Enrichment

PTSA provides opportunities to help enrich your child's education. In addition to the after school opportunities listed here, PTSA also supports (with volunteers or through financial support) a variety of school-day enrichment programs including assemblies, author visits, Art Docent program, fieldtrips, service learning, scholastic magazines, school garden, STEAM, and student leadership clubs.

AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT

Spring Session: April 15th-June 14th

Registration Now Closed

Spring 2024 CLASSES OFFERED

Smart with Art:

Grades K-5: Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm ($224)

ART IN BLOOM - Smart with Art Join us as we create spring art inspired by master artists. We will learn about Matisse, as we collage an interior room including a vase with flowers. Work with a resist effect and watercolor paints as we explore the large-scale flowers painted by Georgia O'Keeffe. Everything is blooming with Smart with Art this session. Join us for all new lessons and explore new art techniques. (8 weeks, ends June 5th)

Smart with Art website: smartwithart.net

Excel with Chess:

Grades K-5: Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm ($232)

Kids learn chess in a fun, safe environment with encouragement, independent practice resources, and engaging lessons. We strive to ensure every student is learning a new skill in each class! Two instructors ensure we can have multiple groups at various levels. (9 weeks)

Excel with Chess website: excelwithchess.com

Soccer Shots (indoor)

Grades K-2: Wednesdays 2:30-3:15pm ($259):

Grades 3-5: Wednesdays 3:25-4:10pm ($259):

Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. Our caring team positively impacts children’s lives on and off the field through best-in-class coaching, communication and curriculum. Our expert-approved curriculum is age-appropriate and aligns with childhood education standards.

(9 weeks)

Soccer Shots website: soccershots.com

Odyssey STEM Institute:

VEX IQ Robotics (grades 3-5): Thursdays 4:00-4:50pm ($337):

VEX Go Robotics (grades K-2): Fridays 4:00-4:50pm ($337):

This educational (non-competitive) robotics class uses VEX Go/VEX IQ equipment in a tactile makerspace for experientially-focused enlightenment appropriate for those seeking to discover, develop and evolve in their affinity for robotics. Our class is an immersive, unconventional experience that challenges individuals to lean into their natural inquisitiveness through mindful strategies and merges S.T.E.M. subject matters with meaningful, engaging recreational activities. We incorporate social-emotional well-being by igniting one's confidence, self-awareness, growth mindset, respect, empathy and agency to make responsible decisions. At Odyssey S.T.E.M. Institute, individuals will explore digital 3D schematics, observe, manipulate and propagate a robot's behavior and utilize block-based and text-based coding.

Odyssey STEM Institute website: odysseysteminstitute.org

Policy and FAQs

Each after-school enrichment class requires volunteer chaperones to attend EACH class. A 50% discount on the class price is offered to the volunteer chaperone's child. If you are interested in committing to be the volunteer chaperone, please email enrichment@ellabakerptsa.org right away BEFORE you register your child for this class. See the Volunteer Chaperone Agreement for responsibilities. If a volunteer chaperone is not found for a class before Dec 14th, that class will be cancelled.
Registration, for after-school PTSA enrichment classes, is moving to homeroom.com. For instructions and help with Homeroom, please see https://homeroom.helpscoutdocs.com/category/6-for-parents
The curriculum of each class is suitable for both new and continuing students, as the instructors of each class adapt the curriculum to ensure all students are learning.
To be inclusive of all students in our learning community, scholarships based on financial need are available. If you need a scholarship, please email the school councilor Melissa Foss at mfoss@lwsd.org. Also, financial need scholarship students will be given priority registration by reserving 10% of class enrollment. If these spots are not claimed, they will be released to the waiting list.
Refunds will ONLY be issued until registration closes. Withdrawing from the class after the first class will result in NO refund. To request a refund & withdraw from class email enrichment@ellabakerptsa.org
After-School Enrichment Policy 2023-2024 (pdf)

Winter 2024 CLASS OFFERINGS (Jan 2-Mar 8) (Registration closed)

Ukulele with New Bach Music School: Grades K-5: Tuesdays 4:00-4:50pm ($402)

Excel with Chess: Grades K-5: Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm ($232)

Soccer Shots (indoor): Grades K-2: Wednesdays 2:30-3:15pm ($232) Grades 3-5: Wednesdays 3:25-4:10pm ($232)

Odyssey STEM Institute: VEX Go Robotics (grades K-2): Thursdays 4:00-4:50pm ($337): VEX IQ Robotics (grades 3-5): Thursdays 5:00-5:50pm ($337):

Contact Enrichment VP

NATIONAL MATH CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT

2024 National Math Challenge Tournament will be held at Ella Baker on Friday, April 19 from 6-7 pm. This tournament is open to all Ella Baker Elementary (grade 2 - 5) students. Students in grade 1 can participate; however, they will be competing at a grade 2 division 2 level.

This year the tournament is in-person only and the duration of the test is one hour. Students should arrive 30 minutes before the test begins (at 5:30 PM) and should bring a pencil. Parents can pick up their children at about 7 PM. We will need volunteers to help with this event. Volunteers must be LWSD-approved and will need arrive by 5:00 PM to set up and stay until approximately 7:30 PM to help put away tables. Please contact mathchallenge@ellabakerptsa.org if you are available to volunteer.

Registration fee is $25 per student and is open until March 15th, 2024. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

More Info: https://www.ellipsisacademy.com/2024-math-challenge-tournament.html

Contact Math Challenge Chair

SCRIPPS SPELLING BEE

Class Starts Fri Oct 27^th and meets every other Friday through February. (Specifically: 10/27, 11/3, 11/17, 12/1, 12/15, 1/5, 1/19, 2/9, 2/23)

Registration Closed.

Grades 1-5: EVERY OTHER Friday 4-5pm

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a highly prestigious annual event that celebrates the art and skill of spelling in the United States. It serves as a showcase for some of the nation's most talented young spellers, who gather to compete in a battle of linguistic precision and intellect. Students begin with a school level spelling for grades 1-5. From there, they move onto a regional and then national spelling bee.

Scripps Spelling Bee website: https://spellingbee.com

REFLECTIONS 2023

The 2023 contest has concluded.

View Reflections 2023-2024 Details

Contact Reflections Chair

MATH CHALLENGE

Students can sharpen their math problem-solving skills though 15 challenges throughout the year. Family members are encouraged to get involved. Get started any time!

Download the current Math Challenge

Submit Solutions Online by the due date. Please DO NOT bring answers to school. Students who finish 11 or more successfully will be awarded with certificates at the end of the school year. For those that submit their solutions online, we will communicate results bi-monthly to families.

Check Solutions Online - solutions will be available on the solution date by 3pm

Contact Math Challenge Chair