Clubs & Activities

The school day may end at 3 p.m. but our campus still hums with after-school activities!

Since its founding in 1982, Almaden Country Day School has understood and embraced the importance of experiential learning. Children learn and thrive when they are engaged in activities that are relevant, enjoyable, and meaningful to them. After school activities can play a crucial role in this type of learning.

Our campus is host to a variety of after-school activities that extend the interests and talents of our students in wholesome, exciting ways. The following after school activities are provided at different times during the year at ACDS, this year, virtually.

ACDS Speech and Debate Team

The 2020-21 school year will include a middle school speech and debate team. Students interested in joining the squad must take the Competition Speech elective during the first trimester. For more information, please contact Coach Chris Wardner.

For more information on our speech and debate program, please visit this page. Do you have questions about competition Speech and Debate Team? We hope we answered them here.

Band (3 levels)

Band

Kicks off the week of October 12

Students in grades 2-8: Do you want to learn to play an instrument, want to play music with others, and/or want to practice performing live? There are three levels of Band available with descriptions. All practices online. Please note that if we do not receive enough interest, individual band lessons will be available.

Shelter Arts has adapted the Band program to ensure it will help to foster a love of music, while building skills on a band instrument (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Percussion, Trombone {Intermediate/Advanced}. This school year is no different as we have transitioned into an online model.

LEVELS DEFINED
1. Beginners: Anyone just starting on their instrument or a student who played last year and felt they struggled and want to start over with the basics.

2. Intermediate: 2nd and 3rd year players. Must be able to play up to #39 in the Essential Elements book.

3. Advanced/PEP: Must be able to play ALL numbers up to #49 in the book at a fast pace. This group is for middle school students, but 5th graders who are interested can test into this group on the first day of their intermediate practice.

Throughout the year, students are allowed to test into the other groups as their skill level grows.
All band students are encouraged to practice a minimum of 60 minutes outside of class per week. 5-10 minutes a day or 20 minutes 3 days a week outside of class will help your student's skill level grow.
As is typical, in band, we would often spend 2-3 sessions reviewing some of the same songs, so now, we will be sending out weekly Band video classes to students, which can be used throughout the week. We would love to see students practice with these videos 3 times a week, if not more. The majority of videos will be around the 30 minute mark, with plenty for them to practice afterwards. Some weeks, we will also be sending shorter videos as well to ensure the kids are getting a rounded musical educational experience

Students are able to choose to play the flute*, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or percussion. No experience is necessary. An experienced Band Director will lead the band and students support each other in their musical development. The fee for ACDS Band is $460. For more information, please contact Derek McIntyre.

*Flute is considered the most difficult to get started on for beginners but those interested should not be discouraged to try it.

REGISTER

Chess Club

Chess Club

Semester 1: October 2, 2020 - January 22, 2021
Semester 2: January 29 - May 14, 2021

Love to play chess? Join the ACDS Chess Club run by Success Chess on Fridays online. The club involves students learning and playing chess at one of three different levels. Students in grades 1-8 can participate. Get more information and register via the Success Chess website.

Clay Club (FULL)

Clay Club

First class: October 15
Last class: November 19
Grades: 3-8

The Clay Club will meet virtually for 6 weeks on Thursdays, beginning October 15 from 3:45-4:45pm. The cost is $150. Students will make clay pots and other creations, as well as decorate factory-made objects with glazes, such as: hot chocolate mugs, platters and tiles. Finished works will be fired in the kiln. Extra clay will be provided upon request. Participants need to bring their own drawing supplies, paper and paint brushes. All levels welcome! 15 members maximum. Students in grades 2 and under may be admitted at instructor's discretion.

Please email Art Studio teacher Ms. Weronika Zaluska if you have any questions.

Girls Who Code (GWC)

Girls Who Code is designed to nurture and support an interest in engineering and computer science that often exists in middle school, but too often fades in high school. By focusing on real-life problems and on-screen role models, Girls Who Code aims to help ensure that this interest will continue to grow in high school and beyond.

Our own chapter of Girls Who Code is open to girls in grades 5-8 and no experience is necessary. Girls will have opportunities to explore and work in pairs or individually, in a supportive, inclusive, interactive and collaborative environment. Depending on their interests, girls will learn to code in a few popular programming languages, practice logical thinking and problem-solving and build projects that entertains, educates or solves a real world problem. Some programs that GWC will explore are, “Art & Math with Python,” “Games with JavaScript,” “Apps with JavaScript,” and “Web Programming.” Girls Who Code will meet Mondays from 3:30-5:00pm beginning October 12 virtually. For more information, contact Anupama Natarajan.

To learn more about this national club, visit their website.

REGISTER

Please contact the Student Life Office for more information about this year’s after-school activity schedule.