TK-4th Friday Enrichment (Fall 2024)

Please add your child(ren)'s full name and grade(s) at the text box at checkout.

The Creekside PTO is excited to offer Friday Enrichment for TK-4th grade students this fall. Experienced instructors will guide students through activities in art, literacy, music, physical education, and STEM. 

What grades are eligible?
TK-4th Grade

Dates:
September 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18 (No enrichment October 25th)
November 1, 8, 15

Time: 
9:30am-2:25pm

Fall 2024 Curriculum:

ART WITH LAURA + NIKKI - NORTH TAHOE ARTS (TK-4th)

Laura and Nikki are the bridge to the partnership with North Tahoe Arts for our art enrichment program. ART is so important in our culture and in our lives. Let’s keep art alive for our next generation. Kids need to create art. This art enrichment program is designed as an inclusive and comfortable space to make art. We will provide each participant with the opportunity to express themselves through a variety of artistic experiences (no actual experience is necessary). Every artist will be immersed in arts and crafts activities where he/she/they can explore their creativity and possibly and hopefully move past their ‘comfort zone’ to express themselves through their art. At the end of this nine-week program, Creekside students will produce an art portfolio full of their individual masterpieces. These may include watercolors, collage, acrylics, pastels, seasonal and interactive projects and much, much more. We foster a ‘no pressure’ experience and our goal is to have fun making art!

Laura Homen

“I’ve always wanted to say, ‘I’m an artist’, yet I have never sold a piece of art,” is a quote from Laura Homen. Now, she knows everyone is an artist if they choose. Laura is a credentialed teacher with experience teaching preschool through college. She has a master’s degree in Multicultural Foundations in Education. Her other expertise is in Human/Child Development and Psychology. As a board member of North Tahoe Arts (in Tahoe City and in Kings Beach), Laura works to “create diverse, immersive art experiences for all” which is the mission of NTArts. She is currently the director of NTArts’ renowned Art Camp (and she has been a teacher there for over 12 years) helping many children to enjoy and participate in art. Laura was an art docent in the public school system for 17 years where she cultivated her own enthusiasm for all that art has to offer. She intends to bring this excitement to each and every child in this art program.

Nikki Peterman

Nikki’s college experience includes majoring in outdoor education from Colorado Mountain College in 2016 where she focused on the education of children. Art has always been a part of Nikki’s life for as long as she can remember. Teaching has always been a huge passion of hers. Nikki worked as an art and ceramics instructor at the Steamboat Art and Gym in Colorado for three years before moving to Lake Tahoe in 2019. Currently, Nikki has spent the past three summers as an art teacher for North Tahoe Arts Kids Art Camp where she has succeeded in helping our kids to express themselves through their art. Nikki is very much looking forward to implementing her passion of teaching and her excitement about art with the students in the enrichment program at Creekside. Learn more about North Tahoe Arts at www.northtahoearts.org

LITERACY BOOK CLUB WITH JO - JO CLOSE SLP (TK-1st grades)

Book Clubs are where library storytimes meet interactive literacy centers ... reading aloud, particularly "dialogic reading," is fun, yes, but it helps kids to build vocab, verbal fluency skills, and understand story structure and meaning. Incorporating themed activities with the five core components of literacy further supports student engagement and motivation. All this to help kids learn to read, and read to learn.

Joanna Close, MS, CCC-SLP is a certified speech-language pathologist with a special interest in literacy. She has worked in the local schools, at Tahoe Forest, and recently opened a private practice, “Jo Close, SLP.” As an avid reader herself, she loves to incorporate stories into all aspects of speech and language development, and particularly loves supporting students learning to read.

Learn more about Jo at www.jocloseslp.com

MUSIC, “RAD RHYTHMS” - TAHOE TRUCKEE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (TK-4th)
Unlock your child's musical potential with Rad Rhythms, Tahoe Truckee School of Music's dynamic 9-week percussion program! Designed to inspire creativity and teamwork, this program combines interactive games, drumming, body percussion (stomping, clapping, etc), and rhythm exercises, leading to an exciting final musical performance that showcases their newfound skills. Percussion isn't just for drummers—it's the foundation for all instruments and music. Your child will not only learn to play percussion, but also compose and improvise, culminating in a chance to shine in a performance on the last session. We are excited to offer this class as part of the Creekside enrichment program on Fridays at the Rec Center, divided into two age groups. TK-1st graders will build up to a musical performance skit called “The Sleepover.” 2nd-4th graders will work on a separate performance skit called the “The Exam.” We look forward to giving your child the gift of rhythm and the joy of performing!

Grace Chamberlain has been a musician ever since she sat down at the piano at age 5 and never looked back. From Redding, CA, Grace has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Simpson University and holds a music teacher credential in California and Texas. Before moving to Truckee, she taught Band for eight years in West Sacramento. Ensembles under her direction have earned superior ratings at music festivals and took first place in band competitions and parades. Several of her students earned spots in the Capitol Section Honor Band, NorCal Honor Band and All-State Honor Band. Grace’s mission is to share her love of music and to inspire her students to become lifelong musicians.

Learn more about Tahoe Truckee School of Music at www.tahoemusic.net

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - TRUCKEE SPORTS CAMP (TK-4th)

Billy Haupert launched the Truckee Sports Camp in 2015 with the goal of teaching Truckee kids how to create and sustain positive energy, navigate adversity, and recognize and overcome negative influences. The camp emphasizes building self-belief and confidence while encouraging individuality, whether in sports, music, art, or writing. Billy, a retired firefighter and father, created the camp as a safe, bully-free environment where kids can thrive during the summer. Like a motivational speaker, Billy uses positive reinforcement to coach students, addressing their emotions and guiding them to never give up. The program focuses on teamwork, integrity, and physical fitness, helping kids become better athletes and individuals.

Truckee Sports Camp is supported by Emma Williams, who has worked alongside Billy for seven years. Emma brings a rich background as a rock climbing guide, Big Mountain Coach at Squaw, and former Teacher’s Aide at Glenshire Elementary. As a local parent with a 15-year-old daughter, she is deeply connected to the community and values the camp’s emphasis on positivity, kindness, and support. Together with Billy, Emma helps create a family-like atmosphere where kids can thrive in a fun, bully-free environment.

Billy and Emma are now bringing their many years of working with kids during their sports summer camps to Creekside’s Friday Enrichment Program!

Learn more about Truckee Sports Camp at www.truckeesportscamp.com

STEM, THE TINKER LAB - SARAH MAILE (2nd-4th grades)

Working in pairs or small groups, students will participate in hands-on activities that blend science, engineering, and math. They will take on design challenges such as building bridges and towers. They’ll work like true engineers using the modeling cycle: forming and discussing plans, building models to test their ideas, and redesigning their model, and sharing their work. This creative and fun class is designed to encourage critical thinking and teamwork while developing literacy in science and math.

Sarah Maile is a mom and passionate educator with a background in teaching mathematics. Her favorite subjects are math and science. She enjoys fostering curiosity, problem solving, and critical thinking skills in her students. In her spare time, she enjoys mountain biking and Nordic skiing. She is a Nordic ski instructor in the winter, teaching students of all ages. On Wednesday afternoons this fall, you will find her volunteering at the Truckee library providing homework help. Stop by with your math questions.