After School Enrichment

As State budgets shrink, school districts must frequently make difficult decisions to reduce enrichment offerings. South Pasadena students, however, can enjoy a robust assortment of classes that supplement the school day when they participate in South Pasadena Educational Foundation’s After School Enrichment program. Each year, hundreds of elementary and middle school students attend classes ranging from visual and performing arts to science to foreign language to karate, yoga, and other physical activities. SPEF charges a modest fee (just enough to break even) for these classes with the intention of being able to provide enrichment opportunities for interested students.

ALICE... PERFECTLY WONDERFUL!

The cast of the 2010 SPEF 5th Grade Musical, "Alice in Wonderland."

The SPEF 5th Grade musical "Alice in Wonderland" was a rousing success! The cast of seventy students from Arroyo Vista, Marengo, and Monterey Hills Elementary Schools brought audiences to their feet with three incredible performances!

More than 1700 people attended the three shows; and, despite stormy weather, the Friday Opening and Saturday nights were sell outs. Parent and student volunteers logged in more than 1200 hours of time to build and paint set and props, construct costumes, wrangle the cast, crew the stage, man the lights and spearhead publicity and marketing.

The success of the show is a testament to SPEF's support for dramatic, musical and fine arts educational within SPUSD. The experience and life lessons learned by the cast can't be measured in test scores, but in the light in their eyes and the determination they showed to work, focus and accomplish their goals.

A tip of the Mad Hatter's hat and kudos to the talented and ever-patient creative team lead by Director Lynne Olson, Producer Amy Blum, Musical Director Wendy Caldwell, Choreographer Kimiko Broder and Stage Manager James Jontz. A tip of the March Hare's hat to Manny Cantu of Cantu Graphics for donating all of the printing of posters, programs and tickets, and to the staff of Marengo, SPHS and SPUSD for their cooperation and support.

You can still catch the blog at www.tinyurl.com/spef-alice.

SPEF After School Enrichment Classes to Begin

The schedule is fresh off the press, so don't miss your chance to sign your kids up for some fun, enriching classes after school each day.

Elementary students can enjoy Fitness, Multimedia and Art Classes to name a few, while Middle Schoolers can join Chess or Web Design. Many classes are just $80 for 8 weeks!