What's New in the After School Program? 
The total After School Program has grown to more than 500 students in the last couple of years. We are grateful to the parents who have supported the program by enrolling themselves and their children. Sports for third grade and younger have succeeded under the current umbrella because the two coordinators are experienced with working with the needs of young children. I have been grateful for the opportunity to watch my own students grow within the program because I have had the majority of these students personally in class over recent years. From kindergarten through Lower School we have invested our lives in these children. After School is not seeking larger numbers in enrollment growth, rather it is seeking to perfect the program that already exists and provide the best service possible to ASF families. It has something for everyone now and promises to do the same in the future.

Four new classes have been introduced in the After School Program! Yoga for kids and adults is a program that honors and respects the whole child. Using yoga as a springboard, it integrates storytelling, games, music and art in a non-competitive atmosphere. In this class kids engage in playful yoga poses, animated breathing exercises and peaceful relaxation activities. At the same time the children learn about anatomy, proper nutrition, ecology and life lessons that echo the yogic principles of interdependence. Adults also benefit from yoga as an antidote to our stress-filled, fast-paced world, leading on a path to a balanced, energized, focused, and carefree life.

Chess has become a very popular class. It is geared to Lower School, Middle School and Upper School students. It helps them focus, concentrate and play other games that aid them to recognize different strategies and find solutions. Our school is honored to have such a distinguished teacher as Mr. Alfonso Ferriz Salinas, from the National School of Chess in Mexico City, on our campus. Mr. Ferriz and Miss Solano, both assist and play with the students on Mondays from 3-5 p.m.

Jazz-dance classes for fifth- and sixth-grade girls began in September. More than forty girls are enrolled. They have demonstrated determination, commitment, discipline, enthusiasm, creativity, organizational skills, choreography, the love for dancing and are looking forward to participating in the famous Intercolegial de Mexico.

The After School program continues to offer a full range of traditional activities for children of all ages.

In the Arts, there are classes in ceramics, painting, photography and theater. There is also a children’s choir. Sports activities include gymnastics, swimming, kiddy scuba, tennis, tae bo, karate and jujutsu. Furthermore, in an effort to provide small children with the best opportunity and environment for team sports, the After School Program provides an Intramural League for soccer and basketball.
Supervised study, designed to help children organize work and build study habits, is available for Lower School students. For Grades six to twelve there are study halls for Middle School students (general and science) and for Upper School students (math and science). These are free of charge. Another course is available to Upper School seniors to help them prepare for entrance examinations to Mexican universities. It covers math, science and humanities, test-taking strategies, key terms and vocabulary, and more.

After School’s success is providing young children a safe, secure, developmentally appropriate environment for learning and growth, essentially risk free. This setting is the springboard for the Athletic Department in the future. It has been my goal to provide the richest experiences possible for them.

For further information about the After School Program, call the After School Office at 5227-4934 from 7:45 a.m. to 6:10 p.m.

Miss Lupita Mtz. De Escobar Simon
After School Coordinator