Isidore Newman School | After 3 Classes

After 3 Class Descriptions

Registration for enrichment activities, specialist classes, or private music lessons includes the ability to stay in After 3 from the regular school day dismissal until 5:30 p.m. Students can be registered for any or all days of the week.

Childcare is not available beyond 5:30 p.m. A late fee will be assessed for students picked up beyond this time.

Online registration will open on Thu. Nov. 17 at 10:00 a.m. through Monday, Nov. 28 at 10:00 p.m.

Activity Power Hour – 1st through 5th grades

Activity Power Hour (APH) incorporates what students love the most: choice. During each week, we will offer a variety of activities for students to choose from: Sports, The Islands, Tech Lab, Art & Design, and Specials. While these offerings may change daily, we always have at least two activities available to each cohort. Please read more about our Activity Power Hour environments below:

Directed Study: Second through fifth grade students will have an opportunity to complete their homework in a quiet space during After 3. They may choose to play after completing their homework. If you would like your child to complete their homework during After 3, please select the ‘Directed Study’ option at the time of registration.
Sports: This environment features a rotating assortment of favorite playground games, such as Kickball, Capture the Flag, and Medic. Students who participate in our sports environment have the chance to run out some energy while improving their game skills and sportsmanship.
The Islands: Named after the most relaxing environment in Newman Summer Day Camp, The Islands offers students a variety of crafts and projects. Students work on their fine motor skills while creating intricate designs in Perler beads, lanyards, and homemade jewelry and accessories.
Makerspace: Located in the Lower School Innovation Lab, students will have the opportunity to utilize this rapid prototyping environment to enter with an idea and develop it into reality.
Tech Lab: A wide variety of technology-based activities draws students into this environment. Students will have the opportunity to explore applications such as Minecraft, Tinker, Hour of Code, MIT Scratch, StopMotion animation, and Tinker CAD.
Visual Art & Design: This environment offers a wide variety of creative endeavors. Housed in the Lower School art studio, students will have the opportunity to focus on their artistry while creating original pieces of wearable arts, found object art, painting, drawing, and mixed media.
Specials: Surprise specials are offered throughout the semester and help us gauge student interest in future class offerings.

Instructors: After 3 Instructors and Newman Faculty

Days: Monday through Friday

Activity Power Hour – Pre-K and Kindergarten

Activity Power Hour for our youngest Greenies includes an in-classroom, extracurricular enrichment activity and active-play sport or game. The Classroom Enrichment environment will include rotations of art projects, hands-on science, musical games, and tinkering. The Active Play & Games environment will include P.E. games, races, and sports. Each day will focus on teamwork, motor skills, and fun.

Instructors: After 3 Instructors and Newman Faculty

Days: Monday through Friday

Private Piano Lessons, Kindergarten through 5th grades

After 3 puts the fun in fundamental piano skills. Our instructors offer a consistent curriculum with unified materials which will engage the students with songs they will love to play and sing. Our Classical composers will include Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Scott Joplin (ragtime) of course! All students enrolled will receive one thirty-minute lesson per week. We strongly recommend that students enrolling in private piano lessons own a piano or a keyboard or that they have easy access to one during the week. Practice is mandatory starting with first grade or level 1 piano. All lesson books and materials are provided at no extra charge.

Instructors: Amanda Wadsworth, Patrick Scioneaux, Jake Jenkins, Max DoVale

Days: Monday through Friday

Times: 3:05- 3:35, 3:40- 4:10, 4:15- 4:45 or 4:50- 5:20 p.m.

Private Guitar Lessons – 1st through 5th grades

Guitar lessons will focus on building proper technique, musical awareness, and overall music appreciation. In addition to the more technical aspects of playing the instrument, students will be engaged with repertoire which they will love to play and sing. Some of the musical projects will include repertoire study of pop and rock artists such as the Beatles; the guitar as an essential part of American music; and how to play and sing along. All students enrolled will receive one thirty-minute lesson per week. Students will be strongly encouraged to have their own instrument at home. Practicing is mandatory and ideally should be consistent.

Instructor: Woody Loudermilk

Days: Tuesday and Thursday

Times: 3:05- 3:35, 3:40- 4:10, 4:15- 4:45 or 4:50- 5:20 p.m.

Private Cello and Bass Lessons – 4th & 5th grades

Cello or Bass lessons will focus on building playing technique, music reading, and musicianship. Students will learn the basics of their instruments using Essential Elements for Strings, Suzuki, and will also work on solo repertoire. Solo repertoire will vary between standard exercises and student selected work. All students enrolled will receive one 30-minute lesson per week. Students will need their own instrument at home. Bass and cello rentals are available at Keller Strings. They will also size the instrument to fit your child, so they are playing on the instrument appropriate for their height. Consistent practicing is required and will help with learning and enjoyment of playing.

Instructor: Joanna Izaguirre

Days: Thursday

Times: 3:40 - 4:10, 4:15 - 4:45, or 4:50 - 5:20 p.m.

Mondays beginning Jan. 2

Spanish with ¡Vamonos NOLA! – Pre-K
This class is an exciting Spanish Language Program for all language levels. Activities include games, music, dance, art, and storytelling. The curriculum is play-based and so much fun that students may not notice they are learning another language, but you should not be surprised when you hear them singing and playing at home in Spanish! Research shows that the learning environment most conducive to learning a second language is one in which children feel comfortable to take chances and is guided by activities that interest the students.
Instructor: ¡Vamonos NOLA!
Times: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Science - Kindergarten
Continue the creative wonder of science with fun, hands-on science experiments and projects that will help promote life-long interests and skills. Exploration will include everything from volcanoes and dinosaurs to polymer super balls, balloon rockets, and plants. The focus will be on enjoying participating in experiments and projects while learning and understanding the scientific fundamentals of each project.
Instructor: Tiffany Westley
Times: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Soccer Shots Classic – Kindergarten
The Soccer Shots Classic program teaches the technical skills of soccer and encourages greater confidence with ball control, using both feet, starting and stopping and changing directions by incorporating basic moves. Through creativity, positivity, and fun, we encourage new challenges and increased confidence in the Classic program. Soccer Shots provides children's soccer experiences and believe this sport is a powerful vehicle for positively impacting youth. Athletic shoes and socks are required for class.
Instructor: Soccer Shots Coaches
Times: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Scholastic Chess – 1st grade & 2nd Grade
Students will be introduced to chess and learn about this ancient game, including etiquette, sportsmanship, and the joy of learning. Students will gradually acquire basic competence in chess through learning the characteristics of each piece, basic cornerstone fundamentals, and by learning and practicing basic tactics. The class period will be structured as a mix of direct lecture and demonstration, and ample hands-on practice. This class is designed for children who are new to chess or early in their exploration of this classic game.
Instructor: Nick Matta
Times: 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. for 1st grade | 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. for 2nd grade

Gymnastics – 1st through 5th grades
Beginner Gymnastics instruction by NOLA Gymnastics includes bars, beam, floor exercise, tumble trak, and vault. Following NOLA Gymnastics' Rainbow Ribbon Program, as students progress and achieve gymnastic skills they receive awards. Once a student has achieved all of the Rainbow Ribbon Skills, they can potentially proceed to a competitive team.

Instructor: NOLA Gymnastics led by Coach Gretchen Schultz

Times: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Competitive Robotics Team – 4th through 5th grades
This class will prepare students for a First Lego League (FLL) challenge competition. Students will hone their skills designing and building a robot and attachments to solve timed challenges. Participants will write programs to guide the robot through the challenges while preparing through research and investigation for an FLL competition later in the semester. On your marks, get set, Lego!
Instructor: Collin Doruff
Times: 3:15– 4:30 p.m.

Tuesdays beginning Jan. 3

Gymnastics – Pre-K & Kindergarten
Kinder Gym is gymnastics designed for Pre-K & Kindergarten students. Students are introduced to bars, beam, and tumbling using preschool gymnastic equipment.

Instructor: NOLA Gymnastics led by Coach Gretchen Schultz

Times: 3:00– 4:00 p.m.

Karate – Kindergarten
Martial arts can be an integral part of youth education by teaching children discipline, self-control and self-defense, while providing them with a rigorous physical education regimen. If students wish to progress and attain ranks in karate, they can through this beginner's program. Enrollment in this class also offers the optional purchase of a karate uniform for $40.
Instructor:
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Sketching & Drawing - 1st & 2nd Grades

Students will learn and develop skills to draw realistically and with detail. It’s never too early to start building the foundation of drawing and observation! Portraits, still-life, illustration, and elements of architecture will be taught, discussed, and explored.

Instructor: Sheila Connolly
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Intro to Basketball - 1st-3rd Grades
This class is designed for beginners with the goal of easing your child into the sport of basketball by learning the fundamentals through fun games. Students will be taught how to dribble with their dominant and non-dominant hand, how to make a layup properly and move in an athletic way. This is a fun way to explore this fast paced and exciting sport!

Instructor: Elevate Next coaches
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Cheerleading – 3rd through 5th grade
A fun and instructional class that is designed to develop confidence, skills and teamwork. Throughout the semester each student will learn dance, jumps, cheers and stunts. At the end of the semester these skills will be combined to create a class cheer routine!
Instructors: Victoria Mercouris and Miranda Masson
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Robotics Exploration – 3rd through 5th grade
This class is an environment for free exploration with the components involved in robotics. Students may use this time to experiment with new combinations of sensors, learn about the intricacies of programming, and build a new style of robot with a brand-new purpose. This exploration class is a wonderful way to get excited about robotics, develop new skills, and potentially lead to a competitive team robotics setting.
Instructor: Travis Blotsky
Times: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesdays beginning Jan. 4

Soccer Shots Classic – Pre-K
The Soccer Shots Classic program teaches the technical skills of soccer and encourages greater confidence with ball control, using both feet, starting and stopping and changing directions by incorporating basic moves. Through creativity, positivity, and fun, we encourage new challenges and increased confidence in the Classic program. Soccer Shots provides children's soccer experiences and believe this sport is a powerful vehicle for positively impacting youth. Athletic shoes and socks are required for class.
Instructor: Soccer Shots Coaches
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Intro to Basketball - Kindergarten

This class is designed for beginners with the goal of easing your child into the sport of basketball by learning the fundamentals through fun games. Students will be taught how to dribble with their dominant and non-dominant hand, how to make a layup properly and move in an athletic way. This is a fun way to explore this fast paced and exciting sport!

Instructor: Elevate Next coaches
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Spanish with ¡Vamonos NOLA! – Kindergarten
This class is an exciting Spanish Language Program for all language levels. Activities include games, music, dance, art, and storytelling. The curriculum is play-based and so much fun that students may not notice they are learning another language, but you should not be surprised when you hear them singing and playing at home in Spanish! Research shows that the learning environment most conducive to learning a second language is one in which children feel comfortable to take chances and is guided by activities that interest the students.
Instructor: ¡Vamonos NOLA!
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Robotics Exploration – 1st & 2nd grades
This class is an environment for free exploration with the components involved in robotics. Students may use this time to experiment with new combinations of sensors, learn about the intricacies of programming, and build a new style of robot with a brand-new purpose. This exploration class is a wonderful way to get excited about robotics, develop new skills, and potentially lead to a competitive team robotics setting.
Instructor: Travis Blotsky
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Puppetry with Mr. Spitz – 3rd - 5th grades

Puppetry with Mr. Spitz will teach students how to construct various styles of puppets (paper bag, sock, rod, bunraku, found object, etc). Additionally, Mr. Spitz will turn these students into puppeteers as they bring these puppets to life, ultimately creating small puppet show performances.

Instructor: Bryan Spitzfaden
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Scholastic Team Chess – 3rd-5th grades
Students will learn about this ancient game, including etiquette, sportsmanship, and the joy of learning. Students will acquire basic competence in chess through learning the characteristics of each piece, basic cornerstone fundamentals, and by learning and practicing basic tactics. The class period will be structured as a mix of direct lecture and demonstration, and ample hands-on practice.
Instructor: Nick Matta
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Thursdays beginning Jan. 5

Science - Pre-K
Continue the creative wonder of science with fun, hands-on science experiments and projects that will help promote life-long interests and skills. Exploration will include everything from volcanoes and dinosaurs to polymer super balls, balloon rockets, and plants. The focus will be on enjoying participating in experiments and projects while learning and understanding the scientific fundamentals of each project.
Instructor: Tiffany Westley
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Little Innovators – Kindergarten
Through exploration, discovery, and experimentation students in this class will become architects and engineers. By trying different approaches to daily challenges students will find creative solutions using a variety of materials including blocks, LEGO, cardboard, craft materials, and found objects.
Instructor: Khiry Armstead
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Adventures in Painting - 1st & 2nd grades
Students will explore painting techniques and learn skills using different mediums such as watercolor, ink, tempera, and acrylic, along with the tools to apply them: brushes, sponges, natural objects, stencils, fingers. This visual arts class will help participants learn how express ideas and emotions on a two-dimensional surface.
Instructor: Mary Burns
Times: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Electronics - 1st & 2nd and 3rd-5th grades
After 3 electronics students will gain an understanding of how electricity can be harnessed and used through hands-on projects. Participants will explore circuit board components such as LEDs, motors, resistors, and photosensors.
Instructor: Brigid Richwine
Times: 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. for 1st/2nd | 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. for 3rd-5th

Basketball Skills Development – 3rd through 5th grades

*Previous playing experience required
This is class is for kids that are serious about becoming a better basketball players. The focus of the class will be to develop existing skills such as improving shooting technique, advanced ball handling drills, and learning how to be quicker and more agile.

Instructor: Elevate Next Coaches
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Fridays beginning Jan. 6

Chess - Kindergarten
Chess teaches children how to think critically, problem solve, and plan ahead. This class introduces our youngest Greenies to the ancient game of chess through stories and fun games. Students will learn about each piece, how they move, and strategies on how to win a game.
Instructor: Nick Matta
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Beginner Karate - 1st through 5th grades
Martial Arts can be an integral part of youth education by teaching children discipline, self-control, and self-defense, while providing them with a rigorous physical education regimen. If students wish to progress and attain ranks in Karate, they can through this program. Uniforms (Gi) are recommended but not required. Enrollment in this class also offers the optional purchase of a karate uniform for $40. No previous experience is required.
Instructor: Ike Chapoton
Times: 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.

Karate - 1st through 5th grades
Karate is a Japanese martial arts that requires discipline and concentration. In this class students will learn advanced basic punching, kicking, and blocking techniques. Classes will consist of technique (kihon), forms (kata), and partner work (kumite). After certain progress, students will have to opportunity to test for higher rank and compete in tournaments. Uniforms (Gi) are recommended but not required. Enrollment in this class also offers the optional purchase of a karate uniform for $40.
Students should only enroll in this class if they previously participated in After 3 Karate in the 2021-22 school year or Fall 2022 semester.
Instructor: Ike Chapoton
Times: 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.