SOAR Extended Care and Enrichment Programs

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SOAR at Fort Worth Country Day offers grades JK-4 students a series of engaging and unique scholastic, arts and recreation opportunities outside of the traditional school day schedule. On school days from 3:10 to 6 p.m., students in SOAR have the opportunity to spark new interests, build upon their existing passions and develop new peer relationships all without having to leave the FWCD campus! Available to students in grades JK-4, SOAR is led by a team of Fort Worth Country Day faculty and staff, accomplished educators and experienced childcare professionals.

Enrichment Programs

*** Enrollment closes 24 hours before each program begins ***

Monday

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  • Think Fast! (Grades K – 2)

    Quick, you have 10 minutes to build a prop and come up with a two-minute play about a villain in a movie theater. In this enrichment program, we will complete rapid STEAM challenges, play games, and figure out logic puzzles. Your child will work on expanding her critical thinking skills, creativity, and communication as she works with her peers to solve a variety of complex tasks.
    Eligible Grades: K – 2
    Tuition: $100
    Days/Times: Mondays, 3:35 – 4:20 p.m.
    Dates: January 10 – February 7 (no class on January 17)
    Instructor: Rachel Fineman, LS Science Teacher

  • Jr. Falcon Cheer (Grades K – 4)

    Join Varsity Cheer Coach Courtney Corbeille Krauss ‘06 for six weeks of all things CHEER plus a performance on the seventh and final session. We will work on jumps, motions, dance, tumbling, cheers, chants, and stunts in this spirit-filled session. No prior cheer experience required! Every participant will receive a Junior Falcon Cheerleader Shirt and their own set of poms!
    Eligible Grades: K - 4
    Tuition: $210
    Days/Times: Mondays, 3:45 – 5:15 p.m.
    Dates: March 21 – May 2
    Instructor: Courtney Krauss, US Cheerleading Coach

  • The Knight School Chess: Mondays (Grades K – 5)

    The Knight School Chess Team is back! We invite every beginner or pro in your school to join our school chess team and we use only super-fun teaching methods such as super-fast chess clock-slapping chess games, zany chess videos, a strict bully-free environment, silicone wristbands for tactics mastery, chess puzzlers for candy, driving music, hilarious tactics-lesson videos, and Mardi-Gras bead tournaments. In this kid-centered classroom environment, we teach our kids every cool trick, strategy, opening, and tactic in Chessdom!
    Eligible Grades: K - 5
    Tuition: $315
    Days/Times: Mondays, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
    Dates: January 10 – May 9 (no class on January 17, January 31, February 21, March 14)
    Instructor: Jeff O’Shaughnessy (https://www.theknightschool.com/)

  • An Eye for Art: Great Artists Focusing on Great Artists and Their Work (Grades 1 – 3)

    Based on the National Gallery of Art “Inside Scoop", featuring artists and works from the museum. The content of this course will be based on seven different themes: Studying Nature, Exploring Places, Examining Portraits, Telling Stories, Observing Everyday Life, Questioning Traditions, and Playing with Space. We will highlight works from different time periods to encourage comparisons among them. Current US Visual Art and Art History teacher Holly Clifford has taught art for grades K-12 at FWCD the past 23 years and is also an ambassador for the online Art Class Curator, an education website dedicated to creating deep, meaningful learning experiences that expand emotional intelligence using diverse artworks from across time and cultures that prepare students for an interconnected world in need of creative thinkers. Students will create a beautiful artist’s sketchbook (similar to that of her US Art History students) documenting their learning as written and drawn responses to questions posed and as an expression of new ideas presented about the artists and their times. Additionally, students will create hands-on artwork related to each artist that encourage experimentation and creative problem solving.
    Eligible Grades: 1 - 3
    Tuition: $500
    Days/Times: Mondays, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
    Dates: January 24 – May 9 (no class February 21 and March 14)
    Instructor: Holly Clifford, US Visual Art and Art History Teacher

Tuesday

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  • Movin’ & Groovin’ (Grades K – 4)

    Bring your energy and your smile and get ready to party at Movin’ & Groovin’, the Zumba ® Kids enrichment class! Zumba ® Kids classes are rocking, high-energy dance parties packed with kid-friendly routines. We break down steps and add games, activities and cultural elements into the class structure. This program helps participants to develop a healthy lifestyle and incorporate fitness as a natural part of their lives. All classes are under the guidance of licensed Zumba® Instructors Gaby Booth and Natasha Hatcher. Gaby and Natasha teach weekly Zumba® classes at CERA and YMCA, respectively.
    Eligible Grades: K - 4
    Tuition: $225
    Days/Times: Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 
    Dates: March 1 – May 3 (no class March 15 and March 29)
    Instructors: Gaby Booth and Natasha Hatcher, LS Spanish Teachers

  • Tinker Tuesday (Grades 2 – 4)

    Come spend time participating in a variety of activities that we just don't have time for in Collaboratory! Special projects, building, making, robots, rockets... the possibilities are endless!
    Eligible Grades: 2 - 4
    Tuition: $200
    Days/Times: Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
    Dates: January 11 – March 8
    Instructor: Mandy Lofquist, LS Technology Specialist

  • Life in Miniature (Grades 3 – 5)

    Join Ms. Hannah to create a world in miniature. We will transform blank matchboxes into unique custom designed miniature houses, towns, or buildings. The first two sessions we will explore two different methods for creating a house while we learn how to scale our drawings to miniature. The final two sessions the sky is the limit as you design your own house, town, or building in miniature.
    Eligible Grades: 3 - 5
    Tuition: $200
    Days/Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: January 11 – January 20
    Instructor: Jennifer Hannah, 4th Grade Teacher

  • Sew: A Needle Pulling Thread (Grades 3 – 5)

    Sew: A Needle Pulling Thread is an introductory course to hand stitching. Each session we will learn and practice basic hand sewing skills including how to thread a needle, how to begin and end your stitch and how to sew on a button. More advanced stitching such as cross-stitch, running stitches, and a few fancy stitches will also be included. Each participant will create a sewing kit that will be theirs to keep and will leave sessions with a piece of handiwork showing off their skill from the day. This is bound to be SEW much fun!
    Eligible Grades: 3 - 5
    Tuition: $200
    Days/Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: April 5 – April 14
    Instructor: Jennifer Hannah, 4th Grade Teacher

  • Think Fast! (Grades 3 – 5)

    Quick, you have 10 minutes to build a prop and come up with a two-minute play about a villain in a movie theater. In this enrichment program, we will complete rapid STEAM challenges, play games, and figure out logic puzzles. Your child will work on expanding her critical thinking skills, creativity, and communication as she works with her peers to solve a variety of complex tasks.
    Eligible Grades: 3 - 5
    Tuition: $150
    Days/Times: Tuesdays, 3:35 – 4:35 p.m.
    Dates: January 11 – February 1
    Instructor: Rachel Fineman, LS Science Teacher

  • Girls Volleyball Skills Development (Grades 5 – 6)

    Get ready for Volleyball! Come and learn the high flying sport and get ready to dominate the court! The girls will learn how to pass, set, hit, and serve! FWCD Boys Volleyball Program Director, Coach Patrick Powers '05 will teach strong fundamentals to prepare all participants for a strong volleyball career. Coach Powers graduated from FWCD in 2005. His senior year he was a member of the SPC Boys Volleyball Championship team. After FWCD, Coach Powers attended Pepperdine University, where he continued to play volleyball. While on the team, Pepperdine had 2 final four appearances in the NCAA Tournament and 1 MPSF Conference Championship. Coach Powers has been coaching at FWCD since 2014. Can you Dig it?
    Eligible Grades: 5 - 6
    Tuition: $150
    Days/Times: Tuesdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: March 1 – April 12 (no class March 15)
    Instructor: Patrick Powers ’05, Boys Volleyball Program Manager

Wednesday

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  • Field Hockey (Grades K – 4)

    Come learn the basics of field hockey and have fun while learning. Join Coach Chisholm and some US players while we learn skills and play games.
    Eligible Grades: K - 4
    Tuition: $150
    Days/Times: Wednesdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: March 9 – May 4 (no class March 16, March 30, and April 6)
    Instructor: Paige Chisholm, LS Physical Education/Field Hockey Program Director
     

  • The Knight School Chess: Wednesdays (Grades K – 5)

    The Knight School Chess Team is back! We invite every beginner or pro in your school to join our school chess team and we use only super-fun teaching methods such as super-fast chess clock-slapping chess games, zany chess videos, a strict bully-free environment, silicone wristbands for tactics mastery, chess puzzlers for candy, driving music, hilarious tactics-lesson videos, and Mardi-Gras bead tournaments. In this kid-centered classroom environment, we teach our kids every cool trick, strategy, opening, and tactic in Chessdom!
    Eligible Grades: K - 5
    Tuition: $315
    Days/Times: Wednesdays, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
    Dates: January 12 – May 18 (no class on February 2, March 2, March 16, March 30 and April 6)
    Instructor: Jeff O’Shaughnessy (https://www.theknightschool.com/)

  • FWCD Winter Basketball Skills Camp (Grades 1 – 6)

    This co-ed program helps young basketball players understand the fundamentals and learn enjoyment of the game. Participants work on ball handling, shooting, rebounding and passing. Emphasis is placed on defense, conditioning, teamwork and sportsmanship. FWCD Winter Basketball Skills Camp is hosted by Joe Breedlove, FWCD Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, and a team of experienced coaches and players. Please note: Complimentary SOAR Extended Care and daily snack are not available for this program.
    Eligible Grades: 1 - 6
    Tuition: $100
    Days/Times: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
    Dates: January 12 – February 16
    Instructor: Joe Breedlove, Boys Basketball Program Director and Head Coach

  • Bridge Engineering (4th Grade)

    Students will use introductory CAD software to design truss bridges. Components of their bridges will be cut using a CNC laser from wood stock, assembled and then bench tested for their load bearing strength. Students will learn about the different types of truss bridges as well as introductory engineering terms associated with bridges.
    Eligible Grades: 4
    Tuition: $225
    Days/Times: Wednesdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: January 12 – March 9 (no class February 2 and March 2)
    Instructor: Dr. Steve Uhr, Director of Technology

Thursday

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  • Creative Drama (Grades 2 – 3)

    Creative Drama classes are a place where all children, from the shy to the outgoing can develop at their own pace, with plenty of positive encouragement. Our specialty is using a wide range of unique drama activities in our children’s acting classes to focus the bold, outspoken child and to draw out the quiet child or the inarticulate child and help them reach into themselves to discover their full potential In a safe environment.
    Eligible Grades: 2 - 3
    Tuition: $150
    Days/Times: Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: January 13 – March 10
    Instructor: Cathy Gullo, MS Theatre Director

  • Game Maker! (Grades 2 – 4)

    From concept to completion, you will create your own game board using a variety of art materials. Not only will you create the board, but also the game pieces, game cards, spinner and dice. The last day of class, we will have a “BOARD-NOT-BORED!” party and play all of the games!
    Eligible Grades: 2- 4
    Tuition: $175
    Days/Times: Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
    Dates: April 7 - April 28
    Instructor: Dorrine DeChant, Visual Arts Teacher

  • Life in Miniature (Grades 3 – 5)

    Join Ms. Hannah to create a world in miniature. We will transform blank matchboxes into unique custom designed miniature houses, towns, or buildings. The first two sessions we will explore two different methods for creating a house while we learn how to scale our drawings to miniature. The final two sessions the sky is the limit as you design your own house, town, or building in miniature.
    Eligible Grades: 3 - 5
    Tuition: $200
    Days/Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: January 11 – January 20
    Instructor: Jennifer Hannah, 4th Grade Teacher

  • Sew: A Needle Pulling Thread (Grades 3 – 5)

    Sew: A Needle Pulling Thread is an introductory course to hand stitching. Each session we will learn and practice basic hand sewing skills including how to thread a needle, how to begin and end your stitch and how to sew on a button. More advanced stitching such as cross-stitch, running stitches, and a few fancy stitches will also be included. Each participant will create a sewing kit that will be theirs to keep and will leave sessions with a piece of handiwork showing off their skill from the day. This is bound to be SEW much fun!
    Eligible Grades: 3 - 5
    Tuition: $200
    Days/Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: April 5 – April 14
    Instructor: Jennifer Hannah, 4th Grade Teacher

  • Falcon Flyers Boys Volleyball Skills Clinic (Grades 5 – 6)

    With over 2500 school programs nationwide, boys volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country! Falcon Flyers Boys Volleyball Skills Clinic is designed to help each athlete improve their game in a fun and safe environment. Led by Coach Jared Knight, this clinic will cover basic volleyball skills, techniques and concepts. Coach Knight has been coaching volleyball for over 10 years with several club teams competing in USA Volleyball’s Boys Junior National Championships. He is currently our Middle School Boys’ Head Coach at FWCD.
    Eligible Grades: 5 – 6
    Tuition: $150
    Days/Times: Thursdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
    Dates: March 3 – April 14 (no class March 17)
    Instructor: Jared Knight, FWCD Volleyball Coach

Policies & Procedures

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  • Policies and Procedures

    • To register for Fall 2021 SOAR Enrichment Programs, please visit www.fwcd.org/SOAR.
    • Lower School AND Middle School students who are participating in a SOAR Enrichment Program will meet in the Lower School Atrium immediately after school, where they will be provided with a complimentary snack.
    • Instructors for enrichment programs will lead participants from the Lower School Atrium to their enrichment site.
    • Upon conclusion of each enrichment program, students will be brought back to the Lower School Atrium for pick-up.
    • In the interest of student accountability and to create the safest environment possible, we ask that parents come into the Lower School Atrium to sign out their student at the end of each enrichment session.
    • We ask that students are signed out within 10 minutes of the conclusion of their program. Students who are not signed out within 10 minutes of the conclusion of their program will be automatically enrolled in SOAR Extended Care for that day, and your student account will be charged accordingly.
    • No refunds will be provided and fees cannot be prorated if a student’s registration is canceled or if classes are missed due to illness, injury, or any other event out of the control of FWCD.
    • Enrichment programs are subject to a mandatory minimum enrollment number in order for a program to make. A full refund will be provided if a program is canceled by FWCD due to the mandatory minimum enrollment not being reached.
    • Programs are subject to change.
    • Tuition assistance is not available for SOAR Enrichment Programs.
    • Enrollment closes 24 hours before the start of each program. 
    • Enrollments processed less than 24 hours before the start of a program are subject to a $50 late enrollment fee. 

Extended Care

Grades JK - 4

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  • Full-Year Enrollment (Grades JK - 4): $2,995

    • Average price-per-day: $17.11
    • 3:10 to 6 p.m., every school day (expanded hours on early dismissal days*)
    • Each full-year enrollment includes a personalized 10% discount code that can be applied to SOAR
    • SOAR Enrichment Program tuition throughout the 2021-22 academic year.
    • Includes daily snack served at 4 p.m.

  • Single-Day/Drop-In Enrollment (Grades JK - 4): $25

    • 3:10 to 6 p.m., every school day (expanded hours on early dismissal days*)
    • Includes daily snack served at 4 p.m.
*SOAR Extended Care is on Lower School early dismissal days from the time of dismissal until 6 p.m. Please note, SOAR Extended Care is not available on the first day of school (August 23), and is not available for JK and kindergarten students on early dismissal days from August 23 through September 8.

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Program Descriptions

Junior Kindergarten-Fourth Grade

Starting at 3:10 p.m. every school day, students in junior kindergarten through fourth grade who are enrolled in SOAR are taken to the SOAR Creative Space in the Lower School Atrium to check-in. From there, participants can spend their time in the SOAR Creative Space (engaging in open or guided arts and crafts activities), the SOAR Study Space (a quiet zone dedicated to reading and homework) or the SOAR Play Space (featuring free-play and structured games at the Lower School Playground). SOAR Extended Care participants will receive a daily snack at 4 p.m. Parents and registered guardians can pick up their SOAR participants any time between 3:10 and 6 p.m. by checking them out via a designated SOAR staff member at the Lower School Atrium.
 
SOAR Extended Care is on Lower School early dismissal days from the time of dismissal until 6 p.m.*
 
*Please note, SOAR Extended Care is not available on the first day of school (August 23), and is not available for JK and kindergarten students on early dismissal days from August 23 through September 8.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Terms and Conditions

  • The SOAR Extended Care program is available to all Fort Worth Country Day students in junior kindergarten through fourth grade from normal dismissal until 6 p.m.
  • Students in grades JK-4 who are not picked up by 4 p.m. will automatically be brought to SOAR Extended Care and charged at the Single-Day/Drop-In rate.
  • All fees will be applied to student accounts. Bills are assessed on the first of each month, and payments are due on the 20th of the month.
  • If a family is late on payments, the child(ren) will not be allowed to participate in the SOAR Extended Care program until the account is paid in full.
  • Parents must park and escort their child(ren) out of the building after signing them out with SOAR personnel in the afternoon.
  • Parents must sign their children out at the end of the day, indicating the time and their signature.
  • A photo ID may be required at times by SOAR personnel for student dismissal.
  • Children will only be released to those listed on the authorized grown-up list for that student.
  • Late pick-up fees are applied at the rate of $2 per minute after 6 pm.
  • Parents late picking up their child(ren) more than three times during one month may be terminated from the SOAR program.
  • The SOAR Extended Care contract covers the entire academic year.
  • There is no discount, refund, or other allowance due to absence or illness.
  • Enrollment rates are fixed and do not vary based on the number of hours a student is present for SOAR Extended Care.
  • Single-day enrollment fees cannot be applied toward the purchase of a full-year enrollment plan.

Contact Us

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  • Photo of Michael Carmody

    Michael Carmody 

    Director of Auxiliary Programs
    817.302.3271
    The Wright Institute - Psy.D.
    The Wright Institute - M.A.
    Washington University in St. Louis - B.A.
4200 Country Day Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76109
Phone: 817.732.7718
Fort Worth Country Day (FWCD) is a JK-12 private, independent, coeducational, nondenominational college-preparatory school located on approximately 100 acres in Fort Worth, Texas. The mission of Fort Worth Country Day School is to foster the intellectual, physical, emotional, and ethical development of capable students through an academically rigorous college preparatory program that integrates the arts and athletics.

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  • Website Accessibility Statement

    Fort Worth Country Day is committed to understanding and respecting differences. To further support that initiative, FWCD is focused on making the information on our website accessible to all students, parents, and other members of the community. Achieving our goal of making the FWCD website fully accessible requires auditing numerous sections and correcting elements with minimal disruption for daily users.

    We appreciate your patience as we transition our content to a format that more closely adheres to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Additionally, some pages of the FWCD website may contain links to third-party sites that do not comply with accessibility standards and not within the range of the School’s control.

    For questions about the FWCD website, please contact Digital Media and Content Manager, Reggie Johnson at reggie.johnson@fwcd.com.

    Learn more about Fort Worth Country Day’s Mission, Philosophy, Core Values and Commitment to Inclusivity at fwcd.org/mission.