Lunch & Learn: Enrichment 101— Comprehensive Summary 

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🍽️ Session Overview 

This Lunch & Learn featured Sushmita Srikant, co‑VP of Advocacy at the Council and Director of Enrichment at Sandburg PTSA, presenting “Enrichment 101: The Ins and Outs.” PTSA leaders from across the district attended to learn best practices for planning, running, and sustaining enrichment programs. These are nice to have programs on the PTSA but not a must have if the PTSA doesn’t have the volunteer support.  Ideally, limit these offerings to programs parents truly want and feel are missing from the current education system. 

The session covered: 

  • Program planning and timelines 
  • Vendor vetting and contracts 
  • Chaperone requirements and insurance 
  • Supporting students with special needs 
  • Communication strategies and parent expectations 
  • Registration systems and financial models 

The conversation was highly interactive, with dozens of questions and shared resources in the chat. 

📝 Key Themes from the Presentation 

1. Best Practices for K–12 Enrichment 

Sushmita emphasized that enrichment should promote access, confidence, skill building, and representation. She encouraged: 

  • Starting small 
  • Using family surveys and PTSA meetings to identify interests 
  • Building strong proposals that highlight safety, supervision, and minimal burden on school staff 

2. Year‑Round Planning Timeline 

  • Spring: Parent/student surveys 
  • Summer: Vendor outreach and program design 
  • August: Finalize proposals with principals based on space availability 
  • Fall/Winter: 8‑week sessions 
  • Spring: Often reserved for school plays or new programs 

3. Chaperones & Insurance 

There was discussion about whether chaperones must be PTSA members. WSPTA Guidance and AIM require chaperones to be PTSA members. Please feel free to check with AIM if you think this might not be the case for your school.  

AIM requires “physical oversight,” like a chaperone and for it to be a PTA event as defined by AIM. While AIM does not use the terminology chaperone, it is how WSPTA is interpreting “physical oversight.” If you are curious if AIM insurance will cover a claim if the majority of the manpower comes from the PTA, the classes are planned, scheduled and approved by the PTA, but there wasn’t a PTA member in the class at the time of the incident, WSPTA recommends following up direclty with AIM regarding coverage. WSPTA recommends having a chaperone or responsible PTA member at every PTA event, enrichment classes included. We recommend each PTA follow up with AIM with specific questions. 

 Concerns were also raised about supporting students who normally receive paraeducator assistance during the school day and it was mentioned that the PTSA can pay paraeducators to stay and help specific students for enrichment classes. Folllow-up with your school to discuss this in advance if possible.  

4. Vendor Selection 

Sushmita shared her vetted vendor list and encouraged schools to share experiences. Participants discussed: 

  • Using Homeroom, 6Crickets, or Membership Toolkit 
  • Asking neighboring PTSAs for recommendations 
  • Giving vendors feedback quickly if instructors are not a good fit 
  • Using end of year enrichment wrap up forms from the PTSA to note this info 

5. Space & Facility Challenges 

Some schools struggle with common spaces being already occupied, for example YMCA. Participants discussed working with principals and using Facilitron strategically to secure space. For example – If gym is provided, you can run sports programs, if music room is available, choir or musical drama are easier to rehearse for. If a classroom is available, host art or chess. 

6. Registration, Fees & Scholarships 

Schools use a mix of systems (Homeroom, Zeffy, 6Crickets, Membership Toolkit). Fees vary  between the systems.  

Scholarship strategies included: 

  • Charging vendors a 5% fee to fund scholarships 
  • Working with school counselors to identify families discreetly 
  • Offering free or discounted enrollment for chaperones 

💬 Zoom Chat Thread Summary (Helpful Links & Shared Insights) 

The chat was extremely active and included: 

Shared Links 

Common Questions Raised 

  • Do chaperones need to be PTSA members? 
  • How do schools handle students who forget to attend enrichment? 
  • How to manage behavior when students lack after‑school support? 
  • How to negotiate space when YMCA has priority? 
  • What are typical class fees? 
  • How many hours per week does an enrichment chair spend? 
  • How to find reliable vendors? 
  • Can parents be paid as instructors? 

Shared Best Practices 

  • Require full‑session chaperones; cancel classes if none sign up 
  • Offer discounted or free enrollment for chaperones 
  • Use clear policies about late pickups and behavior expectations 
  • Ask about allergies and accommodations on registration forms 
  • Use counselors to coordinate scholarships discreetly 

Popular Classes Mentioned 

  • Chess 
  • Cooking 
  • Mad Science / Steamoji / Coding with Kids 
  • Theater (Missoula, Studio East) 
  • Choir (Columbia Choirs, Iovanne Music Academy)Soccer, hockey, running club 
  • CreArt (mixed reviews recently), Anna’s Art Lab 

📌 Potential Next Steps (Action Items) 

PTSA Council 

  • Create and promote an Enrichment Chairs Chat/Group and promote in the newsletter  (Join newly created Whatsapp group.) 
  • Compile a vetted + non‑vetted vendor list (Although can be difficult because a vendor varies based on instructor.)  
  • Consider a fall follow‑up training. 
  • Share session feedback with district leadership to advocate for space access. 
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