General Registration for Winter is closed. There are still some spaces left in a handful of programs. Please see below for program offerings, general information, and the rolling registration link.
Families will recieve their student's schedules by November 20th. If you have not received an email from Heather Fagans by November 20th please check your spam first and then reach out to her.
Reminders about CatCH
Our Winter session will run November 30th-February 19th. Unless you hear otherwise, we will not meet on early-release and teacher-inservice days.
Afternoons begin with a snack at 2:45 pm and continue with "choice time" (indoor or outdoor recess). This time is followed by specific 1-hour activities that families chose during registration. Each activity is a weekly commitment, and students should only enroll if they are interested. We cannot provide general childcare for students who are not interested in the activity.
A late bus is available for those who need it. A route and schedule will be posted below by November 20th. For parent pick-up, please use the front loop between 4:45pm and 5:00 pm.
Groups are sometimes off campus. If you need to pick up your student before 4:45, please call or text us using the phone # at the bottom of this page. If you don't call ahead of time, you may have to wait a while for your child.
If your student joins an off-campus program please ensure that they come prepared with proper footwear and winter gear (jackets, gloves, hats) for their walk to their destinations. Sidewalks are plowed regularly in town but inevitably groups do come across snow and slush when making the trek. Those groups often come back to campus just in time for dismissal so please allow for some wiggle room in pick up time as there is sometimes a delay as students bus back to campus.
*The titles and descriptions below also appear on the registration form.
MONDAYS
Afterschool WorkZone (GRADES 5-8): Supported by Ms. Smith, the AWZ offers a quiet, comfortable space where students can receive homework support. Students are welcome to drop in as needed or attend regularly on Mondays. Registration is required for all students.
VermontHER (GRADES 6-8): Ready to build confidence, make new connections, and try new things? VermontHER is a space for girls to lead, grow, and have fun together! Throughout the year, you’ll have opportunities to: *Empower yourself through leadership, mentorship, and wellness activities *Explore through field trips, outdoor adventures, community events, and new experiences *Elevate your skills through entrepreneurship, service projects, and leadership opportunities. With twice-weekly meetings plus some weekend activities, you’ll have plenty of chances to make friends, discover your strengths, try something new, and help shape what VermontHER becomes...Your voice. Your ideas. Your journey. Your VermontHER.
Chill Zone/HUB Club (GRADES 6-8): Ready for a change of scenery? Middle schoolers will head down to the St. Johnsbury Community HUB to explore and enjoy its new space! This youth-led, staff-supported program gives middle school students a chance to hang out, socialize, play games, explore activities, and unwind in a welcoming environment. Whether you want to connect with friends, try something new, or just relax, you help shape the experience. Come check out the new space, make it your own, and be part of building community beyond the school walls!
TUESDAYS
Kamishibai-Japanese Paper Theater (GRADES 6-8): Love drawing, storytelling, anime, or manga? Discover the art of kamishibai, a traditional Japanese form of paper theater that brings stories to life through illustrated cards and live performance! In this program, artist, storyteller, and Japan scholar Tara McGowan will guide students through creating, illustrating, and performing their own original stories. Explore the connections between Japanese storytelling, anime, manga, theater, and film while building creative skills, developing your storytelling voice, and gaining confidence as a performer. Whether you love making art, inventing characters, or sharing stories, this is your chance to create something original and bring it to life for an audience! *Please note: Students must register and commit to attending both days of the program. The project builds sequentially, with each session building on the work completed in the previous one, so participation in both days is essential to completing the project.
Open Art Space (GRADES 6-8): Need a creative outlet? Open Art Space is a relaxed, come-as-you-are studio where you can unwind, experiment, and make whatever inspires you. Sketch, doodle, paint, color, create paper crafts, sculpt, or explore a completely new idea. Follow a tutorial, work on a personal project, try out different materials, or simply create for the fun of it. There are no assigned projects or pressure to make a masterpiece...just space to express yourself, explore your style, and let your creativity take the lead!
Mathcounts (GRADES 6-8): For students looking for an extra challenge in math, MathCounts offers problem-solving, critical thinking, and competitive opportunities. Participants will sharpen their skills through engaging practice and team challenges, culminating in a major competition in late winter. This program is perfect for students who love puzzles, logic, and stretching their mathematical abilities! *Students should plan to commit to attending both days of the program to get the most out of the practice, build their skills, and prepare for upcoming team challenges and competitions.
WEDNESDAYS
VermontHER (GRADES 6-8): Ready to build confidence, make new connections, and try new things? VermontHER is a space for girls to lead, grow, and have fun together! Throughout the year, you’ll have opportunities to: *Empower yourself through leadership, mentorship, and wellness activities *Explore through field trips, outdoor adventures, community events, and new experiences *Elevate your skills through entrepreneurship, service projects, and leadership opportunities. With twice-weekly meetings plus some weekend activities, you’ll have plenty of chances to make friends, discover your strengths, try something new, and help shape what VermontHER becomes...Your voice. Your ideas. Your journey. Your VermontHER.
Healthy Brains & Bodies (GRADES 5-8): Your mind and body do a lot for you every day, but how much do you know about what keeps them running at their best? In this interactive program, we’ll explore how everyday choices, habits, and behaviors affect your energy, mood, focus, and overall well-being. Through videos, hands-on activities, real-life scenarios, and open conversations, you’ll learn how to spot risks, make informed decisions, and take charge of your health. No lectures or judgment—just useful information and skills you can actually use in real life!
Speech & Debate (GRADES 5-8): Ready to find your voice and make an impact? This program helps students become confident, persuasive speakers while developing skills in research, argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking. Students will explore issues they care about, practice making compelling arguments, and prepare for local and state competitions. *St. Johnsbury School is proud to host the championship again this year! Whether you're new to Speech & Debate or ready to take your skills to the next level, come join the team and make your voice heard!
THURSDAYS
Kamishibai-Japanese Paper Theater (GRADES 6-8): Love drawing, storytelling, anime, or manga? Discover the art of kamishibai, a traditional Japanese form of paper theater that brings stories to life through illustrated cards and live performance! In this program, artist, storyteller, and Japan scholar Tara McGowan will guide students through creating, illustrating, and performing their own original stories. Explore the connections between Japanese storytelling, anime, manga, theater, and film while building creative skills, developing your storytelling voice, and gaining confidence as a performer. Whether you love making art, inventing characters, or sharing stories, this is your chance to create something original and bring it to life for an audience! *Please note: Students must register and commit to attending both days of the program. The project builds sequentially, with each session building on the work completed in the previous one, so participation in both days is essential to completing the project.
Robotics (Grades 6-8): Build, code, create, and compete! Students will dive into the world of robotics through hands-on challenges that combine engineering, problem-solving, teamwork, and technology. They’ll design and build robots, learn the basics of coding, test their creations, and tackle fun challenges as a team. Along the way, students will work collaboratively to develop an innovative project that they will have the opportunity to showcase and compete with at the state level. No prior experience needed—just bring your curiosity, creativity, and willingness to build!
Mathcounts (GRADES 6-8): For students looking for an extra challenge in math, MathCounts offers problem-solving, critical thinking, and competitive opportunities. Participants will sharpen their skills through engaging practice and team challenges, culminating in a major competition in late winter. This program is perfect for students who love puzzles, logic, and stretching their mathematical abilities! *Students should plan to commit to attending both days of the program to get the most out of the practice, build their skills, and prepare for upcoming team challenges and competitions.
FRIDAYS
Speech & Debate (GRADES 5-8): Ready to find your voice and make an impact? This program helps students become confident, persuasive speakers while developing skills in research, argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking. Students will explore issues they care about, practice making compelling arguments, and prepare for local and state competitions. *St. Johnsbury School is proud to host the championship again this year! Whether you're new to Speech & Debate or ready to take your skills to the next level, come join the team and make your voice heard!
Chill Zone (GRADES 6-8): CHILL ZONE is a youth-led, staff-supported space where middle school students can hang out, socialize, and relax in a safe and welcoming environment. With games, activities, fidgets, and more available, students are free to choose how they spend their time. This flexible, come-as-you-are program encourages connection, fun, and a strong sense of community, all while letting students take the lead.
Open Gym- HOOPS (GRADES 5-8): Love basketball? Hit the court for some hoops, friendly competition, and fun with friends! Open Gym HOOPS gives middle school students the chance to shoot around, practice their dribbling and passing, play pickup games, and work on their skills in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Whether you're looking to improve your game, try out new moves, or just enjoy some time on the court with friends, there's no pressure with Open Gym HOOPS.
The Bus schedule will be posted here by November 20th.