Mt. Washington Elementary School Programs
After School Activities STAR Nova After-School Enrichment Classes: STAR Education offers fun, engaging after-school enrichment programs on the Mt. Washington campus. There are classes for students of all ages, kindergarten through 6th grade. Kids can choose from gourmet cooking, hip-hop dance, music appreciation, fitness, chess and much more. Prices are reasonable and partial scholarships are available. You do not have to be enrolled in STAR's childcare program to take part in these classes; enrollment is open to all students. Need more info? Feel free to contact the STAR Director, Carolyn McKay, at 323-223-2714 or carolynm@starinc.org.
Throughout the year, the chorus has performances. The major ones are for the Winter Holiday, The Easter Egg Hunt at the Self Realization Fellowship here on the hill and a final production at the end of the year.
The chorus has produced 4 CDs and in May of 2008 they produced their very first DVD of our original adaptation of the Broadway version of "Peter Pan." The musical "Peter Pan at Camp Mt. Washington" was a success, thanks in large part to the many parents that came forward and helped.
The chorus is co-run by Lia Hayes and Mary Gaillard. Lia, who has also been a piano teacher for the last 20 years, is primarily responsible for choosing the repertoire and conducting. Mary, a professional musician and songwriter, is the pianist and the business manager. Both women have been running chorus at Mt. Washington for over 15 years.
Hands-On Science: "Patrick the Science Guy" offers students interactive, engaging science experiences at his wildly popular Wednesday afternoon sessions. Participants become geologists sifting for gemstones, chemists working with real chemicals, biologists handling real kidneys, and much more!
Performances / Special Events
Programs with an asterisks ( * ) are dependant on volunteer availability, so stay tuned for more info!
Kaiser Permanente Healthy Lifestyles Play: From Nutrition to Exercise, Kaiser Permanente takes important lessons for our children and turns them into fun plays that educate! "There has been a mysterious outbreak of unhealthy habits hitting too many boys and girls. If we don't solve these cases, and fast, kids might not make the right food and exercise choices as they grow, and that could be trouble!"
Flu Busters: National PTA and Flu Busters have joined together to fight the spread of influenza through a program designed to educate, motivate and vaccinate - children, families, school staff and other members of the community. This fall, we will host a clinic offering flu vaccinations, including a preservative-free option, on the school site.
* We Tell Stories: This multi-ethnic community of artists educates young audience by reconnecting them with the ancient powers and wisdom of storytelling and theater. WTS performances blend storytelling and audience participatory theater to bring world folklore, fairy tales, literature, legends and mythology to joyful life.
Other Programs
Programs with an asterisks ( * ) are dependant on volunteer availability, so stay tuned for more info!
Pancake Breakfast: We kick off the school year with our annual Pancake Breakfast, which welcomes students and their families back to Mt. Washington. Entertainment includes live music, face-painting, and all the tasty flapjacks you care to eat.Scholastic Book Fair: Scholastic Book Fairs are fun-filled events that feature hundreds of carefully selected titles for children, parents and teachers. Students choose from the newest books and exclusive titles from leading authors, fun and educational products, and unique gift selections - all hand-selected by book experts.
Valentine's Day Dance: We celebrate Valentine's Day on the dance floor! Last year's inaugural V-Day dance was a huge success, and this year the whole family is invited to groove together again.
Snack Shack: As soon as the school bell rings, hungry kids flock to the Snack Shack to choose from tasty offerings like fruit snacks, Corn Nuts and frozen lemonade.
Movie Nights: Make Friday night movie night! Bring the kids back to school for some pizza, snacks and a family friendly movie. A few nights a year we turn the Jack and Denny Smith Center into a theater for the evening for an easy and affordable "night out" with the family.
Spaghetti Dinner / Talent Show: While our talented students entertain us with performances ranging from expert hula-hooping to beatboxing, we enjoy steaming plates of pasta & garlic bread.
Yearbook: With its colorful, photo-filled pages, the Mt. Washington yearbook provides students with a fun souvenir of their busy school year.
Kindergarten Orientation: Incoming kindergartners and their parents gather the week before school starts in our kindergarten play yard to meet fellow Mt. Washington families and get answers to their questions about their child's new school.
Reflections: The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education. Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme. Click here for more information.
