Clubs & Activities
Clubs and Activities
After-school clubs and enrichment opportunities offered at Chesnut vary from year to year depending on student interest, as well as teacher and parent support. Parents with a particular expertise or interest in any after-school clubs are urged to get involved. Information on clubs and classes will be sent home via the Cougar Courier during the school year. If you want to start a new after-school group, you must contact the Principal for approval.
Note: School-Sponsored vs. Third Party Clubs/Activities
Sponsored clubs are approved by the Principal and managed by Chesnut parents or staff. A Chesnut staff member will always be present during meetings of these clubs. Third party clubs are also approved by the Principal, but are not run or directly supervised by any Chesnut staff member.
Check each club for more information, including meet times, availability (some clubs have limited spaces), and contact information.
Strings Club
Students in grades 3-5 may join the Chesnut Strings Club. No prior experience with instruments or music reading is required! (Higher grades will have preference, since space is limited.) This club is taught by Dunwoody resident Heather Chlup; she is a certified K-5 instructor and a member of the American String Teacher’s Association. Heather has 15 years of experience in general classroom teaching, violin teaching, performing and orchestral and choral conducting. Her skills and experience includes membership in the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra, Edinburgh Philharmonic Orchestra (Scotland) and the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra. She has taught elementary through high school orchestras for over a decade and currently operates her own private teaching studio in Dunwoody. Space is limited, and registration is required. As of 2/27, all spots are filled.
Contact: Lori Hummel
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Meets: Fridays, 2:30-3:30, Ms. Brown's room
Fees: none, but members purchase the music book and provide own instrument
Karate
This is a Third Party club.
This Martial Arts program is designed to improve physical and mental abilities by increasing coordination, discipline, and memorization. Students also develop respect for themselves and others, while taking pride in their accomplishments. Students practice Kata, self defense, and karate fundamentals in a fun, game-filled environment. Click here to see more detail about this program. Classes are offered in 12-week sessions throughout the school year; enrolment is closed after the third week of each session.
Contact:
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Meets: Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30
Fees: $195 returning student/$220 new student
Pawprints Student Newspaper
Students will learn the basics of good journalism: who, what, why, where, and when. They will produce a bi-monthly publication containing student-focused Chesnut news and personal interest stories. Students will learn the basics of fact-based writing, use of basic graphics and/or illustrations, basic use of a digital camera, and basic text editing. Space is limited, and registration is required. As of 9/5, all spots are filled; contact for a waiting list number.
Contact:
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Meets: Alternate Mondays, 2:30-3:30, Ms. Parks' room
Fees: none
Girl Scouts
This is a Third Party club.
Girl Scouts is an organization dedicated to helping girls build courage, confidence and character, which makes the world a better place. In partnership with parents and other committed adults, girls develop qualities that serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. And it's fun! New troops form at the start of the school year, but interested girls are placed throughout the year.
Contact:
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Meets: troop times are flexible (after school, weekends, evenings)
Fees: $27.00
Chesnut Chess Nuts
This club aims to teach the fundamentals of chess in a fun, exciting way. Club time will be divided between instruction and matchplay. To be eligible, students must know the names and moves of the pieces and bring their own travel chess set. Space is very limited, and registration is required. If you are interested in joining, contact the Chess Nuts to verify if there are open spots.
Contact:
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Meets: Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30
Fees: none
Cub Scouts
This is a Third Party club.
Scouting helps students develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives. Scouting also encourages an appreciation for service to the community. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. Pack #477 is comprised of Chesnut and Kingsley students and meets at the Kingswood United Methodist Church. For more information, check the Pack's website.
Contact:
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Meets: Mondays, 7pm, Kingswood Church
Fees: variable
Ecology Club
Ecology Club's Chesnut Changers practice being good stewards of their school, community, environment, and personal health through:
- Hands-on learning in an outdoor classroom (Chesnut Garden, Outdoor Classroom, Butterfly Garden, Composting)
- Health habits, including trying new fruits and vegetables and being active (Farm-to-School Lunches, Yoga)
- Service to the school and communtiy (Local Food Pantry Donations, Educating Classmates)
- Awareness of the environmental impact of our choices (Reusing, Conserving Resources, Recycling)
Chesnut Changers encourage school-wide participation at monthly Farm-to-School lunches (cafeteria), Healthy Eating and Science lessons (Chesnut garden), and Development of Outdoor Classroom Facilities (PTA Clean & Beautiful workdays). Click here to find the full calendar on our blog.
Even if your child doesn't joing, anyone can receive blog updates about our pograms and look for "at-Home Actions"to incorpate sustainable practices at home. To receive the blog updates in your Inbox, go to the blog and click "Sign me up" under "Follow Blog via Email".
Contact:
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Meets: First Thursday/month 2:55 - 4:00, Ms. Hobgood or Mr. Chicoine's room (students are grouped by gradem room assignments sent to parents)
Fees: None. Parent participation is encouraged, and material donations may be requested prior to each meeting (time and donations count for charter credits).
After School Extended Day Program
This program is a service of Dekalb County. The focus is on homework completion but also allows for recreation and socialization after school hours. Staff Development and training is provided to program staff who supervise students, and the Principal manages the program based on the needs of the participants and wider school community. In the 2012-13 year, students in this program will be able to take part in:
- Tutorials by Certified Educators
- Sports Mini-Camps
- Arts & Crafts
- Character Education
- Spanish, German & French every Friday
- Introductory Karate every Monday (coming soon)
This program is open to any Chesnut student throughout the year; A $25 registration fee and weekly/daily fee is required. Pick up until 6:30pm. Click here to read the After School flyer and click here to complete the After School Application 2012.
Contact: Ms. Terry Huitt, Director, 678-676-7102
Meets: Every school day
Fees: $60/week, drop-ins $15/daily
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