Art Buddies: Do you want to create an exciting costume with your own professional artist? The popular Art Buddies program is moving to the ASAP. The mission of Art Buddies is to help kids from low-income families by pairing each child with a professional artist. Students will spend five weeks working on their academic skills before spending five weeks working one-on-one with their creative mentor to discover their creative gifts, come to believe in themselves and to dream big dreams. At the end, you will show off your creation in a colorful parade. More detailed participation information will follow. 3rd grade.

Camp fire Club: Camp Fire USA has been going strong for almost a century and now they are teaming up with Whittier CE to offer our students fun youth programs to develop the skills and attitudes necessary for becoming caring, confident, and a future leader. Not only that but it is lots of fun. Camp Fire Club will meet weekly all year at school and offer opportunities for camping at Camp Fire’s area campgrounds, too. And it’s fun. 1st and 2nd grades.

Crafty Kids: We will have fun making a lot of different craft projects, including collages, puppet making, painting and we will move around and play some games, too!! We’ll learn vocabulary specific to art and come home with ideas for more projects. 1st, and 2nd grades. Thursdays with Wendy Darst.

Dance, turn, Hop, Learn: Who says you have to sit still to learn? We will do lots of fun and engaging movement activities as we tell stories, practice our math skills and have fun with our friends. 1st and 2nd grades. Tuesdays with Amanda Hane. ?

Designer Plates: We will take ordinary plates, cups and saucers and turn them into something special. Our student artists will develop skills in design and collaboration as they create very personal place settings that they will want to eat on for years to come. 4th and 5th grades. Wednesdays with professional artist Dee Henry Williams.

Family History Mystery: Students will explore their own family’s history through photography, writing, storytelling and presentations. Students will produce keepsakes to share with their family and friends. 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Mondays with Joshua Cook.

Great Civilizations: Learn about the beginnings of writing and math and some of the Great Civilizations of the past all while practicing reading, writing and math and making cool art displays. 1st and 2nd grades on Thursdays; 3rd, 4th and 5th grades on Mondays. Both with Maria Singh.

Hip HOp Dance: Dance, move and have fun learning Hip Hop moves from a professional dancer. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Thursdays with Edna Stevens Talton.

JumpStart PM: All the fun and learning of our very popular morning JumpStart program, now available in the convenient afternoon time. 1st, and 2nd grades on Mondays and Wednesdays; 3rd, 4th and 5th grades on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All with Joe Wallraf. Sign up for one day or two. ?

Language of Art: We will explore the world of art as we create stories and learn about our world. Be prepared for a fun, creative and messy time. 4th and 5th grades. Mondays with Amanda Hane. ?

Latin Dance: Latin Dance is a wonderful way to expose our youth to cultural diversity. This class will focus on the basic steps in salsa/mambo, cha cha, merengue and rhumba. Students will learn how to single and partner dance with emphasis on proper hand positions. This class is a fun way to enrich the kids’ knowledge through creative arts. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Mondays with Edna Stevens Talton.

Recipe for Reading: We will practice our reading by playing reading games and by cooking up delicious snacks. We’ll learn “good reader” strategies and have fun creating a variety of projects and keeping a reading journal. 1st and 2nd grades. Thursdays with Sandi Sevre. ?

Science LabRats: Do you want to know more about chemistry, biology and physics? If so, this class is for you! Each week we will conduct and observe cool science experiments. Students should be prepared to have fun and be amazed! 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades on Mondays with Marija Nicholson; 3rd, 4th and 5th grades on Wednesdays with Wendy Darst. ?

Soccer Fundamentals: Come and get your kicks while you learn the rules and the skills needed to play soccer. Soccer is simple, easy and anyone can do it. 4th and 5th grades on Tuesdays, 1st and 2nd grades on Wednesdays. Both with Peter Yamashiro.

Somali Club: We will learn about Somali and other African cultures through dance, art, reading and food. We will also make sure that our homework is finished and we will practice our reading, math and writing. This class is for recent immigrants from Africa and those who want to learn more about African cultures. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Mondays with Warsame Warsame and Sandi Sevre; Wednesdays with Warsame Warsame. Students should sign up for both days. ?

Student Leadership: Our Student Leadership class, a part of the district’s Everyday Leaders initiative, offers leadership training and service opportunities to students at Whittier International. Student Leaders will work on personal development and community service. 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Tuesdays and Thursdays with John Zimmerman. Students may sign up for one day or two.

Fall Visual Arts: Develop your artistic side while creating really cool pieces of art that you will be able to see with your eyes. 1st and 2nd grades on Tuesdays; 3rd, 4th and 5th grades on Thursdays. Both with Pearl Madryga.

Whittier Survivor: Learn some of the skills you would need to survive in the wilderness. Learn to read maps and compasses, identify wildlife and plants and much more while having fun with your friends. 4th and 5th grades. Wednesdays with Jessica Kitzman.