ARTS
Learning is extended through exposure to the arts and physical education, allowing children to explore subject matter not only through reading and writing, but through art, music, dance, drama and physical education. Our curriculum is intertwined, so that the enrichment activities do not exist in a vacuum, but rather are thematically and specifically tied to the other components of each child’s education.

GARDEN
In our third year, we hired a credentialed teacher to create and implement a garden curriculum, loosely inspired by Alice Water’s The Edible Schoolyard. Children grow their own vegetables from seeds that they plant, while they learn about the life-sciences. They make their own compost and recycle their trash. The holistic curriculum includes eating healthy lunches and healthy snacks.

YOGA
Kundalini yoga is especially loved by children because it is exuberant, expressive, joyful and loud! It's a perfect expression of mind, body, and spirit. As a teenager our yoga instructor, Blaire Baron-Larsen attended a highly academic, high achievement oriented school. She found her outlet for her stress in dance. Today, children have yoga as an option for them. Blaire is currently an RYT/IYKTA children's yoga instructor and youth arts professional.
Once our children begin a yoga practice, they (then/ cut) learn tools to handle stress: inner stress, including strong feelings and impulses, bad self talk and inability to self soothe ...and outer stress. We all know what that is! The yoga sets, with their deep breath work, inverted postures and pressure points, help re-charge the brain and the nervous, glandular and endocrine systems. Kundalini yoga is an invaluable tool to give a child and Blaire is very passionate about passing this ancient science of self-awareness and self-empowerment on to our children and teachers.

PE
This year I am very excited that in addition to our swim program and our yoga classes we will be adding a high-quality, full-time physical education program. We will be using activities from SPARK Physical Education. SPARK (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) was developed at San Diego State University, and is considered an “Exemplary Program” of the U.S. Dept. of Education.
It is extremely important to me that every child feels successful each day and that they leave class excited to have PE again. To accomplish this I plan to incorporate SPARK’s “SEAD” philosophy. All of our classes will be Safe, Enjoyable, Active, and Developmentally Appropriate.
One of my goals is to actively engage every child in ample amounts of moderate to vigorous physical activity to improve their physical health & well being. I also want to encourage all children to apply the skills and knowledge they acquire during class and to seek opportunities to be active outside of school. Additionally, instructional units are planned to develop motor, personal, and social skills.
In order to provide the best possible experience for your child, we must all work together as a team! Please remind your child to dress appropriately for physical activity every day. For comfort and safety purposes, he/she should wear athletic shoes and comfortable clothing every day. On your child’rens’ swimming days please remember to have them wear their swimsuit and bring a towel.
I am SO excited to be at Larchmont Charter School and am looking forward to a great year! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
shauna.swavee@larchmontcharter.org
--Shauna Swavee, PE

SWIMMING
Swim Program Philosophy:
That every student believe in him or her self through learning to become water safe. To discover something new about themselves in each moment, through all activities involving water safety and survival skills, swim drills and developing proper stroke mechanics. To be great!

Goals:
Safety First - recognize warnings and risks associated with public and private pools and other bodies of water. Comfortability in and around the swimming pool.
Breathing
Body Position
Kicking to ensure extension of the glides on both the front and the back strokes.
Technique, Endurance, Flexibility, Strength and a variety of aquatic drills to help promote a healthy lifestyle.
Technique Refinement in Crawl Stroke, Backstroke, Breaststroke and the Butterfly.

The main goal of the swim program is to have every student be water safe.

I recognize and honor each and every parent for all that they do daily for their children, family, school and community. Remember to take care of yourselves to...You're worth it!
Roc - Swim Program Director