The Otter Room is our after-school classroom for K-4th grade, providing before and after-school care, as well as full days on 4J and SPS ‘No School Days.’ However, during the summer, we have a fun program where we explore and take the kiddos on field trips at least three days a week, including two to three big trips out of town (like OMSI) a summer.

We finally found a magical lead teacher, Kenzie, at the beginning of the year, who quickly worked her way up to be a sub-director. She has extensive experience working with after-school-aged children at the YMCA. Right now, our class is small, and we do not need a teacher’s assistant. As soon as it grows, we will look for our next Unity after-school teacher assistant.

Otters have fun doing planned crafts, games, and other activities. If your child has homework, we can help them with that, too! While all these activities are happening, the teachers encourage the kids to problem-solve, work as a team, and think of others, modeling and helping them navigate how to communicate with one another kindly—even when frustrated. We practice a lot of collaborative problem solving and positive conflict resolution. We also have two guinea pigs (Pumpkin and McSqueakers) as class pets, and the kids get to take turns holding and feeding them. This helps the kids learn to be gentle and teaches them responsibility for caring for another living creature.  We have a garden class once a week, and at least once a week, we give the kids extra time in the garden, which is right outside the Otter room door.  It’s a great area for the kids to explore and fall in love with nature. 

Lastly, it’s not uncommon to find a once-Panda move through the school and stay with us until 4th grade in the Otter room! This provides the child with a solid, loving environment for most of their childhood.