Several new clubs have spruced up over break and I have assembled a sampling box for readers to use if they are interested in joining a club.
Student Council: The Student Council plays an active part in school life. It provides an opportunity for students to take on leadership roles within JGMS. Student Council strives to make our middle school a better place. The Student Council participates in community service and fundraising for various causes. Past service projects have included: Pennies For Patients, Coats For Kids, Spirit Week, recycling and Valentine’s Day fundraising for the American Heart Association
Everyone is welcome. There are no elections. If you are interested in participating simply attend the meetings.
The Student Council is managed by Ms. Mallot.
The meeting times of the Student Council are the first and thirrd Tuesday of the month at 7:15 in A208
Newspaper: Students write and publish articles for a new edition each month. They have a website to digitally publish the material and it is sent out to the staff and student body.
Ms. Little runs the Newspaper.
The Newspaper meets every first and third Thursday from 2:20-3:20 in A109
MATHCOUNTS is the school math club as well as a math competition that begins at the school level with the potential to progress to local, state, and national competitions. MATHCOUNTS participants may take the AMC 10 or AMC 8, both of which are math competitions designed for the grades 10 and 8 respectively. Meetings involve participants doing math puzzles and learning how to solve them.
MATHCOUNTS is run by Ms. Burstein
MATHCOUNTS runs from on Mondays in B219 from 2:25-3:25pm
Environmental Club:Students interested in the environment, climate change and energy conservation plan and implement projects to improve the environment and energy conservation in the school and community
The Environmental Club is run by Ms. Bharatan
They meet on Tuesdays afterschool.
Science Club: The Science Club will meet Mondays after school in Mr. Helgason’s room. Students will have the opportunity to pursue areas of science that interest them, as well as tackling STEM challenges given to them. Students will also plan and conduct an experiment, or research that they will present at the science fair in the spring (likely the beginning of March). The science fair judges will consist of a panel of non-science teachers. Students will explain their experiment and results and prizes will be awarded based on their ability to convey what they have learned.
Mr. Helgason runs the Science Club.
The Science club usually meets on Mondays in B219 from 2:25-3:25pm
Jazz band is an extra-curricular performance ensemble that meets after school in advance of the three band concerts. Students learn a variety of appropriately leveled jazz tunes. Instrumentation is expanded from a traditional jazz band to allow younger students to learn the style of the music. The JGMS Jazz Band welcomes up to two of each rhythm section instrument (guitar, bass, piano, drumset) and any number of melodic instruments (saxophone, trumpet, trombone ~ plus instruments such as flute, oboe, clarinet, baritone, and orchestral strings).
Mrs. O’Toole advises the Jazz Band
The Jazz Band meets on Mondays from 2:30-3:30.
Rock Band: The JGMS Rock Band meets once a week in the JGMS Auditorium, where we rehearse songs that are chosen by the students. The Rock Band’s goals are to play at least two formal concerts with either the Concert Band or the Orchestra over the course of the year, and to take part in an end of the year showcase. All students who play an instrument or sing are welcome.
Mr. Grunwald is the advisor of the Rock Band.
The Rock Band meets on Fridays from 2:30 - 3:30 in the auditorium.
The yearbook club takes photos of clubs, orchestra, band etc. AND sports teams for the yearbook. They look through and make sure that there are no repeat candid photos (kids just hanging out) and then send it off to print. When it arrives in June, they make labels and organise and hand books out!
Ms. Beinart runs the yearbook club.
The yearbook club meets once a month in the Health room.
Girls STEM: The Girls’ STEM Club is designed to expose girls to STEM-related fields. They’ll meet after school and work on a variety of projects as well as take occasional field trips to local businesses and labs who are using STEM as part of their everyday work. They recently received a grant from the Bedford Educational Foundation to purchase a Wonderstructs kit. This year’s Girls’ STEM Club will use this kit to design and build a marble run structure to be displayed in the JGMS library.
Mrs. Noferi and Ms. Mangini run Girls’ STEM club
Girls' STEM meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month.
Girl Talk is a group of girls-high school mentors and JGMS girls that get involved in community service projects, discussions and activities relevant to the current group’s needs and focus. Girl Talk develops leadership and advocacy skills. We meet after school on Tuesdays in Mrs T-W’s room A214. Snacks, drinks and project materials provided.
Mrs. Frazier and Mrs. Tanahashi-Works run Girl Talk in room A214.
Girl Talk meets every Tuesday.
S.A.G.A.(Sexuality and Gender Alliance) is a group whose mission is to create a safe space for all students regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, and to spread awareness of these issues.
S.A.G.A. is run by Mrs. Tanahashi-Works
S.A.G.A. meets in Mrs. Tanahashi-Works’s room once per month from 2:20 to 3:20 in A214
Homework club is a supervised time for students to complete schoolwork aided by two faculty members who are knowledgeable of the middle school curriculum. A 2:30 start allows students adequate time to organize themselves at their locker, go to the bathroom, and take a quick break before checking into the library. Please note, students are required to check in on time and attend for the full hour. If necessary, families may contact Homework Club staff to make alternate arrangements and adjustments on a case by case basis.
The Homework club is advised by Mrs. Limoli
The Homework Club is held in the JGMS library on scheduled Tuesday and Thursday dates from 2:30 - 3:30 as seen listed in this Homework Club dates document.
The Fiddle learns traditional fiddle tunes from Ireland, Scotland, America, and more both written and by ear. Throughout the year they build their repertoire and skills and will seek out opportunities to perform at JGMS and in the community!
Ms. Hart runs the Fiddle Club.
The Fiddle Club meets on Mondays from 2:25 to 3:25PM in C235.
Art Club Open Studio is for people curious about materials, wanting to develop their art making skills or just looking for a group of curious and creative classmates to explore with. Occasional snacks are provided.
Mr. Harrington is the advisor of the Art Club Open Studio
The Art Club meets from 2:20 - 3:20 on Thursdays in A114
In The Gathering Club members meet to explore the multiverse! Whether it is fighting monsters, ancient gods, and much more through teamwork in student-led Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, or dueling it out in Magic: the Gathering—there is always something fun, imaginative, and strategic about what they do.
Mr. Kline advises the MtG and D&D Club.
They meet Thursdays 2:30 - 3:30 and Wednesdays from 1:00 - 2:00
Chess Club is a place for people to learn and play chess with peers.
The Chess Club is run by Ms. Burstein
Chess Club meets on Thursdays.
The JGMS Rubik's Cube Club is for anyone who wants to learn to solve the Rubik's Cube! This club is a recreational focused club giving cubers a place to hang out with their peers who are also interested in this fun puzzle game.
The Rubik’s Cube Club is run by Mrs. Wilson.
It meets from 2:30 - 3:30 starting from February 6.
Article by Ansel Chiou