![]()
PTA organizes before and after school enrichment programs that offers additional academic, physical, and social development of our elementary students before and after school hours. This year, we are thrilled to be able to drive this extracurricular program for 3 sessions: Fall, Winter, and Spring!
| BAND, ORCHESTRA INFO |
|
MONDAY |
Experienced Band
Students already familiar with the basics of their instrument (clarinet, flute, trumpet, or trombone) will build on their knowledge, teamwork, confidence, and continue a lifelong love of music! Experienced Band includes 31 rehearsals before school and 2 evening concerts (winter and spring). Let's make some beautiful music together!
WHEN: Mondays, 7:30 - 8:30 AMCHAPERONE: FILLED
*Students must provide their own instrument, collapsible music stand, and music composition book. Affordable instrument rentals are available at most local music shops. We want everyone to participate! Scholarships available to eligible Ben Rush students: contact Counselor Lloyd Byram.
|
WEDNESDAY |
Beginner Band
Learn to play a real instrument! Beginner Band is the perfect place for students to get started with clarinet, flute, trumpet, or trombone. An experienced music instructor will guide students through fun songs and proper technique. Join Band to build teamwork, confidence, and a lifelong love of music. Beginner Band includes 32 rehearsals before school and 2 evening concerts (winter and spring). Let's make some beautiful music together!
*Students must provide their own instrument, collapsible music stand, and music composition book. Affordable instrument rentals are available at most local music shops. We want everyone to participate! Scholarships available to eligible Ben Rush students: contact Counselor Lloyd Byram.
|
THURSDAY |
Beginner Orchestra
Learn to play a real instrument! Beginner Strings is the perfect place for students to get started with cello, violin, or viola. An experienced music instructor will guide students through fun songs and proper technique. Join to build teamwork, confidence, and a lifelong love of music. Class includes 32 rehearsals before school and 2 evening concerts (winter and spring). Let's make some beautiful music together!
*Students must provide their own instrument, collapsible music stand, and music composition book. Affordable instrument rentals are available at most local music shops. We want everyone to participate! Scholarships available to eligible Ben Rush students: contact Counselor Lloyd Byram.
|
FRIDAY |
Experienced Orchestra
Experienced Strings is the perfect place for students already familiar with the basics of their instrument (cello, violin, or viola). An expert music instructor will guide students through fun songs and proper technique. Join to build teamwork, confidence, and a lifelong love of music! Experienced Strings includes 30 rehearsals before school and 2 evening concerts (winter and spring). Let's make some beautiful music together!
*Students must provide their own instrument, collapsible music stand, and music composition book. Affordable instrument rentals are available at most local music shops. We want everyone to participate! Scholarships available to eligible Ben Rush students: contact Counselor Lloyd Byram.
| ALL OTHER CLASSES - INFO |
|
MONDAY |
GameBots Robotics- By Snapology of Eastside
GameBots is robotics meets game night — students build and program robots, then put them to the test in challenges and competitions against their classmates. Students are given programs with intentional errors to find and fix, building real problem-solving instincts that go beyond following instructions. With Scratch-based coding, hands-on mechanical exploration, and games woven into every session, this one is designed for kids who need to be doing something — not just learning about it. What students will learn:
Art Class by Sit & Kit - by Noga Unger
This hands-on experience invites your child to explore the full spectrum of both 2D and 3D art. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to experiment with diverse techniques and materials—mastering line and color in drawing and painting, while finding your form in sculpture. Whether you are working on a flat canvas or shaping raw clay, this class is designed for creative discovery.
When: Mondays, 3:20 - 4:20 PM
Session Dates: Oct 12 - Dec 7 (no class 11/23)
Open to: Grades K-5
Cost: $210 ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: Art & Science Room
Chaperone position: WAITLIST
Pickleball Club - by Mrs. Scott and Ms. Bullock
Basketball Development Practice (K-2nd) - By Backboard Basics
At Backboard Basics, our Basketball Program provides practices for young athletes to develop their skills and build a strong fundamental base. We strive to create an environment of support and inclusivity, where both new and experienced players are encouraged to grow and sharpen their skills. We are dedicated to changing the culture of basketball and providing an exciting and fun learning experience for all!
When: Mondays, 3:20 - 4:20 PM
Session Dates: Oct 12 - Dec 7 (no class 11/23)
Open to: K-2
Cost: $220 ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: Outdoor Basketball Court
Chaperone position: FILLED
|
TUESDAY |
Intermediate Choir - AM
Any 3-5th grader at Rush can join the Ben Rush Intermediate Choir! We will learn a varied repertoire in preparation for our many concerts throughout the year, including the incredible Thunderbirds Hockey Game experience, where we sing on the ice before the game for fans!
WHEN: Tuesdays, 7:40 - 8:30 AM* Choir t-shirt must also be purchased for anyone that doesn’t already have one - $17. Anyone needing a scholarship to join Choir: contact Counselor Lloyd Byram, lbyram@lwsd.org
Jumps & Juggles Hackysack Club
Hacky sack is much more than just the latest trend on Instagram and TikTok—it’s a serious (and seriously fun!) sport. Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Scott are excited to teach Ben Rush students the basics of Hacky Sack (aka Footbag), from fundamental kicks and tricks to keeping the bag in the air. No experience necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to have fun. Each registration includes your own hackysack!
When: Tuesdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Session Dates: Oct 13 - Dec 8 (no class 11/24)
Open to: 3-5
Cost: $165 ($5 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: Art & Science Room
Multimedia Art class - By Smart with Art
From Sea to Shining Sea: Voyage with Smart with Art as we dive into sea inspired creations using a variety of artistic mediums. Students will explore seascapes, ocean life, and coastal landscapes while learning about artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and O’Keeffe. We’ll ride the creative waves together as students build new artistic skills and set sail on an imaginative ocean adventure!
When: Tuesdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Session Dates: Oct 13 - Dec 8 (no class 11/24)
Open to: K - 5
Cost: $277 including all materials ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: 3rd Grade Pod
Chaperone position: FILLED
Adventures in STEM with LEGO® - Play Well TEKnologies
Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Build engineer-designed projects and use special pieces to create your own unique designs! Projects are rotated seasonally to ensure that both new and returning students can explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO® building system.
When: Tuesdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Session Dates: Oct 13 - Dec 8 (no class 11/24)
Open to: K-2
Cost: $210 ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: 1st/2nd Grade Pod
Chaperone position: FILLED
|
WEDNESDAY |
Math Tycoon: Theme Park - Lando Learning
Build a new theme park every class—water parks, space parks, safari adventures, and more! Students solve math problems to invite customers, build rides, and grow their park, unlocking a themed mini-game when the class reaches its goal. Behind the play is real grade-level math, Common Core-aligned and adjusted to each student’s skill level, keeping kids challenged without getting stuck. Families also receive a recap after each class highlighting completed and challenging problems.
When: Wednesdays, 1:50pm - 2:50 pm
Session Dates: Oct 7 - Dec 9 (no class 11/11, 11/25)
Open to: K-1
Cost: $220 ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: Art/Science Room
Chaperone position: FILLED
Spanish Immersion Class: ParisAcademy Northwest
Give your child a head start in Spanish - and have fun while learning! Inspired by Montessori – grouped by age & level, this class is suitable for Beginners & Intermediates learners
When: Wednesdays, 1:50pm - 2:50 pm
Session Dates: Oct 7 - Dec 9 (no class 11/11, 11/25)
Open to: K - 5
Cost: $290 ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: Upper Field Portable
Chaperone position: FILLED
3rd-5th Basketball Class: Backboard Basics
At Backboard Basics, our Basketball Program provides practices for young athletes to develop their skills and build a strong fundamental base. We strive to create an environment of support and inclusivity, where both new and experienced players are encouraged to grow and sharpen their skills. We are dedicated to changing the culture of basketball and providing an exciting and fun learning experience for all!
When: Wednesdays, 1:50pm - 2:50 pm
Session Dates: Oct 7 - Dec 9 (no class 11/11, 11/25)
Open to:3 - 5
Cost:$220 ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: Covered Court
Chaperone position: OPEN
|
THURSDAY |
Running Club with Ms. Bullock and Mrs. Scott - AM
It’s Thyme to Turnip the Beet! (K-2) - By Sticky Fingers Cooking
Our interactive classes make cooking fun and deliciously educational! Led by experienced Chef Instructors, children will enjoy preparing and tasting healthy, globally-inspired recipes while exploring S.T.E.A.M., culture, geography, and key culinary techniques. Sticky Fingers Cooking® handles everything: we bring all ingredients and equipment directly to the school, requiring no kitchen access. We ensure all allergies are accommodated, and our recipes are always strictly nut-free. Join us to whip up some culinary fun and cultivate a lifelong love of healthy eating!
Parents who enroll kids in this class will receive a welcome email with a link to complete a waiver and access the recipes.
It’s Thyme to Turnip the Beet! (3-5) - By Sticky Fingers Cooking
Our interactive classes make cooking fun and deliciously educational! Led by experienced Chef Instructors, children will enjoy preparing and tasting healthy, globally-inspired recipes while exploring S.T.E.A.M., culture, geography, and key culinary techniques. Sticky Fingers Cooking® handles everything: we bring all ingredients and equipment directly to the school, requiring no kitchen access. We ensure all allergies are accommodated, and our recipes are always strictly nut-free. Join us to whip up some culinary fun and cultivate a lifelong love of healthy eating!
Parents who enroll kids in this class will receive a welcome email with a link to complete a waiver and access the recipes.
Mini-Game Coders: Retro Remix - By Lando Learning
Remix arcade classics by learning to code your own Pong, Snake, or Frogger in Lando’s Scratch-based coding and game design class! Add boss battles, power-ups, and extra levels with teachers guiding just-right challenges so no one gets stuck or bored. Playtest with friends to see who can beat your game, then take home a link to keep coding after class!
Brick Art and Design Lab - By Snapology
When: Thursdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Session Dates: Oct 8 - Dec 10 (no class 11/26)
Open to: K-5
Cost: $215 ($10 discount for PTA members during early registration)
Location: Art & Science Room
Chaperone position: OPEN
|
FRIDAY |
All Levels Chess Club - By Grand Knights Chess Academy
Our Chess Club (K-5) is the perfect place to discover the fun of this classic game, or hone your skills and conquer the board! Whether you're looking to learn the basics, work on advanced techniques, or just enjoy some friendly competition, this club is your next move. We'll teach you the rules, strategies, and how to think ahead, so you can start playing like a pro. Join us and make your first move towards chess mastery! Students will be divided based on experience so we encourage students of all levels to join us.
Mad Science STEM Odyssey is more than a class—it’s an adventure into the wonders of life and physical sciences! Each week, kids dive into hands-on experiments that bring big STEM questions to life: feel the heat of friction with a take-home heat sheet, bend light into rainbows with a Technicolor Blender, create their own electromagnets, and even make sparks fly with a Van de Graaff generator. Along the way, they’ll explore nutrition with a Step-O-Meter, tune into sound waves with Tone Tubes, trick their eyes with mind-bending illusions, and uncover the surprising science of scent. Students leave with educational take-home notes and at home projects, deepening their engagement with STEM at home.
When: Fridays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Session Dates: Oct 9 - Dec 11 (no class 10/16, 10/23, 11/27)
Want to learn how to play the world’s fastest racket sport? Join Mr. Wilson and Mr. Overland as students learn how to serve, clear, drop, and smash. Additionally, students will learn sportsmanship, common badminton etiquette, and how to keep score. The class ends with a fun tournament!
2025-2026 Recap
We offered over 20 classes per quarter and had over 700 registrations in the 2025-2026 school year. We are excited to offer even more classes in 2026-2027!
Questions?
Email our coordinator at afterschool@benrushpta.org.