OTA Pick-up Soccer / Basketball: Sunday 9:00-11:00 AM

Sunday Pickup Soccer / Basketball tomorrow, Oct 13, on the OTA campus.

Open to all OTA students, grades 2-8, and family members.

 

Parents of OTA 2nd-8th Graders- drop children off – or stay and play.

  • No Kindergarteners or First Graders please: we’ve found they cannot go the distance! (But K and 1st Grade parents are welcome to stay and set up separate games for the younger children)
  • Remember: no cleats on the field…

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OTA AfterSchool Programs — Why Join the Chess Club?

Note: After-School Programs will not begin until the second week of school… schedule and sign-up sheet available soon. Thank You.

chessboard

Why Study Chess? Patience, Planning, Problem-Solving, Puzzling, Perseverance… Chess teaches self-control & humility, grace under pressure, & it makes children smarter.*

Larry Evans Chess Camp is taught by master instructors, using very effective tools and motivation techniques. OTA students loved it during our first year but schedule changes brought it down to once a week last year. Once a week isn’t enough to learn anything! So, we’re bringing it back to two days a week.

Old Town Academy-Chess Club Q1 2013

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STUDIES (see more studies at Quad City Chess Club)

  • In a 1973-74 Zaire study conducted by Dr. Albert Frank, employing 92 students, age 16-18, the chess-playing experimental group showed a significant advancement in spatial, numerical and administrative-directional abilities, along with verbal aptitudes, compared to the control group. The improvements held true regardless of the final chess skill level attained. [1], [2], [7]
  • In a 1974-1976 Belgium study, a chess-playing experimental group of fifth graders experienced a statistically significant gain in cognitive development over a control group, using Piaget’s tests for cognitive development. Perhaps more noteworthy, they also did significantly better in their regular school testing, Continue reading →

“Teacher Experiences”: Day on the Bay w/ Mrs Lehr • Fishing with Mr Major & Captain Dan

OTA Teachers generously donated their time for “Teacher Experience” Days as a Spring Gala fundraiser. Below are pictures from Day on the Bay with Mrs Lehr and Fishing with Mr Major & Captain Dan. More “Teacher Experience” photos to come!

An Afternoon on the Bay with Mrs Lehr

See the adventurous side of Mrs. Lehr! Enjoy a boat ride on Coronado Bay, with tubing or waterskiing potential for those with experience. Then sit down with an ice cream snack at Coldstone Creamery.

Teacher Experience-Mrs Lehr

Fishing the Point Loma Kelp Beds with Mr. Major & his Brother Captain Dan

Get to know the saltier side of Mr. Major. Spend a 1/2 day fishing off the Point Loma kelp beds with Mr Major and Captain Dan for two of San Diego’s tastiest fish species, Calico Bass & Red RockFish (Vermilion, Starry, etc. Rockfish).

Summer Jiu-jitsu /Self-Defense Camp • Beginners Welcome!

Belt Ceremony-Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self-Defense

June 2013 Belt Ceremony. These OTA students were awarded new stripes or belts to reflect their progress. 

SUMMER Jiu-Jitsu Camp continues tomorrow (July 9, 3:30-5:00) with Coach Villanueva. New students are welcome to join at any time. Summer classes will meet on Tu, Wed, and Thur from 3:30-5:00 in the OTA gym. Coach will have Gis available for sale (or students can bring their own) and Sign-up forms. First class (trial) is always free.

Continue reading →

Summer Jiu-jitsu /Self-Defense Camp • Beginners Welcome!

Belt Ceremony-Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self-Defense

June 2013 Belt Ceremony. These OTA students were awarded new stripes or belts to reflect their progress. 

SUMMER Jiu-Jitsu will start today (July 2, 3:30-5:00) with Coach Villanueva. Summer classes will meet Tu, W, Th from 3:30-5:00 in the OTA gym. Coach will have Gis available for sale (or students can bring their own) and Sign-up forms. First class (trial) is free.

Parent Testimonial:

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CLASS FOR YOUR KIDS.
The Instructors are very professional.
It has built unbelievable confidence in my son and he loves it.

Allan Jewel

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“OTA Tennis on the Turf” • New Session Starts Today • Sign up for Tuesdays (K-3), 3:30-5:00

Mar 19 "Tennis on the Turf" K-3

Last Quarter “Tennis on the Turf” joined us half-way through the session so they are a little out of sync. But they are starting up again tomorrow. The class has been popular sign up now to save a spot!

OTA “Tennis on the Turf” with Coach Rogers. No Rackets necessary (but children may bring their own). Lessons will be run right on the OTA Field with master coach Mike Rogers, an expert in getting beginning players off to a great start.

  • Tuesdays (Starts May 7) 3:30-5:00 for students in grades K-3 (max.10 students)
  • Fridays (Starts May 10) 3:30-5:00 for grades 4-8.  Note: Friday classes cancelled for fourth quarter.
  • (See Coach Rogers for case-by-case exceptions to age restrictions: younger intermediate players may join the older class)

Please RSVP to tennis@otacharter.org to reserve your child’s place.

(See Coach for Sign-up sheets on the field) 

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Reminder: RSVP for “OTA Tennis on the Turf” – Fri 3:30-5:00 for 4th-8th

Mar 19 "Tennis on the Turf" K-3

 

Tuesday’s class was a great success with ten K-3 Students participating.

OTA “Tennis on the Turf” with Coach Rogers starts this week. No Rackets necessary (but children may bring their own). Lessons will be run right on the OTA Field with master coach Mike Rogers, an expert in beginning players off to a great start.

  • Tuesdays (Starts Mar 19) 3:30-5:00 for students in grades K-3 (max.10 students)
  • Fridays (Starts Mar 22) 3:30-5:00 for students in grades 4-8 (max.10 students)
  • (See Coach Rogers for case-by-case exceptions to age restrictions: younger intermediate players may join the older class)

Please RSVP to tennis@otacharter.org to reserve your child’s place.

(Sign-up sheets available here: Q3 Tennis Sign-Up Form.) 

Continue reading →

Reminder: RSVP for “OTA Tennis on the Turf” – Tu 3:30-5:00 for K-3; Fri 3:30-5:00 for 4th-8th

OTA Tennis on the Turf

OTA “Tennis on the Turf” with Coach Rogers starts this week. No Rackets necessary (but children may bring their own). Lessons will be run right on the OTA Field with master coach Mike Rogers, an expert in beginning players off to a great start.

  • Tuesdays (Starts Mar 19) 3:30-5:00 for students in grades K-3 (max.10 students)
  • Fridays (Starts Mar 22) 3:30-5:00 for students in grades 4-8 (max.10 students)
  • (See Coach Rogers for case-by-case exceptions to age restrictions: younger intermediate players may join the older class)

Please RSVP to tennis@otacharter.org to reserve your child’s place.

(Sign-up sheets available here: Q3 Tennis Sign-Up Form.) 

Continue reading →

Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore Brings Tim Federle, Author of “Better Nate Than Ever” to OTA

Mysterious Bookstore

Myterious Galaxy  • Join the Young Readers Group • Upcoming Author Visits 

Mysterious Galaxy is an Independent Bookstore specializing in science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and horror. Click here for information and directions to their San Diego Store 

Books-better-nate-than-ever-story-top
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Broadway dancer and choreographer Tim Federle visited OTA today (grades 4th-7th) to talk about his very-well reviewed debut book Better Nate Than Ever, a book written to to encourage children to follow their dreams.
The students were impressed by Mr Federle and Mrs Gilbert has
26 SIGNED COPIES of the Book which will be Available for a 20% discount. Students can purchase the signed, hardback first editions for $13.59.

 

Read a review here:

(CNN) — Author Tim Federle has just wrapped a long day at the Atlanta Junior Theater festival, working with several thousand boys and girls Continue reading →