Avoca West Extracurricular Opportunities
2026-2027 School Year
What & Why (Name of club & blurb) | Who (Grade, Open to All or Select Enrollment) | When (Day(s) of week, Time, & General Date Range) | Contact Name |
Girls Running Club Over the course of 10-12 weeks, coaches will lead the group in a structured curriculum "designed to enhance girls’ social, emotional and physical skills and behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities." We will build the physical endurance of our girls to tackle a 5K, but the growth in their sense of self and how to tackle interacting with others and their community is the REAL strength of the time together.. | 4th&5th grade girls, limited to 16 girls | Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30 Ends November 11 | Ms. Pacini Julie Barad baradj@avoca37.org |
A unique, exciting, and dynamic chess instruction class which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Each week students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play with classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game - from the basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. | Kindergarten - 5th grade students |
Tuesdays 3-4 pm Fall 9-15-26 through 1-26-27 Spring 2-2-27 through 6-1-27 | info@chess-ed.com |
Concert Choir: This ensemble is for students who love singing with others, are highly motivated, have an interest in building choral ensemble and performance skills and who want to connect with others who share a love of music and singing. Rehearsals are fast-paced and focus on beautiful and healthy singing, musicianship, artistry, and choral reading skills. All interested students need to return this completed form, even if they were in CC last year. | Open to students grades 2nd-5th by invitation | Thursdays 7:25-8:20 am 9-10-26 through 4-15-27 | Ms. Weismehl |
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Comunità: Comunità (pronounced “co-mu-ni-TA”, Italian for “community”) is open to students of all abilities. An inclusive choir, Comunità is modeled after the High Five Choir at New Trier. Emphasis is on building a strong community of joyful voices where everyone is welcome. Students will sing and use movement, instruments, and other materials to work together towards a common goal. Students take ownership by helping to decide which songs will be performed in concert. Comunità performs at the Avoca West Spring Concert and at the New Trier High Five Spring Sing. This ensemble is a great option for students who wish to participate in other morning activities. | K - 5th grade students | Mondays 7:30 - 8:20 am 10-19-26 through 05-17-27 | Ms. Weismehl |
Avoca West Assembly Ensemble The Assembly Ensemble is a creative opportunity for students who are interested in performing or exploring theater. Together we plan, create, and perform our whole school spirit assemblies. Students might work as actors, set designers, or tech assistants. Everyone has a role in the assembly. Limited number of spots per session. | 3rd - 5th grade students | Wednesdays from 3:00 - 4:15 Fall Session: 9/16-12/9 Winter Session: 12/16-3/3 Spring Session: 3/10-6/2 No Meetings on Early Release or Half Days | Mrs. Bowman Ms. Abrams |
Avoca West Viking Sports Club: Vikings Sports club is a before school intramural sports program for third through fifth graders. There are three sessions during the ‘25-’26 school year. We will play a variety of sports including but not limited to soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, and kickball. This is a great opportunity to play organized games with your friends and have a fun and safe time doing so outside of the PE setting. | 3rd - 5th grade students | 7:45 - 8:15 am Tues/Wed/Thurs depending on grade level Mid- October through Spring in three different sessions | Ms. Fay |
Math Olympiad Math Olympiad meets weekly to promote enthusiasm for mathematics, highlight key concepts, develop problem-solving skills, celebrate mathematical creativity, and an overall appreciation for the subject. MO is offered to 4th and 5th graders. There are five optional national competitions that allow interested students to monitor their own growth as well as their performance compared to students across the country. | 4th -5th grade students | 3:00 - 4:00 Mondays Mid-October through End of March | Mr. Erf Ms. Abrams |
Breakfast Club A morning opportunity to socialize, play games, practice mindfulness, and have a breakfast snack. This Club will be run in 4 different sessions and will be limited to 15 students per session. | K - 5th grade students | 7:45 - 8:15 Tuesdays in four sessions from 9-2026 through 3-2027 | Mrs. Serck (Ms. Becker) Mrs. Eltanal eltanalj@avoca37.org Mrs. Just |
Band Joining the band is an opportunity for students to develop their whole brain. Music brings a sense of wonder, joy and creativity to everyone’s day! | 4th - 5th grade students | 7:30 - 8:15 Tuesdays 5th grade 3:00 - 4:00 Tuesdays all beginners | Ms. Ivette ivette.enriquez@musicarts.com |
Orchestra Orchestra gives students the opportunity to create music together, express their creativity, and perform a variety of music—from classical masterpieces and movie soundtracks to pop, folk, and holiday favorites. Students build confidence, teamwork, communication, and responsibility while learning to follow a conductor. Performances include school assemblies, parent concerts, and the National Anthem at a Northwestern University basketball game, along with a field trip to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The year ends with family food trucks after concerts and a fun pizza party for orchestra students. | 4th - 5th grade students | 7:25 - 8:15 Wednesdays beginning in September and continuing for the entire school year. | Mrs Oppenheim oppenheimr@avoca37.org Mrs. Stubbs stubbse@avoca37.org |
Art Club Art Club will be a perfect space for students to gather to help reduce stress, improve memory, and aid with feeling more connected socially. Art Club can help students think critically about their own work and the work of others. Art can stimulate imagination and cognitive and problem-solving skills as well as thinking creatively. | 3rd - 5th grade students | 7:30 - 8:15 Tuesdays 9-22-26 through 11-10-26 1-26-27 through 3-16-27 | Ms. Tromp trompl@avoca37.org |
Nature Club Students will discover the wonders of the outdoors. Through nature walks, gardening activities, simple experiments and nature crafts, second and third graders will gain an appreciation for the natural world and participate in caring for our outdoor spaces at Avoca West. | 2nd & 3rd grade students (14 students max) | 3:00 - 4:00 Wednesdays Fall Session 9/9 - 11/18 Spring Session 3/31 - 5/26 No Meetings on Early Release or Half Days | Ms. Cross crossr@avoca37.org |
French Club We will learn the basics of French language and culture through songs, acting, reading, and writing. No previous French required. | 4th-5th grade students (15 max) | Tuesdays September 1- October 20 | Ms. Pacini |
Avoca West News Calling all artists and journalists! Our weekly newspaper will include articles, photography, comics, and jokes or riddles. Each newsroom team will create 6 issues. This activity will require that students meet on Monday (or Tuesday if there is a holiday) to decide what they will do. They will need to complete their tasks by Wednesday afternoon. | 4th-5th grade students (up to 8 for each 6-issue session) | Mondays for all newspaper staff members (or Tuesday if there is a holiday) and Thursdays for editors only. September 28-May 21 | Mx. Michael |