experienced artist/woodworker, children learn how to use tools safely, effectively, and (ultimately) independently. Students will have the opportunity to build a number of take-home projects that increase in complexity as they progress through their session.

Materials Fee: $304
Instructor: Ms. Zoie from Little Yellow House Art

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