Kenwood Enrichment Programs
Art Education
This year, we are so excited to welcome Ms. Mari Oliver to Kenwood Elementary as our new art teacher. A lifelong artist, Ms. Oliver has worked professionally in the arts for decades, including in university studios and alongside Disney and EA artists. During this time, she discovered her love of teaching and began creating and leading visual and interdisciplinary art and movement curriculum for students of all ages. She later went on to teach visual art in both English and Spanish in Peru and California. Ms. Oliver holds an Interdisciplinary Art degree from Sonoma State University and brings to Kenwood a deep passion for guiding children through art as a journey of play, creativity, and self-discovery.
The Kenwood art program is offered equitably to all students from TK through 6th grade and is thoughtfully aligned with academic subjects such as social studies and mathematics across all grades. This program will guide students in exploring color, shapes, materials, mixed media, and painting styles inspired by famous artists, local artists, the world around them, and their own imaginations. She is dedicated to sharing her passion for art and to guiding Kenwood students as they develop confidence and creativity through artistic expression.
S.T.E.A.M.
The Kenwood STEAM program seeks to build a curriculum that bridges problem solving, science, technology, engineering, art, and math with creativity, collaboration, and a sense of purpose that helps students develop both knowledge and life skills.
Each project interweaves closely with grade level classroom instruction, while also building a culture of collaboration, resilience, and essential life skills that prepare students for the future.
All-Grade Projects
The Marble Run – Students map, design, and build towers, ramps, and tunnels for a fun marble run. This integrates all four pillars of STEM and encourages problem solving. Children see how gravity pulls the marble down, how friction slows it, and how potential energy becomes kinetic energy. By working in teams, they also practice communication, flexibility, and shared responsibility, all important life skills.
The Egg Drop – Each class participates in the much-anticipated Egg Drop Challenge. Students pair up to design protective housings for eggs dropped from a soaring auto lift. The project blends creativity, problem solving, and teamwork while giving students an unforgettable lesson in persistence, collaboration, and celebrating both success and failure.
Grade Level Projects
TK/Kindergarten: Straw rockets introduce cause and reaction, sparking excitement about aerodynamics and gravity while building confidence to take risks.
1st Grade: Students construct and launch catapults, learning about force, motion, and the patience required to test and retest.
2nd Grade: Block coding develops logic and sequencing, while also teaching focus and perseverance.
3rd Grade: Students design cars from found objects that must roll down a ramp and carry a rock, encouraging creativity and resourcefulness.
4th Grade: The challenge of creating alternative power vehicles inspires innovative thinking and teamwork as they test new energy sources.
5th Grade: Rocket building moves through three stages, culminating in paper and stomp rockets that launch for the whole school to witness. Students practice planning, adapting, and presenting their work to a community audience.
6th Grade: With Makey Makey coding, students build games, music, and interactive projects, developing communication with technology while also practicing leadership and peer collaboration.
Library
The Kenwood School Library, guided with care by Mrs. Holden, is a place where imagination takes flight. Students discover new worlds through books, build research skills, and develop a lifelong love of reading. With her thoughtful guidance, Mrs. Holden helps every child find stories that spark curiosity and joy, making the library a true heart of learning on campus.
Physical Education
Kenwood’s Physical Education program, led by our amazing teacher Mrs. Van Dyne, keeps students moving, learning, and growing strong. From fun games and skill-building activities to teamwork and sportsmanship, PE is a place where every child can shine. With her energy and encouragement, Mrs. Van Dyne helps students build confidence, stay active, and discover the joy of lifelong fitness.
Garden
The Kenwood School Garden Program is a hands-on learning space where students connect with nature, science, and healthy living. From planting seeds to harvesting fresh produce, children learn about ecosystems, nutrition, and sustainability while working together in the soil. The garden not only enriches classroom lessons but also cultivates responsibility, teamwork, and a love of the natural world.
Outdoor Education Programs
At Kenwood, outdoor education grows with students year by year. In 4th grade, they head to Coloma for a living history experience that brings California’s Gold Rush to life. In 5th grade, they venture into the redwoods at Westminster Woods, where science, team building, and adventure meet in an unforgettable forest setting. By 6th grade, students are ready for their capstone trip to NatureBridge in the Marin Headlands, a five-night residential program that has been a Kenwood tradition for more than 30 years. Together, these experiences build confidence, spark curiosity, and deepen each child’s connection to the world around them.
Lego Robotics
The Kenwood LEGO Robotics program gives students the chance to explore engineering, coding, and problem solving in a fun, hands-on way. Working in teams, students design and program their own LEGO robots to complete challenges, sparking creativity and collaboration while introducing real-world STEM skills. It is a favorite program that inspires kids to see themselves as inventors and innovators.
Music
The Kenwood Music and Ukulele program gives students the chance to explore rhythm, melody, and creative expression in a fun, hands-on way. Working together, students learn to play ukulele, sing, and make music as a group, building confidence, collaboration, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. It is a beloved program that inspires kids to see themselves as musicians and creators.