rutgers community programs...children learn mandarin language and culture through music, movement,...

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236 West 73rd Street @ Broadway • New York, NY 10023 • 212-877-8227, x212

www.rutgerschurch.org www.facebook.com/rutgerscommunityprograms

(No classes October 8 and November 12, 19-23)

Rutgers Community Programs

Fall 2012September 10 through December 20

The staff are, without exception, fabulous!”– Liz, parent of a 4-year-old

Rutgers Community Programs • Fall 2012 • September 10 through December 20 • www.rutgerschurch.org2

Rutgers Community Programs are for families who want a nurturing, fun environment where children can learn through creative play.

Early childhood education experts point to several areas of development that help prepare children for school success. At Rutgers, all domains of learning—physical, social and emotional, cognitive, and creative expression—are nurtured in an interrelated, child-centered approach.

Our programs are designed for your growing child. We offer playgroups as well as classes in art; movement, music, and dance; Chinese language and culture; and soccer, all devel-opmentally appropriate for children as they grow from being toddlers to preschoolers to elementary school children.

Our classes for preschoolers include On My Own Playgroups, a gentle separation program for children 2-3 years of age. Older, independent preschoolers (3-5 years) can then join

Ready, Set, Go!, our preschool alternative program, dedicated to enrichment, discovery, and creativity through a variety of activities.

The learning environment at Rutgers is a special place. All our programs take place in a warm, inclusive community. Our instructors have been with Rutgers for many years, and support each other through team teaching and collaboration. Our facilities include an art studio, a gym, an auditorium with a stage, and a new classroom for the preschool alternative program. It is a safe and supportive environment, conveniently located at the corner of 73rd and Broadway.

Please feel free to contact Jennifer Moore at 212-877-8227, x212 or at jmoore@rutgerschurch.org for more information and registration. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rutgerscommunityprograms and download a registration form and see more photos at the Community Programs page of www.rutgerschurch.org.

This brochure contains information on our children’s programs for Fall 2012, September 10 through December 20. Welcome!

Toddler Pandas Playgroups90 minutes, 4th floor classroom1 1/2 - 3 years and 2 - 3 1/2 years

Our Toddler Pandas playgroups are child-centered and activity based. These playgroups introduce Mandarin language and Chinese culture through nursery rhymes and exploring familiar objects, then progress to include age-appropriate craft projects, stories, and movement. Parents or caregivers attend and participate in our Tod-dler Pandas playgroups for our youngest Mandarin learn-ers, while those 2 and up may be dropped off.

Panda Buddies Classes90 minutes, 4th floor classroom3-5 years, 5 years and up, and 6 years and up (drop-off)

In Panda Buddies classes, preschool and school-aged children learn Mandarin language and culture through music, movement, and crafts, and as they advance in their learning, they engage in dramatic play, science, calligraphy, pinyin (the phonetic system based on the western alphabet) and group projects. Classes are small so students receive individual attention. Ages are approximate; children will be placed according to their level of Mandarin knowledge.

Chinese Language & Culture

Games help children learn Mandarin and have fun doing it!

Rutgers Community Programs • Fall 2012 • September 10 through December 20 • www.rutgerschurch.org 3

Our art program offers a warm, nurturing space for young artists to grow, learn, and have fun! Class sizes are limited so your child receives individual attention and can fully enjoy the studio space. Toddlers are accompanied by a parent or caregiver, while preschoolers who are ready and elementary-aged children attend classes on their own. Be sure to dress for a mess!

Handprints45 minutes, Art Studio, 4th floor 1-3 years (with adult)

Handprints is a child-centered art program where our young-est artists are free to explore and be creative. Children enjoy the stations of our art studio at their own pace: play dough, easel painting, cutting with toddler scissors, and a special project each week that is set up at the big table. Handprints offers a safe and joyful space for young children to express themselves, where the process of creating matters, not the final product.

Family Handprints45 minutes, Art Studio, 4th floor1-5 years (with adult)

Cool down with late afternoon creative play in the art studio where all your children participate together. You can bring all the children in your family to the same class for a new special project every week, developed by Cindy Schaffer, and for individual discoveries in the studio with play dough, scissors, drawing, or painting.

Art Play60 minutes, Art Studio, 4th floor 3 ½-5 years (drop-off)

Come in and learn basic art techniques: mix colors; make a rainbow; do printmaking; fashion jewelry; work with clay, wood, mosaics and more. Projects in this class tie in with favorite art books written specifically for children, so that they can talk about art as well as make it. There’s also plenty of time for children to explore with materials of their own choosing.

Once Upon an Artist90 minutes, Art Studio, 4th floor 5-7, 5-8 and 6-9 years (drop-off)

Children in this class meet the likes of Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Claes Oldenburg, and Paul Cezanne, and then create their own masterpieces! A project based on a specific artist or medium is offered each week, along with plenty of free studio time for each child to explore his or her inner artist.

Arts & Crafts

Our playgroups feature singing, art projects, story time, active play, and more. Children are accompanied by parents or grandparents only (no nannies). Play-group leaders are parents who have attended the playgroups with their children and are happy to exchange parenting stories, offer encouragement, and play alongside the kids. Siblings included at no additional charge. Be prepared to have fun!

Mommy & Me Toddler Playgroup90 minutes, 4th floor classroom and 5th floor play spaceThese groups include parents with toddlers as they become more active and take their first steps toward independent play. Each 90-minute session includes circle time, art, active play in our “indoor playground” with balls, hoops, a slide, a trampoline, and plastic cars, story time and more. We have groups for children 12-24 months, 18-30 months, and 2-3 years.

Playgroups

Toddlers will have creative, messy fun in Handprints class!

Enjoy active play in our Mommy & Me Toddler Play-groups with this slide and more!

Rutgers Community Programs • Fall 2012 • September 10 through December 20 • www.rutgerschurch.org4

Our music, movement, and dance program helps children develop physical and cognitive skills, use their imaginations, and have fun! We have age-appropriate classes for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged chil-dren.

Bouncin’ & Pouncin’ 45 minutes, Gym12-18 months (adult participates)

Movin’ & Groovin’ 45 minutes, Gym 18-24 months

(adult participation is encouraged, depending on the child’s needs and ability)

Jumpin’ and Jivin’ 45 minutes, Gym 2-3 years (In this class, children take steps toward independent participa-tion, with an adult caregiver close at hand.)

Making full use of our spacious gym, these three fun, energetic classes for toddlers combine music and movement to help children develop their gross motor skills. Each session includes circle time with song and in-struments; activities to explore colors, numbers, and body parts, and more; obstacle courses; and free play time with balls, hoops, and gym equipment. Children learn teamwork and build their self-esteem through each activity (including clean-up, which they do

all by themselves!). Each class ends in cool-down time with the parachute. Activities are tailored to meet the needs and developmental levels of children in each class.

Baby Ballet 45 minutes, 5th floor stage2 ½-3 ½ years (drop-off)

A gentle introduction to ballet for our youngest dancers! Children in this class will explore different movements, set to children’s classical ballet music. Children express themselves with imaginative movements they create themselves, all while learning the fun-damentals of ballet. No shoes required, but feel free to dress like a dancer!

Ballet 45 minutes, 5th floor stage 4 ½-7 years (drop-off)

Young dancers will learn the funda-mentals of ballet in an atmosphere of warmth and support. This class offers a great beginning for children who are taking ballet for the first time, encour-aging their creative self-expression while providing a strong grounding in basic ballet technique. Appropriate dance attire recommended.

Beginner Tap45 minutes, 5th floor stage4 ½-7 years (drop-off)

Children will learn the basics of tap in this class designed for beginners.

Our young tappers will learn rhythm, technique, and basic steps, in a se-quence based on the syllabus from the renowned Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, where instructor Somer Adams studied and received her dance teaching credential. Tap shoes required.

Note: Ballet and Beginner Tap are also available as a combination class—take both and get a great price!

Tap and Jazz45 minutes, 5th floor stage4 ½-7 years (drop-off)

In this fun and funky class, children learn tap and jazz basics, rhythm and technique and also step to the rhythms of current dance hits. We will alternate between tap and jazz each week. Leggings are recommended and tap shoes are required. Previous dance experience recommended.

Music, Movement & Dance

Tap dancers get a chance to shine on our stage!

Musical Theater

90 minutes, 5th floor stage5-10 years (drop off)

This 8-month workshop immerses children in all aspects of musical theater production: acting, singing, dancing, and set design. This class focuses on teamwork as well as developing each child’s individual voice as a performing artist, in a nurturing, supportive environment. During the month of September, we’ll hold free try-outs for parts in our production of the musical “Cinderella,” with class set to begin on Wednesday, October 5. The first half of the class focuses on exploration of musical theater through games, improv, dance, and songs, ending in a winter showcase in December. The second half of the year focuses on our production of “Cinderella,” which makes it debut in May. We provide costumes. The class must have a minimum of 10 children enrolled to run. Beginners are encouraged to try out! Contact us for details.

Theater Arts

Rutgers Community Programs • Fall 2012 • September 10 through December 20 • www.rutgerschurch.org 5

On My Own Preschooler Playgroup2-3 years, 2 hours. Instructors: Holly Nedelka, Jennifer Moore, and Denise LeDonne

Young preschoolers aged 2-3 get a gentle transition to drop-off in our nurturing On My Own playgroups, where parents exit only when and if their child is ready for separation. We work with children based on their readiness and needs, with the ultimate goal of enabling children to feel comfort-able and confident “on my own”. These playgroups combine adult-directed activities as well as child-led imaginative play. We offer hands-on activities in our learning centers for chil-dren to explore at their own pace, as well as circle time, art projects, stories, and active play (parachute time, games like “Duck, Duck Goose” and “Red Light Green Light.”) We help children learn important social skills: using words to express their feelings or needs, taking turns, and more. Families are welcome to enroll their children either once, twice, or three times a week and register for one semester at a time. Each session is 2 hours long. Families provide a snack/lunch.

Ready, Set, Go! Preschool Alternative Program3-5 years, 3 hours

Homeroom Instructors: Somer Adams, Monika Fisher, Lesley Countryman, Jonathan Hack. Additional instructors: Cindy Schaffer, Jing Jing Ra.

The next step up from our On My Own playgroup program for children who are ready for drop-off, the Ready, Set, Go! program is dedicated to nurturing children’s innate creativ-ity and curiosity in a flexible, non-competitive environment developed especially for 3-5 year-olds. We offer a balanced, whole-child approach in which preschoolers learn through play. Admission is on a first come, first served basis, and families register for the full school year, September 10 through May 23.

Ready, Set, Go! focuses on enrichment through play, al-lowing children to enjoy hands-on activities in art, literacy, science, movement, music, and Mandarin. A beautiful new classroom space serves as the home base for the program, where we begin each day with child-directed free play—children can choose manipulatives, a dress-up area for dramatic play, blocks, a book from our reading corner, and more. We move to circle time, and then to various enrich-ment activities, which may occur either in the homeroom, the art studio or gym.

Families may enroll children in either the two or three-day program. Registration is ongoing until the program is full.

We will take a maximum of 12 students, to insure a nurturing environment for your child. Children MUST be potty-trained to participate in Ready, Set, Go!

Ready, Set, Go! optionsTwo days, 9am-12pm, September 10-May 23: $6,600Three days, 9am-12pm, September 10-May 23: $9,900Prices for Ready, Set, Go! are the same as last year. Contact Jennifer Moore at (212) 877-8227 x212 or jmoore@rutgerschurch.com to register.

Preschooler Play Program

Soccer

50 minutes or 60 minutes, Gym Soccer with Coach Fher begins on November 27 and ends on March 21. Coach Fher and his staff provide encouragement, enthusiasm, and individual attention through his specialized program. We have age-appropriate classes for toddlers as young as 2 ½-3 ½ years old all the way up to school-age children 8-9 years of age. Our class for 2 ½-3 ½ year-olds is 50 minutes, while all others are an hour. Our spacious indoor gym is the perfect place for kids to learn skills and teamwork in an atmosphere of high energy and fun!

Sports

Soccer by Coach Fher offers kids a great workout, friendship, and fun!

Children learn through hands-on activities and play in Ready, Set, Go!

Rutgers Community Programs • Fall 2012 • September 10 through December 20 • www.rutgerschurch.org6

Holly Nedelka has been working with Rutgers Community Programs for 21 years. She created the Child’s Play Program (Mommy & Me Toddler Playgroups) when she was a stay-at-home mom with two small children, looking for a place where she could connect with other parents as well as a fun activity for her kids. Today she is an Instructor in the On My Own Playgroups and serves as Programs Development Advisor. Holly directs programs at three other churches in NYC and also works with the Children’s Aid Society. She attended Butler University as a dance major and Marymount NYC for early childhood education.

Cindy Schaffer is begin-ning her 11th year as an Instructor with Rutgers Community Programs. She teaches Handprints, Art Play and Once Upon an Artist, where children learn about famous artists while creating their own work. She has also been active in the afterschool program at PS 9. Cindy has a BA from NYU and an MA from Columbia University.

Cindy says, “I have the best job in the world! Watching young children paint for the first time brings me great joy because they can express themselves before they can even speak. Our art studio allows children of all ages (and adults too!) the freedom to create, imagine and play. I love helping people find their inner artist.”

Lesley Countryman is beginning her 10th year as an Instructor with Rutgers Community Programs. She teaches Art Play and Once Upon an Artist, and is also an Instructor in the Ready, Set, Go! Preschool Alternative Program. After a career as a performing artist in dance, theater, film and television, she taught in the afterschool program at PS9. Lesley has a BA from Connecticut College.

Lesley says, “I love being an instructor at Rutgers because I get to witness uncensored joy of discovery —every day.”

Denise LeDonne has been working with Rutgers for 7 years, heading up the toddler movement classes and as an instructor in the On My Own Playgroups. Denise has more than 20 years of experience as a performing artist in dance, theatre, and television. She has a BA from Montclair State College.

Denise says, “I never tire of the perspective of a child, and find that their special clarity on any topic is what fascinates and energizes me as an instructor at Rutgers.”

Somer Adams has been an Instructor at Rutgers for 5 years. She teaches in the Ready, Set, Go! Preschool Alternative Program as well as musical theater and dance classes. As a performing artist Somer has been in national and international road shows of several Broadway musicals. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy of New York and holds a teacher’s associ-ate from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

Somer says, “The team of staff at Rutgers Community Programs are wonderful and I am thrilled that I have the opportunity to work alongside them. After many years of teaching, I am a firm believer that through play, art and theatre, children are able to grow as individuals, improving self- expression and promoting good self -esteem. I am thrilled to work for a program dedicated to the development of children, and passionate about doing so in a warm and creative environment.”

Jing Jing Ra has been directing the Chinese lan-guage and culture programs at Rutgers for 5 years. She is a native of Beijing, China, and lived in Tokyo for many years, where she was a medical researcher at Tokyo Women’s Medical University. In 2011 she was a Chinese language teacher on Semester at Sea’s around-the-world voyage. She also teaches Japanese at Columbia University.

Jennifer Moore is an Instructor in the Toddler Playgroups and On My Own Playgroups. She has been with Rutgers Commu-nity Programs for 5 years, and attended our Play-groups and worked as a group leader when her own daughter was younger. Jennifer is also the Administrative Assistant for all Programs, handling registration and communications. She has a B.A. from NYU.

Jennifer says, “Every day the children make me laugh! Their joy, playfulness, and energy are infectious, and it’s very gratifying to see them learning and growing over the course of a semester or a year. It’s also nice to encourage and support parents as they navigate their way through everything from sleepless nights to preschool applications.”

Monika Fisher began at Rutgers in 2004, assisting classes in art, dance, musical theater and storytelling. After spending a few years in her native Sweden, she returned to Rutgers in 2009. At present she teaches in the Ready, Set, Go! Preschool Alternative Program as well as musical theater and assisting in art classes. She studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and holds a BA from City College.

Monika says, “I love being an instructor at Rutgers Community Programs where we provide a nurturing environment for children to discover their individual voices through creative play. Everything from my wonderful co-workers to the kids that bring their contagious curiosity and energy, make each day a new learning experience filled with adventures!”

Shadrach Fher is a native of Patagonia, Argentina. He has played college and professional soccer in his native country. In New York, he founded the popular Soccer by Coach Fher program, offered at schools and churches throughout the city. He has been teaching soccer at Rutgers Community Programs since 2002.

Jonathan Hack is an instructor in our Ready, Set, Go! and musical theater programs. He has written, directed, and composed musical theater productions for several years, including at Rutgers. After working as chair of the music department at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa, Florida, he returned to New York in December 2010, giving private voice lessons and coaching actors at his own studio. Jona-than has a BFA in Musical Theater from the Hartt School in West Hartford, Connecticut, and counts the national tour of “Miss Saigon” and “Hair” amongst his theater credits.

Weiling Wang was a school teacher and tutor in Jiangxi, China for 12 years. Since coming to the United States in 2009, she has worked with children ex-tensively. She incorporates her love of traditional Chinese dance into her work as a teacher in our Mandarin program.

Rutgers Community Programs • Fall 2012 • September 10 through December 20 • www.rutgerschurch.org 7

Fall 2012 Rates and Schedule - September 10 through December 2014 weeks of class time (except for Musical Theatre—3 weeks of free try-outs in September and 29 weeks of class time, October 5-May 22)

Note: Soccer runs for 14 weeks—November 27 through March 21(No Classes on October 8, November 12, and November 19-23)

Time Age Group Class Duration Instructor Price

9:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $420

10:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $420

11:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $420

3:45 5-7 years Once Upon an Artist 90 minutes Cindy Schaffer & Lesley Countryman $540

9:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

9:30 1-2 years Toddler Playgroup 90 minutes Jennifer Moore $560

10:00 1 ½-2 ½ years Movin’ & Groovin’ 45 minutes Denise LeDonne $490

10:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

10:30 2-3 ½ years Toddler Pandas 90 minutes Jing Jing Ra $575

11:00 2-3 years On My Own Playgroup 2 hours Denise LeDonne, Jennifer Moore, & Holly Nedelka $630

1:30 3 ½ -5 years Art Play 60 minutes Cindy Schaffer & Lesley Countryman $525

2:30 4 ½ - 5 ½ years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

3:30 1-5 years Family Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

3:30 3-5 years Panda Buddies 90 minutes Jing Jing Ra and Weiling Wang $615

3:30 5-6 years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

4:00 4 ½ - 7 years Ballet 45 minutes Somer Adams $420

4:30 1-5 years Family Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

4:30 7-8 years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

4:45 4 ½ - 7 years Beginner Tap 45 minutes Somer Adams $420

9:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

9:30 1 ½ - 2 ½ years Toddler Playgroup 90 minutes Jennifer Moore $560

10:00 12-18 months Bouncin’ & Pouncin’ 45 minutes Denise LeDonne $490

10:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

10:15 1 ½ - 3 years Toddler Pandas 90 minutes Jing Jing Ra $575

11:00 2-3 years On My Own Playgroup 2 hours Denise LeDonne, Jennifer Moore & Holly Nedelka $630

11:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

1:15 2 ½ - 3 ½ years Baby Ballet 45 minutes Somer Adams $420

2:30 2 ½ - 3 ½ years Soccer 50 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

3:30 6 years & up Panda Buddies 90 minutes Jing Jing Ra $615

3:30 6-7 years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

3:45 5-8 years Once Upon an Artist 90 minutes Cindy Schaffer & Lesley Countryman $630

4:00 5-10 years Musical Theater (29 weeks) 90 minutes Somer Adams, Monika Fisher & Jonathan Hack $975

4:30 4-5 years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

9:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

9:30 2-3 years Toddler Playgroup 90 minutes Jennifer Moore $560

10:00 2-3 years Jumpin’ & Jivin’ 45 minutes Denise LeDonne $490

10:15 1-3 years Handprints 45 minutes Cindy Schaffer $490

10:30 2-3 ½ years Toddler Pandas 90 minutes Jing Jing Ra $575

11:00 2-3 years On My Own Playgroup 2 hours Denise LeDonne, Jennifer Moore & Holly Nedelka $630

1:30 3 ½ -5 years Art Play 60 minutes Lesley Countryman & Cindy Schaffer $525

2:30 3-4 years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

3:30 8-9 years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

3:30 5 years & up Panda Buddies 90 minutes Jing Jing Ra and Weiling Wang $615

3:45 6-9 years Once Upon an Artist 90 minutes Lesley Countryman & Cindy Schaffer $630

3:45 4 ½ - 7 years Tap and Jazz 45 minutes Somer Adams $420

4:30 6 ½ - 7 ½ years Soccer 60 minutes Coach Fher’s staff $460

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Rutgers Community Programs • Fall 2012 • September 10 through December 20 • www.rutgerschurch.org8

Holiday Schedule 2012 – The programs will close on the following days: Columbus Day, Monday, October 8

Veterans Day, Monday, November 12Thanksgiving Week, November 19 through 23

Q: Do you offer trial classes?A: Yes. Trial classes must be arranged

with prior approval from Jennifer. Requests for trial classes must be made at least 48 hours prior to attendance.

Q: If my child misses a class, are make-ups allowed?

A: Yes, families/students are allowed two make-ups per term, by prior arrangement with Jennifer. Make-ups must be taken during the semester the class was missed. Make-ups are not possible for all classes.

Q: Is there a registration deadline?A: Payments for all classes and

programs must be made before the first class. Classes need a minimum number of attendees in order to run. Rutgers reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment.

Q: Payments: How and when must payment be made?

A: Payment in full must be made for classes before the programs begin. Payment plans for the full price of classes in either two or three installments are available, but only by prior arrangement with Jennifer. We accept checks or money orders made out to Rutgers Church, and also take MasterCard, Visa, or Discover credit cards.

For children in the preschool alter-native program, payments may be made in two installments, Septem-ber 1 and December 1.

Q: Is financial aid available?A: Yes, limited scholarship funds

are available. You can apply for financial aid by filling out and submitting the Financial Assistance Application, along with your most recent tax return and other supporting documents to Jennifer Moore at jmoore@rutgerschurch.org. Financial aid awards are need-based, cover partial tuition only, and are strictly confidential.

Q: May I get a refund?A: Refunds are only granted in case of

relocation or medical necessity, and only for those classes that will be missed (not for ones you’ve already attended).

Q: My child has food allergies. What is your policy on food?

A: Children who have food allergies should bring their own snacks to classes. Children attending the preschool alternative program should bring their own food. Aller-gies of any kind must also be noted on registration forms. We ask that families do not bring nuts or foods containing any nuts or nut oils to any class.

Q: What happens if there’s a snowstorm?

A: If public schools close due to the weather (snowstorms, etc.), Rutgers programs will close as well, and we will make every effort to schedule a make-up class.

Q: What if I need to use my cell phone?

A: All cell phone calls and texts must be made outside the classroom, so as not to disrupt the activities. Please keep these calls brief.

Q: What is your policy on illness? Do I need to notify anyone if we can’t make it to class?

A: Please stay at home (or keep your child at home) if you or your child have a fever, upset stomach, rash, or other visible signs of illness. Rutgers Church and its instructors reserve the right to send a sick person home.

Please send an e-mail to jmoore@rutgerschurch.org if you are going to miss a class for any reason.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Policies & Procedures