Farmington Continuing Education

The Farmington Public Schools Orchestra Teachers and members of the Hartford Symphony invite you to join them for 3 weeks of intensive music-making and fun! Daily classes include mini-lessons on your stringed instrument, note-reading and group class, orchestra, movement, and visual arts. Advanced players may also have chamber music opportunities. The Farmington Strings Academy is designed for students with at least one year of instruction on the violin, viola, cello, or string bass - no beginners, please! Students should bring their instruments, music books, a healthy snack, and a water bottle. Sample Daily Schedule: 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Small Group Instrument Lessons 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Note-Reading Group Class 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Visual Arts 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Physical Education NOTES: Registration deadline: June 29, 2025 Cancellation Policy: Cancellations with a refund will be allowed up to June 29 less a $35 fee. There are NO cancellations / refunds after June 29! EXTENDED DAY OPTION: The EXCL Summer Camp is available for children who need before and after childcare that are registered for the Farmington Summer Strings Academy. EXCL is an additional cost and is for Farmington students ONLY. The EXCL Summer Camp is a separate registration! You MUST complete the EXCL Registration Form, found on EXCL's website, and the program reservation form found HERE return it, along with any required documents and payment, to the EXCL Office (1 Depot Place in Unionville, CT). Space is limited so register early! Call 860-404-0112 with any questions. Farmington Summer Strings Academy - Extended Day with EXCL (8 AM to 1 PM / 4-5 PM)

Beginning with an audition workshop, students will hone their audition skills to try out for roles in DreamWorks Production's Shrek: The Musical Jr. Each day, students will participate in rehearsals including music, choreography, improv and drama games, backstage production, and most importantly -- FUN! The FINAL performance will take place on Friday, June 27 in the Irving Robbins Middle School Auditorium. Opportunity for rising (7-12) graders: Students with a serious interest in the "behind-the-scenes" portion of theatre will work with mentors in the areas of stage management, directing, costumes, props, and set design. These students will not perform in the play but instead will be working backstage as part of the production. Students should bring a healthy snack, a healthy lunch, and a water bottle daily. Daily Sample Schedule: 9:00 - 9:05 morning meeting 9:05 - 10:00 Workshop 1 10:00 - 10:15 Snack in Cafe 10:15 - 11:00 Workshop 2 11:00 - 11:45 Workshop 3 11:45 - 12:15 Lunch 12:20 - 1:55 Full Cast Rehearsal 2:00 Dismissal NOTES: Registration deadline: June 8, 2025 Cancellation Policy: Cancellations with a refund will be allowed up to June 10 with a $35 fee. There are NO cancellations / refunds after June 8!

The AM portion of this program is possible through the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant awarded by the State of Connecticut Department of Education. If you are registering for the AM program only, a $50 fee is due upon registration. AM 8-12 Visual and Performing Arts Program: The Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Program offers a unique blend of creativity and learning for students, with a grant-funded morning session and a fee based afternoon extension. The morning portion of the program is made possible through the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant received from the State of Connecticut Department of Education. Students can participate in this enriching experience for a $50 registration fee. This year’s focus, Permaculture, explores sustainability through its three core ethics: Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Shares. Students will use scientific observation to analyze natural phenomena, examine human impact on the environment, and explore cultural influences on sustainability. Participants explore a wide range of artistic disciplines, including dance, African drumming, digital design, stop-animation, wearable art, drawing, painting, sculpture, and puppetry. The program also includes a field trip to a local museum, where students will have the opportunity to explore contemporary art and draw inspiration from professional works. This program runs from 8:00 AM until 12:00 Noon. Transportation options are available and are listed at the bottom of this description. *This morning program is contingent on being awarded the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant through the Connecticut State Department of Education. Since the current program design is contingent on grant funding, should funding not be awarded, ONLY the morning program will NOT be held and the registration fee will be refunded. Notification of grant awards is expected in July.* PM 12-4 Farmington Continuing Education Summer Art Academy: For students wishing to extend their day, Farmington Continuing Education is offering the FCE Art Academy in the afternoon. This additional, pay-for-service component continues the exploration of art principles and techniques introduced during the morning session. Running from 12 PM to 4 PM for the same two weeks the Visual and Performing Arts program runs (July 28 - August 8), the afternoon Academy delves deeper into the topics covered earlier in the day, with opportunities for more hands-on projects, personalized instruction, and collaborative group work. Students can further enhance their artistic skills while fostering creativity and critical thinking. The work done in this afternoon program will be highlighted in the culminating event on August 28th. This option includes the morning VPA program and its fees. If you register for this option, you do not need to register for the AM program. *The PM portion of this program is not funded by the Interdistrict Cooperative Grant and will run regardless of the grant being awarded.* Transportation: Busing will be available to/from Vance School in New Britain, Linden Street School in Plainville, and Rawson Elementary in Hartford each day. Please note the pick-up and drop-off times for each location listed below: Vance School, New Britain AM drop-off: 7:10 -7:20 AM (bus will leave Vance promptly at 7:30 AM) PM pick-up: 12:30 PM (bus times may vary based on traffic) Linden Street School, Plainville AM drop-off: 7:25 - 7:35 AM (bus will leave Linden promptly at 7:45 AM) PM pick-up: 1220 PM (bus times may vary based on traffic) Rawson Elementary School, Hartford AM drop-off: 7:10 -7:20 AM (bus will leave Rawson promptly at 7:25 AM) PM pick-up: 12:30 PM (bus times may vary based on traffic) Important Information: Only one transportation option can be selected. You must select one and cannot combine options. Students will be required to be signed in and out daily by an adult (18+ years). We ask that all students are picked-up promptly. If an emergency arises that will affect a students attendance, transportation, or there is a change in the Authorized Pick-Up, please call the Farmington Continuing Education office at 860-404-0290.