Lower School Program

Back by popular demand, Denise's Thompson's Snack Shack! Denise will develop and explore recipes with students, while also working on reading, writing, measuring... and having a blast!

2nd-5th Grades

• Tuesdays, 3:00-4:25 PM
• Location: US Project Room
• Cost: $130 for spring
• Min/max enrollment: 5/9 students

K-1st Grades

• Fridays, 3:00-4:25 PM
• Location: US Project Room
• Min/max enrollment: 5/9 students
• Cost: Cost: $130 for spring

Learn how to write and speak Chinese in this hands-on class where the emphasis is on fun and children are truly engaged! Both verbal and written Chinese will be taught to students, through a variety of techniques. Unsure of which level your child belongs in? Marian can evaluate them at the first class and make recommendations.

Instructor Marian Peng earned her MA in Educational Administration from Texas Tech University and her BA in Public Administration from Chung-Hsing University. She has guest taught for OES' day program for the past nine years and has taught Chinese to all ages for more than twenty years. She is offering the following four classes, along with private lessons.

Beginning Chinese

Beginning students will enjoy music and dance and have fun matching picture and word cards. They will feel, hear, observe and touch vocabulary and ideas. They will learn Chinese numbers, colors, objects, animals, fruits, five senses (organs) and will be able to engage in simple dialogues by the end of this class.

• PreK - 5th Grades
• Tuesdays, 3:25-4:25 PM
• Location: LS Flex Classroom
• Cost: $130 for spring

Intermediate Chinese I

Intermediate students need some previous experience with Chinese. Language and culture will both be introduced, and the focus will be on orally understanding, speaking, and character recognition. Children will be introduced or strengthened in their knowledge of the Chinese language. Teaching will be through immersion. Children will be introduced or strengthened in their knowledge of the Chinese language.

• PreK - 5th Grades
• Tuesdays, 4:35-5:35PM
• Location: LS Flex Classroom
• Cost: $130 for spring

Intermediate Chinese II

Intermediate students students will get to know Pinyin (the most common Chinese phonetic system), a tool to learn the spoken Chinese. Students will also start to use books, and more emphasis will be given to reading and writing characters.  

• PreK - 5th Grades
• Thursdays, 3:25-4:25
• Location: US Room 56
• Max Enrollment: 10 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

Intermediate Chinese for Native Speakers

• PreK - 5th Grades
• Thursdays, 4:35 - 5:35
• Location: LS Flex Classroom
• Cost: $130 for spring

Beginning Years Home Base

with Meredith Kruse

Students are welcomed into Home Base with time to move around and connect with peers, a community gathering and snack. They will then move into explorations that have been designed with the school day learnings and wonderings in mind. Students will continue to engage with the natural world, play with multiple art mediums, express themselves through various materials and enjoy stories through books and theater, just to name a few activities.

• Daily Monday - Friday
• PreK - 1st grades: 3:00-4:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $130 for spring
• PreK - 1st grades: 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
  • Cost: $50 per week day 

IntermediateYears Home Base

with Miriam Del Greco

Students are welcomed into Home Base with time to move around and connect with peers, a community gathering and snack. They will then move into explorations that have been designed with the school day learnings and wonderings in mind. Students will continue to engage with the natural world, play with multiple art mediums, express themselves through various materials and enjoy stories through books and theater, just to name a few activities.

• Daily Monday - Friday
• 2nd - 5th grades: 3:00-4:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $130 for spring
• 2nd - 5th grades: 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
  • Cost: $50 per week day 

Have you ever wanted it to ride a dragon through a field of marshmallows? Does convincing a lion that they’re really a jalapeño pepper in a Caesar salad sounds like something fun? Then come to dungeons and dragons, where the only limit is the imagination.

Instructor: Austin Schock

• Mondays , 3:00-4:25PM
• 3rd - 5th grades
• Cost: $50 for spring term

• Wednesdays, 3:00-4:25PM
• 3rd - 5th grades
• Cost: $50 for spring term

This n' That encourages friendships, creativity, and imagination. Come and enjoy a variety of fun activities from art, games, cooking, and more!

Instructor: Denise Thompson

K-1st Grades

• Thursdays 3:00 - 4:25 PM
• Location: LS Dining Commons
• Max Enrollment: 10 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

Have you ever gotten lost in your own magical world? Come and create your own wonderland in the OES woods! 

Instructor: Denise Thompson

K-1st Grades

• Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:25 PM
• Location: OES Woods
• Max Enrollment: 10 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

Students will be challenged to express themselves in new ways as they learn about leadership and teamwork. They will engage in fun, interactive activities that encourage self expression, creativity, teamwork, and problem solving.

Program Bio

EmpowerDI is a youth leadership program for students in K - 8th grade that promotes creativity, teamwork, problem solving, and self-confidence. In each session, your child will learn leadership and teamwork practices, engage in 5 minute instant challenges, and work on their ongoing team projects. EmpowerDI provides an environment where your child will be challenged and encouraged to become a leader in their school and community.

• Teacher: Rachel Saathoff
• Wednesdays, 3:25-4:25PM
• K-1st grades
• Location: LS Room 23
• $130 for spring

Students will learn how to communicate with others and collaborate when there is more than one right answer. They participate in a variety of instant challenges that encourage them to learn how to team on the fly. Activities include designing a bird feeder using recycled materials, and lip sync battle skits.

Program Bio

EmpowerDI is a youth leadership program for students in K - 8th grade that promotes creativity, teamwork, problem solving, and self-confidence. In each session, your child will learn leadership and teamwork practices, engage in 5 minute instant challenges, and work on their ongoing team projects. EmpowerDI provides an environment where your child will be challenged and encouraged to become a leader in their school and community.

• Teacher: Rachel Saathoff
• Mondays, 3:25-4:25PM
• 2nd-5th
• Location: Ms. Humphrey's LS Classroom
• $130 for spring

Soccer is a game that is loved by many kids and is a great opportunity to teach kids leadership and teamwork skills. During this course, your student will learn the fundamental skills of the game, as well as the importance of being a leader and team player, on and off the field. This fun class will keep your child learning, while also encouraging physical fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. Equipment your child will need includes: shinguard, tube socks, a water bottle and size 4 ball. This class is a great opportunity for students in all stages of their soccer development.

Program Bio: EmpowerDI is a youth leadership program for students in K - 8th grade that promotes creativity, teamwork, problem solving, and self-confidence. In each session, your child will learn leadership and teamwork practices, engage in 5 minute instant challenges, and work on their ongoing team projects. EmpowerDI provides an environment where your child will be challenged and encouraged to become a leader in their school and community.

• Teacher: Rachel Saathoff
• Thursdays, 3:25-4:25PM
• 2nd-5th 
• Location: OES Campus
• $130 for spring

Jane Kenney-Norberg and Doug Whitmore will again offer this fun class for students to try out various components of the LEGO® curriculum. Everything Lego is a sampler of each of the full-year LEGO® classes that are offered at OES. About one-third of class weeks will be spent on each of the more interesting and educational activities from the full-year classes. Students will have building challenges, work with gear ratios, motorize some of their constructions, and have a taste of computer-controlled Legos. We will also use the new LEGO® Science and Technology Kit 9632. This class is excellent for those who may be interested in the three-year technical curriculum.

3rd-5th Grades (priority given to 4th graders)
Tuesdays, 3:00-4:25 PM
No class on display days
Location: EC3
Min/Max 6/10
Cost: $600 for full year

After two years of LEGO® Physics, what’s next? Legos interfaced with a computer! Build LEGO® models with sensors for touch, light, temperature and more! Interface your 4.5-volt and 9-volt motors with the computer, and use LEGO® commands to operate your creations. Work with the Mind Storms RCX brick will be included. On-campus and off-campus displays in May will require a group project linking the Mac, the RCX, and the Apple systems. Are you ready for the challenge? Parental involvement is necessary during display months of January, April, and May.

Prerequisites: LEGO® Physics, Advanced LEGO®/Robotics and successful completion of “Mouse Challenge.”

5th–8th Grades
Wednesdays, 4:30-5:45PM
Location: EC3
Min/max enrollment: 4/7 students
Cost: $600 for full year

Design your own course of study by preparing and submitting a proposal and then following it through. Select such topics as time lapse building or i-movies, designing a kit to send to LEGO®, designing models for lower-level classes, or exploring new LEGO® systems, as a few examples. Students will keep a lab notebook and meet periodically with Jane Kenney-Norberg to evaluate their progress. Students will work independently but may have a partner.

Prerequisites: LEGO® Physics, Advanced LEGO®/Robotics, and successful completion of “Rat Challenge,” LEGO® Logo.

Students must have Jane Kenney-Norberg’s permission to register. Priority is given to last year’s LEGO® Logo students

6th–8th Grade
Specific time and day TBA, starting in September 

This is the first year of the three core years of LEGO® Physics.

Girls and boys—whether you enjoy designing your own toys, taking apart machines, or are simply a LEGO® maniac, this is the class for you! We will learn about simple mechanics while building scales, windmills, water wheels, and carnival rides. Creative design and modifications are encouraged while using LEGO® Technic Kit 1030. In the spring we will incorporate motors and pneumatics into our creations. We will make Ping Pong ball shooters and group suspension bridges, and we will problem-solve toward specific goals. This class will participate in both the on-campus and off-campus displays in May. Parental involvement is necessary during display months of January, April, and May.

Prerequisites: None, but this class is a prerequisite for Advanced LEGO®/Robotics and LEGO® Logo.

4th - 5th 
Thursdays, 3:00-4:00 PM
Location: EC3
Min/Max 6/15
Cost: $600 for full year

This is the second year of the three core technical years of LEGO® Physics. Attention LEGO® Physicists! Come explore the LEGO® Technic Kit 8094-Robotics. Build cranes, planes, turtles, writing machines and robots to be controlled by a mini “computer” panel with up to three motors. Successful completion of a specified engineering challenge in the spring is required to be eligible to enroll in the third-year core course, LEGO® Logo. This is your chance to exploit last year’s knowledge and push the limits. This class will be the major creator of the on-campus February Display and will participate in both the on-campus and off-campus displays in May. Parental involvement is necessary during display months of January, April, and May.

Prerequisite: LEGO® Physics I, II, III
5th Grade
Thursdays, 4:30-5:45 PM
Location: EC3
Min/Max 6/14
Cost: $600 for full year

Participants will practice yoga and mindfulness through activities like breath work, movement, concentration, games, self-inquiry, and discussion in a fun, welcoming and relaxed environment. These practices are designed to help cultivate peaceful, aware and joyful minds, bodies and hearts.

About Caitlin: I loved to move as a kid. Growing up in Vermont provided a lot of freedom for my wild heart to run and play. Movement drew me to yoga. Yoga connects us to ourselves and one another. What lights me up is deepening those lines of connection and helping guide others in doing the same. It's an honor to teach.My style is welcoming, supportive, encouraging, and uplifting.

• Teacher: Caitlin Gomes
• Tuesdays, 3:25-4:25PM
• K-1st grades
• Location: LS Performance Commons
• $130 for spring

This class will practice secular mindfulness by using self regulation techniques, being with breath and body, practicing gratitude, loving kindness, and playing games outside. 

• Teacher: Claire Kucera
• Thursdays, 3:25-4:25PM
• 2nd-5th grades
• Location: MS Room to Breathe
• $130 for spring

Students will perform at special events throughout the school year, including chapel services. Fees include all performances, music, and uniforms.

This choir is a great opportunity for enthusiastic young singers. Students will learn to transfer the music reading skills they are learning in music class to reading choral music appropriate for their age and ability. Students will learn the basics of correct singing in an atmosphere that is fun and relaxed, yet promotes personal discipline. Above all, students will develop a strong sense of working together to make beautiful music. Students will also demonstrate what they have learned in the many performance opportunities through the school year. Choir is a year-long commitment.

Deborah Bridgnell earned her Master’s degree in Education with a Music minor from Southern Oregon University. She has directed children’s choirs in Long Beach and Portland’s First Presbyterian Church, as well as teaching general music classes and choir at OES for years.

Primary-2nd Grades
Wednesdays, 3:00-4:25 PM

Location: US Choir Room

Min/max enrollment: 18/45 students
Cost: $150 for full year

3rd–5th Grade Girls Choir

Through the study of choral literature, singers will improve their voices while developing a strong sense of teamwork. Students will perform at various chapel services and concerts throughout the school year. In addition to the performances, students will participate in a choir field trip in the spring. Music reading skills will be learned and applied through singing and performing in a choir setting. Most of all, girls will have fun singing! Girls are strongly encouraged to participate for the full school year. Girls Choir is a full year commitment.

Amy Rheingans teaches music for grades 2-5 at OES. She earned her BA from Rockford University and her MA Northern Illinois University.

3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays, 3:00-4:25 pm
Location: US Choir Room
Min/max enrollment: 12/36 students
Cost: $150 for full year

2nd - 5th Grade Boys Choir

Open to all boys who like to sing, and who want learn how to sing better. Emphasis is on learning good singing technique and singing a wide variety of fun music (including sacred, concert, multicultural, pop and musical theater). The boys will sing as part of an evensong service in the St. John the Baptist Church at least twice this year, and will be involved in all Lower School and All School choral concerts (3-4 per year). The boys will be issued school ties and blazers as part of their concert uniform. The rest of the uniform consists of standard LS uniform material.

A special effort will be made to get the boys off campus this year for a special event, either at Trinity Episcopal (downtown) or some other special destination for some singing and perhaps a collaboration with another ensemble. Students should be able to read music and be able to work well in a team setting. OES blazers (provided on loan from the school), white shirts, khaki pants, and neck ties are required attire. Choir is a year-long commitment.

This class will be taught by Adam Steele and accompanied by Sue Jensen. Adam Steele earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pacific University and his Master of Music from Portland State University. He joined the OES faculty in 1995. Adam teaches music to Upper and Middle School students and has taught private and small group lessons, as well as teaching Boys Choir the past few years for Lower School students. Adam also performs in many premier choirs in the Northwest. Sue Jensen is principal harpsichordist and organist for the Portland Baroque Orchestra, where she has performed and soloed since 1986 with many of the world's leading specialists in the field of early music. Sue is Director of Music at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church and previously chaired the music department at OES.

2nd-5th Grades
Wednesdays, 3:00-4:25 PM
Location: Chapel Band Room
Cost: $150 for full year (includes rental of blazer, tie)

LS Band is open to students who wish to learn how to play a band instrument. Students may choose from the following list: flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone. Students will have the opportunity to audition for certain other instruments (e.g. saxophone, oboe, bassoon, percussion, etc.) during the second semester. Students are encouraged to take private lessons, but lessons are not a requirement of the class. Students will need to rent or purchase an instrument. Students will learn basic instrumental techniques and have the opportunity to perform level-appropriate music. Basic music theory will also be covered. The LS Band class is a great way to introduce the love of music to the entire family, and to give students another form of expression and an opportunity to build teamwork skills.

Beginning Band

Instructor: Chris Brown
Prerequisite: None
3rd-5th Grades
Tuesdays, 3:00-4:25 PM
Location: Guild Room - Chapel Basement
Cost: $150 for full year

Lower School Orchestra

Designed for students of all levels, this class learns ensemble techniques and continues to build on music literacy skills acquired through the study of private lessons. Students will explore challenging ensemble music and have an opportunity to learn other instruments of the string family: the viola, cello and double bass, if so interested. The ensemble performs several times throughout the year, including the January LS Instrumental Concert, the Spring Instrumental Concert and at the concluding Strings Recital in the first week of June. Private lessons are strongly encouraged. The class may split into a beginning and intermediate class, depending on participants.

Angelika Furtwangler has a Bachelor of Music degree from Munich Musikhochschule, a Master of Music degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and a Doctorate degree in Musical Arts from the University of Wisconsin. She is an avid teacher and performer. Angelika is currently principal violist in Oregon Ballet Theatre and the Vancouver Symphony. She is also member of the viola section of the Portland Opera. She is founding member of the Arcadiapdx String Quartet. When not teaching or performing, you will most likely find her at a nearby swimming pool volunteering as a certified swim official.

LS Orchestra - Beginning

• Mondays, 3:25PM-4:25PM
• K-5th Grade
• Location: Room 36, Farris Hall
• Max enrollment: 10 students 
• Cost: $130 for spring

LS Orchestra - Intermediate

• Mondays, 4:35-5:35PM
• K-5th Grade
• Location: Room 36, Farris Hall
• Max enrollment: 10 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

LS Orchestra Intermediate / Middle School

• Thursdays 7:50-8:40AM
• 4-5th Grade
• Location: Room 36, Farris Hall
• Max enrollment: 15 students
• Cost: $130 fo spring

Students will learn the essentials of playing guitar and develop fundamental musicianship skills. No prior experience required.

• Instructor: Brandon Azbill
• Wednesdays 3:00-4:25PM
• $150 for spring
• Grades: 2nd - 5th 

Join other kids passionate about addressing the issue of homelessness in our community. We will investigate, plan, and do big and small projects to show care to our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Class led by LS Service Learning Coordinator, Kristen Haferbecker

• 3rd - 5th Grades
• Thursday, 3:25-4:25PM
• Location: Fariss Music Room 35
• Max: 12 Students
• Cost: $130 for spring

Students will learn the basics of fencing, including the various weapons, fencing styles, techniques, and strategies. Classes emphasize exercises and drills, as well as actual bouts, with concentration mostly on saber. Fencing is a safe and wonderful sport for Lower School students. It is also a great sport for both boys and girls. All necessary equipment will be rented from the OES Fencing Club and is included in the class fee. Please wear closed-toe shoes. The Thursday class is recommended for more experienced fencers as well as older students.

Anna Angelova has been teaching fencing classes for over ten years to OES students, both in classes and in the fencing club. Anna is a former Bulgarian Olympian.

Ian Farr, Ian began his coaching career in 2009, when he led the women’s sabre team at Northwestern University. In 2010 Ian joined the coaching staff at the University of Notre Dame, and over four years coached nine Irish sabre All-Americans. From 2014 to 2018, he was the head coach at the Midwest Fencing Club, mentoring youth fencers and coaching at regional events, NACs and international competitions. One of his fencers qualified and competed at the 2017 Men's Sabre Cadet World Championships. 

Participation in local competitions, in addition to class participation, are encouraged for young fencers wanting to expand their experiences.

Kindergarten - 1st Grades

• Tuesdays, 3:00-4:35 pm (meet in LS Dining Commons; walk to SPARC)
• Cost: $130 for spring
• Location: SPARC (students will walk to and from SPARC. Please allow a little travel time to the LS or pick up directly from SPARC at 4:25pm)

2nd-5th Grades

• Thursdays, 3:00-4:35 PM (meet in LS Dining Commons; walk to SPARC)
• Cost: $130 for spring
• Location: SPARC (students will walk to and from SPARC. Please allow a little travel time to the LS or pick up directly from SPARC at 4:25pm)

TGA brings the golf course to you! Our award-winning curriculum incorporates golf instruction, educational components, and character development lessons in a fun and nurturing environment. Students develop skills and understanding of the game through station-based activities and drills that increase in difficulty throughout our 5-level program. Come tee it up with TGA!

Every TGA Class includes:

• All necessary equipment
• Individual and team instruction
• Sport rules and etiquette
• Academic concepts and STEAM labs
• Physical activity
• Life lessons in perseverance and leadership
• Maximum 10:1 student to instructor ratio
• First-time students receive a TGA hat and a TGA Student Handbook
• Students earn color coded TGA hat clips at every level

K-1st

• Tuesdays, 3:25-4:25 pm
• Location: Covered Basketball Court (Behind US)
• Max enrollment: 12 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

K-1st

• Thursdays, 3:25-4:25 PM
• Location: Covered Basketball Court (Behind US)
• Max enrollment: 12 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

2nd-5th

• Fridays, 3:25-4:25 PM
• Location: Covered Basketball Court (Behind US)
• Max enrollment: 12 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

Enter the virtuosic world of clowning, tumble the roads of acrobats, and unlock the potential of creative circus while we explore in a safe and joyous way. Throughout this fun and exciting series we will work with circus equipment to develop motor and coordination skills, kinesthetic awareness, partner balancing, and creative movement to uplift spirits and inspire growth.

Instructor: Martina Oskarsson 

K - 1st Grades

• Instructor: Martina Oskarsson
• Wednesdays, 3:00-4:25 PM
• Location: LS Performance Commons
• Max Enrollment: 10 students 
• Cost: $130 for spring

2nd - 5th Grades

• Instructor Bryan Salas
• Tuesdays, 3:00-4:25 PM
• Location: LS Performance Commons
• Max Enrollment: 10 students 
• Cost: $130 for spring

Jump Start Gymnastics offers instruction on all the traditional gymnastics events: bars, beam, vault, and floor. We also have some rhythmic gymnastics props as well as a trampoline. Preschool sized equipment allows students to learn beginner to intermediate level skills successfully. A typical class will include a warm-up and stretch, an obstacle course, drills for skills, and a game and cool-down. Kids will build strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and self-esteem!

Instructor Sarah Ahl started teaching gymnastics in 2002 in California while earning her BA in Liberal Studies. She moved back to Portland where she managed the preschool program at Oregon Gymnastics Academy. She then spent 2 years in Bend managing the preschool program at Acrovision Sports Center. She is USA Gymnastics safety certified, and she has a Kinder Accreditation for Teachers. She believes in teaching through positive reinforcement and creating success.

Pre K - 1st Grade

• Mondays, 3:00-4:45pm
• Location: LS Performance Commons
• Max enrollment: 10 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

• Fridays, 3:00-4:45pm
• Location: LS Performance Commons
• Max enrollment: 10 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

Train your body and mind to easily overcome obstacles in creative and fun ways with a Certified American Parkour (APK) Teachers! Develop proper techniques to endure safety and longevity while fluidly adapting one's movements to the environment. Among others, basic skills taught include Precision Landing, Vaulting, Rolling, Wall Running, Rail Balancing, Quadrupedal Movements, and looking beyond traditional use of objects. Our Freerunning section adds in Basic Acrobatics such as Rail Flips, Spins, and Handstands, yet our focus is always on safety, learning one's boundaries, self-improvement, and creativity. Every class will consist of a warm-up/stretching, physical conditioning/drills, and skills training. Classes are tailored to student's abilities to help them grow through intense noncompetitive activity, while encouraging positive collaboration, creative movement, and respect for all people and places. No previous acrobatic/gymnastic training is necessary.

Instructor: Noah Fassell

• Ages 7+
• Mondays, 3:25-4:25
• Location: OES Campus
• Max enrollment: 15 students
• Cost: $130 for spring

Students will participate in activities and games designed to introduce them to fundamental jiu jitsu principles, anti-bullying and self-defense techniques, and increased fitness levels. Safe training practices, and life skill building are our priorities….combined with a whole lot of fun!

Five Rings Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• Instructors: Dan Van Detta 
• K - 5th Grades
• Fridays, 3:25-4:25 PM
• Location: Performance Commons
• Cost: $130 for spring

Join us on the OES challenge course for high and low experiences. Students will engage in leadership skills, indoor skill building on rainy days, participate in the giant swing, and so much more! All safety equipment will be provided by OES and supervised by Tom Handel 

Tom Handel, OES Experiential Education Coordinator of 17 years

• Teacher: Tom Handel
• Mondays, 3:25-4:25PM
• 3rd - 5th
• Location: OES Woods
• $130 for spring

Using running drills/games to build character, empower youth, stay active and build confidence!

• Teacher: Coach Teana Edwards
• Grades: K-1st
• Thursdays, 3:25-425pm
• $130 for spring term