After School Programs at Whittier
Join Whittier’s After-School Program!
Whittier PTA is excited to partner with local orgs and teachers to offer a variety of fun after-school enrichment clubs for students in grades K-5.
After the Bell Rings…
All clubs are held at Whittier. Students will meet their instructor under the covered area on the blacktop after the final bell and have a snack before going to their club.
Parents will pick up students at the school’s front entrance when clubs are done. PTA volunteers are on-site to provide support.
Clubs are open to all Whittier students, including students attending Whittier Kids aftercare.
Families can sign up for programs in the fall, winter, and spring. Each session typically runs for eight weeks.
How to Register
Registration for the Winter 2026 session opens on Monday, January 12th at 3:30 p.m. and closes on Friday, January 23rd.
You must set up a 6crickets account before registering for classes. Once you set up an account, you can learn more about each program and tuition. Classes often fill quickly, so please don’t wait until the last minute!
Winter 2026 Program Dates
- Programs start: 1/26
- Programs end: 3/27
- Skip dates:
- 2/16-2/20 (midwinter break)
- Notes:
- Musical runs concurrently (grades 4, 5)
Weekly Schedule
Monday
Chess Wizards (Grades K-5)
1/26 – 3/23
2:30-3:30 pm
Classes are geared to suit children of all skill levels—from chessling to checkmate artists. Students will build upon their knowledge through lessons, tournaments, variation games, and more!
CraftLab – Warm Winter Creations (Grades 1-5)
1/26 – 3/23
2:30-3:30 pm
Students will learn new art techniques each week, explore texture and color, and use upcycled materials to bring their creations to life. As the days get cooler, kids will discover the joy of making art that feels warm, comforting, and filled with light. Each week we’ll create cozy-themed projects—like painting mugs of hot cocoa, weaving colorful wall hangings, and crafting glowing lanterns. This class is all about celebrating comfort, creativity, and the simple pleasure of making something with your own hands.
Machine Sewing – Little Hands Creations (Grades 2-5)
1/26 – 3/23
2:30-4pm
Whether you are brand new to machine sewing or already have experience, this class is designed to cater to all skill levels.
All students will have a full safety overview of essential machine safety protocols, after which new students will complete our beginner sewing curriculum, while the more experienced students can build of their existing skills, taking their sewing abilities to the next level.
This class is student-led, and they advance at their own pace with autonomy over the projects they choose to create. Projects include backpacks, phone cases, clothing, accessories, bags, games, stuffed animals and more! This is our most popular and most inclusive class where creativity knows no bounds!
Spring Musical with Ms. Steph (Grades 4-5)
1/12 – 5/19
2:55-4 pm
Whittier Wildcat Players Present: The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever. An award-winning youth musical about a birthday party that turns into a government takeover by a 9-year-old. It’s HILARIOUS!!
Rehearsals will take place on Mondays or Tuesdays, depending on your student’s role. Students with lead roles may rehearse on both days during some weeks. Ms. Steph will provide a schedule to all families participating in the musical.
The musical spans both winter and spring session. Families will need to register for both sessions.
Tuesday
Machine Sewing – Stuffies Sewing (Grades 2-5)
1/27 – 3/24
2:30-4pm
Is there such a thing as too may stuffed animals?? Never! Enjoy LHC’s fluffiest and stuffiest projects in this new awesome class for machine sewing students.
No experience necessary for boys and girls to learn the basics and beyond. New students will learn machine safety and beginner sewing techniques, while the more experienced students can expand on skills they already have.
*For all new sewers, the first session is mandatory. Please contact LHC if your child is unable to attend.
Gamer Group with Mr. Buck (Grades K-2)
1/27 – 3/24
2:30-4:00 pm
Students will learn to play new board games, make new friends, and have tons of fun!
Kong Academy – Movement Games (Grades K-2)
1/27 – 3/24
2:30-3:30 pm
Our Ninja Adventure Games program during the winter season blends active play and structured challenges to help kids build confidence, focus, and emotional awareness. Students will work through stealth missions, movement games, and partner activities to strengthen perseverance, self-control, and goal-setting skills. They’ll stretch their bodies and minds as they navigate obstacles, practice teamwork, and reflect on their progress.
Dungeon Master Academy with BEAM Experiences (Grades 3-5)
1/27 – 3/24
2:30-4:00 pm
Learn to be a Dungeon Master and forge your own adventure! In this inclusive class about creative storytelling, kids won’t just be playing D&D as an adventurer, they will build magical worlds, draw amazing maps, and weave fantastic stories to bring their campaigns to life. We will practice improv techniques, and learn the rules of D&D so that students can lead their own adventures. Then, working in groups, we will create characters and take turns running games for each other. At the end of the course, kids will take home custom adventure kits to share with friends and family.
Spring Musical with Ms. Steph (Grades 4-5)
1/12 – 5/19
2:55-4 pm
Whittier Wildcat Players Present: The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever. An award-winning youth musical about a birthday party that turns into a government takeover by a 9-year-old. It’s HILARIOUS!!
Rehearsals will take place on Mondays or Tuesdays, depending on your student’s role. Students with lead roles may rehearse on both days during some weeks. Ms. Steph will provide a schedule to all families participating in the musical.
The musical spans both winter and spring session. Families will need to register for both sessions.
Thursday
Gamer Group with Mr. Buck (Grades 3-5)
1/29 – 3/26
2:30 -4:00 pm
Students will learn to play new board games, make new friends, and have tons of fun!
Bricks 4 Kidz – Amusement Parks (Grades K-2)
1/29 – 3/26
2:30-3:30 pm
Learn, build and play with your favorite amusement park attractions! Students will use LEGO® Bricks to construct motorized models like the Tilt-a-Whirl, Loop-de-Loop, and an upside-down Swing Boat! These engaging lessons will give students an understanding of the physical forces they experience every day, such as G-forces, inertia, and momentum. Let’s go for a ride!
Spanish with Jump on Languages (Grades K-5)
1/29 – 3/26
2:30-3:30 pm
Students will learn Spanish words and culture while developing motor skills and creativity. Teachers will mostly speak Spanish and guide them through fun activities.
1ON1 Sports – Floor Hockey (Grades 3-5)
1/29 – 3/26
2:30-3:30 pm
Students will work on developing ball hockey skills, teamwork, and being active. This club will take place outdoors on the Whittier Blacktop.
We Need Volunteers!
After-school programs at Whittier depend on the support of our awesome parent volunteers who provide supervision and help ensure every day runs smoothly. It’s a great opportunity to get to know our students and deepen your connection to the Whittier community—an also have some quiet time!
Shifts are weekly from 2 – 4 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 2 – 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays. We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to one day/week for two or more weeks. Tuition discounts are available for volunteers. Learn more and sign up here.
Volunteer Responsibilities Include:
- Ensuring all students are safe and accounted for. This includes helping students line up, supporting instructors with attendance, and communicating with families as needed if a student is absent. Bonus points for being handy with the occasional band-aid!
- Being on-call if instructors need support. Volunteers carry walkie-talkies and help if instructors have questions.
- Ensuring Whittier’s classrooms and spaces remain clean and tidy. This can include moving equipment to prepare the classroom, returning desks and equipment to their original places, removing any trash and belongings left behind, and helping to clean up any messes.
- Staying at school until all students are picked up by their parent or guardian. Life happens! Occasionally volunteers will stay with students and contact parents if they are late for pick up.
Scholarships & Additional Support
We strive for equitable opportunities for all students. For scholarship information, please contact programs@whittierptaseattle.org.
If you want to sign your child up for an activity and they need extra support in the classroom, please contact programs@whittierptaseattle.org.
Other Considerations
Waitlist
Spots are limited, though families can join the waitlist if classes are full. Waitlisted families get priority enrollment if they are on the waitlist for a class offered the following term. Please email the enrichment providers directly with questions concerning the waitlist, schedule, or class policies.
Fees
An $8.50 registration fee is included in tuition to support Whittier Elementary PTA after-school enrichment. Registration fees are used to fund scholarships and pay for volunteer background checks.
Behavior Policy
If a student is behaving in a way that is disrupting the class and the teacher(s) is unable to control such behavior, the vendor will reach out to the parent of the student and inform the parent and the Programs Chair of the behavior concern as well as the vendor’s policy regarding next steps.
Roles & Responsibilities
Whittier Elementary and Seattle Public Schools are not affiliated with or connected to the Whittier PTA Programs offerings or individual program vendors. Whittier PTA coordinates building reservations and hosts registration links for independent enrichment providers. Enrichment providers manage registrations and schedules through the 6crickets platform.
Please direct all of your questions to programs@whittierptaseattle.org or the appropriate enrichment provider.33-5