Extracurricular

St. Cyril School offers 6th, 7th and 8th graders an opportunity to participate in an after-school Mock Trial Program and then compete in a state-wide mock trial competition. Mock Trial practices are after school twice a week, presented in a “workshop” setting where students learn the skill of public speaking, critical thinking and analysis, and fundamentals of the criminal justice system. Two very experienced trial lawyers – parents of former St. Cyril students – run the Mock Trial Program. Rather than lecture, they create an interactive setting in which the students are focused to “learn by doing” through brainstorming, thinking on their feet and then getting up and presenting, which is followed by constructive comments and encouragement. This method of instruction instills confidence in students’ abilities, strips away fear of speaking in front of a crowd, teaches students how to collaborate with each other and how to engage in meaningful civil discourse while learning about the law and constitutional rights. The goal for the students: to be a better public speaker, learn to think on your feet, and learn about your constitutional rights and how the legal system works.

The Academic Junior High Decathlon is an academic competition designed for Catholic students in grades 6-8. Ten total events take place within the one-day competition. Two of the events are collaborative. Team efforts include the 8,000 points Logic Quiz and the 8,000 points Super Quiz. The other eight events are individual events that are each worth 1,000 points including Religion, English and Spelling, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current Events, Social Studies, and Fine Arts (Art and or Music). The ten members of the team work together on both the Logic Quiz and the Super Quiz. Eight team members also take individual tests and two team members selected as the Members at Large compete in the team events only. Participants in the program including parents, siblings, coaches, and team members often remark that this experience not only celebrates Catholic education, but it is also life changing. This program is also one that the more a person puts into it, the more they get out of the program.

Since 2015, St. Cyril has offered an exciting, unforgettable, week-long East Coast trip to our junior high students through Academic Expeditions. The trip itineraries alternate every other year. The first including historical sites in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, the other with a focus on New York and Boston. With the assistance of a licensed tour guide from AE, students can experience the history of America’s founding fathers, walk up Capital Hill, visit museums, government buildings, and step into the political capital of the USA during their Washington D.C. and Philadelphia trip. The following year, students journey from early English colonial beginnings in New England to the struggle for independence in Boston as they walk the Freedom Trail, and they journey through the age of immigration and innovation on their New York and Boston trip. These trips bring learning to life, and they are among St. Cyril’s most memorable experiences for students.

A sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline and initiative – these are the long lasting benefits of Outdoor School! Learning outdoors supports a child’s emotional, behavioral and intellectual development is ways that might be limited in a traditional classroom setting.

Outdoor school is designed for 5th & 6th grade students to experience hands-on Outdoor Science School at the beautiful and remote Brandeis Camp in California’s Simi Valley. Students will experience personal and cooperative challenges while building lasting friendships and life skills in the great outdoors.

Highlights include:

• Backcountry Adventure & Outdoor Survival Skills: shelters, navigation, knot tying, fire building
• Cooperative Challenges
• Nature Art
• Ropes Course
• Archery
• Team Building Games
• Sunrise and Night Hikes
• Campfires
• Theme Night Dinners

St. Cyril of Jerusalem After School Theater Enrichment Program is led by stage and screen veterans Palmer Davis and Christie Cox. Our mission is to nurture the creative child through singing, dancing, improvisation and theater. We provide a structured environment for the child to freely express themselves and interpret the arts. Putting on a show takes teamwork. From the ensemble to stage manager to leading characters, everyone is equally important! We welcome your child into our magical theater community!

With over 16 years of teaching experience, Andrew has learned the most effective ways to help each drum student reach their goals. Every lesson is customized to keep the student engaged and motivated to work hard to grow as a musician. Andrew focuses on the fundamentals to aid in learning anything from rock and pop music to complex jazz tunes. He is currently offering lessons at St Cyril after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as in-home lessons.

Chess Wizards – one of the nation’s premier chess education companies. Our interactive, discovery-based curriculum inspires students to think ahead, visualize their goals, treat others with respect, and learn from mistakes. Our classes are geared to suit children of all skill levels; from chessling to checkmate artist, students will build upon their knowledge through lessons, tournaments, variation games, and more! More than just a game of winning and losing, we make learning chess fun! Should you have any questions feel free to contact our Program Director, Henry Ruiz, at office@chesswizards.com or 866-949-4386.

Youth Fencing is built on the principle of “fundamentals first.” Open to students of all skill levels (especially beginners!), this program is focused on cultivating athleticism, teaching the rules of fencing, and empowering students in their own abilities. Students will develop their footwork, blade work and other techniques while cultivating a knowledge of the sport, connecting with their peers, and growing in self-confidence. Students who participated in previous sessions will continue to build on the knowledge they have learned thus far learning more about in-depth strategy and tactics that they can implement on the fencing strip! Join and start your sword fighting journey today!

The After School Program is held every Tuesday from 3:00 – 4:30 in the Art Room. Mixed Media classes are  offered to grades 4 – 8 and Acrylic Painting on canvas is available for grades 6 – 8. Sign-ups are for 8 weeks at a time, all materials are provided. The fee is $175. Students may join at any time, with a week’s notice, as this is an ongoing class all year. Class size is limited. For more information, leave a contact number for Patti at – pakesson@stcyril.net and I will return your call.

Knitting is a wonderful hobby for children. It’s calm and meditative which results in less stress and anxiety. It strengthens math and fine motor skills, and is a beautiful form of creative expression. Knitting also gives kids something fun to do besides social media and electronics. It’s also a portable craft that they can bring along in the car or to a friend’s house. The benefits of knitting are bountiful, so join Mrs. Collins for a super fun and supportive class to learn how.

Can you say win win?! MathCraft is the course where both parents and students truly win as parents get to watch their students thrilled to do math! This course is a must for any parents who want their kids to enjoy math more and learn math more deeply. Students actually build math problems inside the game of Minecraft, and solve them using our one-of-a-kind, amazing MathCraft program. Students have a blast building and exploring adventures inside of our unique Minecraft world, such as Captain’s Castle. CodeREV is currently training teachers across America in this program, and even presenting this ground breaking class at conferences such as the renowned ISTE EdTech conference this summer! Math content is scaffolded so students work with grade level relevant math to match age and ability.

Shake up a flask of fun in the lab as a junior chemist! These chemistry classes
are packed solid with cool reactions and tiny atoms! Slide down the pH scale and dip into the world of acids and bases. Put on some goggles and change liquids to solids and back again. Handle laboratory tools, build and break molecules, and pick up some tricks on chemical changes. Ooze into a gooey hour of slime and enter your Slime recipe into the Slime Olympics!

Children learn ballet, jazz, and hip hop basics in a fun and nurturing environment. Children engage in simple stretching, skilled exercises, and listen/learning activities. They also have the opportunity to use their own creativity and immigration through dance story-telling. The class is fun for boys and girls! Ballet shoes required.

We are excited to announce that Galileo Summer Camps will be returning to St. Cyril School this upcoming summer. Galileo’s mission “to develop innovators who envision and create a better world” is a strong match with our school’s values and builds on and extends the deliberate work that takes place in our classrooms throughout the year. We are thrilled to share our campus with Galileo for a fun summer experience.

Galileo’s award-winning camps engage kids with the perfect mix of hands-on learning and unforgettable fun. Their engaging art, science, and outdoor challenges deliver the innovation-igniting experiences that kids love. Let’s experience “Innovation, Friendship, and Fun” this summer with Camp Galileo from June 19 to August 4. Enrollment is now open. Click here to learn more about their exciting challenges, projects, promotions, and more!