Workshops
Winter 2025 Enrichment Workshops
Registration will open for winter Enrichment workshops on December 16 at 6:00 a.m.
Winter workshops begin the week of January 13, 2025.
Weekly workshops provide students in kindergarten through grade 8 specialized after school learning opportunities with experienced instructors and passionate teaching artists, musicians, and professionals from the greater Portland area. Workshops offer in-depth exploration into the arts, dance, drama/acting, science, engineering, athletics, chef skills, card games, and role-play games such as Dungeons & Dragons.
Winter Enrichment workshops at a glance:
| Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays |
| Dance: 2–3 Creative Movement | Dance: K–1 Creative Movement | Circus Arts: 2–5 Maine Youth Circus | Dance: 4–5 Creative Movement | MS Theater Workshop: 6–8 |
| STEAM: K–2 Monster Toys | Dungeons and Dragons Club: 4–5 | Ice Skating: 4–5 The Rink | Dungeons and Dragons Club: 6–8 | |
| Creative Drama Workshops: 4–5 | Spanish Immersion: 3–5 | Ski Trips: 6–8 Pleasant Mountain | Spanish Immersion: K–2 | |
| Chess Club: 6–8 | STEAM: 3–5 Troll Kingdom | Social Skills: 3–5 Playgroup | ||
| Social Skills: K–2 Playgroup |
REGISTER HERE
Winter 2025 Workshops
ICE SKATING TRIPS TO THE RINK AT THOMPSON’S POINT
Join us again this winter for weekly ice skating adventures at the beautiful waterfront rink at Thompson’s Point! Students in grades 4–5 are welcome to register for these fun-filled skating afternoons with friends. Round trip bus transportation is provided from Waynflete. Space is limited, be sure to register early!
Chaperones: Jake Hopkins (Waynflete faculty, coach, and parent) and Caileigh Hopkins (Upper School mentor and member of the Waynflete girls hockey team)
Location: The Rink at Thompson’s Point
4–5 Skating Trips:
Wednesdays from 12:15–2:15 p.m.
January 15 to February 26 (No class on February 19)
Winter session: 6 weeks
$240 (includes weekly skate rental) • Register here
CHESS CLUB
The Waynflete Chess Club will cover basic chess playing, including how the chess pieces move, how to win and the rules of play. Students will learn basic strategies with a goal to learn and enjoy the game. This club is open to all levels of ability, beginner through advanced players are welcome to attend.
Instructor: Joe Alex
Joe Alex was the Director of Stillwater Montessori School for 42 years and has been a chess coach and instructor for more than 20 years. He has worked with chess teams that have competed at the elementary and Middle School levels at the Maine State Chess Meet.
Location: CHM-14
6–8 Chess Club
Tuesdays from 3:30–5:00 p.m.
January 14 to March 4 (No class on February 18)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$220 • Register here
CREATIVE DRAMA WORKSHOPS
Instructor: Lower School Creative Drama Teacher Julia Jennings
Instructor bio: Julia Jennings teaches drama in Lower School and serves as the director for the Middle School play. She studied playwriting and acting at Bowdoin College and the National Theater Institute, and trained as a directing and dramaturgy apprentice at Portland Stage. Her work focuses on the intersection between acting and writing for the stage as well as ensemble-driven new play development.
Location: Arts Center classroom
4–5 Creative Drama
This creative drama workshop offers 4–5 students an opportunity to explore acting and improvisation and develop their performance skills. Over the course of seven sessions, students will work as an ensemble to create, rehearse, and stage a short performance based in story theater. The workshop will culminate in a sharing for parents and friends.
Mondays from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
January 13 to March 10 (No class on January 20 and February 17)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$220 • Register here
6–8 Middle School Theater Workshop
This semester-long workshop will begin with improv games and acting exercises before students devise and adapt scenes from a book or story. The journey will continue by creating, staging, and rehearsing a play that we will share as an in-studio workshop performance. Unlike the Middle School Play, this workshop is not intended to be a rehearsal process for a fully-produced play. It will instead be a creative journey of acting, improvising, and playmaking.
Fridays from 3:30– 4:45 p.m.
January 17 to May 30 (No class on February 21, March 28, April 25, May 5, or May 9)
Session: 15 weeks
$350 • Register here
SOCIAL SKILLS PLAYGROUP
It can be tough out there in the social world. Not all kids naturally know the ins and outs of making and keeping friends, reading social cues, or navigating complex social situations. This weekly playgroup supports children in developing the social and emotional skills they need to thrive. Instructor Xenia Pantos leverages their occupational therapy background to create a supportive environment that nurtures problem-solving, self-regulation, and effective communication. Xenia believes that play can be a powerful tool to support skill-building, so engaging in activities that are enriching, challenging, and fun will be central to this group.
Location: Klingenstein Library Conference Room & K–1 Kitchen
Instructor: Dr. Xenia Pantos, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with more than 10 years of experience in experiential and alternative education. They are the founder of Piping Plover Therapies, an occupational therapy practice focused on providing home and community therapy to children in Greater Portland. Xenia specializes in supporting children with challenges related to ADHD, ASD, sensory processing, executive functioning, and self-regulation. Xenia strongly believes in the power of play as a tool to support independence and skill-building. They are honored to have the opportunity to work with your children as they develop the skills they need to thrive.
K–2 Social Skills Playgroup
This age group will engage in collaborative games and activities with support from an occupational therapist to navigate social interactions, utilize self-regulation skills, and practice problem-solving.
Wednesdays from 12:30–1:50 p.m.
January 15 to March 5 (No class on February 19)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$325 • Register here
Students enjoy lunch during the workshop.
3–5 Social Skills Playgroup
This age group will discuss challenges, identify tools they can use outside of the play group, and co-create a space to learn and practice self-regulation strategies.
Thursdays from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
January 16 to March 6 (No class on February 19)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$290 • Register here
SPANISH IMMERSION
¡Hola! Join Waynflete Middle School Language Teacher Whitney McSweeney and Waynflete Extended Day Teacher and native Spanish speaker Lesley Valadez for an age-appropriate, interactive program that will allow your child to acquire Spanish naturally through a playful, interactive immersion environment. Your child will learn Spanish through indoor and outdoor play, songs, books, and movement! Small group classes run for eight weeks and are offered over our fall, winter, and spring workshop sessions.
Instructors: Whitney McSweeney (3–5) and Lesley Valadez (K–2)
Location: Klingenstein Library Conference Room
K–2 Spanish Immersion
Thursdays from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
January 16 to March 6 (No class on February 20)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$240 • Register here
3–5 Spanish Immersion
Tuesdays from 3:35–4:35 p.m.
January 14 to March 4 (No class on February 18)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$240 • Register here
ENRICHMENT DANCE
K–5 dancers learn to become strong, confident, creative, and expressive through movement exploration. Session 2 K–5 dancers have a half-year session with a culminating performance in May.
Instructor: Jessica Barzell
Location: ARC Studio
K–1 Creative Movement
Tuesdays from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
January 14 to May 27 (No class on February 18 and April 22)
Session #2: 18 weeks
$365 • Register here
2–3 Creative Movement
Mondays from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
January 13 to June 2 (No class on January 20, March 31, April 21, and May 26)
Session #2: 16 weeks
$350 • Register here
4–5 Creative Movement
Thursdays from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
January 16 to May 22 (No class on Feburary 20 and April 24)
Session #2: 17 weeks
$365 • Register here
STEAM WORKSHOPS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)
Susan Wiemer’s workshops operate at the intersection of science, art, and imaginative play. Throughout the fall, students explore basic physics concepts while utilizing engineering/design methods and discussing the scientific process. There will be a wide variety of projects to build, including flying toys, jointed rubber band puppets, cars, and windmills that power LED lights. Susan’s hands-on STEAM projects engage curious kids! Limited spaces. No experience needed.
Instructor: Susan Weimer
Location: Lower School Art Studio
K–2 STEAM: Monster Toys
We will explore basic physics concepts while making various toys, including Monster Hands, balloon powered hovercrafts, and rubber band powered flying dragons! If time permits, we will finish off with an egg drop challenge.
Mondays from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
January 13 to March 10 (No class on January 20 and February 17)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$220 • Register here
3–5 STEAM: Troll Kingdom
We will build troll castles with lights powered by windmills, working drawbridges and catapults! If time permits, we will build our troll friends vehicles for a crash-derby competition.
Wednesdays from 12:30–2:30 p.m.
January 15 to March 5 (No class on February 19)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$290 • Register here
Students enjoy lunch and recess with Susan before the workshop (12:30–1:30 p.m.).
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
At its core, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a game of collaborative storytelling. Players will each take on the role of a unique character in a fantasy story and will need to work together to uncover treasure, solve puzzles, and accomplish their goals. Ongoing journeys are led by a highly creative Game Master/Dungeon Master (GM/DM). What path students choose is up to them, but know that the D&D world is full of challenges, danger and adventure!
Locations: CHM-15 (6–8) or 4–5 classroom in the Lower School (4–5)
Instructors: Cora Curtis, Hal Burman, and Upper School mentor Asa Adams
4–5 Dungeons & Dragons
Tuesdays from 3:30–4:45 p.m.
January 14 to March 4 (No class on February 18)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$220 • Register here
6–8 Dungeons & Dragons
Thursdays from 3:30–4:45 p.m.
January 16 to March 6 (No class on February 20)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$220 • Register here
CIRCUS ARTS with Maine Youth Circus
Embark on an exciting journey of learning, creativity, and exploration within the captivating world of the circus. Maine Youth Circus is ready to guide students through exhilarating circus techniques, nurture their artistic spark, and unlock new realms of self-expression! Students will discover the thrill of acrobatics, master the art of juggling, and delve into a diverse range of circus disciplines.
Location: Sills Gym
Instructors: Michael Trautman and Janoah Bailin from Maine Youth Circus
2–5 Circus Arts
Wednesdays from 12:45–1:45 p.m.
January 15 to March 5 (No class on February 19)
Winter session: 7 weeks
$290 • Register here
Students enjoy lunch before the workshop (12:20–12:45 p.m.).
MIDDLE SCHOOL SKI TRIPS to PLEASANT MOUNTAIN
Winter is coming, and with it comes Middle School Wednesday ski trips!
Registration opens Wednesday, November 6 at 6:00 a.m.
For over 25 years, Waynflete’s Middle School ski program has given Middle School students an opportunity to get outside and build friendships on winter Wednesdays. After dismissal at noon, charter buses will transport students to Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton, ME for an afternoon of skiing and riding with friends!
Ski Bus: For 2025 ski trips families will register their student by completing the payment for bus transportation only. Once registered for the bus, information will be shared with registered families on the next steps for purchasing a 5 week group ticket package as well as lesson and rental options. Fee details are below.
Equipment: Students will bring skis, bags, equipment to school on Wednesday mornings and may store their gear in the shed during school hours. An information letter with more details will be sent out in December to registered families.
Parent volunteer chaperones: Mountain-experienced parent, faculty and staff volunteers lead and supervise the Middle School ski trips. Lead volunteer and former Ski Patrol Director Shawn Brennan will be returning this season.
Please email to volunteer for 1 to 5 of the weekly ski trips. Lodge chaperones are needed too! Lift tickets and transportation are provided for chaperones. Many thanks to all the chaperones who sign up to provide supervision on our ski bus and at the mountain. Our chaperones make these trips possible!
Location: Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton, ME
Group leaders: Lila Dolan, Auxiliary Programs Assistant & Shawn Brennan, volunteer
6–8 Pleasant Mountain Ski Trips
Wednesdays
Jan 15 to Feb 12, 12:15–6:30 p.m. (5 week session)
- Waynflete Bus Transportation— $299
- Pleasant Mountain Packages: Students registered for the bus will be emailed with links to package options in December. If your student already has a Boyne season pass you do not need to purchase the lift ticket package.
- 5 Week Lift Ticket Package — $145
- 5 Week Lift Ticket + Lesson Package — $290
- 5 Week Lift Ticket + Rental Package — $270
- 5 Week Lift Ticket + Rental + Lesson Package — $415
Registration will close December 6 at noon.
REGISTER HERE
Additional Information:
- Parent pickup location for all workshop attendees: Thomas House Loop unless otherwise noted.
- Workshop start and end dates are noted below.
- All students must be registered to attend an Enrichment workshop.
- Payment in full is required at the time of registration.
- Workshops are open to all students from the greater Portland area.
- Workshops are offered in three seasons: fall, winter, and spring.
- Dance is offered in half-year sessions.
- If a workshop is canceled due to low enrollment, we will notify registered families one week before the first class.
Discount code: Full-time Waynflete Extended Day students receive a 25 percent discount on the price of Enrichment workshops. Use the code “FTED” at checkout.
Questions? Suggestions for new workshops? Email the Auxiliary Programs office at or call 207.774.7863, ext. 1379.
