Meet Our Teachers and Vendors

Tennis with Frank Adinolfe (grades K - 5th)

Our teacher is a former college player (Rutgers Newark HOF) & tennis pro for 20 years.

Learn fundamentals of tennis (e.g. proper grip, forehand, backhand, and volleys), and improve hand/eye coordination and agility. Students will participate in fun drills, challenges, and games to develop and improve their tennis skills.

Rubik’s Cube: Unlock the Secrets of the Cube! (grades 2nd - 6th) 

Whether your child is a complete beginner or has some experience solving the cube, this class will provide them with step-by-step strategies to build confidence and improve their skills.

What Students Will Learn:

• Understanding basic cube notation and how the cube works

• Step-by-step solving techniques using the layer-by-layer method

• Developing problem-solving skills to tackle complex patterns

• Improving hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity for faster solving

• Exploring patterns and speed-solving techniques for advanced learners

The class is taught by an instructor with over 10 years of speedcubing experience, whose passion for the Rubik’s Cube will inspire students to approach challenges with creativity and persistence. In addition to learning how to solve the cube, students will develop important skills in strategic thinking, spatial reasoning, and critical problem-solving.

Important Note:

Each student is required to bring their own Rubik’s Cube to class each week. Having their own cube helps students become familiar with its feel and movement, which is essential for improving their solving speed and precision.

*This class will be 7-weeks long with no class on March 18 and April 15. The class will end on May 6th, 2025*

**Registration will be open to 1st graders in the second round of registrations, if spots are available.**

Art with Mr. Nogueira (grades PreK4 - 3rd)

Cordero’s talented and well-loved art teacher will have students experiment with different art mediums, portraits and drawing perspective. 

Simple Sweets with Mrs. Capollari (grades PreK4 - 1st)

Ms. Capollari has 12 years of experience teaching pre-k to 2nd grade, most of her years being in pre-k and kindergarten.  She is offering a Simple Sweets Class geared toward pre-k4 and kindergarten students in which children will make delicious treats without having to bake!

Literacy Crafts with Mrs. Capollari (grades PreK4 - K)

Ms. Capollari has 12 years of experience teaching pre-k to 2nd grade, most of her years being in pre-k and kindergarten.  She is offering a Literacy Crafts class geared toward pre-k4 and kindergarten students in which children will enjoy a book and then make a craft inspired by that book.

Speranza Theatre classes (grades PreK4 - 5th)

Speranza has been offering quality educational programming since 2012 including summer camps, after-school programming, in-school assemblies, virtual assemblies, and private classes/workshops. Our first private summer theatre program was held in 2012 and we began partnering with schools for summer camp in 2018

Elements of Theatre-How Does the Show Go On? (grades 1st - 2nd)

Students will be introduced to the many elements of theatre and theatrical storytelling. Each class will introduce a different method of storytelling (puppetry, mask work, character creation, story creation) and/or a different element of theater production (design, producing). Theater games, crafts, basic drama vocabulary, and real life examples will give students an understanding of what it takes to put on a successful show as we work towards a culminating presentation utilizing our new skills!

Acting (grades 3rd - 5th)

This class will focus on techniques for acting,including vocal work, physical work, and character development. Students can expect towork on monologues and play plenty of theatre games.

Learn more at https://www.speranzatheatre.com/

Chess by Alpha Minds

Level 1: Beginners (grades K-4) 

Our Chess for Beginners course offers an engaging and interactive introduction to the world of chess for kids. Through storytelling, games, and interactive activities, students will explore the basic history of chess, learn piece names, movement, and capture, understand good trades vs. bad trades, and grasp concepts like check, checkmate, stalemate, and castling. They will also be introduced to beginner-level openings and key principles of the game while developing essential skills such as patience, persistence, logic, and reasoning. Taught in an interactive and playful format, the classes combine board demonstrations with practical interaction, allowing young learners to have a fun and enriching chess experience.

Level 2: Intermediate (grades K - 8th)

Our Chess Intermediate classes are designed to advance students' chess skills and strategies. 

Sample List of Key Skills Covered (will be adjusted based on the actual skill level of class participants):

• Understanding the phases of a chess game: opening, middlegame, and endgame

• Advanced tactics and strategies: pins, forks, skewers, double attacks, overloading, and deflection

• Importance of pawn structure and piece development

• Checkmating patterns and defenses

• Game mechanics, including castling, en passant, and pawn promotion

• Introduction to opening repertoire and theory

• Learning famous openings and their typical middlegame plans

• Positional play: controlling key squares, open files, and diagonals

• Endgame techniques: opposition, zugzwang, and critical squares

• Studying famous chess matches to understand high-level strategies and tactics

• Game analysis and notation

Classes include board demonstrations, practical interactions, and playing matches under the instructor's guidance. Students will also be invited to participate in chess tournaments to test their skills in a competitive setting.

Please see the more detailed description of these different levels on our website http://www.alphamindsacademy.com/

Music with Elite Musicians (grades PreK4 - K)

Exploring the basics of different instruments (such as piano, guitar, voice, ukulele, and cajon) while instilling movement, rhythm, and creative dance through musical exercises, created to build expressive minds and everyday motor skills. 

Learn more about Elite Musicians at https://www.elitemusicians.com/

LEGO Engineering with Bricks 4 Kidz (grades PreK4 - 3rd)

Our afterschool program provides Lego Engineering classes that explore architecture, engineering and technology. The class provides a fun, hands-on learning and building experience focused on STEM concepts.  

Visit us at https://www.bricks4kidz.com/

Global Soccer Academy (grades PreK4 - 5th)

Our goal at Global Soccer Academy is to provide a safe and fun environment for our students to learn and enjoy the beautiful sport we love - Soccer. The emphasis throughout the program is on continuous player development, enjoyment, and fostering a love for the game. Our priority is always to ensure safe and positive learning environment for our students. Below is an outline of what a class at GSA will look like. We detail our method and approach, highlighting key aspects of our training philosophy.

1. Activation: SAQ (Speed, Agility & Quickness) Training

Objective: Wake up the body, elevate heart rate, and prepare mentally and physically for the session ahead.

2. Fundamental Fun Games

Objective: Develop essential soccer skills while ensuring players are engaged and having fun.

3. Game Play Scenarios

Objective: Introduce and practice game situations to develop decision-making, spatial

4. Ball-Always Philosophy

Objective: Maximize ball contact time, reinforce skills, and develop a natural feel and control of the ball.

5. Cool Downs

Objective: Assist in recovery and build long lasting habits

Makeup class with Ms. Rodriguez (grades 6th - 8th)

In Jr. Makeup class, learn the basics of color matching, application and understanding the process of working with clients. A carefully curated class that will teach you the correct way to mix products, how to identify good quality products, and gain confidence in your skills. And of course, to have fun while you're at it! 

Classes will be tailored to student needs, while keeping a schedule to learn certain techniques in the process. All materials will be given during class.

Creative Writing with Ms. Rodriguez  (grades 5th - 8th) 

Come and explore a different way of writing in this exciting new class! Here, we will explore different writing styles, help each other curate different worlds, and uplift each other as writers. We will explore many writing formats such as poetry, graphic novels, fiction and non-fiction, storytelling, and much more. Final pieces will be showcased!