The school day does not have to end when the bell rings at 3 p.m. Bright Afternoons is an extended day program available to all grades. JPK and PK students begin Bright Afternoons at 1 p.m., and the other grades join after 3 p.m. Bright Afternoons lasts until 6 p.m. Special Bright Afternoons sessions are made available on selected half days throughout the year.
JPK and PK students have a nap or quiet time after 1 p.m. All students receive a snack when they arrive. Bright Afternoons staff oversee students in groups by grade.
Formerly known as Extended Care, Bright Afternoons is a structured program that extends the regular school day.
All fourth and fifth grade students who participate in Bright Afternoons will go to Homework Club in the library on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Faculty from the Kilbride Enrichment Center will be on hand to help students. Third graders in Bright Afternoons will be given the opportunity to complete homework with their Bright Afternoons counselor.
Pre-registration is not required for your child to attend Bright Afternoons. Please notify your child's teacher during Phase-In Days or at the start of school what days your child will attend. If schedules change week to week or day to day, please communicate these plans with both your child and your child's teacher on a regular basis. Students attending after school classes may go to Bright Afternoons after the class finishes. Please communicate these plans with the after school class teacher.
For JPK and PK students, the program costs $12 for participating between the hours of 1-3 p.m. It is $18 a day for the hours between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The program is $15 a day for grades K-5, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Invoices for Bright Afternoons will be emailed on the fifth of each month. In an effort to minimize check writing/processing, families are required to set up a FACTS account for monthly invoice payments. FACTS is a third-party company that allows you to designate an account for invoice payments to be automatically withdrawn when charges are accrued. If you pay Bright School tuition through a current FACTS account, no action is needed at this time. If you do not pay tuition with FACTS, please click here to create an account.
We will continue to use the iPads for daily sign-in and sign-out. Codes will remain the same for returning families and codes will be provided to new families. In addition to digital attendance, the Procare app (formally, Kinderlime) allows families to sign up for accessing daily sign-in records, viewing previous invoices, and printing end of year tax information. You will receive an email from Procare inviting you to sign up for access to your child's daily activity in Bright Afternoons.
Please see the registration form for times, dates and costs. Click on the appropriate form to register.
Each class has limited space and registration forms are time-stamped when submitted. Families with multiple children should complete a separate form for each child. If you have questions, contact Kendra Reasor: [email protected] or Denalyn Lindsey: [email protected]
*Registration for winter/spring classes will close on Wednesday, January 5. You will receive a confirmation email with class details and payment information by Friday, January 7.
JPK-PK Soccer Shots: January 24 - May 9 from 2:15 - 3:00pm [$272 to Soccer Shots]
PreK Bright Bistro Session I: January 10-March 7 from 2:15 - 2:45pm [$110 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo to @Susan-Howell-16]
PreK Bright Bistro Session II: March 14-April 25 from 2:15 - 2:45pm [$110 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo to @Susan-Howell-16]
K-2nd Grade Soccer Shots: January 24 - May 9 from 3:15 - 4:00pm [$272 to Soccer Shots]
K-2nd French Class by Chattanooga School of Language: January 24 - April 25 from 3:15 - 4:00pm [$112.50 to Chattanooga School of Language]
3rd-5th French Class by Chattanooga School of Language: January 24 - April 25 from 4:10 - 5:10pm [$112.50 to Chattanooga School of Language]
4th-5th Chess Club: February 7-March 28 from 3:30 - 4:30pm [$50 to Kelly Arnold, Venmo to @Krodneyarnold]
PK-Kindergarten Kingdom Kids Session I: January 11-February 15 from 3:15-4 [$100 to Kayla Greco, Venmo @KaylaGreco25]
PK-Kindergarten Kingdom Kids Session II: March 1-April 12 from 3:15-4 [$100 to Kayla Greco, Venmo @KaylaGreco25]
Kindergarten Bright Bistro Session I: January 11-February 22 from 3:15 - 3:45 [$110 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo @Susan-Howell-16]
Kindergarten Bright Bistro Session II: March 1-April 12 from 3:15 - 3:45 [$110 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo @Susan-Howell-16]
1st Grade Crafty Creations Session I: January 11-February 22 (no class January 18) from 3:30 - 4:15 [$150 to Sonal Patel, Venmo @sonal107patel]
1st Grade Crafty Creations Session II: March 5-May 3 (no class April 19) from 3:30 - 4:15 [$150 to Sonal Patel, Venmo @sonal107patel]
4th Grade Technology Club: January 11-February 22 from 3:30 - 4:30 [$100 to Renee' Kropff, Venmo @Renee-Kropff]
5th Grade After School Woodshop: January 11-February 15 from 3:15-4:30 [$200 to Richard Parks, Venmo @Chattwoodworking]
JPK Bright Bistro Session I: January 12-February 16 from 2:15-2:45 [$110 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo @Susan-Howell-16]
JPK Bright Bistro Session II: February 23-April 6 from 2:15-2:45 [$110 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo @Susan-Howell-16]
JPK - PK Spanish Class by Chattanooga School of Language: January 24 - April 25 from 2:15 - 2:45pm [ $75 to Chattanooga School of Language]
1st - 2nd Bright Bistro: February 23 - April 6 om 3:15 -4:00pm [$125 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo @Susan-Howell-16]
1st-2nd Books, Building and Mr. Bill: January 12-February 9 [$150 to Bill Greene, Venmo @Bill-Greene-10]
K - 2nd Grade Spanish Class by Chattanooga School of Language: January 24 - April 25 from 3:15 - 4:00pm [ $75 to Chattanooga School of Language]
K-2nd Grade Yoga Club, Growing Yogis: March 2-April 13 from 3:30 - 4:15 [$175 to Claire Millsaps, RYT 200, Venmo @Claire-Millsaps]
3rd-5th Grade Juggling: January 12-February 16 from 3:30-4:15 [$125 to Richard Parks, Venmo @Chattwoodworking]
3rd - 5th Grade Spanish Class by Chattanooga School of Language: January 24 - April 25 from 4:10 - 5:10pm [ $150 to Chattanooga School of Language]
4th - 5th Grade Ancient China for Kids Session I: January 12-February 23 from 3:15-4:15 [ $115 to Amanda Angel, Venmo @Amanda-Angel-24]
4th - 5th Grade Ancient China for Kids Session II: March 9-April 20 from 3:15-4:15 [ $115 to Amanda Angel, Venmo @Amanda-Angel-24]
4th-5th Grade Community Service: January 12-February 16 from 3-4 [$60 to Rachel Blanton, Venmo @RachelBlanton522]
4th Grade Archery: April 20-May 18 from 3:15 - 4:30 [$175 to Bill Greene, Venmo @Bill-Greene-10]
5th Grade Bright Bistro: January 12-February 16 from 3:15 -4:15pm [$140 to Susan Pesterfield, Venmo @Susan-Howell-16]
5th Grade Archery: March 9-April 13 from 3:15 - 4:30 [$175 to Bill Greene, Venmo @Bill-Greene-10]
Kindergarten Crafty Creations Session I: January 13-March 10 (no class January 20) from 3-3:45 [$150 to Sonal Patel, Venmo @sonal107patel]
Kindergarten Crafty Creations Session II: March 17-May 5 (no class April 21) from 3-3:45 [$150 to Sonal Patel, Venmo @sonal107patel]
3rd - 5th Grade Yoga Club, Growing Yogis: March 3-April 14 from 3:30 - 4:15 [$175 to Claire Millsaps, RYT 200, Venmo @Claire-Millsaps]
4th-5th Grade Robotics Club: January 13- March 24 (no class February 3 or 17) [$150 to Renee' Kropff, Venmo @Renee-Kropff]
4th - 5th Grade Gym Sports: April 7-May 12 from 3:30-4:30 [$150 to Richard Parks/ Bill Greene, Venmo @Bill-Greene-10]
Ancient China for Kids
Ms. Angel is so excited to share her experiences from her travels in China as well as her continuing education through the EAA UTC program with 4th and 5th graders at Bright! The afterschool Ancient China for Kids program will include 6 weeks of introduction to basic Mandarin Chinese phrases and symbols, hands on lessons about Chinese architecture, inventions, daily life, art, and history. Students will benefit from a high-interest introduction to Chinese language and culture, which sets them up to fully study Mandarin later in their education. Fourth and fifth graders will love being engaged with the rich history and cultural philosophies of such a fascinating country, even getting to taste Chinese tea, rice, and more!
Archery
Bright School Archery will provide 4th and 5th grade students with an opportunity to build upon or learn new skills with an emphasis on safety and competitive techniques. Archery, one of the fastest growing sports in the country, improves focus, hand-eye coordination, strength, social skills, and self-confidence.
Books, Building and Mr. Bill
This will be a blend of storytime and building together using Legos to Lincoln Logs.
Bright Bistro
Bright Bistro is a fun, hands-on, practical introduction to kitchen skills. Children will engage in following recipes, measuring ingredients, practicing basic skills such as stirring, whisking, and combining while baking and/or cooking. All ingredients will be pre-packaged and separated, ensuring each child only handles their own treat. Our workspaces and prep areas will be sanitized and cleaned in accordance with Bright School and CDC Guidelines.
Chess Club
Introduction to Chess provides new or beginning students with a strong foundation in the game’s rules and strategies, and a community of enthusiasts to learn alongside. You’ll begin with a brief history of chess and learn about the board and pieces through fun lessons and games about how each piece moves.
Community Service
Over the course of 6 weeks, we will complete projects to give back to our community. From packing lunches for the Community Kitchen to making enrichment treats for the Humane Society, we will have an activity that supports a different cause each week.
Crafty Creations
Come join the Crafty Creations Club for lots of fun, hands - on creativity, and crafts. Each week students will get to create a one of a kind craft that they will get to bring home. Ms. Sonal will help students showcase their creativity and artistic skills in a fun and engaging environment.
French
Through this class, children will develop a connection and basic understanding of the language and culture through play and interaction. Classes will be conducted primarily in French, and the children will be given the tools to start and continue developing their French vocabulary and knowledge of French culture. Through storytelling and play, they will expand on their current knowledge of high frequency words and vocabulary that will enable them to develop their communication skills in French. The class will provide a holistic approach to learning a language by focusing on body-kinesthetic, student-driven, and fun activities that make the language come alive.
Growing Yogis
Growing Yogis invites children to experience the benefits and joy of yoga. Through yoga poses, mindful movement, songs, stories, games and art, children can begin to develop a yoga practice in an age-appropriate setting. Yoga at an early age offers tremendous advantages. Through yoga, children can gain improved proprioception (how the body moves through space), balance, strength, coordination, flexibility, mindfulness, emotional self-regulation, stress relief and confidence in a noncompetitive environment. Yoga for young people also fosters a spirit of cooperation, compassion and empathy for others. Growing Yogis seeks to build foundational skills and practices that allow children to flourish on and off the mat. Children will need to bring a yoga mat and a small blanket/large towel to class each week. Claire Millsaps, RYT-200, is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance International with more than 200 hours of training. She has created curriculum for and taught children's yoga at local yoga studios including Yoga Landing and Balance Yoga.
Gym Sports
This class provides students with an opportunity to participate in team-led activities in the Bright School gym. From wiffle ball to dodge ball, the children will have fun while focusing on good sportsmanship, improving self-esteem and confidence, building relationships, and accepting defeat while also celebrating victory.
Juggling
Students will develop hand-eye coordination through the process of learning how to juggle. No experience required.
Kingdom Kids
Students will build a strong foundation for loving Jesus through Bible based crafts and fun activities.
Robotics
The Bright School Robotics Club is comprised of 5th grade students who have a passion and affinity for designing and coding robots. This club will utilize the curriculum and challenges from the First Lego League. All skill levels are welcomed and needed, technical or non-technical. There is a job for everyone on this team! The First Lego League is built around a theme-based challenge which involves research, problem solving, coding, and engineering. The foundation of the program is the FIRST Core Values, which emphasize teamwork, discovery, and innovation.
JPK-PREK: Soccer Shots Classic
Soccer Shots Classic is an engaging children's soccer program with a focus on character development. Soccer Shots utilizes creative and imaginative games to teach and reinforce basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. A positive character word is also highlighted and integrated throughout the session each week such as respect, teamwork, and confidence!
Technology Club
The Bright School Technology Club is a group 4th grade students who will meet on Tuesdays to create projects that utilize a variety of technology tools and resources. Project ideas will include green-screen films, coding, 3-d design & printing, and STEM challenges.
Woodshop
Students will spend extra time on the wood lathes making different projects each week.
Joined Bright faculty in 2017
B.S., University of West Georgia
