St. Giles is proud to offer a wide variety of after-school Enrichment Programs and Summer Camps that provide extra-curricular experiences in arts, science, athletics and academics that enhance what our children are learning in school. These programs, run by outside vendors, St. Giles teachers, and parents are fee based with a small portion going back to the school. Scholarships are available each semester.
For more information or questions in regard to enrichment programs please contact Shari Wenzel swenzel@stgilesschool.org.
Enrichment Policies
- Registration is online
- No registrations will be accepted after the stated deadline.
- Sorry, no refunds after classes have begun unless due to cancellation of class.
- All classes are eligible for cancellation due to minimum enrollment requirements.
- Price includes any materials fee.
- You will receive an email prior to the start of the program with pertinent info on where the class is run, kids being escorted to class, and pick up after class.
- Students in grades K thru 3 will be picked up and escorted to their classrooms after school.
- Students in 4th thru 8th should walk directly to the classroom after the bell.
- Students can be picked up at 4:15 at the pre-determined school door. You will be apprised of the pick up location prior to the start of the program.
- Students enrolled in Kids Klub will be escorted to the Gleeson Building at the end of the program.
- Consistently late pick-ups or disruptive behavior in class will result in the student being excused from the session without refund.
- If a student is not picked up within 5 minutes of the class end time, the student will be transferred to the Gleeson Building Kids Klub with a $10 fee paid to Kids Klub.
- Scholarships are available for Enrichment programs.
- Infinity Arts offers (1) scholarship per semester
- Scholarships are limited to one per student per year.
- Some programs offer financial aid if a parent is willing to assist with student supervision during the class.
- For more information on scholarships or to request aid contact Meg Bigane mbigane@stgilesschool.org.
Spring 2019
Spring Enrichment program information is posted below. Registration will open on February 10.
Disney’s Aladdin JR. is based on the 1992 Academy-Award®-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within. The story you know and love has been given the royal treatment! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world” for your young performers!
See Registration page for all practice and performance times.
Chess-Ed will continue to provide this unique, exciting and dynamic chess instruction which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Each week students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game - from the basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance.
Studies confirm that the student who plays chess does better academically. Playing chess increases IQ performance, improves memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility, sportsmanship, social skills and more. The chess program is open to all students in all grades and of all playing levels. JOIN TODAY!
Students will learn touch-typing with a Querty-style keyboard with the goal of practicing correctly and improving accuracy first and then speed. Emphasizing proper posture and covered hands, the tentative goal of class is to have each student achieve 30 words-per-minute on a full-sized keyboard so that their skills are transferable to keyboards of any size.
Let's Build It - Chain Reactions in Action!- The ball rolls down the ramp, turns the switch, that moves the post, that activates the zip-line, that knocks the ball down the ramp and into the goal! In this STEAM program, students will be building Rube Goldberg "Mouse Trap" chain-reaction machines featuring levers, pulleys, and other simple machines. Engineering and physics concepts will be introduced and reinforced through hands-on, innovative lessons and creative play time. Problem solving skills and teamwork will be put to the test as the complexity of the projects increases from week to week. On the final class, there will a building competition - How many contraptions can you connect in the chain reaction? No previous experience is necessary. Just a desire to learn and build. Each student will receive an award on the last day of the session, and have the opportunity to earn Energy Belts to demonstrate their learned skills!
Do you enjoy reading comic books and creating fun characters? Students in Grades 4-8 will create their own story, characters and setting in Comic Illustration! Using the Storytelling Through Comics Curriculum, students will learn about alter egos, setting, conflict, catch phrases, story arc, scripts, and page layout. They will create their own comic cover and comic story pages. Come join the fun!
Infinity Arts invites students K-8th grade are welcome to join us for a variety of theatre games, movement games, improv games, character games, and games that are just plain fun. No experience necessary.
Giving Artfully Kids is an after school program that combines philanthropy, kindness, and crafts that has taught over 500 children in enrichment programs, camps, workshops to preschoolers, elementary, and middle school from K-8th grade for the past 4 years, in Oak Park, Forest Park, Riverside and Western Springs.
This Spring, join Legacy Sports for some after-school fun, excitement and exercise! This program will feature soccer and basketball scrimmages, contests and games as well as your favorite gym games such as hand hockey, kickball and battleship. Space is limited to 18 participants.
Larry Andolino, Attorney and St. Giles Parent will spend an afternoon exploring the historical roots of debate and understanding that debate is more than just arguing but rather a tool to advocate a persuasive position in a respectful way. Students will be divided into age level groups and taught how to research a topic, support their position, and engage in a persuasive discussion on a topic that is organized, factually based, and logical. Additional exercises include debating the Wolf and The Three Little Pigs as well as a mock city council debate.
Legacy Sports returns to St. Giles this season with their most popular program that includes variations of traditional gym games like relay races, tag, capture the flag, dodgeball, soccer as well as our popular Legacy games like Hand Hockey, Illinois Jones and Battleship.
Running away to the circus just got a lot easier this spring break! Circus campers will practice using props, learn tumbling and Adagio skills, try out the unicycle, work on team building skills, create their own personalized routines, and by the end of camp perform a mini show for their parents. No skills are needed for this camp as the circus arts offers something for everyone's tastes.
Campers should pack healthy snacks and water for class each day.
St. Giles is delighted to work with our resident artist, Ms. Anna Soltys,who will lead Junior High students in the art and techniques of mosaics. In this workshop, students will create a portion of the St. Giles permanent art display that will be located on the back of the garage next to our school garden. The completed pieces in this workshop will be incorporated into her final masterpiece.
Anna has spent over a decade creating Public Art in Chicago; working with communities, organizations and individuals to create long-lasting impressions representing messages of hope, love and individuality. Whether in your home, on the side of a public building, or the facade of a business, these installations function as landmarks singing for the world.
Anna has studied Fine Art at Ball State University, and Columbia College Chicago, focusing on a variety of Art practices. During these years, she explored 2D and 3D mediums such as painting, ceramics, collage, drawing, and jewelry making. These tools have unlocked the doors leading to the creation of limitless installations.
It is her belief that success lives in hope, and hope is the belief you can succeed. Applying this in her practice, Anna Soltys creates spaces that inspire hope, and ultimately remind us of the beauty in this world.
Visit her website to see her beautiful mosaic pieces.
Winter 2019
Winter Enrichment programs are now closed for registration. Program information will stay posted for parents to check start and close dates of programs until March 15.
Disney's The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world and now, for the first time ever, you have the opportunity to produce this one-of-a-kind musical in your school. The African savannah comes to life on your stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle... and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.
Chess-Ed will continue to provide this unique, exciting and dynamic chess instruction which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Each week students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game - from the basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance.
Studies confirm that the student who plays chess does better academically. Playing chess increases IQ performance, improves memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility, sportsmanship, social skills and more. The chess program is open to all students in all grades and of all playing levels. JOIN TODAY!
Students will learn touch-typing with a Querty-style keyboard with the goal of practicing correctly and improving accuracy first and then speed. Emphasizing proper posture and covered hands, the tentative goal of class is to have each student achieve 30 words-per-minute on a full-sized keyboard so that their skills are transferable to keyboards of any size.
Boys and Girls in 4th-8th grade are invited to join Yoga teacher, Muriel Quinn, for Lunchtime Yoga. A homemade lunch is included in the fee. Children should bring their own yoga mat, which will be stored at school for the 6-week course. The program is limited to 20 students. Athletes are encouraged to join us as a to compliment their sport. Any dietary restrictions or student injuries should be noted during registration.
Let’s Build It – Exciting Electronics! is an exhilarating, cutting-edge area of engineering. In this unit, students will design, build, and test various circuits and electronic projects. Instructors will guide students through core concepts of electrical engineering, introducing them to circuits and electrical components. Students will use hands-on projects and experiments to explore how electricity is part of our daily lives. No previous experience is necessary, just a desire to learn and build. Each student will receive an award on the last day of the session, as well as the opportunity to earn engineering belts to demonstrate their learned skills!
Giving Artfully Kids is an after school program that combines philanthropy, kindness, and crafts that has taught over 500 children in enrichment programs, camps, workshops to preschoolers, elementary, and middle school from K-8th grade for the past 4 years, in Oak Park, Forest Park, Riverside and Western Springs.
Infinity Arts invites students K-8th grade are welcome to join us for a variety of theatre games, movement games, improv games, character games, and games that are just plain fun. No experience necessary.
Sugar Beet Schoolhouse is proud to present - You Glow! From making natural lip balms to practicing meditation, young people learn fun ways to practice self-care. By using pantry staples and whole ingredients, we’ll make beautiful DIY body care items customized with essential oils and wellness teas and waters to sip on for healthy hydration. We’ll also learn the art of journaling, meditating and practice some simple stretches and other relaxation techniques to calm the body and mind.
Legacy floor hockey is full of fast paced action! This class features exciting floor hockey games every week. We randomly draw new teams daily for a 60 minute scrimmage. Sticks and safety glasses will be provided.
In this winter enrichment course, taught by Ms. Kruen, students will learn about the internal structures of animals through DISSECTION. We will discover what makes these animals perfect for their particular habitats and the similarities that humans have with animals. We will learn how the tissues and organs are interrelated and gain an appreciation of the complexity of organisms in a hands-on learning environment.
Larry Andolino, Attorney and St. Giles Parent will spend an afternoon exploring the historical roots of debate and understanding that debate is more than just arguing but rather a tool to advocate a persuasive position in a respectful way. Students will be divided into age level groups and taught how to research a topic, support their position, and engage in a persuasive discussion on a topic that is organized, factually based, and logical. Additional exercises include debating the Wolf and The Three Little Pigs as well as a mock city council debate.
Legacy Sports returns to St. Giles this season with their most popular program that includes variations of traditional gym games like relay races, tag, capture the flag, dodgeball, soccer as well as our popular Legacy games like Hand Hockey, Illinois Jones and Battleship.
Join Ms. Wenzel to create 3 different holiday ornamanents to adorn your tree with this year and have as a memento for years to come. (This workshop is being offered on two different days but we will create the same ornaments each class - please only register for one date.)
Dec 17 or Dec 20 (Grades K - 4)
Dec 19 (Grades 5 - 7)
If you love unicorns, and who doesn't, come spend a few hours over Winter Break with Ms. Wenzel crafting, cooking, and playing games based off the most perfect, glittery, sparkly, and majestic creature - THE UNICORN!