Julian Elementary School Circus Club

(information in Spanish below)

PYCA is thrilled to be able to sponsor a circus club at Percy L Julian School (2149 E Carver Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85040) for the 2024-2025 school year. The program is made possible through the 21st Century grant program at Julian.

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.

Who can join the club?

All students in grades 4 and 5 can join. Participation is free of charge, but is limited to 25 students. Membership is a privilege – to retain that privilege, students should maintain good grades at school and good behavior and attendance at both school and club practice sessions. Parental permission is required via an online waiver and registration form.

When does the club meet?

The club meets on Thursdays after school from 4:00 – 5:15PM in the school gymnasium. Students will gather with other students in the 21st Century after-school programs and be escorted to the gym. Students will be returned for pick up at 5:15PM. The first club meeting will be Sept 12. Full club calendar is here

How to join the circus club:

  1. Fill out the paperwork for the Julian 21st Century Grant program
  2. Fill out online forms specifically for circus club. Access the online registration and waiver form here (available in English and Spanish)
  3. In case more than 25 students wish to join, there may be a waitlist. Students will be notified before the first practice on Sept 12 if they are in the club or not.

Circus Club Coaches

Jens Larson – Director and founder of Phoenix Youth Circus Arts

Jens spent 19 years performing in circuses in the USA and around the world. He spent 14 years as a high school educator. He created PYCA in 2015 and became a circus educator! (Full bio, video links and pictures)

Stevie Smith – The amazing Stevie Smith has been performing all over the country as juggler, clown, and acrobat for almost 20 years. His specialty is his 4ft diameter rolling globe named “Lucille” on which he set a world record by walking and balancing for 25 hours straight! Stevie loves it when students challenge themselves and end up doing things they didn’t think they would be able to do (like walk on Lucille)!

Melanie Webster – Melanie taught herself to juggle in 2006, and never stopped. Since then, she has thrown things at hundreds of people in the US and abroad, and developed her own flow style with clubs. In the summer of 2024 she performed at the European Juggling Convention in Portugal. She enjoys numbers juggling, passing club patterns, and the art of practicing to get better. Melanie uses positive reinforcement to help others believe in themselves, encouraging students to push past what they think is possible.

Julian Elementary Circus Club (Espanol)

PYCA está encantada de poder patrocinar un club de circo en la escuela Percy L Julian (2149 E Carver Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85040) para el año escolar 2024-2025. El programa es posible gracias al programa de subvenciones del siglo XXI de Julian.

En el club de circo, los estudiantes aprenden los conceptos básicos de todas las artes circenses, como malabares (pelotas, anillos, diábolos, aros, poi), equilibrio (funambulismo, rola bola, monociclo, zancos), acrobacias ( volteretas, acrobacias en pareja, pirámides humanas, minitrampolín) y ser un payaso. Los estudiantes preparan actos para presentar en espectáculos realizados para la comunidad escolar. Los estudiantes del club también pueden particapar con estudiantes de PYCA de otras escuelas en presentaciones opcionales en eventos públicos y festivales durante todo el año y en toda el área de Phoenix. No se necesita experiencia previa para estar en el club, solo el deseo de asistir regularmente, probar cosas nuevas y trabajar de manera cooperativa y creativa con otros estudiantes de circo mientras aprenden a actuar.

¿Quién puede unirse al club?

La participación en el club está limitada a 25 estudiantes de 4to y 5to grado. La membresía es un privilegio: para conservar ese privilegio, los estudiantes deben mantener buenas calificaciones en la escuela y buen comportamiento y asistencia a las sesiones de práctica tanto de la escuela como del club. Se requiere el permiso de los padres a través de un formulario de exención y registro en línea.

¿Cuándo se reúne el club de circo?

El club se reúne los jueves de 4:00 p. m. a 5:15 p. m. en el gimnasio de la escuela. Los estudiantes se reunirán con otros estudiantes en los programas extracurriculares de 21st Century y serán acompañados al gimnasio. Los estudiantes serán recogidos a las 5:15 p. m. La primera reunión del club será el 12 de septiembre.

Cómo unirse al club de circo:

  1. Complete la documentación para el programa de 21st Century
  2. Complete los formularios en línea específicamente para el club de circo. Acceda al formulario de inscripción y exención en línea aquí (disponible en inglés y español – Para elegir español, primero haz clic en el botón de arriba que dice “English”. Luego, elige la opción del medio: “Solo menores”)
  3. En caso de que más de 25 estudiantes deseen unirse, puede haber una lista de espera. Se notificará a los estudiantes antes de la primera práctica el 12 de septiembre si están en el club o no.