The Child and Babysitting Safety (CABS) program from the American Safety and Health Institute provides everything you need to know for safe and successful babysitting. The YouTube “vlogger” style presentation of the video brings a youthful and high-energy spirit to the program content along with handouts, demonstrations, and additional resources. At the end of class, the students will receive their certification card along with instructions to access a digital copy of the Child and Babysitting Safety (CABS) Student book. From getting started with your business, to collaborating with parents and children, to key safety, caregiving, and first aid tips, CABS will help set you up for babysitting success. Students must be present for the entire class and complete achievement of the core learning objectives to receive certification valid for two years. Students attend this class independently and should come prepared with a notebook and pen. If the student is staying for the next class, Home Alone, they are welcome to bring a cold lunch and eat it in the classroom with the instructor. Instructor: Lori Hameister

Looking to test your wits, master quick-thinking strategy, and outsmart your friends? Jump into one of these hands-on, high-energy gaming courses designed specifically for middle schoolers! Over the course of the session, players will learn a unique tabletop card game —learning core mechanics, refining tactics, and competing in fast-paced rounds. No prior experience is needed; every game takes just minutes to learn! Featured Card Games: Sushi Go! (Drafting & Set Collection) Kick off the session with a fast-paced feast! Pass hands of cards around the table to snag the ultimate combinations of sushi dishes. Score big with sashimi, power up with wasabi, or secure dessert before time runs out. Coup (Bluffing & Social Deduction) Step into a world of secret roles, bribery, and deception. Claim powerful character abilities to gain influence and eliminate opponents—whether you actually hold the cards or not. Use your best poker face to outwit rivals and spot bluffs in this high-stakes game of survival. Exploding Kittens (Tactical Risk Management) Finish the session with pure tactical chaos. Draw cards, dodge explosive traps, and use tactical maneuvers like laser pointers, turn-skips, and deck-peeks to push the risk onto your opponents. Last player standing takes the crown!

Grades: 6-8 Ready to turn a lump of earth into something epic? Whether you’re an experienced artist or just want to see what the hype is about, our Clay Days are designed for ultimate creative freedom. This isn’t your typical follow-the-leader class. Each 2 hour session is an open-studio experience where you take the lead. Bring that project you saw on TikTok/YouTube or Pinterest, start a collection of handmade mugs, or just experiment with texture and form. What’s Included: 3 lbs of Earthenware Clay: Each student receives a fresh block of clay per session—plenty for two mugs, a medium planter, or several smaller sculptural pieces. Glaze: We use special glazes that can be used on greenware clay, which means you don't have to wait for your piece to be bisque fired. Building Consulting & Technical Assistance: Stuck on a handle? Can’t get your walls to stay up? Our studio staff will be on hand to act as "building consultants," helping you troubleshoot your designs and teaching you the technical tricks to make your ideas structural and sound. The Wheel Experience: For those who have prior wheel-throwing experience, wheels are available for use. Professional Tools: Full access to ribs, loops, stamps, and glazes to finish your work. Dates: September 14, 25, October 9, November 10, 19, or December 7 Time: 3:15-5:15 pm Flexibility: Sign up for one day to try it out, or book multiple sessions to tackle several or more complex pieces. Students may leave early (with your permission) if they finish early. Please discuss this with your child ahead of each session. Please note that students will be required to review and sign a copy of the studio use agreement. Preview the Clay Days Youth Pottery Studio Artist Agreement here. ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Bus Transportation to the CEC ⚠️Bus Number: Students can take Activity Bus #12 from the Middle School to the CEC Building.Timing: The bus leaves promptly after school, so students must head straight to the bus loop after the final bell.Boarding Reminder: Students need to tell the driver they are getting off at the CEC when they board.Other Options: We provide a head count to the bus garage a week in advance, but taking the bus is optional. Students are welcome to walk, bike, or get a ride to the CEC instead

Mud, Magic, & Masterpieces: Clay Handbuilding for Kids Welcome to the ultimate screen-free, dirt-friendly creative zone! Our handbuilding courses are designed to get kids' hands messy and their imaginations fired up. Handbuilding is all about using the oldest, most intuitive tools we have: our hands. From pinching and coiling to slab construction, your child will learn the fundamental techniques of ceramics while transforming soft clay into permanent, durable works of art. Clay Monsters Date: Friday, October 16thJust in time for Halloween, this pottery class will have you crafting your own spooky pinch pot monsters! You will learn hand-building techniques, you’ll design, sculpt, and decorate your monsters, adding your own eerie touches to bring them to life.My First CupDate: Monday, November 2ndGet your hands messy and create your very own clay cup! In this fun pottery class, young artists will learn basic hand-building techniques as they shape, decorate, and personalize a one-of-a-kind cup. Kids can add fun textures, patterns, or creative designs to make their cup uniquely theirs. No experience is needed—just bring your imagination and get ready to create a cup you'll be proud of!Winter Break Clay Play Date: Monday, December 28th Let your imagination take the lead in this fun-filled pottery class! Students will begin by learning the basics of working with clay, including simple hand-building techniques and how to use pottery tools safely. Then it's time to get creative as they design and build a clay project of their own choosing—from animals and food to fantasy creatures and more! To finish the class, students will bring their creations to life by painting them with colorful underglazes. No experience is needed—just bring your creativity and be ready to play with clay!

Come and learn NEW ASL vocabulary and practice talking with your hands! In this class, we will review some basics (letters, numbers, introductions) and then learn new signs about nature and our community! We will practice what we learn through story telling, songs, movement, and other activities. Handouts will be sent home so you can practice what you learn with your family and friends! This class is perfect for students with no experience using sign language, as well as those who have taken classes in the past. Disclaimer: This is not a class in American Sign Language, which has its own grammar and syntax and is very different from spoken English. Rather, I will be teaching ASL vocabulary, and helping children develop a basic understanding and appreciation for ASL that I hope will inspire them to continue to learn more in depth ASL in the future. Instructor: Tracie Rieder Tracie Rieder is a licensed elementary teacher and a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing (TDHH). She has worked closely with parents and young children as both TDHH in the Rochester Birth-3 Special Education Program, and as a family child care provider of 23 years. She is also a licensed Signing Time Instructor and business owner (Circle of Friends Signing School LLC)

FIRST LEGO League Challenge is a global robotics competition where teams of 5-6 students strategize, design, build and program custom robots. The game is played on a 4'x8' field with 16-19 "missions". Join us Monday, August 17th for a preview of the 2026-2027 season. The theme this year is BioGlow and we will have the new matt and missions set up. We will go over the FLL program, presentations and competitions. We will also tour the facilities and play with the bots. FLL is a CE program that is run by parent volunteers. To that end, parents are welcome to join in the fun.Sign up for the season by selecting either a Monday/Wednesday practice schedule or a Tuesday/Saturday schedule. Please note that the actual times/dates will depend on the volunteer coaches' schedules so the times and dates may change.

Is your child ready for the independence of being home alone? Parents need to be sure their children have the skills and maturity to handle the responsibility safely. Whether it is for an hour after school or several hours a day during the summer, being trusted to be home alone can be a positive experience for a child who is mature and well-prepared. This class for children will address several topics relating to being “Home Alone” including age guidelines, safe habits, house rules, after-school routines, phone calls and door knocks, dog emergencies, personal safety, handling the unexpected, gun safety, severe weather, fire safety, intruders, and first aid tips. Students attend this class independently and should come prepared with a notebook and pen. Parents are encouraged to review the take-home information and discuss it with their child. Instructor: Lori Hameister

Ready to take a spin? This session introduces students to the magic of the pottery wheel. This class guides students through the tactile process of centering, opening, and pulling clay to create their first functional vessels. While designed for beginners, we warmly welcome returning students who wish to refine their technique and experiment with new forms. Our instructor provides personalized demonstrations to ensure every student builds confidence and skill. Grades: 3-5 For after school classes held at the Community Education Center (630 1st Ave NW), students can take the Activity Bus to the CEC from the Primary or Intermediate Schools.

Unwind, create, and explore new art mediums! This Art Studio gives 6th–8th graders a dedicated monthly hour to experiment with visual arts, learn new techniques, and express their creativity in a relaxed, supportive environment. Each session features a distinct hands-on project—spanning clay sculpting, canvas painting, printmaking, and mixed media. No prior art experience is necessary, and all materials are provided.

Ready to turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece? Whether you’re a young artist picking up a brush for the first time or an experienced painter looking to rediscover your creative side, our painting classes are for you! We make painting easy and stress-free with step-by-step guidance. Each session features a unique theme, but the fun remains the same. Just bring your smile and your imagination—we’ll handle the rest! What’s Included: 11x14 canvas, all painting supplies, and expert instruction. Skill Level: Absolute Beginner to Advanced All ages are welcome (adults too) students in Grades K or 1 will need an adult assistant. FALL CLASS OPTIONS Glow in the Dark - October 13th at 2:45-3:45 pmGlow-in-the-dark paintings are so fun! We will create a Halloween scene and then complete the painting by adding some glow-in-the-dark paint at the end. All skill levels are encouraged to register for this class. Spooky Cat - October 13th at 3:45-4:45 pmJoin us to create your very own spooky, funny cat. This will be a great painting to use for your Halloween decor for years to come! All skill levels are encouraged to register for this class. Note: This class does not begin immediately after the school day. Because school dismisses at 2:40 PM and class does not start until 3:45 PM, parents and guardians must arrange for childcare and/or transportation during this gap. For safety and liability reasons, students are not permitted to wait unsupervised in the school buildings. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe! Winter Starry Night - December 7th at 2:45-3:45 pmA twist on the famous Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. We will be adding glitter to make this painting sparkle! It is very pretty to have a tree with little lights on it and glittery snow! Snowy Snowman - December 7th at 3:45-4:45 pmThe black background makes the snowman and snow pop! Of course, we will be using glitter to make everything sparkle! All skill levels are encouraged to register for this class. Note: This class does not begin immediately after the school day. Because school dismisses at 2:40 PM and class does not start until 3:45 PM, parents and guardians must arrange for childcare and/or transportation during this gap. For safety and liability reasons, students are not permitted to wait unsupervised in the school buildings. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe!