Before/Aftercare

The Right at School program, run by the district, is available for before and aftercare at Maugham from 7:30am - 8:30am and 3:10pm - 6pm.

 

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After School Enrichment Clubs

The HSA runs the Clubs program at Maugham from 3:15pm-4:15pm on a trimester schedule.

 

For more information, visit the Clubs page.

 

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Extracurriculars

All Maugham students benefit from five Specials that they receive instruction in throughout the week. These programs are offered by the district and they include Art, Music, PE, Library and Spanish.

 

Art

Student K-5 receive Art instruction once a week. Starting in Kindergarten, students explore basic art material and concepts, experimenting with colors, shapes, lines and textures. As they move into higher grades, they continue to explore self-expression while growing their observational skills. They create art projects inspired by their surroundings and learn to discuss their own work. they progress to understanding spatial relationships and begin learning about famous artworks and artists. Students are taught progressively complex techniques in drawing, painting and sculpture, studying art history to make connections between art and storytelling. In 5th grade their instruction culminates in more advanced artistic concepts as they explore perspective and proportion and learn to analyze and critique their own and others' works.

 

Music

Students from K-5 receive music instruction once a week, building on progressively challenging skills each year. Starting in Kindergarten with exploring sound, rhythm, and movement, students are taught listening skills and encouraged in their creative expression. They progress to recognizing pitch and rhythm patterns, exploring steady beats, and begin to build their vocal confidence. Starting in 2nd grade, students begin instruction on recorders. They continue to expand their musical literacy and hone their ability to participate in ensembles with progressively more complex rhythm and melody patterns.

 

Physical Education and Health

Students in grades K-5 in Tenafly will participate in activities that will help them develop health and physical literacy, maintain wellness, and build skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and healthy decision-making. Students will also explore ways to engage in active lifestyles, foster positive relationships, and respect individual and cultural differences, all while gaining awareness of health resources and global issues like public health and climate change.

 

Library

Starting in Kindergarten, students begin with an introduction to books, libraries and basic digital tools. They participate in simple STEM storytime activities that connect stories to basic science and math concepts. As they progress to higher grades, they continue to develop listening, book selection and basic research skills, and continue their STEM instruction. Students are taught digital citizenship, learning to evaluate sources and differentiate between fact and opinion. Digital literacy lessons cover more complex online searches and STEM activities may include collaborative projects, like coding simple animations or designing structures using engineering principals. Their studies culminate with independent research projects, using multiple sources and organizing information effectively. 

 

Spanish

World Language (Spanish) Students in kindergarten through fifth grade study Spanish with an in-person, highly qualified Spanish teacher, meeting twice weekly. At every level, students demonstrate proficiency across three modes of communication (Interpretive Mode, Interpersonal Mode, Presentation Mode). Through the target language of Spanish, all students in grades k-5 identify and recognize a few common products and practices related to daily life in both the target culture and their own culture.

 

 

In addition, Maugham offers the following optional extracurriculars:

 

Instrumental Music Program (3rd-5th grades)

Starting in 3rd grade, students are given the opportunity to receive instrumental instruction in a once a week 30-minute session during school hours. They can choose from violin, cello, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. They are grouped with other students learning the same instruments and start learning the foundational principals of playing an instrument in a fun, relaxed environment.

 

Chorus (4th-5th grades)

The Maugham Chorus meets on Wednesday mornings from 7:30-8:30am to practice singing and vocal techniques in a collaborative environment. As they progress in their instruction, students learn to read music, listen for harmonies, and incorporate dance and movement. Their work culminates in two concerts every year, the Winter and the Spring concerts, which are performed in conjunction with the Maugham Band & Orchestra for a wonderful night of music. Chorus students also have opportunities to perform outside of school, through programs such as American Young Voices.

 

Band & Orchestra (4th-5th grades)

The Maugham Band & Orchestra meet on Friday mornings from 7:30-8:30am. Students learn foundational instrument techniques including proper posture, proper instrument-specific technique, and instrument care. They learn to read music, understand basic rhythms, play in tune, and follow a conductor, developing essential ensemble skills like listening and teamwork. Their work culminates in two concerts every year, the Winter and the Spring concerts, which are performed in conjunction with the Maugham Chorus. Band & Orchestra students have opportunities to perform outside of school.

 

Student Council (4th-5th grades)

The Student Council is a community-based, student-led organization that works to serve our school and local community through collaborative work. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade classes elect two representatives from each class. Candidates who are interested in becoming a voice for their class prepare and deliver a short speech to their peers in their classrooms about why they want to be their class representative and what they hope to accomplish. Following the speeches, their classmates vote to select their representatives. These representatives are responsible for gathering ideas and feedback from their classmates, attending regular Student Council meetings, and working together on service projects that benefit our school and local community.

 

Safety Committee (5th grade)

 

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Chess Team

 

  

 

The Maugham Chess Team is made up of a group of students who learn and compete in chess together, developing skills like strategic thinking, problem-solving, and sportsmanship. They receive coaching to participate in local, city, and state competitions. The focus is on both competitive play and the social and educational benefits of the game, with teams accommodating students of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players.  

 

Our in-person programming will match players based on skill, interest level & age. This allows coaches to identify and create the right training environment for each player (from complete beginner to advanced national competitors).

 

The Chess Team runs as part of our After School Clubs program. It follows the same dates, times, and procedures as Clubs.

 

We currently are capped at 28 students made up of all grades K-5. Email us to join the waitlist.

 

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Newspaper

 

The Who, What, When & Maugham is Maugham School's student newspaper. Our students put on their reporter caps and work hard to publish several editions throughout the year. Using literacy and critical thinking skills, students develop skills in research, interviewing, and asking the "5 Ws" (Who, What, When, Where, and Why). You can see the past issues below.

 

The initiative is open to 4th and 5th grade students at Maugham School and runs as part of our After School Clubs program. Look out for opportunities to join during registration periods. 

 

Special thanks to the THS editors, who volunteer to support and guide the students.

 

2023-2024

Issue 1   Issue 2   Issue 3   Issue 4

 

2024-2025

Issue 5   Issue 6   Issue 7    Issue 8    Issue 9

 

2025-2026

Issue 10