La Ballona Elementary School has a variety of afterschool enrichment programs sponsored by the PTA. These programs offer students the opportunity to learn new skills, practice a sport and more.

CCUSD’s Office of Child Development (OCD) also offers before- and after-school care. Visit the CCUSD OCD site for more information.

For information on Star Nova enrichment classes (also on campus after school), please visit www.starinc.org/nova.

Register by January 26, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

How to Enroll

Enrollment in PTA Enrichment classes is done by lottery. Enroll here to be entered into the lottery. Families will be notified by email at least one week in advance of the class start date about acceptance. Please respond as soon as possible to that email if you are not planning to take the class so that we can offer the spot to another student. We make every effort to assign siblings on the same days/times or in the same class when requested.   

Payment

You will be sent an invoice by email when your child is enrolled. You can pay the invoice online, or bring cash or check to the first day of class.  (Payment is to La Ballona PTA. Tennis payment is to RhinoCrash sports)

Waivers

Garden Club, Creative Writing, Bucket Drumming families must sign the PTA waiver and return it to the teacher on the first day of class. You may also fill it out, scan or take a picture, and email to fewmets@gmail.com. If your child is in OCD, you must fill out BOTH the OCD and PTA waivers. Email OCD waivers to jessicahurston@ccusd.org.

If your child is in OCD, you must fill out BOTH the OCD waiver form and PTA waiver form. Email completed OCD waiver forms to jessicahurston@ccusd.org.

Students in after care

After care programs will be given a list of students enrolled in PTA enrichment classes. Office of Child Development (OCD) after care program students will need to sign a waiver form in order to be released from the program. Students enrolled in STAR, OCD or YSE need to quickly check in with their aftercare teacher before going to enrichment class. They will return to after care after the enrichment class is over.   

For students not in an after care program

Information on where to meet for each class, as well as where to pick up your student(s), will be included in the acceptance email. Please be on time for pick-up. We do not have staff or volunteers available to wait with students if they are not picked up on time.  

Kindergarten students are always escorted to and from class.   

Register by January 26, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Write A Novel or A Very Very Very Long Story (Grades 3-5)

Wednesdays 1:45 pm-2:45 pm 3rd-5th grade. FREE

In this afterschool class, your child will have the opportunity to write a long story or novel with young adult novelist and teacher Kim Purcell. In the class, each child will think up their own creative story idea with unique characters in an imaginative setting. They’ll write progressive chapters to create an interesting beginning, middle, and end for their story. The writing skills they learn will cross over to all areas of writing. In their stories, they’ll learn how to write multi-sensory descriptions, tension, dialogue, action, conflict, and literary tools like metaphors. In terms of grammar, they’ll improve their spelling, punctuation, sentence structures, and paragraphing. Using multi-sensory props, they will become inspired and have fun writing their stories while also improving their writing skills. Most importantly, when they complete the longest story they’ve ever written, they’ll build their creative confidence. Only enthusiastic writers should enroll in this class. Make sure your child is excited about writing their own novel because they’ll be writing for the entire class.  

Picture Book Storytelling Class (Grades K-2)

Mondays 3:15 pm-4:15 pm K-2nd grade. FREE

In this afterschool class, your child will create picture book stories to improve their writing and storytelling skills with novelist and teacher Kim Purcell. They’ll start with a true story and learn how to write basic sentences to describe their family, home, and school. They will then write about a true experience they had, such as the first time they lost a tooth. Then, they’ll write their own imaginary picture book story. They’ll be able to draw pictures to go with their stories. Besides developing their storytelling skills in this class, they’ll improve their basic spelling, punctuation, and grammar. 

“Garden Club”:  Free-form Garden

Wednesdays 1:45-2:45 pm TK-5th grade. Cost $50 for 8 weeks

Come spend time in the La Ballona garden! In this mixed grade class, students will learn about planting, seed saving, garden critters and more. Students will get their hands dirty planting seeds, making crafts, and drawing on the chalkboard. Please pack a healthy snack. 

Spanish Immersion Craft Time

Fridays 3:15-4:15 pm TK-2nd grade Cost $20 for 8 weeks

Craft time en Espanol. Students will have the ability to practice their Spanish language skills while also learning easy-to-do arts and crafts. In addition to the leader, Middle School volunteers will be present to encourage students in speaking Spanish, and help with fine motor skills such as cutting paper, drawing straight lines, etc. Students do not have to be enrolled in the Spanish program to participate in this class, but please know that if they speak in English, volunteers will respond in Spanish.

Tennis Red Ball

Monday 3:15-4:15 pm K-2nd grade. Cost $20 per class / $160 for 8 weeks
Wednesday A 1:45-2:45 pm 3rd-5th grade.  Cost $20 per class
Wednesday B 2450-3:45 pm K-5th grade.  Cost $20 per class 

Join Coach Susan, a nationally-awarded junior tennis coach with decades of experience teaching junior tennis nationwide!  Looking for students K-5 starting “Red Ball Tennis”, which is beginner tennis ball type to help with ball control and sportsmanship.  4+ monthly tournaments (free) offered per year.  Currently, there is space for 16 students per session.  

Coach Susan Tennis video: https://youtu.be/XgjTJ7WRuic

Youth technique. https://youtu.be/EXiFt7R-NLs

Chess Tutors

Tuesdays 3:15-4:15 pm K-5th grade. Cost $22 per class / $176 for 8 weeks 

Chess Tutors is an award-winning program introduced to La Ballona in 2007 and 14 years later is now making a comeback!  A diverse, talented team of chess instructors will engage students in all aspects of the game.  The curriculum builds social skills, life skills, analytical skills, and mathematical skills.

Chess Tutors video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLVNaWoqkXo

Bucket Drumming

Thursdays 3:15-4:05 p.m. and 4:20 – 5:05 p.m. 2nd – 5th grade.  Later session for aftercare students only. Cost is $20 for the entire 8 week session.  

Join Cultivarte for multicultural bucket drumming. The focus of this 8 week session will be “Rhythms and Songs from The Americas.”  Cultivarte will bring guest teaching artists that have unique specializations in diverse traditions and cultures that enrich the students’ experience.   The class will include some Spanish language, and students will have a performance at the end of the 8 week session.  Buckets and drumsticks are provided during class.

Running Club

Fridays 8:00 – 8:35 a.m.  FREE

Get your morning energy going with Coach Garry!  In Friday morning club, students meet on the soccer field and, well… they run!  Coach organizes running games, challenges and races.    Students are dismissed to their class line-ups after running club.