Two after-school classes will be offered to Lower School students in the month of February. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a Beginning Guitar Class will take place at Thatcher Hall, and on Wednesdays we will offer Beginning Sign Language at the Lower School. Please read further for specific information and to learn how you can sign up for these unique opportunities.
Beginning Guitar
The Beginning Guitar class will be offered to students in grades 2-4 who have an instrument and who are interested in receiving instruction. Eighth-grader Ian Kinney will lead this class, under the supervision of his father, Upper School science teacher Owen Kinney. This class will focus on basic chords and strumming just to introduce the instrument.
The class is free and space is limited to the first eight students who respond to Kim Tunnell at ktunnell@darlingtonschool.org. Please include the student’s name, grade, and parents’ names and phone numbers in your email. If your child interested but does not have an instrument, there are two instruments available on a first-come, first-served basis. The instrument need should also be indicated in your email to sign up for this opportunity.
IMPORTANT: Beginning Guitar will be taught in the band room at the Middle School. We have made arrangements with Kevin Allen and our transportation department to transport these eight students over to Thatcher Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please plan to pick your child up promptly at 4 p.m. in the Ledbetter Commons on these days.
Beginning Sign Language
Second-grader Walker Sirmans is passionate about sign language and has been a leader in making Beginning Sign Language a reality. The class will meet from 3:15 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays in a classroom at the Lower School. The class will cover basic finger spelling and common phrases.
The class is being taught by Wendell Barnes, who also taught the Drama class last fall. Mr. Barnes has worked with persons who are Deaf in American Sign Language for over 32 years. (He will probably be offering another Drama class after spring break, so look for that announcement soon.)
The class is free and space is limited to the first 12 students who respond to Mr. Barnes at wbarnes@darlingtonschool.org. Please include the student’s name, grade, and parents’ names and phone numbers in your email. Mr. Barnes will email you back to confirm your acceptance and where to meet prior to the class starting. He will also create a waiting list in case of a cancellation.
