Lower School Enrichment (LSE)

• Sponsored by: Brooke Thomas, Lower School Teacher (Pre-K)
• Day(s) of the Week: Tuesdays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Dive into the ultimate playground for imagination and innovation in Creative Constructors! This dynamic class invites young creators to explore and master a variety of building techniques using an exciting assortment of toys and materials. From classic LEGO® bricks to magnetic tiles and foam shapes, kids will engage in hands-on activities that foster problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking.

Each session features new challenges and themes that inspire them to construct, experiment, and bring their wildest ideas to life. Get ready to build, create, and let your imagination soar in this hands-on adventure!

• Sponsored by: SPARK Business Academy, External Partner
• Day(s) of the Week: Wednesdays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $350

Learn the art of persuasion! Students work in rotating groups and practice their debating skills in a supportive environment, including developing arguments, issuing rebuttals, providing examples, rebuilding their cases, and summarizing points of view.

Students learn to think on their feet and enhance their public speaking skills, gaining self-confidence in the process.

• Sponsored by: Adam Herb, Middle School Dean of Students and Math Teacher
• Day(s) of the Week: Thursdays
• Times: 4–5 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Games, fun, sports, physical activity ... and some cool 'Mathletics' mixed in! Participants will engage in an indoor weekly contest or tournament ranging from games like cornhole, cup stacking, Metric Olympics, straw darts, ping-pong ball-ing challenges, frisbee throwing, and more with the Middle School's Mr. Herb, a former upper elementary grades teacher.

Participants will also have opportunities to discuss and explore the statistics, probability, and measurement concepts surrounding their results. Games will be competitive, but fun and good sportsmanship will always be the focus!

• Sponsored by: Partner
• Day(s) of the Week: Day
• Times: 0:00–0:00 p.m.
• Cost: $000

DESCRIPTION.

• Sponsored by: Marisa Schomisch, Lower School Teacher (Pre-K)
• Day(s) of the Week: Thursdays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Working with LEGO® bricks allows children to develop their problem-solving skills and imagination! In this class, the boys use their creativity and engineering skills to respond to a LEGO® challenge each week. They brainstorm ideas, build different structures, and present them to the group. The boys may work together or independently and will have opportunities for open-ended work and exploration, too.

• Sponsored by: Michelle Turner, Lower School Teacher (Grade 4)
• Day(s) of the Week: Tuesdays
• Times: 3:30–4:15 p.m.
• Cost: $300

In this club, we will write and produce a riveting news show. You will be reporters behind a desk and on the scene for the latest and greatest news that matters to you. Whether you want to be in front of the camera or working behind the scenes, this club is for you!

• Sponsored by: Diego Mattoras and Stephen Yorkman, Gilman School Head Strength and Conditioning Coaches
• Day(s) of the Week: Tuesdays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $400

Our weekday athletic program is designed for children aged 5–6, providing a fun and supportive environment to develop essential life skills. This one-hour program focuses on basic swimming skills. Participants will build confidence in the water as they learn fundamental swimming techniques, safety awareness, and the joy of aquatic activities.

Led by experienced instructors, this program aims to foster a love of the water, laying the foundation for a lifetime of active living.

• Sponsored by: Diego Mattoras and Stephen Yorkman, Gilman School Head Strength and Conditioning Coaches
• Day(s) of the Week: Saturdays
• Times: 10–11 a.m. (Pre-K–K) and 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (P1–2)
• Cost: $350

Our Saturday athletic program is designed for children aged 6–8, providing a fun and supportive environment to develop essential life skills. This one-hour program focuses on basic motor skills. Through engaging activities and games, children will improve their coordination, balance, agility, and overall physical literacy.

Led by experienced instructors, this program aims to foster a love for movement, laying the foundation for a lifetime of active living.

• Sponsored by: Nicholas Corasaniti, Lower School Music Teacher
• Day(s) of the Week: Fridays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $250

A music, movement, and games class that is entirely focused on joyful, collaborative, music-making fun! Boys will enjoy uniquely designed activities, non-overlapping with their classroom music curriculum, that develop joy and our natural love of music.

• Sponsored by: SPARK Business Academy, External Partner
• Day(s) of the Week: Tuesdays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $350

Learn how to make sweet, tangy lemonade — and make money by selling it! Experiment with recipes, design flyers, learn how to count money, make change, and tally your profits. Then, in a showcase finale event, launch your lemonade stand and sell, sell, sell, and raise funds for a charity students select!

• Sponsored by: Sarah Heegan, Lower School Teacher (Prep-One)
• Day(s) of the Week: Fridays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Calling all curious adventurers! The Nature Explorers Club is the perfect after-school destination for young explorers who love being outside, discovering new things, and getting their hands a little dirty. Join us as we venture into the woods, explore the nearby stream, and discover all the hidden treasures nature has to offer!

Each week, we'll embark on fun outdoor adventures like building forts, wading through streams to catch minnows, and learning about the creatures and plants that make the woods their home. Whether we're crafting natural shelters, following animal tracks, or dipping our nets into the stream to see what we can find, the possibilities for adventure are endless.

• Sponsored by: Soccer Shots, External Partner
• Day(s) of the Week: Mondays (Pre-K–K) and Wednesdays (P1–2)
• Times: 3:45–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $200

Soccer Shots is an engaging children's soccer program with a focus on character development. This program focuses on individual skill, fitness, and sportsmanship, providing an opportunity for children to be challenged through fun games and team interaction. Children will also be introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner.

• Sponsored by: Magnus Chess Academy, External Partner
• Day(s) of the Week: Mondays (K–1) and Thursdays (2–5)
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m. (K–1) and 3:15–4:15 p.m. (2–5)
• Cost: $250

Fun is the name of the game, but Magnus Chess Academy also sneaks in a bit of critical thinking, sportsmanship, and patience into chess club! Each week, students of all levels do a fun but challenging lesson with one of our great coaches from our world-class curriculum, followed by practice games against other students in the class.

Join the 100,000 (and counting!) kids who've learned chess with the official academy of 5x world champion Magnus Carlsen. This in-person club includes online extras like practice tournaments, a Chesskid Gold membership ($49 value), and a bonus lesson with Magnus or Judit Polgar, the best female chess player ever!

• Sponsored by: Nicholas Corasaniti, Lower School Music Teacher
• Day(s) of the Week: Mondays
• Times: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $300

Capture the magic of the world through a lens in our photography class, led by Gilman's own Mr. C, an avid global photographer outside of Gilman! This enriching experience will teach the basics of photography, creative techniques, real film projects, photo appreciation, and storytelling through pictures. The class price includes the required $65 camera, which your child gets to keep! Unleash creativity, explore perspectives, and watch imaginations develop frame by frame — join us and snap away!

• Sponsored by: Amy Cyman, Lower School Music Teacher
• Day(s) of the Week: Tuesdays
• Times: 3:30–4:15 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Dive into the exciting world of rhythm and percussion! Through hands-on drumming, interactive rhythm games, and global beats, students will build musical skills with Mrs. Cyman while developing teamwork and creativity. No experience is needed — just bring your energy and get ready to feel the surge of sound as we make music together!

• Sponsored by: Amy Cyman, Lower School Music Teacher
• Day(s) of the Week: Fridays
• Times: 3:30–4:15 p.m.
• Cost: $250

Can't put down the cube? Come join us for a club that's all about puzzles. Bring your favorite Rubik's-style cube each Friday and spend time with others who are ready to solve smarter and faster than ever before. Students will learn new solving algorithms, get to know different styles of cubes and speed puzzles, learn how to use timers and mats, and even compete with others to challenge their best times. Cubes are not provided, but mats and timers will be available to try.

• Sponsored by: Trevlin Alexander, Lower School Art Teacher
• Day(s) of the Week: Thursdays
• Times: 3:45–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $300

Are you ready to turn your imagination into 3-D art? Join the Sculpture Society, where we explore the exciting world of sculpting! Whether shaping paper mâché, working with wood, or building with cool materials, you'll have fun creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces. You'll learn new skills, make awesome friends, and discover the artist inside you. Come shape your ideas with us — let's create something amazing together!

• Sponsored by: Michelle Turner, Lower School Teacher (Grade 4)
• Day(s) of the Week: Mondays
• Times: 3:30–4:15 p.m.
• Cost: $260

Have you ever watched "Gumby," "The Nightmare Before Christmas," or "Wallace and Gromit"? These are all stop-motion animated movies. In this club, we will explore the wonders of stop-motion animation using clay and LEGO®. Students will create their storyline, characters, scenery, and, ultimately, a short movie using this unique style of filmmaking. This club promises to be a fun, creative experience for all.

• Sponsored by: Paola Albergate, Lower School Art Teacher
• Day(s) of the Week: Mondays
• Times: 3:45–4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $265

Come explore the world of watercolors with Mrs. Albergate! Students will be immersed in the artistic environment of art with a focus on watercolors. Each student will have their own watercolor set and brush and will learn the important techniques and tricks of using this wonderful medium. Weather permitting, students may venture outdoors to experience the joy of painting in nature.

Registration fees are non-refundable. Cancellations on or after the date two weeks prior to the program start date will not be refunded or prorated. The enrolled number of days expires each week; they do not roll into the following week. Unused days will not be refunded or prorated.

Students who are not picked up promptly at their enrichment club's end time will be dropped into the After School Program (ASP) at the flat drop-in rate.

Students who attend ASP must abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the Gilman Student & Parent Handbook for student conduct and behavior. Students must also continue to strive to be honorable and to exhibit the Gilman Five. If a student exhibits a pattern of not displaying appropriate conduct and behavior, the School reserves the right to dismiss the student from the program.