JULIUS WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Extracurricular Activities
2024 -2025
Extracurricular Activities
2024 -2025
After-school activities are on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:15 to 4:15 pm.
All activities end at 4:15 pm, and the building officially closes at 4:30 pm. All students must be off campus at this time, either by walking (if normally a walker), by activity bus, or picked up by a parent or guardian.
A brief description of the activities, sponsors, special requirements and fees (if necessary) for participants are listed in this website. In many cases, students may sign up for an activity when it is scheduled. However, in some cases students must try out or receive a special invitation to join an activity. Activity bus transportation is available for students who live in our school area. All other students staying for activities must have prior arrangements to be picked up.
ALYSHIP & INCLUSION CLUB (Thursday): Logan Dechter (Room 227) - Allyship and Inclusion Club partners with No Place for Hate to ensure that all students within the Julius West Community feel safe, welcome, and respected at school.
ANIME CLUB (Wednesday): Alyssa Schaefer (Room 234)- This club brings together those people who are interested in anime, manga, and Japanese culture. The mission of the JW Anime Club is to foster cultural awareness and open-mindedness by exploring Japanese culture through watching anime, discussing the Japanese language and customs, and sharing Japanese snacks, art, and other hobbies. Students are encouraged to bring ideas and suggestions as to what they’d like to do or watch in the club. We meet once a week in Ms. Schaefer’s room 234 and welcome any students who are interested.
ART CLUB (Quarter 2 - Wednesday): Katie Dwyer and Carrie Moses-Hollingsworth (Room 146)- Are you interested in creating art, learning new techniques, and entering art contests? Art Club is open to all art lovers and enthusiasts. See Mrs. Dwyer or Mrs. Moses-Hollingsworth to get information about the application process!
BOOK CLUB (Quarter 2 - Thursday): Elizabeth Lando (Room 100) Do you like to read? Do you like to talk? Do you like to be creative? Do you like to go on adventures? Do you like to reflect and analyze? Do you like to hang out with others? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you should consider joining the JWMS Spring Book Club. We will choose interesting and thought-provoking novels to read, discuss and inspire. During our weekly meetings, you may even encounter some special surprises and guests!
Cultural Celebration Club (2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month): Cassandra Koegl & Maria LaVerghetta (Rm. 219) - This club is intended to strengthen our understanding and appreciation of different cultures. It serves to give students opportunities to share their own cultures and experience others. Our planned activities include discussion, videos, crafts, music and games to explore different cultures!
DRAMA CLUB (TALENT SHOW and SPRING MUSICAL) (Thursday): STARTS OCTOBER 12th & ends in January Cynthia Molina Diehl (Room 122) – Want to be apart of the talent show or spring musical? Join the drama club!!
GAMERS UNPLUGGED (Wednesday): Sara Beabout (Room TL3) - This club offers students the opportunity to build social and critical thinking skills by playing tabletop games with peers. Games include but are not limited to Risk, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Code Names, Yahtzee, cards, chess and more. You may also bring in an age-appropriate board game from home. Anyone is welcome to join but is limited to 40 students due to space constraints.
The GENDERS AND SEXUALITIES ALLIANCE (Thursday): - Logan Dechter, Sarah Kanter, Ari Rinzler, & Hana Vicente (Room 227) - The Genders and Sexualities Alliance works to create an inclusive school environment where all students feel safe to learn and grow. Students will meet during lunch time once per week to discuss issues that impact LGBTQ youth, and brainstorm ways to promote a school culture of tolerance, aligning with our No Place For Hate curriculum. All students are welcome to participate in the group. If you are interested in learning more about GSA, stop by the Counseling Office!
GREEN TEAM (Thursday): Kamry Symes (Room 231) - The Green Team is an organized group of students who work together to make their school and local community more sustainable. By joining, you’ll develop leadership skills, advocate for the environment, and even earn SSL hours as you work on JW sustainability projects such as recycling, composting, and the school garden.
HOMEWORK CLUB (Wednesday): Ms. Nolasco (Room 227A) - Homework club where students can have quiet and individualized help on both major assignments and homework. Teachers and student tutors will be available to help students succeed on their tasks.
HOMEWORK & HOOPS (Wednesday): Tyler Brauch (Room 6) - Calling ALL hoopers! Hoops & Homework Club (HHC) is coming back to JW this year! Hoops & Homework Club is open to ANY student who LOVES to play/talk basketball AND wants some extra help on their homework! Students who join the HHC can expect to play various basketball competitions and games AFTER dedicating some time to work on their homework for the day. HHC will meet in Room 6 on Wednesdays after school. Students should wear clothes/shoes that are appropriate to play basketball in. Weather permitting, we will be outside on the blacktop or inside the gym when we ball!
INTERSCHOLASTIC and TEAM SPORTS : Alexis Felix (Athletic Director) – Team sports are open to eligible 7th and 8th grade students. Our offerings include basketball, softball, soccer and cross country. Offered at various times throughout the year.
Cross Country: Danny Marshall
Girls Softball: Melanie Osborne
Boys Softball: David Garey
Girls Basketball: Melanie Osborne
Boys Basketball: Lamarcus Brutus, Jonathan Mensah
Girls Soccer: Danny Marshall
Boys Soccer: Brian Urioste
JAZZ ENSEMBLE (Wednesday) Carrie Staub (Room 136) – Jazz Band is an after school ensemble that meets on Wednesdays in room 136. 6th graders, or any student not currently enrolled in a band or orchestra class, as well as all rhythm section musicians must audition with Ms. Staub before signing up. 7th & 8th grade wind players who are in a band class do not need to audition. We have two or three performances per year.
JWMAC (JW MEDIA ADVISORY COUNCIL) (Wednesday): Mischelle Hauprich (Media Center) – JWMAC advises the media center staff on purchases and procedures to make the media center more student centered. They promote reading in general and the Black-Eyed Susan program, specifically, by decorating the media center, creating videos and posters and planning and assembling book displays. Members will help with the annual Black-Eyed Susan voting celebration.
LATIN DANCE CLUB Martine Burg & Aida Flores (Wednesday): This vibrant club is all about bringing the rhythm and energy of Latin dance to students. Whether you're an experienced dancer or just looking to have fun, our club offers a supportive and enthusiastic environment to learn and practice salsa, merengue, bachata, and more. With weekly dance lessons and opportunities to participate in school events, the Latin Dance Club is the perfect place to build confidence, make new friends, and express yourself through dance. Join us and let the music move you!
MATH LEAGUE (Wednesday) - Diana Roberts (A104): The JW Math League is a group for students who enjoy the challenge of a solving difficult math problems and friendly competitions. We engage in four in-school Math League meets throughout the year and compete with 6 other schools in our region. We will be meeting on Wednesdays after school starting on October 16 in Room A104.
NEWSPAPER (The Roaring Gazette) CLUB (Wednesday): Hana Vicente (Room 111) – Meets after school for the purpose of writing, interviewing, editing and generally organizing the Roaring Gazette, which is published online. This club will meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month in room 111.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: Krista Fiabane (Room A210) - NJHS is an organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students who have demonstrated excellence in the five NJHS pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. To become a member, 7th and 8th grade students with a GPA of 3.71 or higher may submit a candidate form after the first quarter of the school year. Candidates who have demonstrated the most excellence in the five NJHS pillars will be offered membership in NJHS. NJHS members participate in service activities, school events, leadership opportunities, and field trips.
OPEN GYM (once a month): Jimmy Little (Main Gym) - Open gym will take place once a month in the main gym from 4:15 pm - 6: 00 pm. Any students can come to play! Here is the schedule:
-October 17th, November 21st, December 19th, January 16th, February 20th, March 20th, April 24th
POKEMON TRADING CARDS (STARTS QUARTER 2: Wednesday/ Thursday): Albert Fletcher (Room 8): Interested in trading pokemon cards? Come join us after school.
POMS (Wednesday/Thursday): Tatiana Teixeira (Room 208) - The Jaguar Pom Squad is an audition-based dance team open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students of any gender identity. We learn a variety of dance styles such as pom, kickline, and hip-hop, and we work on dance techniques such as leaps, kicks, and turns. This select squad of dancers will perform at the school talent show, home basketball games, home soccer games, and more! Mandatory practice occurs on WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS from 3:15 to 4:15pm.
SISTAA CIRCLE: (Thursday - Weight Room) Ms. Ford & Ms. Santos: Sissta Circle provides female students of diverse background with opportunities to learn teammwork and unity. Leaders of the group will give opportunity for girls to come together under one umbrella and share experiences, discuss issues and common interest to them and also learn new ideas and skills.
STEP TEAM (Wednesday - Back Gym) Ms. Ford: Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Stepping helps with self-confidence and gives the students a chance to broaden their minds and better understand the importance of teamwork & getting along with others. It is not just about stepping but bonding with different kinds of people. Stepping is a great confidence builder.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) (Wednesday) – Derek Anderson, Emily Bobay (Room 200) – SGA includes students from grades 6-8 that represent the student voice in our school and the club helps to foster leadership development. Officers and delegates are elected during the school year. The Student Government Association (SGA) builds positive interactions between students, staff, and parents. We also coordinate and participate in events around the school, such as fundraisers and dances.
YEARBOOK (Wednesday): Marisa Finelli, Shanyn Hollander (Room A106) – The yearbook club is responsible for creating the yearbook. Club members take photos of events throughout the year, design the page layouts and interview students about their favorite school memories. Club members also assist with advertising, sales and distribution of the book.
ADDITIONAL CLUBS & ACTIVITIES OFFERED:
Asian American LEAD's (Wednesday) (Room 206) mission is to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth in underserved communities through culturally responsive programming and advocacy. AALEAD is the only organization in the Washington DC Metro Region that focuses on AAPI youth from underserved communities through after-school, summer, and mentoring programs. AALEAD recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary and has expanded services in Montgomery County, Fairfax County, and Washington D.C. for all AAPI youth.