After School Program
Shawn Desmond | Extended Learning Coordinator | 704.864.7744 ext. 122
The Gaston Day After School Program offers a safe nurturing environment for students PS-8th grade. Click here to register.
The weekly fee is $90 and you will be billed monthly by the Finance Office.
This year we will resume our drop-in service which will allow students to attend After School care on an as-needed basis. The drop-in fee is $30 per day and will be billed monthly by the Finance Office.
Students must be picked up no later than 5:30pm from the carpool line at the front of the school. If a student is picked up after 5:30pm, the cost is $10.00 for the first 5 minutes and $5.00 for each five-minute increment thereafter per child. This amount will be billed through the Finance Office in addition to your weekly/drop-in charge.
The weekly fee is $50 and you will be billed monthly by the Finance Office.
This year we will continue our drop-in service which will allow students to attend After School care on an as-needed basis. The drop-in fee is $14 per day and will be billed monthly by the Finance Office. These fees will help to cover activity materials and snacks for students. Students who are waiting on music lessons or afternoon practice may work on homework at no charge.
Students must be picked up no later than 5:30pm from the carpool line at the front of the school. If a student is picked up after 5:30pm, the cost is $10.00 for the first 5 minutes and $5.00 for each five-minute increment thereafter per child. This amount will be billed through the Finance Office in addition to your weekly/drop-in charge.
After School Daily Schedule Outline:
3:15-4:00: Relax/Choice Time
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This time will be reserved for students to get their energy out after a long school day. During this time they can socialize with peers, relax, play on the playground, enjoy a game of gaga ball, and unwind for a bit before settling down for homework time. Students who choose to get a head start on homework during this time are welcome to do so!
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Students who bring their own snack, or an additional snack, are welcome to eat it during this time.
4:00-4:25: Snack/Homework Time
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Students are split by grade level for snack/homework time. Our preschool-kindergarten students will be enjoying a read-aloud story and their snack in one location while the first-fourth graders work on homework while eating snacks in another room.
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Snacks are typically passed out around 4:15 to give students enough time to wash hands, get water, and settle down.
4:25-4:55: Whole Group Activity
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Whole group activities can include games, maker spaces, and STEAM challenges that require students to work together. These activities reinforce critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
4:55-5:30: Choice Time
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Choice time allows students another opportunity to socialize and think creatively with their peers. Students typically get to choose to go outside or to play inside.
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Technology is not an option during this time, with the exception of Fridays. Friday we will have “tech-day” and students may use their Chromebooks/tablets during choice time.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
We will be offering After School Enrichment/Club opportunities this school year as well as many enrichment activities woven into our daily After School Program!
There is no charge to sign your child up and registration only takes 5 minutes or less. Click here to register.
Registration Fee: $165
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: PK-2nd
Time: Wednesday 3:30-4:30 | 8 Sessions
Dates: Jan. 4, 11 | Feb. 1, 8, 15 | Mar. 1, 8, 22
About the Program:
Paint IT! By Lisa is taught by Lisa Yarwasky. Lisa will provide step by step instructions as you learn the art of acrylic painting and create your own masterpiece! Painting helps foster creativity, strengthen memory, build problem solving skills, promote positive attitude, and nurtures emotional growth.
About the Instructor:
A message from instructor, Lisa Yarwasky: I love all things art and LOVE to share it with children and adults of all ages. I believe there is creativity in each one and we should use our talents to help spread beauty not only outwardly, but inwardly. I have been a teacher, in and out of the classroom for over 15 years, and began my art business 4 years ago. Since then, I have met so many incredible families and have been blessed to do what I truly love. I am from West Virginia, and moved to Waxhaw 16 years ago with my 2 children and husband. Those that know me best would also call me a nature-nut. It’s all ART!
Additional Information:
Click here to view the flyer!
Registration Fee: $ 180
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: PS – PK
Time: Mondays 2:00-3:00 | 6 Sessions
Dates: Jan. 9, 23, 30 | Feb. 6, 27 | Mar. 6
About the Program:
What is one factor that is most lacking in the daily routine of today’s children? Nature. Nature is a driving force for holistic development, as it offers an immersive experience that calms the regulatory centers of the brain and challenges the whole body in physical movement. Due to changes over time in the way we prioritize our time, increasing screentime, and environmental safety, children are being exposed less and less to nature. Currently, the average American child spends between 6-8 hours per day on screens and only 4-7 minutes per day engaged in unstructured outdoor play. Experts recommend a minimum of 2 hours per day of outdoor play to promote healthy brain and body development. There are countless benefits to engagement in nature when strategically utilized including: modulating the sensory systems, improving body strength and coordination, increasing attention span and alertness, expanding cognitive skills, eliciting imaginary play schemes, promoting emotion regulation, and supporting better communication with others.
Schedule Outline:
10 minutes: gathering and snack time
10 minutes: connection circle
20 minutes: Structured therapy activity
20 minutes: Supported Play
Example Activities:
Natural Obstacle courses
Targeting motor planning, body coordination, and sensory processing
Constructing birdseed birdhouses
Targeting tactile sensory processing, bilateral coordination, fine motor control
Downhill bowling
Targeting communication, problem-solving, and visual-motor integration
Fort building
Targeting cooperative play, coordination, and problem-solving
Giant Rope Spider Web
Targeting communication, motor planning, balance, and coordination
Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice
Sensory processing, bilateral coordination, upper-extremity strengthening
About the Instructor:
Shannon Joyce is a licensed occupational therapist with T.O.T.S. who has a passion for integrating skilled therapy into the natural outdoor environment to provide the best outcomes for growing kids. Guided by Laura Park Figueroa’s ConTiGO Approach, she aims to provide occupational therapy interventions in a small group setting outdoors to promote cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills in kids.
Registration Fee: $ 210
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: PS – PK
Time: Mondays 2:00-3:00 | 7 Sessions
Dates: Mar. 27 | Apr. 3, 17, 24 | May 1, 8, 15
About the Program:
What is one factor that is most lacking in the daily routine of today’s children? Nature. Nature is a driving force for holistic development, as it offers an immersive experience that calms the regulatory centers of the brain and challenges the whole body in physical movement. Due to changes over time in the way we prioritize our time, increasing screentime, and environmental safety, children are being exposed less and less to nature. Currently, the average American child spends between 6-8 hours per day on screens and only 4-7 minutes per day engaged in unstructured outdoor play. Experts recommend a minimum of 2 hours per day of outdoor play to promote healthy brain and body development. There are countless benefits to engagement in nature when strategically utilized including: modulating the sensory systems, improving body strength and coordination, increasing attention span and alertness, expanding cognitive skills, eliciting imaginary play schemes, promoting emotion regulation, and supporting better communication with others.
Schedule Outline:
10 minutes: gathering and snack time
10 minutes: connection circle
20 minutes: Structured therapy activity
20 minutes: Supported Play
Example Activities:
Natural Obstacle courses
Targeting motor planning, body coordination, and sensory processing
Constructing birdseed birdhouses
Targeting tactile sensory processing, bilateral coordination, fine motor control
Downhill bowling
Targeting communication, problem-solving, and visual-motor integration
Fort building
Targeting cooperative play, coordination, and problem-solving
Giant Rope Spider Web
Targeting communication, motor planning, balance, and coordination
Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice
Sensory processing, bilateral coordination, upper-extremity strengthening
About the Instructor:
Shannon Joyce is a licensed occupational therapist with T.O.T.S. who has a passion for integrating skilled therapy into the natural outdoor environment to provide the best outcomes for growing kids. Guided by Laura Park Figueroa’s ConTiGO Approach, she aims to provide occupational therapy interventions in a small group setting outdoors to promote cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills in kids.
Registration Fee: $ 180
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: K – 2nd
Time: Mondays 3:30-4:30 | 6 Sessions
Dates: Jan. 9, 23, 30 | Feb. 6, 27 | Mar. 6
About the Program:
What is one factor that is most lacking in the daily routine of today’s children? Nature. Nature is a driving force for holistic development, as it offers an immersive experience that calms the regulatory centers of the brain and challenges the whole body in physical movement. Due to changes over time in the way we prioritize our time, increasing screentime, and environmental safety, children are being exposed less and less to nature. Currently, the average American child spends between 6-8 hours per day on screens and only 4-7 minutes per day engaged in unstructured outdoor play. Experts recommend a minimum of 2 hours per day of outdoor play to promote healthy brain and body development. There are countless benefits to engagement in nature when strategically utilized including: modulating the sensory systems, improving body strength and coordination, increasing attention span and alertness, expanding cognitive skills, eliciting imaginary play schemes, promoting emotion regulation, and supporting better communication with others.
Schedule Outline:
10 minutes: gathering and snack time
10 minutes: connection circle
20 minutes: Structured therapy activity
20 minutes: Supported Play
Example Activities:
Natural Obstacle courses
Targeting motor planning, body coordination, and sensory processing
Constructing birdseed birdhouses
Targeting tactile sensory processing, bilateral coordination, fine motor control
Downhill bowling
Targeting communication, problem-solving, and visual-motor integration
Fort building
Targeting cooperative play, coordination, and problem-solving
Giant Rope Spider Web
Targeting communication, motor planning, balance, and coordination
Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice
Sensory processing, bilateral coordination, upper-extremity strengthening
About the Instructor:
Shannon Joyce is a licensed occupational therapist with T.O.T.S. who has a passion for integrating skilled therapy into the natural outdoor environment to provide the best outcomes for growing kids. Guided by Laura Park Figueroa’s ConTiGO Approach, she aims to provide occupational therapy interventions in a small group setting outdoors to promote cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills in kids.
Registration Fee: $ 210
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: K – 2nd
Time: Mondays 3:30-4:30 | 7 Sessions
Dates: Mar. 27 | Apr. 3, 17, 24 | May 1, 8, 15
About the Program:
What is one factor that is most lacking in the daily routine of today’s children? Nature. Nature is a driving force for holistic development, as it offers an immersive experience that calms the regulatory centers of the brain and challenges the whole body in physical movement. Due to changes over time in the way we prioritize our time, increasing screentime, and environmental safety, children are being exposed less and less to nature. Currently, the average American child spends between 6-8 hours per day on screens and only 4-7 minutes per day engaged in unstructured outdoor play. Experts recommend a minimum of 2 hours per day of outdoor play to promote healthy brain and body development. There are countless benefits to engagement in nature when strategically utilized including: modulating the sensory systems, improving body strength and coordination, increasing attention span and alertness, expanding cognitive skills, eliciting imaginary play schemes, promoting emotion regulation, and supporting better communication with others.
Schedule Outline:
10 minutes: gathering and snack time
10 minutes: connection circle
20 minutes: Structured therapy activity
20 minutes: Supported Play
Example Activities:
Natural Obstacle courses
Targeting motor planning, body coordination, and sensory processing
Constructing birdseed birdhouses
Targeting tactile sensory processing, bilateral coordination, fine motor control
Downhill bowling
Targeting communication, problem-solving, and visual-motor integration
Fort building
Targeting cooperative play, coordination, and problem-solving
Giant Rope Spider Web
Targeting communication, motor planning, balance, and coordination
Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice
Sensory processing, bilateral coordination, upper-extremity strengthening
About the Instructor:
Shannon Joyce is a licensed occupational therapist with T.O.T.S. who has a passion for integrating skilled therapy into the natural outdoor environment to provide the best outcomes for growing kids. Guided by Laura Park Figueroa’s ConTiGO Approach, she aims to provide occupational therapy interventions in a small group setting outdoors to promote cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills in kids.
Registration Fee: $160
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: 2nd – 8th
Time: Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 | 10 Sessions
Dates: Jan. 18, 25 | Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 | Mar. 1, 8, 22, 29
About the Program:
Research shows that chess can improve academic performance and critical thinking skills. Chess teaches discipline, increases self-confidence, improves decision making abilities, and enhances organizational skills. Chess Club is for all levels of chess players. Players are divided by age and ability.
About the Instructor:
Spencer Singleton is a retired teacher from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. He has been a chess instructor for 29 years and has helped hundreds of young people learn to play this wonderful game. Spencer was introduced to chess in 1972 while attending UNC Charlotte, the same year that Bobby Fischer become World Chess Champion. He fell in love with the game and has been playing ever since. In addition to teaching chess, Spencer has coached Middle and High School chess teams in multiple locations and brought many of his teams to local, state, and national championships.
Registration Fee: $215
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: PK – 4th | PK students would need a recommendation from their teacher.
Time: Thursdays 3:45-4:45 | 12 Sessions
Dates: Jan 19, 26 | Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 | Mar. 2, 9, 23, 30 | Apr. 6 | Performance Day: April 13th
About the Program:
After a long school day, students are ready to unwind and move. With the After School Enrichment Program of Leaps ‘N’ Bounds Dance Kidz, their learning will continue as they leap into a world of movement, dance, fitness and cheer. Our program provides students in Kindergarten- 4th grade, a fun-filled, age-appropriate and challenging experience while maintaining a well-structured and nurturing environment for its participants.
About the Instructor:
Candra Davis is the Founder/Program director for Leaps ‘N’ Bounds Dance. She has been a dance educator for over 20 years and has over 40 years of dance training. In addition, Candra owned a Dance business for 17 years in the Charlotte area and has had the pleasure of impacting the lives of many youth through the art of dance, fitness and cheer.
Registration Fee: $150
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: K – 8th
Time: Monday and Wednesday 3:30-5:00 | 8 Sessions
Dates: Feb. 6, 8, 13, 15, 27 | Mar. 1, 6, 8
About the Program:
This is the ideal activity for the future Tennis Player of Gaston Day! Learn the in’s and out’s of tennis with Hank and Sharon Avants. Develop your tennis skills with different drills and games while also working on your coordination, self-confidence, and problem solving skills.
About the Instructors:
Hank and Sharon Avants met while playing tennis when they were 12 years old. They have now been married for 40 years with 1 daughter, Cory Ann, who played tennis professionally and now owns her own tennis facility in Charlotte. Hank and Sharon have enjoyed Gastonia for over 35 years and love making the players of yesterday, today and tomorrow! They have placed over 200 students into College Scholarship opportunities and many more that played Club Tennis. Both are USPTA Certified teaching professionals, USTA High Performance Coaches and love teaching tennis at all levels.
Registration Fee: $150
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: K – 8th
Time: Monday and Wednesday 3:30-5:00 | 8 Sessions
Dates: Mar. 22, 27, 29 | Apr. 3, 17, 19, 24, 26
About the Program:
This is the ideal activity for the future Tennis Player of Gaston Day! Learn the in’s and out’s of tennis with Hank and Sharon Avants. Develop your tennis skills with different drills and games while also working on your coordination, self-confidence, and problem solving skills.
About the Instructors:
Hank and Sharon Avants met while playing tennis when they were 12 years old. They have now been married for 40 years with 1 daughter, Cory Ann, who played tennis professionally and now owns her own tennis facility in Charlotte. Hank and Sharon have enjoyed Gastonia for over 35 years and love making the players of yesterday, today and tomorrow! They have placed over 200 students into College Scholarship opportunities and many more that played Club Tennis. Both are USPTA Certified teaching professionals, USTA High Performance Coaches and love teaching tennis at all levels.
Registration Fee: $90
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: K – 8th
Time: Monday and Wednesday 3:30-5:00 | 4 Sessions
Dates: May 1, 3, 8, 10
About the Program:
This is the ideal activity for the future Tennis Player of Gaston Day! Learn the in’s and out’s of tennis with Hank and Sharon Avants. Develop your tennis skills with different drills and games while also working on your coordination, self-confidence, and problem solving skills.
About the Instructors:
Hank and Sharon Avants met while playing tennis when they were 12 years old. They have now been married for 40 years with 1 daughter, Cory Ann, who played tennis professionally and now owns her own tennis facility in Charlotte. Hank and Sharon have enjoyed Gastonia for over 35 years and love making the players of yesterday, today and tomorrow! They have placed over 200 students into College Scholarship opportunities and many more that played Club Tennis. Both are USPTA Certified teaching professionals, USTA High Performance Coaches and love teaching tennis at all levels.
Registration Fee: $150
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: K – 5th
Time: Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:30 | 6 Sessions
Dates: Mar. 21, 28 | Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25
About the Program:
Come train to become the next GDS Basketball star with this program led by Coach Jordan Paris. Go over technique, rules of the game, and build your skills with this six week program held in the Gaston Day gym.
About the Instructor:
Meet Jordan Paris, Owner of Hoop Dreams Training Academy. Jordan was part of a high school national championship team and named all tournament team national tournament. He is a former college basketball player and is currently a high school coach at Gaston Day and skills trainer to all levels from grassroots to professional as well as a Nike Basketball Camp Director. Jordan has currently trained over 30,000 players and has done camps and clinics in 7 different states with some of the world’s top trainers.
www.hoopdreamstraining.com
IG: hoop_dreams_basketball
Registration Fee: $150
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: 2nd – 4th
Time: Thursdays 3:30-4:30 | 6 Sessions
Dates: Mar. 23, 30 | Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27
About the Program:
Are you ready to start training to become the next GDS volleyball star? The fundamentals of the game will be taught through kid-friendly drills and exercises that focus on passing, setting, hitting, and serving. This enrichment is designed for students interested in the game of volleyball and will incorporate essential life-lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship.
About the Instructor:
A message from the coach: My name is Alison Morgan and I am the head coach of the GDS middle school volleyball team as well as a 4th grade teacher here at Gaston Day. I am excited to take the energy and excitement of this great team sport and put it all together into one fun-filled enrichment opportunity for our lower school students.
Registration Fee: $155
Click Here to Register
Grade Level: K – 5th
Time: Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 | 8 Sessions
Dates: Mar. 22, 29 | Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26 | May 3, 10
About the Program:
During this 8 week program, students will learn and understand how to play a variety of sports and games! Not only will they develop skills necessary for playing each game, but they will also understand the rules as well as the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Some of the games, sports, and activities we will be completing over the course of 8 weeks include…
-Basketball
-Soccer
-Hockey
-Volleyball
-Bowling
-Cup Stacking
-Hand Ball
-Kickball
-Parachute
& SO MUCH MORE!!
About the Instructor:
A message from Ms. Crowley: My name is Miss Crowley and I am the lower school Physical Education teacher here at Gaston Day. This is my 3rd year teaching and my first year at GDS and I am so excited to have joined the GDS community! I am the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Program Head as well as the Middle School Boys’ Assistant Soccer Coach. I am eager and ready to share my knowledge and experience with each student throughout this program!
Next Steps
Get to Know Us.
Let us know you’re interested and we’ll send you everything you need to get started.
Schedule a Tour.
See the full campus, visit the classrooms, and meet the exceptional faculty and staff.
Apply for Admission.
Ready to enroll? Begin the admission process by submitting an online application form.