Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Balkan Dance
Grades:6-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Vera Dragicevich
Folk Dances from Southeastern Europe
Now is your chance to try the art of folk dance! Experience being part of a line and group dance from the Balkans, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia while learning FUN steps to exciting, poly-rhythmic, vibrant music.
You don't need any special equipment other than comfortable clothes and shoes. Dance shoes (like hip hop sneakers) are preferable but any shoe other than ballet or ballet flats will work. Please bring water and a small towel.
Basketball 101
Grades: 5-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Jean Pierre (Coach JP)
"Get ready to dribble, shoot, and score this summer in the ultimate basketball camp for young athletes! Whether you're a beginner or a budding pro, we will teach you the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense—all while having a blast with new friends.
What to Expect:
- Skill-building drills & fun challenges
- Friendly scrimmages & teamwork exercises
- A high-energy, supportive environment
Come learn the game from our very own HMS Basketball Coach and build confidence and skills on the court."
Battle Bots Academy: Build, Learn, Compete!
Grades: 6-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: John Gulick
Students will design, construct, and program a Lego EV3 robot to participate in various competitions with their peers. These competitions will encompass Table Tennis, Balloon Pop, Capture the Flag, Sumo Bots, Rocket League, Over the Wall, and Battle Bots. Through this experience, students will cultivate Robotics Fundamentals, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Innovation skills.
Become an Author
Grades: 5-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Eimile Joyce
Those who write stories rule the world- Native American Proverb. Ready to rule the world? Write and workshop stories this summer and become a published author! Students enrolled will write stories, polish their writing, and help publish and market their own stories.
Coding Adventures: Create, Solve, Imagine!
Grades: 2-5
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Ruby Portillo
Transform your child into a digital creator in this exciting introductory coding class! Students will build their own interactive games and stories while mastering fundamental concepts like algorithms, loops, and debugging. Through hands-on activities that bring coding to life, they'll develop problem-solving skills and technological confidence—no experience needed, just curiosity! Give your child the keys to tomorrow's essential skills today.
Recommended for students who can already read.
Fun Film Making
Grades: 3-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Patrick Stopford
Fun Film Making- Learn how to make movies, vlogs, video shorts, script writing, film editing, learn camera angles for filming, green screen filming with cutting edge ipads, learn how to use CapCut and iMovie software. Students will write, film and edit their own movies! Every week students hold a Student Film Festival to showcase their film projects! Everyone directs, writes, and edits their own student movies. All Materials Provided! This class fosters: Collaboration, Creativity, Communication and Critical Thinking!!! Class Taught by: Mr. Stopford HMS Teacher.
Fundamentals of Weight Training
Grades: 5-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Brandon Garner
This class is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of weight training. You'll learn how to use weights correctly, the importance of warming up and cooling down, how to target different muscle groups, and why weight training is good for your overall health and fitness. By the end of this class, you'll have a great understanding of the basics of lifting weights and how to start a safe and effective workout routine. Ready to get started? Let’s lift! 💪
Indoor-Outdoor Gaming
Grade: 1-3
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Angel Solis
We will be participating in a variety of traditional and non-traditional games such as handball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, Olympic handball. We will also be participating in various indoor games such as chess, Jenga, table tennis. All games are centered around critical thinking skills, collaborative play, and good sportsmanship. Each week there will be different a different tournament. Who will be the Jenga champion this summer? Will there be a new Chess champion this week?
Medical Arts & Science Smorgasboard
Grades: 5-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor- Michael Condie
Lab Fee: $60 (included in registration fee)
This is your opportunity for a fun hands on science experience this summer. The course includes an introduction to the medical arts with the focus on human anatomy, and will include many labs and games to learn the human skeletal and muscular systems. We will also study some basic concepts of genetics including a DNA extraction lab and a natural selection camouflage lab. We will cover engineering principles by designing, building, and testing towers/bridges. During our physics unit we will explore aerodynamics with different models of aircraft and parachutes. Additionally, we will learn some comparative anatomy with a hands on squid dissection followed by an opportunity to show off your creative side using squid ink with the Japanese style art of Gyotaku. We will wrap up the course with food science, including learning the chemistry behind making your own ice cream and cooking chocolate chip cookies using solar ovens.
Middle School Computer Skills
Grades: 6-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Stephanie Moffat
Students will learn new computer skills and exercise creativity by producing slideshows, surveys, infographics, digital escape rooms, and more using the Google platform (perfect for SMUSD students who use Chromebooks). In addition, students will be exposed to coding, online digital art platforms, and perhaps even design and modify their own digital games!
Model Making Fun
Grades: 4-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Neil Almoite
Model Building has been offered as a Summer School class for over 40 years in San Marino. Many of our previous students have gone on to professions including engineering, dentistry, medicine and sciences. Model building improves reading comprehension, the ability to complete sequential activities, promotes patience and builds confidence in young students. Modelers provide their own kits and materials available at local stores. Most students succeed well with level 2-3 kits with some graduating to level 4. Most kits are automobiles, airplanes, ships or anatomical models.
Musical Theater
Grades: 1-5
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Lindsay Crary
Does your child love to sing and dance? Are they often dramatic and enjoy acting over the top?
This Musical theater class provides the outlet they need to direct their creative energy into a fun
performance! In this course students will be learning scenes from popular plays and musicals.
Each scene is carefully chosen so there is a part for every child, at every level of skill. Students
can choose what aspect they are comfortable participating in- be it only acting and stage movement, or incorporating dance and singing, or running backstage and tech operations. Students will improve in various skills based on the show that most interests them- but most importantly, students will have fun as they learn a bit about the theater, its history, and performing. This course will culminate in a musical showcase!
Pre-Algebra Prep
Grade: 7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Diana Hang
Pre-Algebra Prep will provide a review of the grade level just completed to reinforce and ensure the students have mastered the grade level standards. It is important that these foundational skills are strong and can be performed with quick recall and accuracy. This class will also offer an brief introduction to Pre-Algebra concepts. This class is best suited for rising 7th students who will be enrolled in Pre-Algebra in the Fall of 2025.
Spanish for Beginners
Grades: 1-5
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Yvonne Mejia
We will be exploring the Spanish language by learning the alphabet, numbers, practicing greetings and phrases, building vocabulary about family, home, school, sports, and foods. We will learn to order off a restaurant menu. We will learn by playing skill-building games and activities. We will enjoy a festive lunch the last week of school.
STEAM to Success: Building Leadership Skills
Grades:1-3
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Fion Liang
This course includes Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics; great for those who are interested in building collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills.
Study Skills for Success
Grade: 5-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Elise Brunner
Establishing effective study habits is critical to a student’s success in school. This class will cover a variety of strategies that will help you boost your grades and set you up for academic success! Some of the topics that will be covered in this class are time management, note-taking, goal setting and prioritizing, paper organization, test preparation, test-taking strategies, homework and project planning, and memorization techniques …. just to name a few! Lessons are taught in a fun, engaging, and interactive manner. Additionally, students will read a selected novel in class as a way to practice new study strategies. The skills gained in this class will positively impact your life - both inside and outside the classroom!
Tennis Camp (Beginner/Intermediate - not for advanced or competitive players)
Grades: 5-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Roger Hollomand
Let's Hit! Have fun learning or improving your tennis skills.
Visual Art
Grades: K-2
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor- Lisa Blatchley
Materials Fee: $40 (included in registration fee)
Visual Art: Painting and Drawing Explore painting and drawing techniques in this summer intensive class. Students will have full use of all the art studio's materials in order to make as many works of art as they want. We will review observational skills and the elements of Art as well as work with our imaginations. Students will learn about contemporary artists and find their own creative voices.
Volleyball
Grades: 6-7
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Liz Reuter
Pass, Set, Spike!!! This class will focus on the fundamentals of volleyball. Emphasis on the basics of serving, passing, hitting & setting, reinforced through game play and cooperative drills. This class will also incorporate learning through concepts of rotations, positions, rules, and strategies in defense and offense. Designed for more intermediate and advanced level players who want to train and practice for competitive volleyball on a school team or club team. Players should wear athletic shoes, comfortable athletic clothing, and bring a water bottle to every session.
6th Grade Math Enrichment
Grade: 6
Period 2: 10:20-11:45
Instructor: Georgia Giannoulias
This course will provide students with exposure to the curriculum that will be covered in 6th grade. This course is a review of basic mathematical principles needed for success in 6th grade, including a review of fractions, decimals, basic computation, and percentages. Students will be able to practice their mathematical skills and strategies through games and project based learning.
PTAffiliates offer athletic courses for our 6th and 7th grade students after school hours. Please visit our website smsummer.us under Classes 8-12 and click on the Athletics section to learn about opportunities to participate in Cross Country, Tennis, Water Polo, Fundamentals of Flag Football (Girls Only), Badminton, Girls Soccer, and Girls Basketball.