Monday

• All Star Sports Grades K-2
  Join Mr. Slayton for an afternoon of your favorite outdoor / indoor games and activities, particularly the ones that get you MOVING! You will get at least an hour's worth of physical activity and an opportunity to bond with fellow Pinewood students in an entertaining, athletic, and encouraging environment, one that stresses FUN over competition. Club Director: Andrew Slayton

• Crafty Crafters Club Grades 1-2
  Children love to create things with their own hands. Join us in making all sorts of fun, artsy projects in a creative atmosphere. Some of the projects may include making bracelets, mosaics, bird houses, and stuffed snowmen, just to name a few. Students will explore, experience, create, and enjoy! Note: Enrollment is limited to the first eighteen students. Club Director: Ann Braunstein

Tuesday

• Chess Club Grades K-2
  Click here for additional information and to access the registration form. Fees are paid directly to this vendor. Please direct any questions you have to Bay Area Chess.

• Creative Kids Grades 1-2
  Come explore theatre games, storytelling, improv, dance, and puppet making. We will also learn about how some of these are done in different cultures around the world! Club Director: Suzie Danzig
  

• Rockin' Readers Workshop Grades 1-2
  3:30 pm - 4:45 pm | 10 weeks - January 8th-March 19th | $400
  We will explore and discuss different literary genres and authors. Students will become comfortable discussing literature, making inferences, and using text to support their views. Children will be exposed to different styles of writing and will have the opportunity to develop their own inner author. Each month, a creative writing project will accompany the genre we are discussing. Projects may enhance their writing skills, creative minds, and artistic abilities. Some of the genres will include adventure, mystery, non-fiction, and biography. A minimum of 10 students is needed for the club to run. To register, please contact Sarah Slayton directly at sslayton@pinewood.edu.
  

Wednesday

• "Little" Maker Club Grades 1-2 CLUB IS FULL - JOIN WAITLIST
  Building off of the successful Maker Club at Middle Campus, this Lower Campus version will utilize our new Mobile iMaginarium Maker Carts and will have students working for a few weeks at a time on different design and engineering projects. Students will learn about electronics, use of tools, 3D printing, and build valuable skills. Note: Enrollment is limited to the first twenty students. Club Director: Jonathan Brusco

• Mr. Slayton’s Co-ed Clinics (K-2)
  These eight-session clinics will be held - rain or shine - daily from 3:10 pm - 4:45 pm and focus on individual skill development and (where appropriate) team play. Limited enrollment - first come, first served. Note: a minimum of fifteen participants is required in order to run these clinics. To register for these clinics, contact Mr. Slayton directly.
  • Soccer • August 22nd-October 17th (no clinics during the week of October 1st)
  • Basketball • October 24th-December 19th
  • Throwing and Catching • January 9th-March 6th
  • Baseball/Softball/Kickball/Cricket • March 13th-May 15th

Thursday

• Choir Club Grades 1-2
  Experience the joy of singing and performing together. The Lower Campus Choir club offers children the opportunity to grow musically by supporting each young student’s healthy vocal development through a comprehensive and balanced program. Come sing, dance, and play every Thursday afternoon as we explore fun and diverse musical activities, slowly preparing ourselves for the Winter and Spring concerts with the choir from Middle Campus. Club Director: Margie Austria

Friday

• Intro to STEM with LEGO Grades K-2
  Click here for additional information and to access the registration form. Fees are paid directly to this vendor. Please direct any questions you have to Play-Well TEKnologies.

• Mr. Slayton’s Co-ed Clinics Grades K-2
  These eight-session clinics will be held - rain or shine - daily from 3:10 pm - 4:45 pm and focus on individual skill development and (where appropriate) team play. Limited enrollment - first come, first served. Note: a minimum of fifteen participants is required in order to run these clinics. To register for these clinics, contact Mr. Slayton directly.
  • Tennis 1* • August 24th-October 19th (no clinics during the week of October 1st)
  • Sockey (soccer + hockey) • October 26th-December 21st
  • Kicking and Striking • January 11th-March 8th
  • Tennis 2* • March 15th-May 17th
    *Local tennis pro Sharon Lamond helps lead our tennis clinics!

Before-/After-School Clubs (sponsored by Pinewood School)

Session Dates and Times

• Clubs begin the first week of school and end one week prior to the last day of school.
• After-school clubs are in session from 3:30pm-4:45pm.

• Club fees ($90/month per club) will be billed monthly, in advance.
• If a student enrolls in a club mid-month, the full monthly fee will be due and payable.
• If a student's club enrollment ends mid-month, the full monthly fee will be due and payable.
• Pro-rated refunds of club fees are not available.
• If you wish to cancel your student's club enrollment, an online cancellation form must be submitted by the 10th of the month prior to non-enrollment. If the online cancellation form is not received by the deadline, the full monthly club fee will be due and payable.

• Pinewood-sponsored club enrollments/cancellations must be made online: no exceptions.
• If you wish to cancel your student's club enrollment, an online cancellation form must be submitted by the 10th of the month prior to non-enrollment. If the online cancellation form is not received by the deadline, the full monthly club fee will be due and payable.
• Registration is not required for after-school supervision or extra-curricular activities.

After-School Workshops/Classes (outside vendors)

Session Dates and Times

• Workshops/Classes typically begin the first week of school and end one week prior to the last day of school.
• Workshops/Classes are typically in session from 3:30pm-4:45pm.

• All workshop/class fees are paid directly to the vendor.
• A registration form can be accessed via a link in each workshop/class description.
• All enrollments and registration confirmations are the responsibility of the vendor.
• If you wish to cancel your student's enrollment, please email the vendor.

Session Dates and Times

• After-school supervision begins the first day of school and ends one day prior to the last day of school.
• After-school supervision is available Monday through Friday from 3:45pm-5:30pm.
• Lower Campus and Middle Campus both close at 5:30pm.

Payment Policies

• Fees will be billed the following month:
  • $10.00 - dismissal until 4:00pm
  • $25.00 - 3:45pm until 5:30pm
  • $10.00 - 4:45pm until 5:30pm (after clubs)
  • After 5:30pm charges are $1.00 per minute

Registration

• Registration is not required for after-school supervision.
• Some students are in after-school supervision on a regular basis, however a drop-in option is available.
• Any student enrolled in a Pinewood after-school club or a vendor workshop/class may also attend supervision until 5:30pm.

Community Service (K-2)

Community service helps broaden a student’s awareness of families in need and provides opportunities for students to help meet those needs. Lower and Middle Campus families participate in a variety of activities during the academic year. Participation in these programs is strictly voluntary.

Girl Scouts of America, Brownies (1-2)

Pinewood staff members and parents, Olivia Bradley and Michele Isaac, will be leading a Brownie Troop this school year for first and second graders. Meetings will begin in late September and will take place once per month on a Tuesday at Pinewood Lower Campus. To register, please email Olivia Bradley.

Monday

• After-School Fun Grades 3-6
  Are you interested in a cool after-school club with your friends? If you are, After-School Fun is just for you! This club offers a pressure-free environment where you can play your favorite P.E games with students from all grade levels. Whether you are a sports fanatic or just enjoy being outside, this fun and exciting club will offer an afternoon of games and enjoyment. Come join us, where the best part about the game is just playing! Club Director: Ria Walker

• Maker Club Grades 3-4 (Grades 5-6 meets on Thursdays) CLUB IS FULL - JOIN WAITLIST
  Design, Engineer, Prototype, Create, and Tinker away in Pinewood’s iMaginarium Maker Lab. This club will focus on a new build project and design theme roughly every two months. We will utilize all of the tools in the iMaginarium including 3D printers, textiles, power tools, wood, plastic, electronics, etc. We take part in the Cardboard Challenge each fall and work on an assortment of other projects throughout the year. 4th graders may also take part in The Tech Challenge in the Spring. Note: A separate materials fee will be required with each bi-monthly theme. This club has a maximum enrollment of twenty students. Club Director: Jonathan Brusco

• Math Challenge Grades 4-6
  If you love math or just want to build your confidence with it then come join Math Challenge Club. We will practice identifying all types of problems and then learn strategies to solve those problems. We will practice our skills through participation in three math competitions: Math Olympiad, Noetic Math, and Continental Mathematics League. Our focus will be to help students become comfortable tackling challenging math story problems and reinforcing skills learned in school in a fun and forgiving environment. Our goal is that Math Challenge Club members will end the year feeling more passionate about math (and/or less anxious about it) and that they will grow in their awareness of math’s application outside of the classroom. Club Director: John Swift

• Tech Theater Club Grades 3-6
  New this year! Ms. Post, our Middle Campus Drama Director, is excited to offer a new club for those students who are interested in learning about all aspects of what it takes to put on a show from a technical theater standpoint. Club members will learn to design props and sets for all of the musical productions at our Middle Campus (10 shows) as well as learning to run the light and soundboard. This club is perfect for those students who are creative and interested in all that goes on behind the scenes of a show. Club Director: Lauren Post

Tuesday

• Before School: Pinewood Children's Choir Grades 3-6
  This club is held on Tuesday AND Wednesday mornings from 7:30 am - 8:15 am. Experience the joy of singing with your classmates! Learn the secrets of creating a unified sound and winning the hearts of audiences and judges alike. Students are invited to join the Pinewood Children's Choir at the beginning of the academic year; no experience is required. The choir goes on field trips, shares the stage with the Upper Campus and Lower Campus choirs, sings for retirement homes, performs at the Winter and Spring concerts, and ends the year with the Festival of Music at Great America. Club Director: Julie Burgess

• Pinewood Culinary Club Grades 3-6 CLUB IS FULL - JOIN WAITLIST
  In partnership with Pinewood School, Epicurean Group is offering an after-school culinary cooking program. The classes will be presented by Pinewood’s lunch chef, Lidia Contreras. Students will be introduced to cooking equipment and tools, safety and sanitation, food identification and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, and more. Our focus will be on menu planning and food preparation, and of course, having fun! Maximum enrollment for this club is fifteen students. Club Director: Lidia Contreras

• Robotics Using the LEGO® EV3 System Grades 3-6
  
  Build and program robots using the new LEGO® Mindstorms EV3 system! Learn about mechanical and software design, loops, conditional statements, problem solving, and teamwork skills. Work in small groups, program and build your robot, and rise to the challenge. Control the robot to avoid obstacles, pick up and carry objects, and play sounds. Projects are structured so that students work in an open-ended, investigative environment while having fun. For more information and to register, click here. Please direct any questions you have to Play-Well TEKnologies.

Wednesday

• Before-School: Pinewood Children's Choir Grades 3-6
  This club is held on Tuesday AND Wednesday mornings from 7:30 am - 8:15 am. Experience the joy of singing with your classmates! Learn the secrets of creating a unified sound and winning the hearts of audiences and judges alike. Students are invited to join the Pinewood Children's Choir at the beginning of the academic year; no experience is required. The choir goes on field trips, shares the stage with the Upper Campus and Lower Campus choirs, sings for retirement homes, performs at the Winter and Spring concerts, and ends the year with the Festival of Music at Great America. Club Director: Julie Burgess

• Drama Club Grades 3-6
  Calling all actors and actresses! Do you love the spotlight? Do you wish your drama class lasted all year long? Then join your fellow drama lovers each Wednesday afternoon with Ms. Post in the theater. Club members will audition, rehearse and perform a full musical production for their friends and family. This is a wonderful club for students who love to perform as well as those who are hoping to gain more confidence and stage presence. We work on all aspects of becoming a triple threat (dancing, singing and acting) and we have a lot of fun with creative improvisational theater games as well. Note: Space is limited to forty students. Club Director: Lauren Post

• French Club Grades 3-6
  Bonjour et Bienvenue! Good day and Welcome to the Middle Campus French Club! Come join us as we learn some of the French language, travel through some of the French speaking countries, learn about French culture, and try some fabulous French food! Seasoned French Club students will learn more of the language and help lead games and activities. In addition, we will learn about the artists, architecture, and museums that make France the number one tourist destination! Club Director: Michele Golder
  
  
• Programming Computer Games Grades 3-6
  If you ever wanted to create your own computer games or animated stories and publish them online, this is your opportunity to learn a fun, user-friendly but powerful programming language called Scratch (developed at MIT). While creating cool computer games and animations, you will also learn some useful programming tricks and concepts, which will give you a better idea of what programming is all about. This is your opportunity to not only be a user, but also a creator of computer products. Maximum enrollment for this club is twenty students. Club Director: Haggai Mark

• Science Adventure Grades 3-6
  Science Adventure is a hands-on, project-oriented club. Students will be given a variety of science projects and challenges that will allow them to expand their creative horizons and let their imaginations run wild with their own inventions. Maximum enrollment for this club is thirty students. Club Director: Beto Bracho

• TEAM PRIME 6th-Grade Students Only Location: Upper Campus
  TEAM PRIME is designed for Junior High students who wish to explore extra-curricular mathematics. We will discuss concepts, explore logic puzzles, and collaboratively, as well as individually, work though contest problem sets. 6th-grade students who wish to join must be strong mathematics students, interested in exploring extra curricular topics and be able to work alone and in groups on abstract concepts. Location - Upper Campus, Room 22. Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up their children at Upper Campus. To join or for more information, email club director, Rachel Phillips.

Thursday

• Pinewood Children's Choir Grades 3-6
  New this year! We are excited to offer an additional choir club experience to Middle Campus. Experience the joy of singing with your classmates! Learn the secrets of creating a unified sound and winning the hearts of audiences and judges alike! Students are invited to join the Pinewood Children's Choir at the beginning of the academic year; no experience is required. The choir goes on field trips, shares the stage with the Upper Campus and Lower Campus choirs, sings for retirement homes, performs at the Winter and Spring concerts, and ends the year with the Festival of Music at Great America! Club Director: Julie Burgess
  
  
• Gardening Club Grades 3-6
  Do you love spending time outdoors? Are you curious about nature? If you enjoy learning about science while engaging in hands-on, earth-friendly projects which promote an awareness of ecology, botany, outdoor recreation, and conservation, then this activity is for you. Come spend Thursday afternoons outdoors with friends in the school garden learning how to grow your own fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Help to create various themed gardens - a pizza garden, salsa garden, butterfly garden, hummingbird garden, and more. Learn how to use the food scraps from lunch and turn them into rich compost with the help of earthworms. Plant and harvest (and then eat!) food that you have grown yourself. Come join the fun and spend Thursday afternoons in the sun! Club Director: Sarah Haun

• Maker Club Grades 5-6 CLUB IS FULL - JOIN WAITLIST
  Design, Engineer, Prototype, Create, and Tinker away in Pinewood’s iMaginarium Maker Lab. This club will focus on a new build project and design theme roughly every two months. We will utilize all of the tools in the iMaginarium including 3D printers, textiles, power tools, wood, plastic, electronics, etc. We participate in the Cardboard Challenge in the fall and an assortment of other projects throughout the year. This club is dedicated to The Tech Challenge in the second semester. Note: A separate materials fee will be required with each bi-monthly theme. Maximum enrollment for this club is twenty students. Club Director: Jonathan Brusco

Friday

• Awesome Authors and Artists Grades 3-6
  CLUB IS FULL - EMAIL LAURA HUFF TO JOIN THE WAITLIST
  This workshop is the perfect opportunity for the enthusiastic writer and artist to get opportunities to be creative, work hard, and have fun! Topics include the usage of grammar to make writing more exciting, powerful paragraphs, writing games, personification, persuasive writing, poetry, group and partner activities, and more! The structure taught in the workshop, while in the realm of creativity, will be sure to carry over into your child’s school day and help them improve their writing abilities. Please direct any questions you have to Laura Huff.

• Chess Club Grades 3-6
  Click here for additional information and to access the registration form. Fees are paid directly to this vendor. Please direct any questions you have to Bay Area Chess.

Before-/After-School Clubs (sponsored by Pinewood School)

Session Dates and Times

• Clubs begin the first week of school and end two weeks prior to the last day of school.
• After-school clubs are in session from 3:30pm-4:45pm.
• Middle Campus only: Before-school clubs are in session before the first class of the day.

• Club fees ($90/month per club) will be billed monthly, in advance.
• If a student enrolls in a club mid-month, the full monthly fee will be due and payable.
• If a student's club enrollment ends mid-month, the full monthly fee will be due and payable.
• Pro-rated refunds of club fees are not available.
• If you wish to cancel your student's club enrollment, an online cancellation form must be submitted by the 10th of the month prior to non-enrollment. If the online cancellation form is not received by the deadline, the full monthly club fee will be due and payable.

• Pinewood-sponsored club enrollments/cancellations must be made online: no exceptions.
• If you wish to cancel your student's club enrollment, an online cancellation form must be submitted by the 10th of the month prior to non-enrollment. If the online cancellation form is not received by the deadline, the full monthly club fee will be due and payable.
• Registration is not required for after-school supervision or extra-curricular activities.

After-School Workshops/Classes (outside vendors)

Session Dates and Times

• Workshops/Classes typically begin the first week of school and end dates vary by vendor.
• Workshops/Classes are typically in session from 3:30pm-4:45pm.

• All workshop/class fees are paid directly to the vendor.
• A registration form can be accessed via a link in each workshop/class description.
• All enrollments and registration confirmations are the responsibility of the vendor.
• If you wish to cancel your student's enrollment, please email the vendor.

Session Dates and Times

• After-school supervision begins the first day of school and ends one day prior to the last day of school.
• After-school supervision is available Monday through Friday from 3:45pm-5:30pm.
• Lower Campus and Middle Campus both close at 5:30pm.

Payment Policies

• Fees will be billed the following month:
  • $10.00 - dismissal until 4:00pm
  • $25.00 - 3:45pm until 5:30pm
  • $10.00 - 4:45pm until 5:30pm (after clubs)
  • After 5:30pm charges are $1.00 per minute

Registration

• Registration is not required for after-school supervision.
• Some students are in after-school supervision on a regular basis, however a drop-in option is available.
• Any student enrolled in a Pinewood after-school club or a vendor workshop/class may also attend supervision until 5:30pm.

Community Service (3-6)

Community service helps broaden a student’s awareness of families in need and provides opportunities to help meet those needs. Middle Campus students organize and conduct community service projects during the academic year. Participation in these programs is strictly voluntary.

Environmental Club (3-6)

Come join us as we brainstorm fun and creative ways to help save the planet! The Friday lunch meetings will include planning for environmentally friendly practices at Pinewood including recycling initiatives, endangered animals awareness and sponsorship, Earth Day activities and more.

Guitar Club (3-6)

You are invited to guitar club on Mondays during lunch recess! Students will learn the open chords as well as proper strumming and picking techniques, all while learning to play and sing fun folk and popular songs.A child-sized acoustic (nylon-stringed) guitar is recommended. This club is free, but space is limited and weekly participation is required. For more information, please contact Lauren Post.

Intramurals (3-6)

Intramurals is a very simple, yet fun activity that helps develop the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. At the beginning of each semester, the sixth grade team captains select players from among the entire student body and include participants from every grade level. Throughout the term a variety of games are chosen as the teams compete against each other during the lunch recess. Towards the end of the semester, campus playoffs are held as teams vie for the league championship. Though this is a voluntary activity, over 80% of the student body participates each term.

Nature Bridge - Yosemite (6)

The Nature Bridge environmental science program in Yosemite National Park offers our 6th grade students the opportunity to learn hands-on science in one of the world’s most stunning geologic wonders. This residential outdoor science program is led by experienced educators. Students will hike through the dramatic landscapes of Yosemite, explore ancient groves of giant sequoias, and challenge themselves to reach the tops of waterfalls. Students will explore the geologic history of the Sierra Nevada; engage in field research projects, such as macroinvertebrate biomonitoring; and discover how the environment has supported humans, from the early Miwok to the present. Students will be empowered to see how their actions impact their community and the world around them through service learning projects, such as removing invasive species that threaten biodiversity in the Park. Finally, students will connect with one another and form long-lasting bonds with their classmates which will carry them through their 6th grade year and beyond.

Organization Club (6)

Are you a sixth grader who likes fun, colorful school supplies and personalizing your planner? Are you in need of a little help in wrangling all of your books and papers? Are you an organization buff who wants to share your expertise with others? Each Thursday during lunch/lunch recess, Organization Club members meet to practice building valuable planning habits and study skills while working together to stay organized. Bring your lunch and your friends, and get ready to take down that mountain in your take-home folder once and for all!

Paw Prints, Middle Campus Newspaper (3-6)

Ever wonder how the Pinewood Newspaper gets printed? Who takes all the photos? How do they find the articles? Join the Pinewood Newspaper staff and find out for yourself! Have a blast conducting interviews around campus, "getting the scoop" at athletic events, and finding jokes and recipes to include in the monthly issue. Feel the thrill of seeing your face on the front page of the school paper, all the while improving your writing skills. Weekly staff meetings are held every first and third Tuesday during lunch recess.

Science Fair (3-6)

The science fair is held each year and is optional for students in the third through fifth grades. Students in sixth grade are required to enter a project, but may work with a partner. All entries will cover either research and presentation of a scientific topic or demonstration of a scientific experiment.

Student Leadership Council (3-6)

The Student Leadership Council (SLC) consists of students who have been elected by their peers. The SLC focuses on developing leadership skills, organizing school activities, and creating community service opportunities. Weekly meetings are held on Wednesdays during lunch/lunch recess.

Student Hosts for Student Guests (3-6)

Pinewood students must be recommended by a member of the faculty in order to serve as hosts for visiting students. Student hosts will be given their responsibilities for the day prior to their guests arrival.

Westward Adventure (4)

An overnight field trip to Sacramento and the Gold Country. Our students will spend two days immersing themselves in the lives of the pioneers; learning why people migrated to California and experiencing the struggles they faced. Students will spend one night in tents along the American River, tour Sutter’s Fort, and visit the Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

Registration for our Junior High Enrichment Electives has closed. If you would like to join an elective, please email the director directly.

Chorus

Thursdays | 7:00-7:50 am
Junior High Chorus is open to all interested students. The choir rehearses once a week and performs publicly several times during the year, at California's Great America Festival of Music and for 8th Grade Graduation. Fun and serious pieces, from very old works to very new, comprise the group’s repertoire. Through practice and dedication the shy and the seasoned singer achieve proficiency.
Faculty Advisor: Betsy Johnson

Debate

Mondays | 3:30-5:00 pm
Learn to win arguments in a fun, relaxed environment with Junior High Debate. You will learn the basics of competitive debate with games, speeches, and practice debates. No prior debate experience is required.
Faculty Advisor: Martin Nguyen

Journalism

7th and 8th grade students interested in journalism may contribute articles for The Perennial, the Upper Campus newspaper. This experience gives students an opportunity to work on their writing skills while learning the basics of newspaper publication.
Faculty Advisor: Amy Olein

Junior Music Explorers

Thursdays | 3:15-4:45 pm
As a bridge between the music class in Middle Campus and the music electives in High School, 7th and 8th grade musicians who play any instrument can join the weekly Junior Music Explorers to explore music theory, history (from J.S. Bach to Justin Bieber), and group performance techniques. A faculty advisor will guide the students through selecting pieces to explore (history), how to arrange them for the group’s instruments (theory), and how to bring them to life as a self-directed ensemble (performance). Although there will be informal performances, emphasis will be placed on understanding the music, with portions of the pieces containing improvisation. We'll have fun, rock out, and all become better, more well-rounded musicians. Note: Students will not be taught how to play their instrument, so at least a year of studious experience or equivalent ability is strongly recommended.
Advisor: Will Rees

Team PRIME

Wednesdays | 3:15-4:45 pm
Team PRIME is for 7th and 8th graders interested in exploring mathematics and learning advanced competition math techniques. The focus of this team will be centered around participation in math contests, particularly the American Mathematics Competitions.
Faculty Advisor: Rachel Phillips

Yearbook

Yearbook is an activity open to all interested 7th and 8th graders. Working closely with an adult advisor, students are encouraged to take pictures, offer input in the design and content of the book, and assist in the production. Students gain experience in group decision making and working with others on a joint project while learning basic publication skills. Meetings are held at lunch intermittently throughout the year. Faculty Advisors: Katy Catron and Kyle Riches

Overview

All Pinewood-sponsored clubs must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• align with Pinewood’s goals for academic or intellecutal excellence (i.e. honor societies)
• provide opportunities for service in the community (i.e. Interact Club)
• enrich curricular areas (i.e. Robotics Club)
• have ten active members
• have a faculty advisor
• meet once a month, take meeting notes, and turn the meeting notes in to the administration

Book Club

Pinewood's book club offers the chance to read and discuss books just for fun in a low-pressure atmosphere. Students select a title outside of the prescribed school curriculum and meet on a monthly basis for an enriching discussion over yummy snacks. Recent selections have included Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, and Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel, Persepolis. In addition, we interact with the content on a deeper level by exploring relevant world issues related to the book we are reading; for example, one of last year’s picks, Jason Reynold’s Long Way Down, opened up a discussion about gang violence amongst teens in America. True to the belief that literature is, and should be, a shared experience, the group also holds fundraisers, such as the used book drive in partnership with the African Library Project, and goes on field trips, including last year’s excursion to see the movie version of Ready Player One. Come read with us! Faculty Advisor: Holly Phillips

Creative Writing Club

Once every two weeks, students meet to write about everything from light-hearted odes about their favorite food to thought-provoking poetry about mental illness. We aim to create a space where the process of writing matters more than the finished product, where ‘it was fun making this!’ triumphs over ‘my final draft is perfect.’ For those who might care about both, we provide focused workshops in character building, plot pacing, and other elements of writing. With this in mind, we do most of our writing during club meetings, rather than requiring members to do work at home, and try to keep writing as fun and stress-free as possible. As a community, we also learn from each other: we host group editing sessions where everyone can share and discuss their pieces as well as readings from prominent novelists, poets, and essayists. We get together for group outings to anywhere from the San Francisco Zoo to a local non-profit, to provoke thought and inspire our writing. Faculty Advisor: Sabrina Strand

Entrepreneur Club

The goal of the Entrepreneur Club is to provide opportunities for students to experience the challenges and joys of providing technology solutions to business problems in the community. Members use programming and computing skills to design and build websites and mobile apps to address business needs in the community. Members form teams and work on different business and technology aspects of a programming project to develop a real life to address the need. The club meets weekly during the school year and after school for certain months, depending on the business and programming project. Faculty Advisor: Haggai Mark

Green Coalition

The Green Coalition is a group of students and teachers who are passionate about the environment and want to make Pinewood and the surrounding community more green. We look for ways to increase sustainability on campus, involve community members, and participate in community service. In our first year, we raised money for the World Wildlife Fund, hosted a succulent-plant station at Jamboree, bought reusable silverware for the faculty, phased out the 8 oz single-use plastic water bottles previously offered at lunch service, planted a native-plant garden, and increased the amount of recycling bins on campus. The Green Coalition is open to all students and faculty on Upper Campus. Faculty Advisors: Sarah Prestwood, Caitlin Miller, and Monica Ventrice

Health Science Club

Interact Club

Interact, a nationwide service organization affiliated with Rotary International, gives students the opportunity to serve their community in an organized and coordinated manner. Club members participate in activities that benefit the school, the community, and the environment. Interact meets twice a month on Fridays. Faculty Advisor: Monica Ventrice

NAMI On Campus High School (NCHS) Club

NCHS is a mental health awareness club for students and teachers on high school campuses. The purpose is to create a dialogue on campus about mental health and well-being to help eliminate the stigma of mental illness. It is not a support or therapy group. Students are encouraged to join and learn more about mental health, warning signs of mental illness, how to seek help for themselves or others, and how to be a supportive friend to someone experiencing a mental illness. Learn more, here. Faculty Advisor: Tina Maier

P.A.W.S. (Pinewood Animal Wellness Squad)

P.A.W.S. is a service-based club that intends to foster and promote animal wellness in the Pinewood community. Our slogan, It's FUR a good P.A.W.S. sums it up nicely. As a club, we participate in many volunteering events (which you can get hours for), start fundraisers for organizations our members are passionate about, and bond over our love for animals. This year we will have even more events in which YOU can interact with animals. Faculty Advisor: Emily Cardenas

Pinewood Literary Magazine, Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa is a student-produced publication that showcases the writing and artistic talents of Upper Campus students. It is published at least once each school year. Faculty Advisors: Sabrina Strand and David Wells

Robotics Club

Robotics is a student-run organization where the first semester is spent learning about robotics, electronics, and programing, and the second semester is spent designing and building a robot and using it to compete. Students begin by building simple robots and discovering various aspects of robotics and how robotics relates to real life problems. By the end of the year students will have built a robot from scratch that will be able to solve a specific problem or navigate through a specific course. Faculty Liaison: Yong-Chan Kim, Advisor: Dean Reece

Social Awareness Club

The goal of the club is to raise awareness about many issues that exist today. This gives students the opportunity to learn about and find ways to reduce inequality and injustice in the world. Past projects have included all-school assemblies on topics such as racism and the stigmas surrounding learning differences, increasing the diversity of books available in the library, and finding solutions to help people living in refugee camps gain an education and career skills. These activities are designed to promote awareness and acceptance of differences at all scales from the classroom to the world. Members meet every other week. Faculty Advisor: Gabriel Lemmon

Technology Club

The goal of the Technology Club is to prepare students to meet the challenges of the technology-rich 21st century. Members use science, technology, engineering, and computing skills to devise solutions to the problems facing their communities and the environment. All members have the opportunity to participate in National and International contests. Members form teams and work with their advisor or mentor to develop a real life solution to the contest challenge. The club meets weekly during the school year and after school for certain months, depending on the contest. Faculty Advisor: Haggai Mark

The following extracurricular activities are considered graded classes and are part of a student's weekly schedule for the term (with the exception of Drama / Musical Theater).

Journalism

The Pinewood newspaper, The Perennial, gives all interested students firsthand experience in the production and circulation of a monthly newspaper. Emphasis is placed on news, editorial, feature and sports writing. Reporters are responsible for researching, interviewing and writing the final copy of stories assigned to them. Students also have opportunities to learn layout, design, editing skills, circulation management, photography and computer graphics. Contact: Amy Olein.

Pinewood Singers

The Pinewood Singers are a mixed voice ensemble of high school men and 11th/12th grade women. Focus is on building good vocal technique and musicianship skills to build a unified choral sound and create dynamic and musically sensitive performances. The group performs a wide range of music in many different styles and languages. They participate in Disney’s Magic Music Days every other year, rotating with an international touring opportunity. Past tours include: Vienna and Prague (2017), Paris and Bruges (2015); Frascati/Rome Choral Festival at the Vatican (2013); London International Choral Festival (2011) and Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City (2011). Contact: Katie Linza.

Speech and Debate

Speech and debate offers students the opportunity to learn various debating styles such as Lincoln-Douglas and Parliamentary debate. Through in-class exercises, speeches and debates, students prepare for competition with member schools of the Coast Forensic League. Additionally, students can compete at local invitational tournaments such as the Santa Clara University and Stanford University tournaments. Students gain confidence at public speaking and hone their research and writing skills through debate. Contact: Tammy Gardner.

Technical Theater

Technical Theater gives students a hands-on opportunity to be involved with the creative and technical elements of theater production including, but not limited to: scene design, construction, painting, and lighting and sound design. “Techies” work from concept to creation on at least four shows per semester. Students may be asked to work during the shows as house manager, backstage as stage manager or crew member, or board operator in the sound and lighting booth. Contact: Doug Eivers.

Women’s Chorus

The Women’s Chorus is a choral ensemble consisting of 9th and 10th grade women. The group performs a wide range of music in many different styles and languages. Women's Chorus focuses on building good vocal technique and musicianship skills to build a unified choral sound and create dynamic and musically sensitive performances. Women’s Chorus will also prepare singers to join the Pinewood Singers as 11th and 12th graders. This group participates in Disney’s Magic Music Days every other year, rotating with an international touring opportunity. Past tours include: Vienna and Prague (2017), Paris and Bruges (2015); Frascati/Rome Choral Festival at the Vatican (2013); London International Choral Festival (2011) and Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City (2011). Contact: Katie Linza.

Yearbook

The high school yearbook, the Paragon, is open to all interested students. Students learn the skills involved in putting together a yearbook or similar publication by utilizing computer applications for design, layout, computer graphic presentation, cropping, copy writing, editing and photography. Members of the editorial staff are also responsible for training new students in order to perpetuate a talented and skilled staff. Contact: Jaime Fields.

Drama / Musical Theatre

High school students present two productions during the year—a play in the fall and a musical in the spring. All interested students will be asked to audition for the director and will be cast accordingly. Each production runs nine to sixteen weeks, with rehearsals held primarily after school. Rehearsals will culminate in a run of fully produced performances open to the public. Note: This activity is not included as part of a student's weekly schedule and is taken for a "Pass" credit. Contact: Katie Linza or Doug Eivers.

National Honor Society

Membership in the Pinewood Chapter of the National Honor Society is open to selected seniors who show a commitment to academic achievement, leadership, service, and character. In addition to these qualities, and to be eligible for membership, students must have a cumulative 3.85 GPA by end of junior year, complete an application, and be approved by select members of the Pinewood faculty.

French Honor Society

The French Honor Society is an honorary group of French 2–5 students with high achievement in their French classes. Students meet on a periodic basis and are involved in various cultural activities including weekend museum visits, music events, luncheons, and theater attendance. Members are required to serve as assistants in World Language workshop, attend all meetings, and participate in at least one activity per semester.

Spanish Honor Society

The Spanish Honor Society is a national organization open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Spanish 3–5. To be eligible for membership, students must have an “A” average over three semesters and be recommended by their teacher. The teacher recommendation takes into consideration attitude and participation as well as academic standing. Members serve as assistants in World Language workshop and participate in various activities where they practice their Spanish.

Art Honor Society

The Art Honor Society is an honorary group of high school students who have completed four semesters of Studio Art with an “A-” or better and received the recommendation of an art faculty member. Art Honor Society members volunteer five hours of art-related service and participate in various art shows throughout the year.

Math Honor Society

The Math Honor Society is comprised of students who have taken, or are currently enrolled in, Calculus, AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC, and that have performed with outstanding academic achievement through- out their mathematics courses. The students of the Math Honor Society are responsible for the planning and presentation of Pinewood’s annual Pi-Day event.

Science Honor Society

The Science Honor Society recognizes juniors and seniors who have shown exemplary achievement in at least two years of physics, chemistry, and biology and who have been recommended by two of their science teachers.

Associated Student Body (9-12)

ASB (Associated Student Body) officers, class officers, class advisors, and the activity advisor make up the Student Council. The council is responsible for scheduling and organizing assemblies, rallies, dances, special sporting and social events, and other activities. Elections for ASB, senior, junior, and sophomore class officers are held in the spring. Freshman student council members are elected in the fall. All officers must maintain a 3.0 GPA and set a positive example for fellow students. Faculty Advisor: Jackee Bruno.

Jr High School (7-8)

Working closely with their faculty advisor, the Junior High Student Council organizes, plans and implements service projects, 7th and 8th grade dances, and participation in school spirit activities. Faculty Advisor: Elaina Tyson.