After-School Programs

Starfire Education - Python  https://www.starfireed.com

This is a hands-on, project-based class where kids learn to code with Python by solving programming challenges. This class is for students in grade 6-8 who have some experience coding with visual languages and want to learn Python to build games and apps.

Registration:  https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hillview-middle-school-menlo-park

 

The Riekes Center - Digital Photography https://www.riekes.org/

Take a closer look at the world through the lens of a camera! Have fun and express yourself through the art of digital photography. Through step-by-step instruction, students will learn the basics of digital photography including: camera operation, exposure settings, composition, lighting and editing. Fun projects like portraits, product photography, food photography and light painting will give students a great knowledge of digital photography and create fun and inspired images.

 

Starfire Education - Intro to Video Game Design (Scratch)  https://www.starfireed.com

Young gamers learn the basics of game designing and story-boarding in Scratch Students will create characters, stories, and a basic playable video game on the Scratch interface. Prior knowledge of Scratch is preferred.

Registration:  https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hillview-middle-school-menlo-park
 

Omega Teaching  - Writer’s Workshop http://www.omegateaching.com

Writing Workouts feature short, in-class exercises designed to complement Hillview’s class work.  Seminars will be highly interactive and fun. Students will participate and practice the common criteria needed to write well in any genre: Voice, Audience, Structure and Editing (VASE).

The class is offered either Wednesday or Thursday with a minimum of 4 students, maximum of 10. Students will have the opportunity to review, discuss and present their writing, including writing for school assignments. No homework.  Join at any time.  Drop-in fees and scholarships available. If you join after the session has started, please contact Omega directly to arrange payments.  

Registration:  https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hillview-middle-school-menlo-park

 

J Ace J Music  http://www.jacejmusic.com/

Acoustic Guitar 1:  This is a fun class for kids to learn how to play acoustic guitar.  Kids will learn about song structure, music theory, strumming, picking, tuning, rhythm and group interaction.  This class is for all skill levels  

Acoustic Guitar 2:  This is a fun class for kids to learn how to play acoustic guitar.  Kids will learn about song structure, music theory, strumming, picking, tuning, rhythm and group interaction.   This class is for the following:  students who were in my Guitar I class at Hillview last year, and other students with at least 1 year of experience playing

Registration:  https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hillview-middle-school-menlo-park

 

Burning Gear Robotics - VEX Robotics

This robotics and Coding class aims to inspire youth to observe robots (Tesla, vacuum robot, hand sanitizer distributor, construction machine, vendor machine, candy distributor, arcade game bot, washer and dryer, you name it) in you daily life, teach kids the STEM knowledge behind it, help kids to build and program their own robot, enjoy the excitement of creating something with technology. High Technology about gears, sensors, motors and programs will be learned in this class. 

Have you brought your kids to Arcade game center and spent a lot of money playing Claw machine (bot) and got nothing and saw the kid frustrated. This class will teach kids the knowledge how to build and program a claw bot by himself. He may invite friends to play and win the prizes with excitement and joy. Have you noticed the hand sanitizer all over the place? Imagine that your kids build one around the dining table or front door, your kids will love to use it in his or her life. This class will power your kids with this capability to do so. After finishing the 12 weeks course, if a kid is dedicated, and has already discovered their passion in robotics, our competition program is where they belong. Competitive program allows students of all types to engage and inspire the STEM problem solvers in real life of tomorrow! Meet new friends who share the same passion, go to tournaments and connect with peers in the world and let us help their robotics dream come true. 

Registration:  https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hillview-middle-school-menlo-park

 

Starfire Education - Electrical Engineering  https://www.starfireed.com

This is a hands-on, project-based class where kids learn how electricity works and how it is used in the real world. Kids engage in project-based learning activities where they explore static electricity, voltage, resistance, circuits, batteries, conductors and insulators, and electromagnetism. Students' projects may include bending water with static electricity, making a battery and building a flashlight, and making and testing circuits in series and parallel. Other projects may include building an electric motor and making their own electromagnet, telegraph, radio, or electric toy. Advanced topics include an introduction to resistors, capacitors, transistors, breadboards, multimeters, and measuring electricity.

Registration: https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hillview-middle-school-menlo-park

 

DF_Knights Chess - Chess https://www.dfknights.com

DF_Knights has been providing chess classes for more than 12 years. From beginners up to master level. All our chess programs are new with new material. We do not repeat our chess lessons unless necessary. From beginners up to master level. 

Registration:  https://www.homeroom.com/sites/hillview-middle-school-menlo-par

The after school programs and sports listed on the Hillview School website are organized and run by vendors that are unaffiliated with Hillview or the Menlo Park City School District. Hillview is not responsible for the content of the vendors' websites or for the conduct of the activities they provide and is not liable for any damages or negative consequences from participation in any of the listed activities.  Although parent volunteers strive to keep the information on this website up-to-date, parents should always contact the vendor for the latest status of the activities as well as meeting dates and times, which may change from time to time.  In addition, Hillview Middle School is not responsible for supervising children after the end of the school day. 

Parents should make their own arrangements for ensuring their children’s arrival and participation in the activity or activities for which they are enrolled.

Employees and volunteers of Hillview, Hillview PTO, and the Menlo Park City School District are not liable for any errors, omissions, or changes to any of the information or activities listed herein.