Phoenix Youth Circus Arts is thrilled to be starting a circus arts club at Clarendon Elementary School (1225 W Clarendon Ave Phoenix, AZ 85013) in the Osborn School District in September 2022. The club will consist of up to 25 students from 4th grade and above who will meet after school on Wednesdays from 1:15pm to 2:45pm in the school gymnasium. This program is made possible by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant and will be one of many activities administered under that program by Clarendon School. The first meeting of the club will be Wednesday, Sept 7.
In circus club, students learn the basics of all the circus arts such as juggling (balls, rings, scarves, flower sticks, diabolos, hooping, poi), balancing (tight wire, rola bola, unicycling, stilt-walking), acrobatics (tumbling, partner acrobatics, human pyramids, mini-trampoline), and clowning! Students prepare acts to present at shows performed for the school community. Students from the club also are given the opportunity to join PYCA students from other schools in optional performances at public events and festivals throughout the year and throughout the Phoenix area. No prior experience is necessary to be in the club – only a desire to attend regularly, try new things, and work cooperatively and creatively with other circus students while learning how to perform.
Participation in the club is free of charge, but is limited to 25 students. Membership is a privilege – to retain that privilege, students must maintain good grades at school and good behavior and attendance at both school and club practice sessions. Parental permission is required – and students must have transportation home from school when each practice concludes.
Students will register for the club the way they register for other 21st Century Grant programs and then an additional parental permission and waiver form is required for a student to participate. The waiver/registration forms will be available at the school office and also online: (form in English here) (form in Spanish here)
