After-School Programs
In addition to our strong commitment to education, Francis Parker believes in offering a variety of extracurricular activities to foster a well rounded child. We hope there is something offered for everyone’s niche. Our objective in offering after school activities is to promote curiosity, fitness, healthy competition, creativity, and personal development.
We are always looking for volunteers to help coach sports, especially the younger grades. In addition to sports, if you have any other talents you’d like to share, please let us know! Perhaps we could incorporate a new activity for our students. We are open to new ideas. We ask parents to consider carefully when helping students choose after-school activities. An overbooked child is a stressed child, and in the elementary and middle school years, downtime for rest and unstructured play can be invaluable for social and academic success. Balance is key!
Please contact our Director of Summer & After-School Programs, Dorian Holmes, at 502.795.3464, if you have any questions regarding summer camp or an after-school program.
2023 Fall/Winter After-School Programs
Lower School Choir with Ms. Rash ($240) Full!
2nd – 4th Grade
Mondays, September 11 – December 4 (No session on Monday, November 20)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The Lower School Choir meets in the Lower School music room. After a quick snack and a few vocal warm-ups, singers begin working on one- and two-part music and sometimes a little choreography to accompany their songs. Singers generally perform at Morning Meetings, assemblies, and in the community. The semester culminates with a fun party and a final performance for parents/guardians. (18 student minimum or activity will be canceled due to low enrollment; 30 students maximum)
Creative Movement with Ms. Marilyn ($120) Limited Space!
JK – 2nd Grade
Thursdays, September 14 – November 2 (No session on Thursday, September 28 and Thursday, October 12)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The term creative movement is used to describe the basics of movement and dance for young children. Students will learn to listen to music and move their bodies. The lessons are designed to be dynamic and fun to keep students engaged. Classes are structured to the attention span of young dancers, never staying on one activity for too long. Dance techniques will be introduced but will not be the main part of class. We want children to be given the opportunity to be creative and flourish! (12 student maximum)
Dreamhouses with Ms. Graham ($170) Limited Space!
JK – 2nd Grade
Mondays, September 11 – October 30
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Riding the wave from the 2023 hit-movie Barbie, students will be re-creating their own dreamhouses! All Ken’s welcome as well! A fun spin on our Lower School fort building classic. (12 student maximum)
Dungeons & Dragons with Mr. Frechette ($120)
5th – 8th Grade
Tuesdays, September 12 – October 17
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The Dungeons & Dragons Club is hiring adventurers. No experience necessary, although veterans are most welcome. The game is played by creating a character in a fantasy world, and taking on the role of that character. You use dice and charts to simulate the chaos of chance and fate. Using your dice rolls, the Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM) will determine whether your roll was successful or not. Through interactions with the other players and the DM, an interactive, living story is woven. Heroes shall be created, legends forged, and no small amount of collateral damage caused. Rise to the challenge in this six-week session. Join your local Dungeons & Wyverns chapter now! (6 student minimum or activity will be canceled due to low enrollment; 12 student maximum)
Play with Clay with Ms. R ($200) Limited Space!
3rd – 8th Grade
Tuesdays, September 12 – October 24 (No session on Tuesday, October 10)
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Learn how to “throw” a pot on the wheel with Ms. R! Students will have the option to make a cylinder, bowl, or mug while learning the fundamentals of wedging, centering, and forming a cylinder/bowl. The focus will be on practicing these skills. When not throwing, students will use the slab roller to create functional or non-functional work. This could include a mug with a handle, a sculpted face planter, a bird feeder, animal, or other form of their choosing with assistance by Ms. R. Students will learn how a kiln works and experience how to glaze.
Chess with The Knight School ($170)
2nd – 4th Grade
Wednesdays, September 20 – November 1 (No session on Wednesday, October 11)
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
The Knight School is coming to campus this fall to expose students to the wonders of the game of chess. A growing body of research is showing that chess improves kids’ thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as their math and reading test scores. Learn the ins and outs of chess with The Knight School! (12 student maximum)
Creative Writing with Ms. Chanda ($120)
3rd – 4th Grade
Tuesdays, October 24 – December 5 (No session on Tuesday, November 21)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Activate your inner author! Creative writing is a crucial skill that increases critical thinking and empathy. With creative writing classes for Lower School, your child can hone this skill! Your child will learn how to nurture their ideas and gain the skills to turn them into great stories. From how to form characters, to descriptive language and world-building — your child will learn it all! (12 student maximum)
Unwind Kids with Senora Leo ($120)
2nd – 4th Grade
Thursdays, October 26 – December 7 (No session on Thursday, November 23)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Unwind has been designed to support, nurture, and develop physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing in children. To do so we will explore yoga, meditation, the power of crystals, crafting our own essential oil blends, journaling, preparing healthy snacks, drumming, dream catchers, animal totems, and the power of positive thinking! Have your child join us for an hour of empowerment and unwinding after school! (12 student maximum)
Robotics with Bricks 4 Kidz ($170) Full!
K – 4th Grade
Wednesdays, November 1 – December 13 (No session on Wednesday, November 22)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Kids spend their young years playing with LEGO® Bricks, stacking the blocks together to create an immersive world. Bricks 4 Kidz takes this one step further with our LEGO®-Inspired After-School Program. These classes deliver play that’s fun, educational, and enriching for each child. We follow a six-week theme with guided instructions for kids to build a project, connect it to a motor, and battery and watch their vision come to life. What better way to give kids hands-on fun while they learn practical ways to apply STEM concepts? (Contact our Director of Summer & After-School Programs, Dorian Holmes, at 502.795.3464 to be added to the waitlist.)