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Fall Session: September 20th - December 16th Registration Due: September 9th irl (In Real Life) after-school, a program of the Asheville City Schools Foundation, brings together talented, passionate, and dedicated community members to offer a wide range of program offerings for AMS students. High-quality after-school programming is essential to the healthy development of young people in our community. IRL supports student success in school and beyond. We bridge the opportunity gap by offering meaningful programming to all. We are committed to character development, academic enrichment, and FUN!
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Important Information for Parents/Families/Guardians
Behavior
Program Schedule
Dates: September 20th - December 16th IRL Programs: Monday - Friday 3:30 - 5:00pm IRL Study Hall: Monday - Friday 5:00 - 5:45pm IRL programs are cancelled on days when students do not have school. This includes ACS holidays, breaks, early dismissal, and inclement weather closure.
Management Policies & Procedures
Evaluations have shown participation in IRL improves behavior during the school day. We are committed to working with families and school personnel to problem solve behavior issues. IRL upholds all AMS codes of conduct and enforces behavior policies.
Procedure: 1) Specific rules and expectations are clearly stated at beginning of each Transportation program. Parent pick-up begins at 5:10 and runs till 5:45 2) Staff attempt to redirect and refocus. PM. (*Off site programs typically return 3) Student given Verbal Warning. between 5:15 and 5:25) All students must be 4) Student meets with IRL Administration. picked up by 5:45. Students may be asked to 5) Parents are called. leave program is parents are late more than 6) Student removed and parents must three times. pick up. Possible involvement of AMS administration.
IRL provides free transportation.
The after school bus leaves daily at 5:45. Please complete the registration forms to secure a spot on the bus. AMS bus policies apply.
Expectations
We want your child to have fun, learn new things, and be successful! Here is what we expect from all students.
SHOW UP. We expect students to be here.
We check attendance daily and will contact parents if a student is not present. Students with two unexcused absences may be removed from the program. Please report absences to IRL staff prior to 3:30pm.
BE KIND. We expect students to
demonstrate respect for service providers, peers, and volunteers.
BE ENGAGED! We do expect students to actively participate and follow directions.
IRL staff will check-in with students prior to next session to review expectations. In addition, IRL staff will provide behavior management support for Service Provider. If behavior continues, a parent conference will be required for continued participation, and/or student will be removed from IRL programming.
African Drumming
Hood Huggers
Do you have rhythm? Adama Dembele is a master djembefola (djembe player) from the Ivory Coast, West Africa. His family has been drumming for 33 generations. Learn the sacred art of West African drumming.
Financial Enterprise
Asheville on Bikes IRL Bike Club wants YOU to come and ride with us. Students will learn how to ensure their bike is ready to ride and will go on bikes rides together each week! New to bicycle riding? Join us! Already love riding your bike outside? Join us! Every participant will grow stronger as a bike rider. We have a blast adventuring together biking our city’s streets! Feast Learn to prepare and eat a variety of fresh, locally grown vegetables in this beginning cooking class. Students are encouraged to have an open mind as we explore basic cooking methods, your way around the kitchen and learn about food safety, cleanliness in the kitchen, nutrition and how our eating habits impact our lives now and in the future.
Do you want to be your own boss and open a business? Well join the Hood Huggers Team! We will explore different ways to save and manage money and we will work with you in developing your foundation as a future entrepreneur. Let's learn how to increase your skills with financial literacy and work with various community organizations for economic growth. We will have fun and discover different ways to make money along with traveling through the City of Asheville to connect with local businesses.
Lyrics and Hip Hop
UNCA Junior Bulldog
Most people know about rap music, but do you know about hip hop culture? Hip hop culture embodies many principles: love, peace, unity, knowledge, wisdom, respect, and having fun. Join hip-hop artist Nex Millen to explore the elements of the most influential culture in the 21st century: graffiti, DJing, breakdancing, emceeing, fashion, slang, and entrepreneurialism. Use these elements to express yourself and make a difference!
Any person who has gone to college will tell you: college is the best! Experience the best parts of being a UNCA bulldog! Hang out with their sports stars, explore the coolest parts of the campus, take part in a few exciting classes, and learn what you need to do to get into college. Spend time with high school leaders and college students. Have fun and set yourself up for success in college and beyond.
Rock Climbing
PawnStorm Chess
Are you ready for 12 weeks of indoor rock climbing and team challenges at the Montford Center? Over the course of the Ascend program, we will cover the fundamentals of indoor rock climbing and bouldering with a focus on goal setting, self-confidence, and building trust. Be prepared to be active each week as we work on rock climbing skills. Learn climbing movement, belaying, communication, and teamwork. Have fun, challenge yourself, and see if you can make it to the top!
Are you a master of defense or an unforgiving offensive strategist? Chess is one of the world’s oldest games for a great reason: it is an incredibly fun challenge! Whether you are new to the game or an advanced player, this is the chess club for you. Learn the rules, tactics, and winning strategies in a friendly and competitive learning environment. Mini games, challenges, puzzles, and tournaments will sharpen your skills. Learn the four-move checkmate and so much more.
Acting and Theatre
Darkroom Photography
Sharpen your communication skills and creativity through theatre arts! Improvisation,group games,and movement and acting exercises. Learn stage directions, projection, and other theatre basics. Become more aware of yourself and the space around you while having a great time! No experience necessary, just an open mind and willingness to try! *This is a LEAF Community Arts program.
You don't have to have a fancy camera to be a photographer. In Darkroom Photography, we will go old school by building our shoebox cameras to develop prints in the darkroom, and exploring other techniques, such as sun exposure. At the end of the semester, we will make a print to take home and display!
Circus Arts
Next Level Cooking
Ever want to run away with the circus? Here's your chance! We will focus on clowning, juggling, tightrope walking, magic, and acrobatics. Students will get the chance to acquire new skills, practice, and perform. You will create and star in your show! Please wear comfortable clothes, and bring excitement and imagination!
Cooking is more than just hot pockets and hotdogs. All men need to know how to BBQ, prepare a date night meal, and an epic breakfast. This class is for young men only to step into the kitchen and whip up some healthy and delicious meals, so let’s take your skills to the next level!
Coding <irl coding> <main(”coding is the language that operates video games, websites, and apps. coding lands rovers on mars and makes lego robots move across tables. the irl code club makes coding exciting and gives you the skills you need to be a successful coder.”)>
PAWS On
SUMMIT Crossfit
Do you love puppies? Kittens? Puppies and kittens? Do you want to give back to your community by helping animals in need? Then PAWS On is the program for you! Each week you will visit the Brother Wolf Animal Shelter, where you will volunteer and play with cats and dogs. Through volunteer service to Brother Wolf, you will learn how perseverance, the desire to learn, the desire to help others, mindfulness, optimism, and gratitude all play a major role in personal and community success and happiness. Discover your passion for service!
Wouldn’t you rather have fun working out instead of sitting on a machine doing the same reps over and over? At Summit CrossFit, we believe exercise should be unique and exciting. Design and race through an epic obstacle course, push yourself, and reach the summit!
Roots and Wings Become a citizen artist! Work with an amazing group of UNC Asheville students and local artists. You will work as a collaborative team designing solutions to our community’s needs. Get involved in solving some of the city’s biggest design problems and help to create a better Asheville. This class will look at developing new mural and playground designs, bus shelter designs, signage, beautification projects, animal habitat restoration, and REAL community projects leading to change. Perfect for future artists or engineers!
Cougar Connect Are you ready for high school? Cougar Connect is a mentoring program that will pair 8th grade AMS students with 11th grade Asheville High School mentors. In a group setting led by Asheville High School counselors, students will complete activities and lessons focused on important information about AHS, academic tips, handling social and emotional challenges, leadership skills, goal setting, problem solving, and making plans for after high school. This program will also include a trip to AHS for a tour. The goal of Cougar Connect is for 8th grade students to experience a successful 2016-2017 school year and smooth transitions into their 9th grade year at Asheville High School and beyond. ELA with Jennifer Kalen Ms. Kalen’s ELA (English Language Arts) class is loved by the students who attend! Spend time working on reading and writing skills with a teacher willing to put in the extra mile.
Global Classroom Have you ever wanted to travel around the United States or beyond but haven't been able to even get outside of Asheville? Join us on Wednesday afternoons to learn more about the world around you from the people who live in those cultures. We will use Skype to make new friends and to learn about different states, countries, and continents.
IRL Math Lab
Astrophysics
I’m sure you hear this all the time: “math is important. It will help you in life.” In the irl Math Lab, you’ll hear: “this is awesome!” Work on projects, math challenges, get homework help, and raise your iReady and EOG scores while having fun. Decide what you need to work on and we will help you or give you the tools to help yourself. Work with top AHS math students, Ms. Landreth, and other enthusiastic adults. Students that demonstrate growth and meet their goals will earn prizes and privileges. If you participate regularly, irl Staff will support you in class!
Come the explore the cosmos at the UNCA Lookout Observatory. You will launch bottle rockets, track sunspots, investigate light, and build models to help you understand the universe. Unlock celestial mysteries by replicating famous experiments, looking through telescopes, and dropping eggs! This program includes three nighttime observatory sessions.
A Capella Storytelling
Collider - Climate Science Solutions
Have you ever wanted to get your point across, but found yourself not sure what to say or how to say it? Do you want your voice to be heard? When I was younger, I noticed that many songs tell stories. I wanted to learn how to express myself in a similar way, so I became a writer - I write songs that tell my story and motivate others. I will teach you how to do the same! Plus, we will listen to other artists and talk about the messages in the music! We will have lots of fun while discovering the benefits of telling stories using vocals. Did you know that strengthening your voice could take your grades up? Learn to tell your story! Let your voice be heard!
Climate Change presents many potential challenges for your generation. Hosted by The Collider in Downtown Asheville, this 8th-grade career development program will prepare you for a future in environmental and climate science. Skype daily with Climate Scientists from around the world, collaborate with the foremost experts in climate data visualization, work with a retired Texas A&M professor and your peers to develop solutions and present them to leaders in our community. Be the change we need to see in the world!
Asheville Art Museum
Debate
Drawing inspiration from the artwork on view at the Asheville Art Museum, you will explore the limitless possibilities of printmaking and mixed-media. Beginning with original drawings, we will experiment with relief printing, mono printing, stenciling and silk screening. You will have the opportunity to combine media for one of a kind works of art.
Do you like to argue? Have people called you dramatic? Asheville High School has a nationally-ranked Speech & Debate team, and we're bringing it to the Middle School! Join our 100-year-old legacy with this introduction to speech performance and debate. Our current team members and coaches are partnering with UNCA, The Wesley Grant Center, and Parks and Rec to help prepare you for competitive speech and debate. Debate will empower you to find your voice, speak your mind, and win arguments through strategy and persuasion.
Generation X Sports! Ultimate Frisbee/ Flag Football Do you like Ultimate Frisbee? Do you like to play Football? Then this is where you should be! Join Generation X for fun sports and games while learning how to be adventurous young leaders. Will you be the leader on the field that guides a team to victory? Learn how to be a leader on and off the field. Have fun, make friends, and get fit!
Pickleball Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It is a fast-paced, and insanely fun game! Play 1 v 1 or 2 v 2. Come out and play at the Stephens Lee Rec Center. It'll be a BLAST!
Latin Dance
Slack-librium
Latin dance for is a source of exercise, social development, and just plain fun. You will learn technique, discipline, styling and about Latino culture through the art of dance.
Have you seen our slacklines between the trees in front of AMS? Do you want to bring more balance into your life? In the Slack-Librium program, we'll learn a variety of techniques to help you strengthen your balance - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Over 12 weeks of programming, you will become a trained Slack-Librium instructor. Expect to learn everything you need to know about slacklining in addition to valuable mindfulness meditation skills. By the end of the program, you'll be ready to teach your friends and family!
Basketball
Iron Girls
Step on to the court and step up your game! Learn the fundamentals, practice, scrimmage, and have a lot of fun. Complete in mini-challenges, obstacle courses, and shooting drills. This is irl Live ‘16!
Calling All Girls!! We want to help you develop your special strengths, both inside and out! Iron Girls is a fun and exciting CrossFit program just for you. You will be amazed at what you are truly capable of, while having fun and getting fit with gymnastics, weightlifting and girl power. This program is open to all girls. No prior athletic experience needed. Join us to see what all the hype is about at CrossFit Asheville!
Gaming Club
Natural Beauty
Does hanging out with your friends playing video games on HUGE screens sound like an awesome Friday afternoon? Learn how to play ALL the classic gaming systems from Atari to Xbox, and from Pong to Super Smash Bros. Get ready for good times and epic showdowns!
Join us as we enter a world of beauty. You will be making your beauty products and taking them home. On this beautiful journey, you will use chemistry and math to create products such as lip balm, body spritz, shaving cream, and so much more. Sponsored by Girl Scouts P2P.
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IRL is a program of the
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