Park District of Highland Park | Highland Park, IL

Click here for the Fall Program Guide & Registration

Facility Closure

For the safety of you, our staff, and community, West Ridge Center Registration Desk,  Jammin’ Jungle, and bathrooms are closed to the public. We are offering in-person pre-registered programming (fall registration going on now). Only those pre-registered for an in-person program may enter the facility. Participant pick-up and drop-off will be conducted outdoors, instructions will be sent via email prior to program start. Adults may not observe programming until further notice. 

Health & Safety
The following guidelines are in place to protect you, your family, our staff, and community. Everyone must adhere to these guidelines in order to participate in programming at West Ridge Center.

• Everyone must wear a face mask that fits over the bridge of their nose and under their chin
• Class sizes have been reduced and classrooms are arranged to allow for social distancing; pick up and drop off will be conducted outside to prevent congregating in hallways. Class observations/visitors are not permitted.
• Before arrival, everyone must complete a daily self health assessment (provided to patrons and distributed via email prior to program start)
• Stay home if you are feeling ill
• Participants will receive a supply kit, assigned seat, and storage (if applicable) to limit sharing and reduce touch points
• Frequent hand washing procedures following CDC guidelines are strictly enforced
• Facility and all touch points are regularly cleaned and sanitized
• Patrons displaying any symptoms of illness will be sent home and must meet the below criteria to return
  • 10 days has passed since the start of symptoms and they have improved, AND 72 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing medication, AND 14 days have passed since known exposure
  • Two negative Covid-19 tests taken 24 hours apart
  • OR
    • A note from a physician with a diagnosis for symptoms unrelated to Covid-19 and a statement that it is safe to participate in a group setting
  • NOTE, if you have two children in the same program and one shows symptoms of illness, they should both stay home, or will be sent home
  • If a positive case of Covid-19 is reported, those who were in contact with that person will be notified. We will protect the privacy of the ill patron. The facility will then be temporarily closed and sanitized following CDC, DCEO, and IDPH guidelines.

West Ridge Center Programs (Fall registration going on now)

• Adult Ceramics
• Childhood Enrichment
• After School Programs
• ParkSchool
• Dance & Theatre (child & adult)
• Kindermusik
• Youth Art & Clay
• Martial Arts & Athletics

Contact

Fall 2020 Mighty Oak registration is now full, Saplings are filling fast.
Sprouts program has gone virtual! Click here for information.

Winter/Spring registration going on now,  Click here to learn more and register today!

For Health and Safety procedures click here

At ParkSchool (Age 2-4)… we encourage your child to question, explore, and discover.  Our unique curriculum nurtures your child’s curiosities and individuality, builds self-confidence and social skills, and prepares your child for kindergarten. ParkSchool provides your child with a Successful Beginning for a Bright Future.

• Exposure to Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STREAM)
• Gain an appreciation for the natural world
• Development of sensory, cognitive, and motor skills
• Opportunity to cultivate meaningful friendships and peer collaboration
• Attain independence through critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Build confidence through the exploration of self-expression and creativity.

ParkSchool prepares your child for the next important step:  Ready… Set… Kindergarten!

After School Enrichment Programs at West Ridge Center  (Grade K-5)

• Wide variety of activities including art, science, and cooking
• Foster social skill development
• Learn and practice independence
• Use creativity and imagination
• Develop an appreciation for learning
• Understand the importance of exercise in everyday life

Click here to learn more and register

Contact
Sara Stanke, Recreation Supervisor
847-579-3123
sstanke@pdhp.org

Ceramics & Visual Art

Whether you are an artist, or are interested in learning more about art, we have the class for you. Adults can learn to handle, throw, and glaze works of art in out ceramics studio, equipped with wheels, electric and gas kilns, and a wide variety of glaze options. Classes include instruction as well as open studio hours. Children interested in art will enjoy expressing their creative side learning about all different clay mediums.

To view and register for programs, click here.  
Registration is available online, or at the Recreation Center of Highland Park. West Ridge Center is not available for registration at this time.

Health & Safety

To keep you, your family, our staff and community safe, we have implemented many procedures in accordance with recommendations from the CDC, DCEO, and IDPH. To read those guidelines, click here. 
Additionally, open studio time will be available by reservation only to limit the amount of people in the studio and to assist in contact tracing. For enhanced safety, barriers will be placed between work stations and on shelves. Lockers will be assigned to patrons to store their belongings before entering the classroom. Gloves and cleaning supplies will also be provided. In the ceramics studio, a face mask must be work at all times, no exceptions.

Contact:
Sara Stanke, Recreation Supervisor
Phone: 847.579.3123
sstanke@pdhp.org

Virtual dance classes are available in our digital brochure.  For more information and to register, click here.

Dance can make a difference in a child’s life!

To register, click here.

The Highland Park Studio for Dance and Performance is centered around a fun and nurturing environment that allows students to grow and advance at their own pace. Introductory classes focus on movement and coordination. Class levels progress to a more disciplined routine of stretching and proper techniques while promoting self-confidence. Our goal is to nurture each and every dancer while offering the highest level and quality of training.

Our professional staff strives for greatness in the areas of attitude, teachable spirit, discipline, selflessness, and integrity. We encourage every dancer to their fullest potential both inside and outside the dance studio.

Attire:

Ballet classes:
Girls wear pastel pink leotards (without skirt or tutu), pink tights and pink ballet shoes.
Boys wear black pants, white or black shirt, and black ballet shoes.

Hip-Hop and Tap:
Comfortable clothes (no jeans) and clean-soled shoes. No street shoes.

Modern and Contemporary classes:
Black pants (no bare knees), black leotard and no shoes

Jazz, Performance and Broadway classes:
Black pants (no bare knees), black leotard and black jazz shoes

We are excited to introduce our professional dance instructors who have trained with world renowned dancers such as… Merce Cunningham, Randy Duncan and Larry Long View their Bios Here

Contact:
Natalie Liang, Recreation Supervisor
Phone: 847.579.3131
nliang@pdhp.org

Due to COVID-19, many of our facilities are closed, and programs are canceled.  See updated information on facilities and programs here.

Variety Youth Programs

NEW!  Dinosaurs in Space | Grades K-1   Register Here!

Dig for fossils then 3, 2, 1… LIFTOFF! Blast off on an amazing adventure into our earth’s crust and out into space to learn about the wonders of our own planet and Universe.  Stomp on the ground like the T-Rex, then zoom past planets and soar through our solar system  explore some of the largest animals to ever walk the earth, the deepest black holes in space, the feathered dinosaurs of China…wait feathers?  View the Milky Way, and gaze at nebula and galaxies all while pretending to be a Dinosaur Astronaut.  We will observe the power of the Sun, study the size and strength of Spinosaurus, and make a 3D model of our solar system.  Participants should wear a face mask and bring a “dinosaur space approved” lunch. Min/Max: 5/10.

NEW!  Ordinary to Extraordinary! | Grades 2-3   Register Here!

Join us as we discover the origins of ordinary household items and then challenge the brain to see them in a Whole New Way:  Popsicle stick tricks, strings and straws, think outside the Pizza Box, trinkets and toys, and scoops and scopes will be part of this extraordinary adventure.  Your child will discover the many ordinary things around your home and adapt them to make extraordinary creative things.  Participants should wear a face mask and bring an “extraordinary” lunch.  Min/Max: 5/10

Safety Village! | Age 5 (Entering Grade K in 2020)   Register Here!

Take a fun approach to safety procedures through role-playing art projects, stories, films and practical experience outside.  Join us in our newly designed Safety Village and learn about stranger safety, what to do in an emergency situation, and how the Police and Fire Departments help us!  Children will be riding tricycles so helmets and a face mask are a must, please bring them from home.  In addition, application of sunscreen to your child is important prior to class start.  Red, Yellow, GO!  Children must be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2020.  Due to the popularity of the class, no age exceptions will be made.  Min/Max: 5/10

Instructor: Ginny Schwalbach

Percussion and Drumming | Ages 8-13   Register Here!

Anthony J. Clausell Percussion Academy focuses on providing musical instruction for percussion, especially in the area of drum line. As a member of the Percussive Arts Society, this program is centered on the fundamentals of rudimental drumming which are the core of learning to play drums in concert band, marching band, and drum corps auxiliaries. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing the essential rudiments while applying the fundamentals in a rhythmic cadence facet. While learning the essential rudiments, we create a platform that allows the students to build rhythmic cadences to various genre of music. The required $40 materials fee (provides drumsticks and a sweatshirt) can be given to the instructor on the first day of class. (Payable to Anthony J Clausell Percussion Academy)

Instructor: Anthony J. Clausell Percussion Academy Staff.

Variety Adult Programs

Adult Sewing Basics | Adults   Register Here!

Join Ciao Bella and learn the ins and outs of sewing! This class is perfect for adults who are looking to learn the basics of sewing and apply their skills to everyday life. Sewing supplies, including hand sewing items, sewing machines, fabric, thread, needles, and pins, will be provided. Students may choose to purchase additional specialty items on their own. New and returning students welcome!

Instructor: Taylor – Ciao Bella Sewing.

Class Schedule

Week One (Jan 14):Sewing machine, hand sewing techniques, buttons and buttonholes.

Week Two (Jan 21): Hemming pants, mending holes and zippers.

Week Three (Jan 28): Basic alterations. Students are encouraged to bring items of clothing that they need altered.

Adult Sewing: Cooking Aprons | Adults

Dive into the world of sewing! During this three week class, students will make their very own cooking apron. Students will learn the basics of the sewing machine and gain a better understanding of patterns and production. This is a class that focuses primarily on the sewing machine. We will cover various sewing techniques throughout the course. Sewing supplies, including sewing machines, fabric, thread, needles, and pins, will be provided for the apron.

New and returning students welcome! Instructor: Taylor – Ciao Bella Sewing..

Contact
Natalie Liang, Recreation Supervisor
847-579-3131
nliang@pdhp.org

Virtual theatre classes are available in our digital brochure.  For more information and to register, click here.

Be Inspired By the Magic of Theatre! Join us on the stage. 

To register for Theatre Programs, click here.

Musical Theatre Tots| Ages 3-5

Join us in a musical journey singing, dancing and acting along the way. Students will perform in 4 songs and dances and receive 3 lines each in our final show. Students make new friends, connect to the musical theatre, and build a community among young artists. Theatre helps young children develop social, language, physical, and cognitive skills. Costumes are provided at the final performance. Children must be potty-trained and ready for a drop-off group experience.

Young Performers* | Grades K-1

Kids have their first chance to perform on stage. All children attend weekly rehearsals to learn songs, dances, and scenes. The class includes acting, games, singing, and dancing. Each child enrolled receives a character part, an audio file, and a script for personal practice.

Performance Program* | Grades 2-6

All children have the opportunity to perform in a musical theater production on stage. Actors rehearse weekly under the direction of our highly-accredited vocal, dance, and drama instructors. The final performance includes original costumes, sound, and set. Each child who auditions receives a part, an audio file and a script for personal practice. The first rehearsal is mandatory.

THEATRE CAMPS/WORKSHOPS

Musical Theatre Workshop | 

A weekly musical theatre workshop culminates in a showcase featuring age-appropriate excerpts from smash-hit movie musicals!

Students will learn the basics of vocal technique, choreography, and acting while working together to produce an in-class performance for family and friends.

Showcase classes are only six weeks long and are a great way for young artists to develop their talents, foster self-confidence, and grow in social skills and team building.

The showcase will take place during the last 30 minutes of our final class.

Contact:
Natalie Liang, Recreation Supervisor
Phone: 847.579.3131
nliang@pdhp.org

Due to COVID-19, many of our facilities are closed, and programs are canceled.  See updated information on facilities and programs here.

Karate  (Wednesdays): Click Here To Register For All Karate Programs

Instructors of the Illinois Shotokan Karate Club, under the direction of John DiPasquale, a four-time National Champion and former U.S. Karate National Coach, lead the Park District’s karate programs. Deerfield Park District residents, through a cooperative agreement, pay resident rates. This discount is not available through online registration.

Uniforms
Uniforms are not mandatory but are recommended at the beginning level. Uniforms are mandatory at the continuing, intermediate and advanced levels and program advancement is emphasized. Uniforms and belt testing are available through the ISKC instructor for an additional fee. Purchasing safety equipment ($50-100) is required for continuing, intermediate and advanced levels. Belt Testing Belt testing is available twice a year at various suburban locations for an additional fee. Uniforms and belt testing are available through ISKC instructor.

Youth Karate (Ages 8-14)
Karate skills put children in touch with their bodies and help build coordination, agility, strength and poise, as well as personal safety skills in a well-supervised setting. The confidence gained helps foster a strong positive self-image. The mental aspect builds confidence, control and discipline, and the physical aspect is enjoyable and beneficial.

Pre-Karate (Ages 4-7)
Through a variety of fun and creative activities, children develop coordination, strength and personal safety skills in a well-supervised setting. This program helps children develop memory and agility skills that are necessary for success in school and other sports.

Parent/Child Karate (Parent/Child, Ages 8 & Up)
Share quality time with your child while developing muscle tone, coordination, cardiovascular fitness and karate skills. Regardless of age, weight or current physical condition, karate can put your family on the right track to physical well-being. 

Taekwondo (Mondays or Thursdays): Click Here To Register for All Taekwondo Programs

One of the newest Olympic sports is a 2000-year-old martial art offering a variety of benefits for people of all ages and physical abilities. Students have the opportunity to improve concentration and self-esteem, achieve lifelong physical fitness and learn self-defense skills. Classes are taught under the direction of Grand Master Ki Hong Kim (8th Dan World Tae Kwon Do Federation).

Uniforms
A $45 uniform fee is required at the first class. Belt testing is offered through the K.H. Kim’s Taekwondo (OATC) at an additional fee. All colored belt students are required to have complete sparring gears. Please note, after the second class the fee is not refundable.

Little Dragons (Ages 4-5)
This introductory class is designed to captivate the interest of our youngest students. Skills are developed through gentle instruction and appropriate games for their ability. This class focuses on developing balance, coordination and respect for the discipline of martial arts training.

Early Taekwondo (Ages 6-7)
Designed especially for younger children, this program helps kids develop conditioning, coordination, listening skills and self-confidence through creative activities.

Adult & Child Taekwondo (Parent/Child, Ages 7 & Up)
This class provides families with a fun opportunity to spend time together while improving physical and mental conditioning through cardiovascular drills, calisthenics and traditional Taekwondo techniques including punching, kicking and blocking.

Youth Taekwondo (Ages 8-13)
This program includes a balanced cardiovascular workout including punching, kicking and blocking skills using the Taekwondo tradition and self-control. Participants will improve coordination, power of concentration, balance and both physical and mental discipline.

Contact:
Michael Divencenzo
Athletics Coordinator
Phone: 847.579.3198

mdivencenzo@pdhp.org

Due to COVID-19, many of our facilities are closed, and programs are canceled.  See updated information on facilities and programs here.

West Ridge is a great place to have your next birthday party or business meeting! West Ridge has the” at home” feeling with rooms full of toys, small tables and chairs to accommodate children. You can have your party here and leave the mess to us. You can bring in your own entertainment and food. We ask that you not bring in live animals or DJs.

• Jammin’ Jungle is our indoor playground and can be a great setting for the active child in your life.
• Multi-purpose room is great for those big parties with room for up to 100 people.
• Gym  is perfect for an athletic party.

Rental Days/Hours

All rentals are a minimum of 2 hours and are available Monday through Friday (depending on availability) and Saturday between 10am and 4pm. Rentals can be made up to 90 days in advance in person.

Fees

For availability Inquiries

Michele Long
Facility Coordinator
Phone: 847.579.3134
mlong@pdhp.org

Park District of Highland Park Building Use Policy Rental Rules and Regulations

1. Park District sponsored activities shall have priority in all facility usage.
2. All rentals must be applied for in-person at the designated facility at which time full payment is required.
3. Any individuals or groups applying for use of the facility must complete and submit the appropriate permit with the exception of scheduled Park District activities. The permits may be submitted no more than ninety (90) days prior to the proposed usage date and approved by the Center Supervisor dependent upon facility availability.
4. Rentals are ninety percent (90%) refundable if reservation is canceled ten (10) or more working days prior to approved rental date.
5. A refundable cleaning deposit will be charged. Cleaning deposits shall be refunded approximately two weeks after the date of rental if the group or individuals using the Center left the room in an orderly state. Please note: Additional fees will be assessed to the renter if there is any damage incurred by misuse of the facility and its property.
6. All rental fees and charges are subject to change and are established annually by the Board.
   Rental fees will be charged based on 2 divisions: Resident and nonresident. Proof of residency is required with a valid ID.
   Individuals signing permit must be 21 years of age, be present during rental period and assume responsibility for all actions of the group and usage of the room and equipment including the chaperoning of minors.
7. A rental permit shall be revoked at any time due to misconduct of individuals, falsification of information, misuse of property or failure to comply with Center and Park District rules and regulations. Rental payment will be forfeited to the Park District and future permits will not be issued to group or individuals involved.
8. Park District reserves the right to prohibit any rental application which is contrary to the public safety and welfare.
   Any use of loudspeaker or public address instruments must be approved by the Park District. Necessary information must be submitted on rental application.
9. Rental information for each facility, including forms, fees, hours and duration, room availability, and rules/regulations are available at the designated facility.
10. Permits for fund-raising activities must be submitted thirty (30) days prior to the proposed usage date and must be approved by the Board.