Brickey McCloud SHADES of Development

Our kids have been LOVING the dress-up and dramatic play centers at Brickey! 🎭 It’s been so fun to watch their creativity come to life as they pretend, collaborate, and build stories together. Dramatic play is such an important part of an afterschool program because it helps children develop social skills, confidence, language, and problem-solving while they play. Thank you to everyone who helps keep these centers organized so our students can continue to explore, imagine, and learn through play! ✨

Spring Break Reminder 🌸
SHADES will be open at select sites March 9th–11th during KCS Spring Break. Please note that all sites will be closed March 12th–13th.

🎭✨ Brickey’s Purple Group Brings Brazilian Culture to Life! ✨🎭

Brickey’s Purple Group had an amazing time diving into the vibrant world of Brazilian carnivals! As part of their cultural exploration, students designed and created their own colorful carnival masks — and they turned out absolutely fantastic!

While crafting their masks, students learned about the importance of Carnival in Brazil, especially in cities like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. They discovered how Carnival is a celebration filled with music, dance, parades, and community spirit. From the dazzling samba performances to the elaborate costumes, Carnival is a time when people come together to celebrate culture, history, and joy.

Through this hands-on activity, our students not only expressed their creativity but also gained a deeper understanding of how traditions like Carnival play an important role in bringing communities together in Brazil.

We are so proud of their hard work, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning about cultures around the world. Great job, Purple Group! 💜🎨🌎

Brickey’s preschool friends love free choice time!

Whether they’re reading stories to each other (and their favorite stuffies 🧸), building imaginative spaceships ready for launch 🚀, or hosting delightful dinner parties with friends 🍽️, there’s never a dull moment.

Free choice gives our little learners the chance to explore their interests, build friendships, and let their creativity shine in so many different ways. We love watching their imaginations come to life! 💚

So much fun with our secondary students at Brickey!

In Early Engineering Club, we beat the winter blues by designing and building our very own SHADES playground. Using construction paper, tape, staples, pipe cleaners, and a hot glue gun, students brought their creative ideas to life and secured their designs onto a poster board.

We love seeing their imagination, teamwork, and engineering skills shine after school!

Rolling into the weekend like… 😎
Smiles on, worries gone, and ready to trade pencils for pajamas! After a week of hard work, laughter, and learning, we’ve earned a few days of fun and relaxation.
Whether it’s family time, sports, movie nights, or just sleeping in a little later — we hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend!
See you Monday, refreshed and ready to shine! 🌟

Having older kids read to younger kids is one of those quietly powerful things that looks simple but does a lot of work under the surface.
When older kids read to younger kids, they do more than share a story—they build confidence, connection, and a love of reading. Younger children benefit from hearing fluent reading, richer vocabulary, and expressive storytelling, while older readers strengthen their own skills by reading aloud and taking on a leadership role. These moments create bonds, encourage empathy, and show younger kids that reading is something to look forward to, not just something to learn.

Smiles and LOTS of important “phone calls” 📞😄 in Pre-K!
Our kids are loving dramatic play—sparking imagination, creativity, and plenty of fun!