Ms. Erica
What makes your art yours? In this class, you will have the opportunity to use many art forms to create an experience that’s uniquely yours. We will play with natural art, free-form art, and crafting to create artwork both individually and as a team. Through this journey, you will find your truest self through art. Erica Runyon has been playing with free-form art for over 20 years and is eager to encourage others to do the same.
Ms. Jess
Unlock the secrets of the mind in Playful Psychology! Led by Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist Jess Sigur, this exciting class invites you to explore human emotions and behaviors through games, interactive activities, and discussions. Discover some of the brain science behind stress and learn about coping tools that can help you navigate life's challenges. Practice problem-solving skills and develop insight while having a blast! This class is purely educational; it is not therapy.
Ms. Waverly
Calling all singers! Make A Sound is an acapella class where students will get the chance to sing current music while learning vocal technique and gaining confidence in their own personal "sound". Students will get to work together as an ensemble while singing music that they have requested! Waverly Noble has a degree in music therapy and has taught musical theatre at The Studio and voice lessons throughout the Athens area. THIS CLASS MEETS TWICE A WEEK. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR BOTH DAY 1 AND DAY 2.
Ms. Tiffanie
In this class, we'll play all kinds of outdoor games. Whether you love sports or hate them, you'll have fun playing in this class. We will have some competition, but only the kind that makes the games more exciting! Examples of games we will play: Capture the Flag, Steal the Bacon, Kick the Can, Flag Tag, Touch Football, Frisbee Golf, Jump Rope Contests, and countless others. Sometimes, we will even make up our OWN games with our own rules! Tiffanie Reid is a former Double Helix parent who thoroughly enjoys teaching our Narwhals.
Ms. Erica
Make your home a sanctuary! In this class, you will learn skills to keep your home homey, including floristry, sewing, cooking, and more. Let your personality shine through your living space. Erica Runyon has been learning each day of her life how to make her home her own and has been adapting to the changes that come with that for 29 years.
Ms. Beth
Personal leadership is all about how we can develop knowledge about ourselves-- our talents, values, and skills-- and use that knowledge to build a life that is meaningful to us. In this class, we will learn about leadership styles, power dynamics, character strengths, conflict resolution strategies, how to find your place in a group, and whatever else emerges as important. We will focus on written self-reflection as a learning tool. Each week we will practice an analytical tool that can be applied in many situations and at any stage of life. Beth Staton is a DH parent with an MA in Conflict Resolution, Justice, and Organizations from the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development at Kennesaw State University. Students in grades 6-8 are required to take one semester of this class.
Ms. Tyler
Using monologues and scripted scenes, we will learn the basics of Blocking, Stage Direction, Projection, Facial Expression, Movement, and much more! This will be to work towards learning Fairy Tale Courthouse to perform. Tyler Stansky works as a lead drama teacher at Little Characters Theater Troupe in Athens.
Ms. Hannah
Painting 101, but make it fun! In this class, we will learn foundational techniques for painting with acrylics and watercolors. Using these techniques, we will create paintings filled with fun, personality, and self-expression! Hannah Betzel is a local artist concentrating in Abstract Expressionist painting using mixed media. She is also an avid sketchbook enthusiast documenting daily life with illustrations and lots of color!
Ms. Erica
Welcome to your newest quest! Spark lifetime friendships, acquire character and world-building skills, and more in this full-fledged D&D dive class. Here we will have the opportunity to learn more about what it means to be a Dungeon Master, build a Character, interact with our comrades in gameplay, and more. Erica Runyon has dabbled in the world of fantasy for many years and most recently ran a homebrew campaign in 2023-2024. This is a double-block class. Students must sign up for both W1 and W2 blocks.
Teacher Shaunia
Learn how to combine collage, writing, and drawing into a medium that allows you to self-publish and share your artwork with your community - Zines! This class will focus on zines as an art form, as a method for communication, and as a way to share your ideas and passions with your friends and beyond. You will leave this class with the beginning of your own zine collection, with the skills you need to keep creating, and with the knowledge needed to teach others the timeless art of zines! Shaunia Grant holds an MFA from UGA and has created zines as part of their practice for years.
Ms. Waverly
Calling all singers! Make A Sound is an acapella class where students will get the chance to sing current music while learning vocal technique and gaining confidence in their own personal "sound". Students will get to work together as an ensemble while singing music that they have requested! Ms. Waverly has a degree in music therapy and has taught musical theatre at The Studio and voice lessons throughout the Athens area. THIS CLASS MEETS TWICE A WEEK. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR BOTH DAY 1 AND DAY 2.
Ms. Kimberly
The mission of this off-campus class is to connect children to the natural environment while they learn and have fun. We do this through exploration, play, and teaching earth skills like building structures, tracking wild animals, crafting, storytelling, and studying birds and native plants. We will learn knife skills, knot skills, and map-making. We will spend all of our time outside in the fields, forest, and along the stream at the 50-acre Piedmont Preserve. Please come dressed for the weather. Students must sign up for both W1 and W2 blocks. Camp Director Laura Hall has many years of experience working with children of various ages. Kimberly Curlee teaches Science at Double Helix.
Ms. Erica
You can be whatever you want in this class! Build your character skills, crafting skills, and performance skills in this lively class where you will have the opportunity to build and create your own puppet character. Erica Runyon has worked with local museums to teach workshops and produce puppet shows in her hometown in Florida and has been working with puppets for over 20 years.
Ms. Francesca
In this marketing class, students will use their individual talents and skills to create items to sell at a Holiday Market. This class replaces the whole-school Holiday Market project that Double Helix has done in the past. Students will build a prototype of their design, refine the prototype based on peer feedback, create business names and logos, determine the cost of their product, and learn how to market it to their friends and family. They will have time in class to create multiple sets of their product. Francesca Cohn works in marketing but loves teaching children on the side.
Coach Miles
Join Coach Miles in this physical education class designed to practice and develop skills in activities that will help you maintain fitness throughout your life. Enjoy various skill-building games outside on the front lawn. Miles Bunch is a local yoga instructor currently completing a master's program in Spanish education, managing the community garden at Rabbit Hole Studios, and performing stand-up comedy around town.
Mr. Ron
Join us for an exciting journey into the world of magic, learning close-up illusions, card tricks, and explanations behind famous magic acts. Through hands-on exploration, students will uncover the psychology and physics behind these tricks, gaining both a repertoire of impressive illusions and a deeper understanding of the science and artistry of magic. Ron O’Callaghan is an LPN with an interest in cosplay, comics, and games of all kinds.
Ms. Deisy
Do you have what it takes to be a leader? This elective is a year-long commitment where the first half of the year will mainly be focused on establishing our student council and roles, learning and applying leadership skills, planning events, working with PTO for fundraising, volunteering, as well as learning the basics of Treering, our yearbook platform, and taking pictures. In the second half of the year, students will work hard to create the DHSS yearbook and organize end-of-the-school-year festivities. Previous members are encouraged to continue. New members are welcome but MUST COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS CLASS. Deisy Camacho teaches ELA at Double Helix
Ms. Maryn
This storytelling-inspired elective leads students into the worlds of British children's author Roald Dahl and American filmmaker Wes Anderson. In this class, students explore Dahl's stories and Anderson's films and their distinctive style and lasting influence. Through stories like Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, students will engage in facilitated discussions about these storytellers' lives, processes, inspiration and techniques. Participants will also create Dahl-influenced crafts, design a Wes Anderson-inspired character for a Polaroid shoot, read books, write short stories, and dabble in acting. Maryn Whitmore teaches social studies at Double Helix.
Ms. Kimberly
Welcome to Keyboarding! Master essential typing skills in this fun and interactive class. Gain an edge in today's tech-savvy world through typing games and engaging activities. Unlock your potential and embrace the digital future with confidence! Kimberly Curlee teaches Science at Double Helix.
Ms. Shin
This immersive and collaborative course will help students develop their critical and analytical reading skills. Students joining this class should be ready to read, analyze, and discuss works of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry by engaging with imagery and a variety of structures and narrative devices. A level of emotional and academic maturity is expected. Students will leave the course with strong critical reading and writing skills that they will continue to use through middle school, high school, and beyond. Some examples of works that students will be engaging with include but are not limited to works by Roald Dahl, Amy Tan, Oliver Jeffers, Sandra Cisneros, and Kate Chopin. Shin Law teaches Math at Double Helix and has a Masters in Comparative Literature.
Ms. Deisy
If you're like me and love reading fiction or would like to get more into reading, this class is for you! Join me as we read a variety of novels in a variety of different genres! From fantasy to thrillers to realistic fiction, we will read them and discuss our thoughts and theories together. This elective requires reading outside of class. Deisy Camacho teaches ELA at Double Helix.
Ms. Maryn
Do you like to take walks? Do you like to search for lost objects? Do you like to tell stories? If you answered YES, you'll love Scavenger Scouts! In this creative class, students will take nature walks, find interesting objects, and create stories inspired by these objects of meaning. Scavengers will create a digital portfolio of images and stories, hone their observation skills, and expand their imagination. This class encourages self-expression, creativity, and communication. Ms. Maryn teaches social studies at Double Helix.
Ms. Shin
In this class, students will delve into the enchanting world of Disney through a critical lens, analyzing five iconic films and their original literary sources. Students will compare and contrast these works and various adaptations, unveiling the artistic choices that shape our favorite tales. Students joining this class should be ready to contribute to analytical discussions and read, analyze, and discuss the original written works that inspired these movies. They will learn to recognize recurring themes, explore diverse narrative interpretations, and understand the film techniques that bring these stories to life. Through this course, students will develop the skills to think analytically, and especially, critically, about what society deems classic and beloved. Ms. Shin teaches Math at Double Helix.
Ms. Erica
Have you ever wondered what it was like in another place in the world? In this class, you and your classmates will choose a few places from around the world that you are interested in learning more about. We will dive deep into the history, art, food, language, and popular culture of each location. Ericka Runyon has visited 4 countries outside of the USA and has a passion for meeting people from all over the world.
Ms. Erica
This is a double-block class. Students must sign up for both W1 and W2 blocks.
Ms. Maryn
In this fun and engaging class, students will create, trade, and collect artworks made on 2.5"x3.5" cards. Each week students will be given new inspiration to make miniature pieces of art using different materials. From watercolor to collage, mixed media to oil pastel, creativity abounds! By making small-scale artworks, students can complete multiple projects in a class period and enjoy trading and sharing their artistry with their peers. Maryn Whitmore teaches social studies at Double Helix.
Ms. Shin
This class is designed to ignite both beginner and advanced coders’ passion for technology and creativity. Using Code.org as the starting point, students will begin by mastering the fundamental language of coding. As they grow more confident in their skills, they will have the freedom to choose their own path: build their own website, create a simple or complex video game, or delve into the fascinating realm of AI. Through the flexible nature of this class, students will have space to explore their interests and bring their unique ideas to life. Students taking this class should be comfortable with computers, ready to problem solve, and persist through challenges. Shin Law teaches math at Double Helix.
Ms. Kimberly
This is a double-block class. Students must sign up for both W1 and W2 blocks.
Ms. Tiffanie
Grab your yarn and hook and hang out and chat about crochet! Each week in The Crochet Club, we will unplug and get together to practice crochet. All of the sessions will be unique and special because you will be there! Learn stitches, practice with patterns, and encourage each other in our creativity. Tiffanie Reid is a former Double Helix parent who thoroughly enjoys teaching our Narwhals.
Ms. Eleanor
Would you like to feel calmer, happier, and more peaceful inside? During this session, students will have the opportunity to experience the many benefits of yoga, including increased strength and flexibility, better attention and focus, and stress management, all while having FUN!!! Ms. Eleanor is a retired school counselor and long-time yoga practitioner who loves sharing the joys of yoga with her students.
Mr. Amos & UGA Student Teachers
Are you a budding artist? Come learn a variety of art techniques that will help you develop your abilities. A range of mediums such as paint, watercolor, pencil, sculpture, and more will be used. Get ready for something new every week! Amos Manlangit is a Doctoral Student at UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art who will co-teach this class with a number of undergraduate Art Education students.
Mr. Ron
Immerses yourself in the popular trading card game, even if you have no prior experience. Each week, you will participate in deck drafting sessions where you will learn to build and refine your decks. Through gameplay analysis, you will explore effective strategies and card synergies, gaining a deeper understanding of the game's mechanics and tactics. NO OUTSIDE CARDS NEEDED. Ron O’Callaghan is an LPN with an interest in cosplay, comics, and games of all kinds.
