Recess was rained out at Bear Creek Elementary on a recent Wednesday, but for the dozen kids in the after-school enrichment program, that was OK.

They knew that in just a few short hours, there would be more than enough activity to absorb all that pent-up energy.

“I love coming here, because you can get your energy out,” said Sierra Sanchez, 10. “You can kind of burn it all off.”

For a handful of the Bend school’s kindergarten through fifth-graders enrolled in Bend Park & Recreation District’s weekly enrichment program, Wednesdays means hip-hop and creative movement day. For over an hour, students get a chance to do just about whatever dance moves they feel like, including wiggling like a caterpillar, balancing like an airplane and curving like a turtle, said the class’s instructor, Shannon Abero.

“Elementary school students need a lot of activity, and they love expressing themselves through motion,” said Abero, who’s taught dance through the Wednesday enrichment program for the past two years. “The kids are learning spatial awareness, while also being allowed to freely move to the music.”

This is the first school year that students at Bear Creek Elementary have had the chance to participate in the program, which offers weekly classes at several local schools on early-release Wednesdays. So far, the program has seen strong enrollment numbers at Bear Creek, costing parents with participating children $70 for the seven-week course.

“It helps close the gap for parents and provides the opportunity for students to try something new,” said Katie Bunce, the Bend parks youth enrichment coordinator. “A lot of times, too, they might not have the opportunity to take a dance class at an affordable rate, so this gives them that chance.”

Held in a common area of the school, the class began on a recent Wednesday with students spreading out in a circle and stretching their muscles. Abero put on some high-energy music to inspire students and led them in the stretch.

It quickly became clear that they were learning more than just how to express themselves through movement.

“Does anyone know what this is called?” Abero asked, raising a knee and moving her leg. “This is called passé. Can you say ‘passé’? Ballerinas do this.”

The rest of the students followed their teacher’s lead, raising their knees and repeating the French term.

“Why do we have to do ballerina stuff?” one boy asked.

“Because ballet is the root of many dances,” Abero answered. “You know, football players even do ballet.”

That seemed to appease the students who were unfamiliar with the classic dance form.

After warming up, Abero changed the music, and students worked on their own free-styling moves. Some decided to tuck their arms under their armpits, shake their heads and lunge forward, practicing a move Abero taught them the week before. Some tired themselves by spinning in circles, falling off to the side to catch their breath.

“This is my first time in a dance class,” said Annika Power, 7. “I really like it. We learn a lot of fun moves, and it kind of makes you tired.”

Students then participated in a game that tested their listening abilities. Abero stood by the stereo system, allowing students to dance freely before she’d abruptly stop the music. Anyone still dancing after the music stopped was out.

“This is my favorite game,” said Freddy Kent, 9. “I like being the last one standing.”

After the students dwindled down to just a few, the dancers were given a much deserved break. They spent it refueling with snacks and juice boxes.

“Toward the end of these classes, you really notice the improvement,” Abero said. “You see kids coming out of their shell, and they’re not as shy as they were when they started the class.”

For some students, the benefits of the weekly session were a little more basic.

“You get to be a kid here,” Sierra said. “That’s what makes it so fun.”

— Reporter: 541-383-0354,mkehoe@bendbulletin.com.