Peck Enrichment Program

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Adventure Awaits!

The Peck Enrichment Program (PEP) offers students an opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to extracurricular learning that is fun, engaging, and sparks their passions! Students can hone their skills in a variety of subjects from chess, dance, art, sports, or cooking—all infused with Peck's core values and high standards.

PEP sessions are offered during the fall, winter, and spring. Each session is eight weeks long, unless specified, with courses meeting weekly during that time period.

All courses are taught by Peck teachers and other professional educators or industry experts.

The Details

Classes run from 3:00 - 4:05 p.m.
Pick-up is only 4:05 - 4:15 p.m. (After 4:15, students will be escorted to Afterschool.)
Makeup classes will not be available for students that are absent.
Instructors cannot accommodate an early pickup from class.
Class fees are charged to your Tuition Management account.

Fall 2024 Class Descriptions

Classes begin October 1. No classes on 10/3 due to Rosh Hashanah or 11/13 due to PT Conferences

TUESDAY

Grades 2-4: Break a Leg with Mrs. Longenecker (Max 12)
A combination of theatre games, singing, acting, and dancing, this PEP is an opportunity for Lower School students who love being on stage to have fun acting out some scenes from this year’s Winter musical, which will be announced in September! No experience required.

Class dates: 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19

WEDNESDAY

Grades 1-2: Creative Coding with Mrs. Garvey (Max 12)
Get creative with your coding skills. Learn to code with and without devices. Students will love working with coding applications, Lego WeDo robotics kits, and Beebots!

Grades 1-4: The Grove Project assisted by Ms. Monkemeier (Max 15)
Are you ready to LIVE Peck’s InDeCoRe values? The Grove empowers youth to make a difference in their communities through hands-on volunteer experiences enhanced with a service curriculum. Over eight weeks, The Grove Project will weave Peck’s InDeCoRe values of Care, Gratitude, Resilience, Courage, and Respect into hands-on project-based service learning. Throughout our time together, students will learn about several local non-profits and expand their understanding of community needs through fundraising, material donations, education, hands-on activities, and creation of personalized product donations.

Grades 3-4: Clay Club with Mrs. Walker (Max 12)
Do you like getting messy and playing with clay? Then this is the class for you! Participants will learn various hand-building techniques, including pinching, coiling, and slab-building to make both functional and sculptural works of art. Surface decoration will also be explored using colored underglazes and glazes. We will reference both historical and contemporary ceramics for inspiration.

Class dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4

THURSDAY

Grades K-4: Beginner Chess with Grandmaster Mac and Ms. Attah (Max 18)
Join GrandmasterMac's Chess Academy for a fun and exciting chess class! Chess is a fun way to practice valuable skills like planning, critical thinking, and spatial reasoning. Students will take their first steps in the royal game, learning all piece movements, getting in and out of check, how to capture and checkmate. GrandmasterMac will make the class fun and educational through the use of prizes, trophies, and exciting mini-games to help students develop their love of the game.

Grades 1-2: Food Art with Mrs. Apgar (Max 15)
Ocean scenes, cat sandwiches, fruit faces, and more! Join Ms. Apgar for some deliciously beautiful, edible masterpieces. Students will decorate aprons, prepare a recipe book, and dig into cooking as they learn to make plates that are visually appealing and scrumptious!

Grades 3-4: Create Your Own Super Hero Adventure Story with Ms. Chan (Max 12)
Come create your own superhero and write and draw your superhero’s first adventure! First, we’ll examine and discuss a few of our fan favorites from comic books and watch a few cartoons and movie clips from the Star Wars series, the Marvel Universe, and the DC World. Then you’ll make your own! What is their superpower? You decide! What disguise or costume do they wear to hide their true identity? You describe and draw! What is their back story? You create! Who is their arch enemy? You imagine! And how will your superhero outwit the villain? Only you can determine that! At the end of our time together, you will have made a finished product that you can share with family and friends—your own book - written, drawn, and colored by you—with your superhero’s first adventure!

Class dates: 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5

FRIDAY

Grades K-1: Pre-K Kickers (Max 30)
Pre-K Kickers was founded in 2009 with a goal to help young players fall in love with the game. Pre K Kickers provides a fun, energetic, and challenging environment where players walk away with more confidence, happiness, and improved athletic abilities. The Kickers curriculum is Specifically tailored for children ages 3-8.

Grades K-4: Intermediate Chess with Grandmaster Mac and Ms. Attah (Max 18)
Previous chess experience required
Join GrandmasterMac's Chess Academy for a fun new session of chess! Students in the intermediate chess class already know how all the pieces move and about special moves like en passant and castling. Classmates will learn common checkmate patterns, basic tactics like pins and double attacks, and learn the rules of tournament chess. GrandmasterMac will offer prizes like chess keychains, wristbands, tournament scorebooks, and a trophy.

Grades 1-4: Chinese Dancing with Ady Art Center teachers (Max 20)
This fun dance class will introduce kids to various style of dances. To prepare, we will start with some basic stretch and conditioning, then proceed with light tumbling, cartwheels, handstands, rolls, etc. Music will be used throughout the class to improve the musicality of the students. Once students are more physically ready, groovy beginner hip hop and multi culture dances will be introduced. To prepare for the performances, a core dance will be eventually choreographed and rehearsed. (The fee for this class includes the costume and performance costs.)

Grades 3-4: Intro to Fencing with Coach Pack (Max 10)
Join Coach Pack, Head Fencing Coach at Pingry and long time competitor for an introduction to the sport of fencing. Students will learn about the basics of the sport while working on agility, strength, and fundamental footwork skills. Students will use foam sabers and proper safety gear during this class.

Class dates: 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22