We are very excited to relaunch after school programming this Fall. Please check class dates carefully, as length of session varies for each class. Registration opens online through our memberhub link starting Monday, September 19th, and is first-come, first-served. To complete registration for your classes you will need to enroll through memberhub AND ALSO complete and return the Permission and Release and Code of Conduct forms via email to Sarah Lusardi (slusardi@gufs.org) and the PTA (gufspta@gmail.com). All forms must be returned by September 30. ***Please note there is a $5 fee per class registration which are included in the prices below.***If you require financial assistance to participate in after-school enrichment, please contact Nurse Melissa (mdefonce@gufs.org) prior to September 16th, and she will discuss options. A big thank you to our partner, Garrison Children’s Education Fund (GCEF), for offering enrichment scholarship support. Please note: Most classes will take place at the Garrison School from 3-4pm. Bus transportation will not be available at the end of each activity.

Mondays
SONGWRITING: In this exciting class, students will have the chance to unleash their creativity, utilizing various songwriting forms and techniques to create songs of their own. While lyric-writing will be a central focus, students will also have the chance to collaborate with the instructor to create music for their lyrics. The course will culminate in a sharing session of student work, with every participant receiving a professional demo recording of their song. A music background is welcome, but not required. Instructor MATT SHERWIN is a veteran songwriter, musician, sound designer and educator. As a performer, he played venues in and around NYC for many years and released two critically acclaimed albums. A graduate of the Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, he has co-written three musicals, and served as composer and/or sound designer for over 60 theatre productions. Matt has served as a teaching artist for 15 years with Lincoln Center Theater's Songwriting in the Schools Program, taught musical theatre songwriting at SUNY Purchase and lectured in songwriting as a Resident Artist with Harvard University and the William Inge Theater Festival.
Age: 6th-8th grade (8 children limit)                                             Cost $130 
Class Dates: 10/3 to 12/12 (No Class 10/10) TEN CLASSES        Instructor: Matt Sherwin

HV SHAKESPEARE: In this 10-session course the children will create short plays based on their wishes, lives, and dreams. We will structure the children’s stories into a theatrical format, then use improvisational theater techniques and theater games to bring the stories to life. We will focus on developing what have been called “The Three C’s” of theater: Cooperation, Concentration and Control. We hope to share our work at the end with an invited audience. As a storyteller and puppeteer, Instructor RON SOPYLA has worked extensively in schools, libraries, museums and festivals throughout the NYC and NJ areas, and has acted in regional and off-Broadway theater and in National Tours. Recently retired after 14 years as a NYS certified theater teacher with the NYC Dept. of Education, he begins work as a mentor teacher with the NYC DOE Arthur Miller Fellowship program this fall. Ronald brings over 35 years of experience to his work as a performer and Teaching Artist.
Age: 1st-3rd grade (12 children limit)                                               Cost $105
Class Dates: 10/3 to 12/12 (No Class 10/10)    TEN CLASSES        Instructor: Ron Sopyla

Tuesdays
CHESS: Chess has long been regarded as a game that has positive effects on learning. Among other things, chess benefits analytical and decision-making skills, higher-order thinking skills, teaches children to analyze actions and consequences, and to visualize future possibilities. Students with a background in chess exhibit excellence in the ability to recognize complex patterns and consequently excel in math and science. Six-time Dutchess County chess champion ERNIE JOHNSON will bring back over 20 years of teaching experience to GUFS for this class.
Age: 3rd-8th    (10 children limit)                                                                  Cost $85
Class Dates: 10/4 to 12/6 (No Class 11/8 & 11/22) EIGHT CLASSES        Instructor: Ernie Johnson  

PHOTOGRAPHY: Students will learn how to use a DSLR camera in manual mode to create compelling photographs. For students that have already taken the course and are looking to continue, there will be new material covered after the first couple of weeks, which will be a refresher for past students and a jump-start for new students. After covering how to use our cameras along with discussing light, subject, posing and location, we’ll do plenty of hands-on shooting to create material to use throughout the course. We’ll discuss exporting our images, editing in Lightroom & Photoshop, as well as how and where to save your final product. It is preferred that students have access to a DSLR camera to bring to class each week if parents have one at home. There will be a camera for students to borrow in class for hands-on learning if needed. ERIN WIK of Erin Wik Photography is a very talented Wedding & Portrait photographer, born and raised in the Hudson Valley. Erin is also a GUFS parent: mom of Aaden-8th, Grayson-5th, Everett-3rd.
Age: 5th-8th grade    (10 children limit)                                            Cost $125
Class Dates: 10/4 to 12/6 (no 11/8 & 11/22) EIGHT CLASSES        Instructor: Erin Wik

Wednesdays
EXPLORER CLUB: Let’s get out to nature with Pete Salmansohn! Classes are held at various outdoor locations in Philipstown. Students will engage in fun activities along the way, with nature games and engaging with nature hands on (catching newts in the pond!). Participate in an outdoor nature adventure; this is more than just a hike! ***Please advise that parents/guardians must transport students to class locations. Additionally, we need one class mom to chaperone for each class, signup to follow. PETE SALMANSOHN worked at GUFS for many years as the School Forest Education Coordinator. He is presently the Education chairman of the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society, and resides in Garrison with his wife Cory.
Age: 2nd-5th grade    (10 children limit)                                                 Cost $35
Class Dates: 10/12, 10/19, 10/26 (rain date 11/9) THREE CLASSES    Instructor: Pete Salmansohn

BASKET WEAVING: In this six-week class students will learn how to weave two different types of baskets. The first to be taught is a round 6” x 4” wooden-based basket. The second basket is a 6” x 4” square basket that will have the traditional woven bottom. Students will learn how to weave each basket with easy step-by-step instructions and demonstrations by a master weaver. Each student will be able to choose from a variety of colored weaving strips to customize their basket, and the teacher will finish the basket with an oak stain.***The basket materials will be pre-cut into kits for each student with a material fee of $30 per student. KIM CARVER is a local artist and school educator.
Age: 3rd-5th grade    (10 children limit)                                            Cost $65 (+Material Fee $30 paid to instructor)
Class Dates: 10/12, 10/19, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30 SIX CLASSES    Instructor: Kim Carver

Thursdays
CHESS: This Beginner chess class will focus on learning the basic rules of chess. Children will learn the moves that each play can make, and will learn beginner-level games and rules. Chess has long been regarded as a game that has positive effects on learning. Six-time Dutchess County chess champion ERNIE JOHNSON will bring back over 20 years of teaching experience to GUFS for this class.
Age: 1st and 2nd    (10 children limit)                                        Cost $85
Class Dates: 10/13-12/8 (No Class 11/24) EIGHT CLASSES    Instructor: Ernie Johnson

KNITTING: Knitting is an excellent hobby for kids! In this class, students will learn the basics of knitting and create simple accessories of their choice. Kids will decorate their own knitting bag and make their own knitting needles. They will try a ball winder, knitting machine and more. Back by popular demand, LORI COHEN has enjoyed teaching knitting to children of all ages for many years and has been a favorite GUFS enrichment teacher. This class is open to all levels of experience. Students who already know the basics will learn new skills and create more advanced projects.
Age: 2nd-8th grade    (12 children limit)                         Cost $105 (+Material Fee $20 paid to instructor)
Class Dates: 10/6-12/1 (no 11/24) EIGHT CLASSES        Instructor: Lori Cohen

Fridays
BOOK CLUB in partnership with Desmond Fish Library! Please note, this is a year-long club with monthly meetings (sign up for 4 or 8 meetings total). Help your child dive into reading. Each month the club will meet to discuss the book of the month. Your child will be given a book each month to keep. Discussions will help facilitate plot summary, discuss high and low points of the book, as well as take away messages children can learn from the books.  
Cost $165 (Full Year) OR $85 (Half Year (fall semester start))
Age: K-2nd       Class Dates: 10/7, 10/28, 12/2, 1/6, 2/3, 3/3, 4/14, 5/5
Age: 3rd-5th    Class Dates: 10/14, 11/4, 12/9, 1/13, 2/10, 3/10, 4/21, 5/12
Age: 6th-8th    Class Dates: 10/21, 11/8, 12/16, 1/20, 2/17, 3/17, 4/28, 5/19