Enrichment Program
The Enrichment Program at Park provides mission-driven programming to both enhance and extend the learning of the school day. The program fosters student growth through a variety of engaging classes and promotes community building, a celebration of diverse interests and student-centered exploration.
Fall 2019 Enrichment Offerings
- Art From Around the World: Exploring Cultures Through Art
- LEGO Engineering: Designing and Building with Lego
- Science in Motion: Design and Dissect
- Makerspace 101
- Game Design with SCRATCH 3.0
- Haitian Contemporary Dance
- Gardening with Green City Growers
Art From Around the World: Exploring Cultures Through Art
Melody Bartlett will lead students around the world through art explorations of all kinds using media as varied as clay, fiber, painting, and drawing! For example, students might make Chilean Chanchitos (little pigs) that bring good fortune and luck. No prior experience necessary.
Wednesdays, October 2 – December 11 (no classes on 10/9 and 11/27)
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Minimum 5 students. Maximum 10 students.
LEGO Engineering: Designing and Building with Lego
Calling all problem solvers! Explore the endless, creative possibilities of LEGO with David Raabe. Using the world’s favorite brick, find ways to move a minifigure from Point A to Point B, help a book character, or design a home of the future.
Wednesdays, October 2 – December 11 (no classes on 10/9 and 11/27)
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Minimum 5 students. Maximum 10 students.
Science in Motion: Design and Dissect
From building hot air balloons to making ice cream, students will explore science through a variety of media. Carol Buzby will guide students from one hands-on project to the next, including but not limited to dissecting owl pellets and building a roller coaster. This session will follow the themes of taking apart and building things and will leave students with an experienced eye for exploration and discovery.
Wednesdays, October 2 – December 11 (no classes on 10/9 and 11/27)
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Minimum 5 students. Maximum 12 students.
Makerspace 101
In this introduction to Park’s Makerspace, students will learn design for – and safe use of – the 3D printers, vinyl cutter and laser cutter through simple projects. Kim Fogarty will guide young makers through the process of design thinking, cardboard fabrication, and prototyping.
Mondays, October 7 – December 16 (no classes on 10/14 and 11/11)
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Minimum 5 students. Maximum 10 students.
Game Design with SCRATCH 3.0
Up your game in Scratch by deciding what makes a good game and then learning how to code with Kim Fogarty. We will explore winning elements like scrolling backgrounds, variables to track score and time, cloning sprites and manipulating them with "gravity." During the final classes of the session, students will design and program their own games to share.
Fridays, October 4 – December 13 (no class on 11/29)
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Minimum 5 students. Maximum 12 students.
Haitian Contemporary Dance
This class blends Afro-Haitian styles of dance with basic modern technique. Meghan McGrath and Jean Appolon provide a uniquely positive and affirming atmosphere in which every student (regardless of their prior ability or training) is deemed inherently capable and artistic. Jean Appolon teaches regularly at Boston Ballet, The Dance Complex (Cambridge, MA), and the University of Massachusetts Boston, and directs the dance company, Jean Appolon Expressions.
Thursdays, October 3 – December 12 (no class on 11/28)
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Minimum 5 students, maximum 15 students.
Gardening with Green City Growers
Park is excited to expand our partnership with Green City Growers from the school day to our after-school enrichment offerings. Students will learn how to grow vegetables in the fall and early winter, and develop techniques for food preparation, preservation, and crafting. Classes will cover topics such as studying plant anatomy, composting, and cold frame planning, planting and tending, as well as exploring nature.
Tuesdays, October 1 – December 10 (no class on 10/22)
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Minimum 5 students, maximum 15 students.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does my child need to be enrolled in ASP to participate in an after-school enrichment class?
- What time are enrichment classes?
- Where do classes meet and dismiss? What teachers will be present at these transitions?
- What if I need to pick up my child early? How can I find them?
- If school is cancelled, will there be a makeup class?
- Why are these classes only offered to students in Grades 3-5?
Does my child need to be enrolled in ASP to participate in an after-school enrichment class?
What time are enrichment classes?
Where do classes meet and dismiss? What teachers will be present at these transitions?
Students will arrive in the Dining Room for a snack and then head to their classes with a teacher. At the end of class, the teacher will bring down the students to carpool for dismissal. Caitlin Robinson, as well as the administrator on duty, will be present at 4:30 dismissal, in addition to a rotation of enrichment teachers and an after-school program faculty member.
What if I need to pick up my child early? How can I find them?
Please contact the Front Desk, as information on the whereabouts of all students in enrichment classes will be posted there. You may also contact Caitlin Robinson.