After-School Classes
Park offers enrichment activities after school to provide children with high quality afternoon experiences, created by Park faculty members and guest teachers, and to present opportunities to develop interests, cultivate talents, and strengthen social bonds.
After-school classes are offered on a trimester basis. The first trimester (fall) is shorter than the winter and spring trimesters. This is due to the fall athletic season beginning in the summer. Exact dates may change each year but will typically run as follows:
- Fall trimester – September 11 through October 27
- Winter trimester – November through early February
- Spring trimester – late February through end of May
Registration for Fall After-School Classes is now open. Click HERE to register. Registrations are due by Friday, September 1.
Confirmations/regrets will be sent via email by Thursday, September 7.
In the interest of fairness, we will randomly choose students for classes. Late registrants will be added only if space is available.
Registration is not a confirmation of enrollment in the class. Confirmations/regrets will be emailed home following the registration deadline.
We limit the number of children who can participate so that the activity itself is both fun and manageable. If an activity is oversubscribed, we compile a “first refusal list” and offer a space in the next trimester if the activity is offered. When signing up, please confirm with your child that they are committed to the class and plan to participate for the entire session. In the past, we have had the occasional instance when children have dropped out mid-session due to lack of interest in the class or sports and/or music commitments. There will be no refunds for an after-school class following the first week of the class.
If for any reason classes need to be made up due to cancellations (we will not reschedule classes due to inclement weather), they will be added at the end of the session and you will be notified. Should the class fee present a hardship to your family, please contact the Lower School office.
Fall After-School Class Offerings and Descriptions
Garden Club • Alison Penning, Lower School Art teacher
Grades 1 – 5
3:15–4:30 PM • 6 weeks (9/11–10/23) **NO CLASS on 9/23.
$90/60
Are you a lover of nature, being outdoors, and watching things grow? Do you enjoy being active and using your hands? How about getting dirty, and spending time around insects, worms, birds, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and even weeds? Maybe you just appreciate the fresh smells and tastes, the unique sights and sounds, or the mindfulness a garden has to offer? Then join the Lower School Garden Club this fall! This session we will experience the glorious and unique features of autumn by harvesting fruits and vegetables, observing lots of plant and animal activity, learning how to care for and maintain the garden in fall, and then preparing the garden for winter.
Field Hockey • Stradine Harris, Lower School Physical Education teacher and Michele Shirah, 4th Grade teacher
Grades 4 & 5
3:15–4:30 PM • 6 weeks (9/11–10/23) **This class meets on both **Mondays AND Wednesdays** NO CLASS on 9/25.
NO CHARGE
Practice/Game Pickup and drop-off: Practice will run from 3:15-4:30 p.m. on Mondays & Wednesdays, beginning Wednesday, September 11. Students will meet coaches in Blaustein Gym II (pick up equipment) and travel to practice as a group (indoors in Blaustein Gyms, Kelly turf field or Tompkins field). If for some reason the practice location should change, we will communicate the change via email. At 4:30 p.m., coaches will walk the students to Carpool (main entrance of the school) for pick up and those who are not picked up by 4:40 p.m., will be accompanied to Lower School Extended Day.
Games: There will be no interscholastic competition this fall, but we hope if our numbers allow we will play 1-2 Brown & White (intrasquad) games this season. The games will fall within the normal practice days of Mondays & Wednesdays, but will require a larger time commitment than a normal practice. Most likely a game-day will occupy the hours of 3:15-5 p.m. on your child’s schedule. More to come on that as the season continues.
Absences: If your child misses school or will miss practice or a game for any reason, please communicate that with the lower school office so we are able to account for all students. We will get that information to the coaches.
Equipment required: Stick, goggles (optional), mouthguard, and water bottle. Shorts and T-shirts will be acceptable for practice. Game jerseys will be provided by the School. If you don’t own a stick, you may borrow a stick on a daily basis and return at the end of every practice.
Soccer • Blair Northcott, Upper School Science and Lower School parent
Grades 4 & 5
3:15–4:30 PM • 6 weeks (9/11–10/23) **This class meets on both **Mondays AND Wednesdays** NO CLASS on 9/23.
NO CHARGE
Practice/Game Pickup and drop-off: Practice will run from 3:15-4:30 p.m. on Mondays & Wednesdays, beginning Monday, September 11. Students will meet coaches at the entrance to the Athletic Center and travel to 1 of the 3 West Fields on our Main Campus (Boys’ Varsity Field, Girls’ Varsity Field or Rosenberg Field). All 3 of the fields are in the rear of the Athletic Center and are easily accessible from one another. If for some reason the practice location should change, we will communicate the change via email. At 4:30 p.m., coaches will walk the students to Carpool (main entrance of the school) for pick up and those who are not picked up by 4:40 p.m., will be accompanied to Lower School Extended Day.
Games: We hope to schedule 1-2 games with another school in addition to 1-2 Brown & White (intrasquad) games this season. The games will fall within the normal practice days of Mondays & Wednesdays, but will require a larger time commitment than a normal practice. Most likely a game-day will occupy the hours of 3:15-5 p.m. on your child’s schedule. If we are able to travel to play another school, that will also add to the time commitment for that day. We will communicate additional game day information once the game dates are finalized.
Absences: If your child misses school or will miss practice or a game for any reason, please communicate that with the lower school office so we are able to account for all students. We will get that information to the coaches.
Equipment required: Soccer cleats, shin guards, and water bottle. Gym shorts and T-shirt will be acceptable for practice. Game jerseys will be provided by the School.
Lego Mindstorm • Tara Northcott, Upper School Technology Coordinator and Computer Science teacher
Grade 3
3:15–4:30 PM • 6 weeks (9/11–10/2)3 **NO CLASS on 9/23.
$90/60
Create your own robot with Legos! In this club, we will learn how to use EV3 programming to build real Lego robots that complete tasks. No experience necessary!
Chess • Arkadiy Frenkel, Experienced Chess Master
Grades 1 & 2
3:15–4:15 PM • 6 weeks (9/12–10/17)
$90/60
Are you interested in learning how to play chess, one of the most famous strategy games of all time? Come join us and learn, or improve your skills. Arkadiy Frenkel is a national chess master and full-time chess coach. Students will be working on chess problems and will learn to use a chess clock. During the practice game they will play against each other. We will learn special moves and basic chess principles. Any level chess players are welcome.
Lower School Lacrosse Clinic • Stradine Harris, Lower School Physical Education teacher
Grades 3–5
3:15–4:15 PM • 6 weeks (9/12–10/17)
NO CHARGE
The lacrosse clinic will teach and reinforce skills such as throwing, catching, shooting, scooping, cradling, checking, dodging and other fundamental techniques and skills. The clinic will also provide exposure to any girls who have not played and to help develop skills for those girls who already have some experience.
*Participants must have a mouth guard to participate. You will also need a lacrosse stick and goggles, but it is not necessary to purchase these, as we have loaners to be used during our clinic. No previous experience playing lacrosse is required.
Destination Imagination (DI)
Grades 4 & 5
3:15–4:15 PM • 6 weeks (9/12–spring break)
$220
Destination ImagiNation (DI) is an educational program in which student teams solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. Teams are tested to think on their feet, work together and devise original solutions that satisfy the requirements of the Challenges. Participants gain more than just basic knowledge and skills—they learn to unleash their imaginations and take unique approaches to problem solving.” Learn more at Destination Imagination.
The Destination Imagination team will work to create a solution to their Central Challenge while simultaneously learning to work together as a group through the practice of solving Instant Challenges. Students will also gain experience with taking risks, being flexible and patient, valuing the ideas and talents of classmates, and collaborating on tasks, all while having fun and pushing themselves to think outside of the box. One thing that makes DI a unique experience is that all the ideas must come from the students; in fact they are honor bound not to use an idea that someone else has created!
**This year’s state competition is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2024, which falls during spring break. Teams that advance will compete again in the state tournament in early April (dates to be announced). Our team will not compete in the Global Competition this year regardless of placement at the state level. Every DI participant will need to be available for the full-day competition. Due to this year’s scheduling, we will not have any Lower School teachers take on the role of team manager, and we will solely rely on parents to lead teams this year.
Do you share in DI’s mission “To inspire and equip youth to imagine and innovate through the creative process?”
If so and you have an interest in exploring this opportunity, please be in touch with Kara Leonard in the Lower School office.
Field Hockey • Stradine Harris, Lower School Physical Education teacher and Michele Shirah, 4th Grade teacher
Grades 4 & 5
3:15–4:30 PM • 6 weeks (9/11–10/23) **This class meets on both **Mondays AND Wednesdays** NO CLASS on 9/25.
NO CHARGE
Practice/Game Pickup and drop-off: Practice will run from 3:15-4:30 p.m. on Mondays & Wednesdays, beginning Wednesday, September 11. Students will meet coaches in Blaustein Gym II (pick up equipment) and travel to practice as a group (indoors in Blaustein Gyms, Kelly turf field or Tompkins field). If for some reason the practice location should change, we will communicate the change via email. At 4:30 p.m., coaches will walk the students to Carpool (main entrance of the school) for pick up and those who are not picked up by 4:40 p.m., will be accompanied to Lower School Extended Day.
Games: There will be no interscholastic competition this fall, but we hope if our numbers allow we will play 1-2 Brown & White (intrasquad) games this season. The games will fall within the normal practice days of Mondays & Wednesdays, but will require a larger time commitment than a normal practice. Most likely a game-day will occupy the hours of 3:15-5 p.m. on your child’s schedule. More to come on that as the season continues.
Absences: If your child misses school or will miss practice or a game for any reason, please communicate that with the lower school office so we are able to account for all students. We will get that information to the coaches.
Equipment required: Stick, goggles (optional), mouthguard, and water bottle. Shorts and T-shirts will be acceptable for practice. Game jerseys will be provided by the School. If you don’t own a stick, you may borrow a stick on a daily basis and return at the end of every practice.
Soccer • Blair Northcott, Upper School Science and Lower School parent
Grades 4 & 5
3:15–4:30 PM • 6 weeks (9/11–10/23) **This class meets on both **Mondays AND Wednesdays** NO CLASS on 9/23.
NO CHARGE
Practice/Game Pickup and drop-off: Practice will run from 3:15-4:30 p.m. on Mondays & Wednesdays, beginning Monday, September 11. Students will meet coaches at the entrance to the Athletic Center and travel to 1 of the 3 West Fields on our Main Campus (Boys’ Varsity Field, Girls’ Varsity Field or Rosenberg Field). All 3 of the fields are in the rear of the Athletic Center and are easily accessible from one another. If for some reason the practice location should change, we will communicate the change via email. At 4:30 p.m., coaches will walk the students to Carpool (main entrance of the school) for pick up and those who are not picked up by 4:40 p.m., will be accompanied to Lower School Extended Day.
Games: We hope to schedule 1-2 games with another school in addition to 1-2 Brown & White (intrasquad) games this season. The games will fall within the normal practice days of Mondays & Wednesdays, but will require a larger time commitment than a normal practice. Most likely a game-day will occupy the hours of 3:15-5 p.m. on your child’s schedule. If we are able to travel to play another school, that will also add to the time commitment for that day. We will communicate additional game day information once the game dates are finalized.
Absences: If your child misses school or will miss practice or a game for any reason, please communicate that with the lower school office so we are able to account for all students. We will get that information to the coaches.
Equipment required: Soccer cleats, shin guards, and water bottle. Gym shorts and T-shirt will be acceptable for practice. Game jerseys will be provided by the School.
Yoga Mindfulness • Lindsay Luterman, Park alum and yoga instructor
Grades 1 & 2
3:15–4:15 PM • 6 weeks (9/13–10/18)
$90/60
Teaching mindfulness to youth can create calm, level-headed future leaders, but who says we can’t have fun while doing it? This supportive introduction to Yoga and Mindfulness is designed for kids in grades Pre-K-12th. Participants enjoy access to fun, engaging classes that teach the basics of good health habits, mindful awareness, and positive perceptions. Through this session, participants practice breathing exercises, yoga poses, visualizations, relaxation activities, and we couldn’t call it fun without games! Our educated instructors teach resilience, empowering students through the toughest and most mundane experiences in life.
*Students must bring their own mats.
Chess • Arkadiy Frenkel, Experienced Chess Master
Grades 3–5
3:15–4:15 PM • 10 weeks (9/14–10/19)
$90/60
Are you interested in learning how to play chess, one of the most famous strategy games of all time? Come join us and learn, or improve your skills. Arkadiy Frenkel is a national chess master and full-time chess coach. Students will be working on chess problems and will learn to use a chess clock. During the practice game they will play against each other. We will learn special moves and basic chess principles. Any level chess players are welcome.
Intro to Sewing • Maggie Baker, 3rd Grade teacher
Grades 1 & 2
3:15–4:15 PM • 6 weeks (9/14–10/19)
$90/60
Start up your sewing passion! Together, we’ll learn the basics of hand sewing, like threading a needle, three key stitches, sewing on buttons, and planning out projects. Each student will use their new found skills to make a completely customizable “Monster Bag.”
Soccer Clinic • Soccer Shots
Grades 1 & 2
3:15–4:15 PM • 6 weeks (9/15–10/29) *NO CLASS 10/21)
$90/60
Friends, Fun, & Sports!! Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. Our caring team focuses on individual skill, fitness, and sportsmanship, providing an opportunity for children to be challenged through fun games and team interaction. Children will also be introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Yoga Mindfulness • Lindsay Luterman, Park alum and yoga instructor
Grades 3–5
3:15–4:15 PM • 6 weeks (9/15–10/29)
$90/60
Teaching mindfulness to youth can create calm, level-headed future leaders, but who says we can’t have fun while doing it? This supportive introduction to Yoga and Mindfulness is designed for kids in grades Pre-K-12th. Participants enjoy access to fun, engaging classes that teach the basics of good health habits, mindful awareness, and positive perceptions. Through this session, participants practice breathing exercises, yoga poses, visualizations, relaxation activities, and we couldn’t call it fun without games! Our educated instructors teach resilience, empowering students through the toughest and most mundane experiences in life.
*Students must bring their own mats.
Important
All students must be picked up in the carpool lane by 4:30 p.m. If a student is not picked up on time, they will be taken to Extended Day, and applicable fees will be charged. As always, regular Extended Day attendees will be delivered to Extended Day directly from the after-school class.
All pick-up information will be included in your confirmation letters.
Payment
Parents should not send payment for after-school classes with the registration. Should your child register and be accepted into an after-school class, you will receive an email confirmation. Your Park School bill will reflect the charge for this trimester’s class shortly after the class has begun.
