PTA organizes before and after school enrichment program twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. We are thrilled to be able to drive this extracurricular program that offers additional academic, physical, and social development of our elementary students after school hours. 

Fall Session 2025

Important Info [Read Before Registering!] 

• SESSION DATES: September 30 - December 12
  • All classes with the exception of those listed below, will run the week of Sept 30 through the week December 12, except on school closure days
  • **Exceptions: Intermediate Choir, Band, Orchestra, MadScience, and Smart with Art are run on a different schedule! See schedules in the class descriptions. 
• PARENT CHAPERONES NEEDED
  • Parent chaperones make our classes successful by tracking attendance and helping our students when needed. Vendor-led classes must have a chaperone to run. All chaperones must be LWSD approved volunteers (a simple background check) and PTA members. Volunteer to be a chaperone for the entire session and your child can attend the class for free! Scroll below for classes with the green OPEN sign. How to sign up to chaperone: 
    • Make sure you are a PTA member and LWSD volunteer (both are easy to do)
    • Register your child for the class
    • E-mail afterschool@benrushpta.org for the class you’d like to chaperone and the name of your student. 
    • A refund will be issued once registration is confirmed
• CLASS REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY
  • No refunds are allowed after the FIRST week of classes. If for whatever reason you need to cancel a class after the first class, you must email afterschool@benrushpta.org within the first week of class.
  • Refunds will also not be given for class cancellations due to unexpected school closures (i.e. weather). 
• PTA MEMBER DISCOUNT
  • PTA members who register early will get a $5 discount for each class. The prices listed below are for non-PTA members. PTA members should subtract $5. 
• WARNING: CLASSES MAY CANCEL IF LOW ENROLLMENT
  • There are rare instances when classes may be cancelled if minimum enrollment numbers are not met. Those families will be notified via email and full refunds will be given if so. 

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 26 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: contact Counselor Lloyd Byram.

Intermediate Choir

Any 3-5th grader at Rush can join the Ben Rush Intermediate Choir! We will learn 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!

Beginner Orchestra

Learn to play a real instrument! Beginner Orchestra 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 Orchestra to build teamwork, confidence, and a lifelong love of music. Beginner Orchestra includes 27 rehearsals before school and 2 evening concerts (winter and spring). Let's make some beautiful music together! 

Experienced Orchestra

Experienced Orchestra 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 Orchestra to build teamwork, confidence, and a lifelong love of music! Experienced Orchestra includes 26 rehearsals before school and 2 evening concerts (winter and spring). Let's make some beautiful music together! 

Snapology: Creature Creators

In Snapology's Creature Creator program, your animal lover will build a variety of robotic creatures that respond to each of their programmed commands. While working with a partner to solve various challenges, your student will be taught how to effectively utilize sensors, how different mechanical components work in their robots, and how programming is a challenging but rewarding skill that they can master with just a little practice. We will support them in the development of their coding and building skills and inspire them with creative building challenges. It's going to be a RAWR-ing good time!

When: Mondays, 3:20 - 4:20 PM
Open to: Grades K-2
Cost: $210
Location: 1st Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

Sit and Kit: 2D and 3D Art

This is a hand-on experience where we will explore both 2D and 3D projects, allowing us to experiment - from drawing and painting, to sculpture and ceramics.

When: Mondays, 3:20 - 4:20 PM
Open to: Grades K-5
Cost: $210
Location: 2nd/3rd Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

Web Development - By Mighty Coders

Build strong computer science fundamentals and sharpen your child’s logical thinking through fun, game-based learning.

When: Mondays, 3:20 - 4:20 PM
Open to: Grades 3-5
Cost: $229
Location: 4th Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

Pickleball Club with Mrs. Scott and Ms. Holycross

Join us for an exciting After-School Pickleball Club, where 4th and 5th graders can learn and enjoy the fast-growing sport of pickleball! Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this club is a great way to develop skills, stay active, and have fun with friends. 

No equipment? No problem! Paddles and balls will be provided. Just wear comfortable clothes and sneakers, and get ready to have fun on the court!

Adventures in STEM 🧠🚀 - By 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
Open to: K-2
Cost: $235
Location: 1st Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN 

Hip Hop & Dance - By Dukane Studios

Get ready to groove and sweat! 💃🕺 Our Hip Hop Fitness and Dance class is the perfect way to get your heart pumping and learn some killer moves.  Whether you've got two left feet or are a dance floor pro, you'll have a blast learning the latest hip hop steps while getting a full-body workout.  It's fun, energetic, and a great way to boost your confidence and coordination.  So ditch the boring gym routine and join the hip hop party – sign up today and let's get this dance floor poppin'!

When: Tuesdays, 3:20 - 4:20 PM
Open to: K-5
Cost: $220
Location: 2nd Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

Upper Primary Drama - By Drama Kids

🎭 Lights, camera, DRAMA! 🎭 Unleash your inner star in our Drama Kids Upper Primary class, designed for students in grades 3-5!  Get ready for a year of imagination, laughter, and unforgettable theatrical experiences.  We'll build confidence, boost creativity, and develop essential communication skills, all while having a blast!  And the best part? You'll get to shine bright in our spectacular Spring Performance!  Don't miss your chance to take center stage – sign up for Drama Kids Upper Primary today and let the show begin!

When: Tuesdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: 3-5
Cost: $260
Location: 3rd Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

Crochet Club with Mrs. Lunbeck and Mrs. Cox

Ready to get loopy? If so, Crochet Club is for you! Crochet is a crafting technique which uses a hook and yarn to create interlocking loops in order to make fabric creations. You can crochet scarves, hats, potholders, blankets, sweaters, and even stuffed animals!!! The possibilities are endless. This class will teach the basics of crocheting including techniques to start and end projects, how to follow a crochet pattern, and all students will be working toward a creation or creations of their own.

When: Tuesdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: 3-5
Cost: $120
Location: 4rd grade pod
Chaperone position: N/A

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: Wednesdays, 1:50-2:50 PM
Open to: K-2
Cost: $230
Location: Outdoor Basketball Court
Chaperone position: OPEN

STEM Odyssey - By MadScience of Sno-King

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.

Animals in Art - By Smart with Art

Join Smart with Art as we go on an amazing animal adventure! Learn fun animal facts while discovering new drawing skills and techniques throughout this engaging art session. Students will work with a variety of mediums including watercolors, collage, oil pastels, printmaking and more! Don’t forget to dress for mess!

Animation Studio - By Snapology

Who doesn’t love an action-packed animation movie that brings our favorite toys to life? In Snapology’s Animation Studio program, students get to do more than just enjoy those movies, they get to create them! In this technical program, children will work in teams to learn the fundamentals of stop motion animation and develop their own animated movie starring some of their favorite LEGO® mini-figures! Students will go through the entire movie making process with their filming partner, from plot development and set design to detailed visual and audio editing. The best part, their movie will go beyond the classroom and be uploaded to Snapology’s YouTube channel so they can share their film with friends and family for years to come!

When: Thursdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: 3-5
Cost: $210
Location: 4th grade pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

Basketball Development Practice (3-5) - 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: Thursdays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: 3-5
Cost: $230
Location: Outdoor Basketball Court
Chaperone position: OPEN

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. 

When: Fridays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: K-5
Cost: $230
Location: Library
Chaperone position: OPEN

Paint, Sculpt, Design: An Anime Art Journey - By CreArt Studioz

From splashy watercolor waves and flying koi to miniature clay sushi, zines, stickers, and splatter art—this fall’s lineup is packed with anime-inspired creativity! Kids will dive into a world of drawing, painting, sculpting, and storytelling—exploring a variety of mediums while designing characters, crafting 3D pieces, and building confidence, focus, and foundational art skills through fun, hands-on projects. 

When: Fridays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: K-5
Cost: $262
Location: 2nd Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

STEM Exploration and Engineering - By Play-well TEKnologies

Master your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Grade 3-5 students will apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects. Projects are rotated seasonally to ensure that even returning students get a new experience, so join us to design and build as never before and explore your craziest ideas.

When: Fridays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: 3-5
Cost: $213
Location: 3rd Grade Pod
Chaperone position: OPEN

Badminton - With Mr. Overland and Mr. Wilson

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!

When: Fridays, 3:20-4:20 PM
Open to: 4-5
Cost: $120
Location: Gym
Chaperone position: N/A

 *After 9/18

2024-2025 Recap

Thank you for an amazing 2024-2025 School Year. We are so grateful for your participation and support and are excited for another great session in 2025-2026!

Questions? 

Email our coordinator at afterschool@benrushpta.org.