JULIUS WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Extracurricular Activities
2026-2027
Extracurricular Activities
2026-2027
Extracurricular Activities Fair: September 30th
Location: Main Gym
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.
***ALL CLUBS WILL BE FINALIZED BY SEPTEMBER 30th. This list is from last year.***
ALYSHIP & INCLUSION CLUB (Thursday): Mr. Dechter (Room 227) - Allyship and Inclusion Club focuses on upholding a Culture of Respect to ensure that all students within the Julius West Community feel safe, welcome, and respected at school.
ANIME CLUB (Wednesday): Ms. 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 (Starts QUARTER 2 - Wednesday): Ms. Dwyer and Ms. 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!
COOKING CLUB (Wednesday & Thursday): Ms. Kudashov (Room TL5) - Ready to take your culinary skills to the next level? This fun and hands-on club will help you learn your way around a kitchen and cook like a pro! Master recipes, sharpen your cooking skills, experiment with new flavors and learn to nurture yourself and your community with nutritious and delicious food. From savory to sweet foods and everything in between, come join us for some culinary fun!
CULTURAL CELEBRATION CLUB (2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month): Ms. LaVerghetta & Ms. Termini (Rm. 128) - 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): Ms. Diehl (Room 122) – Want to be apart of the talent show or spring musical? Join the drama club!! Drama Club Calendar
FILM CLUB (Thursday): Ms. Kachnowski (Room 124) Do you enjoy making videos or animations? Want to learn more about the filmmaking process? Students will have the opportunity to explore and pursue their own projects using school cameras and various editing tools.
GAMERS UNPLUGGED (Wednesday): Ms. 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): - Mr. Dechter, Ms. Kanter, Ms. Rinzler, & Ms. Benedetti - The Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) 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 Culture of Respect focus. All students are welcome to participate in the group. If you are interested in learning more about GSA, stop by the Counseling Office!
GIRLS IN STEM(Thursday): Ms. Greaves & Mr. Lee (Room 120) - A club for girls interested in learning more about topics and potential careers in science, technology, engineering, and math...a place for exploration and fun beyond the classroom!
GREEN TEAM (Thursday): Mr. Diehl (Room 200) - 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): Mr. Brauch (Room 6 or Main Gym) - 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: Ms. Kozerra & Ms. Felix (Athletic Directors) – 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: Mr. Marshall
Girls Softball: Ms. Osborne
Boys Softball: Mr. Blume
Girls Basketball: Ms. Osborne
Boys Basketball: Mr. Brutus, Mr. Mensah
Girls Soccer: Mr. Marshall
Boys Soccer: Information Forthcoming...
JAZZ ENSEMBLE (Wednesday) Mr. Wlezien (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 Mr. Wlezien 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): Ms. 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 (Wednesday): Ms. Flores (Room 143) - 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!
LA FAMILIA (R&R once a month): Ms. Acosta (Media Center) - La Familia meets once a month in the Media Center during R&R. La Familia is designed to provide cultural awareness, leadership experiences, and highlight the need for academic excellence for our Hispanic and Latino students in grades 6, 7, & 8. The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities for our Latino American students to interact with positive Hispanic and Latino role models from our community on a variety of topics.
MATH LEAGUE (Wednesday) - Ms. Roberts (Room 220): 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.
NEWSPAPER (Wednesday): (The Roaring Gazette) Ms. Vicente (Room 111) – Newspaper articles cover everything from current events, science and technology, pop culture, JW life, and interviews with teachers. Students also submit creative works such as comics and short stories.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: Ms. 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.
POMS (Wednesday/Thursday): Ms.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.
POKEMON TRADING CARDS (Wednesday): Mr. Fletcher (Room 8): Interested in trading pokemon cards? Come join us after school.
ROBOTICS CLUB (Wednesday): Ms. Greaves & Mr. Lee (Room 212): The Introduction to Robotics Club is looking for creative minds who are interested in STEM and exciting projects involving coding, AI and robots! We will develop mechanical and teamwork skills while solving open-ended design and programming tasks to coach our robots through challenges. You will "teach" your robot tricks to show off to your friends and family, too! The Robotics Club is for anyone who enjoys creative problem solving, coding, robotics, or anything about STEM!
SCHOOL STORE: Mr. Shuping - Our school store has supplies and snacks for students to purchase throughout the week. Students can volunteer to support sales.
SEAPerch - (UNDERWATER TETHERED ROBOT) (Wednesday): Mr. Diehl (Room 200) SeaPerch is a team-built underwater robot club where you learn how to solder, build circuit board and design submersible bodies for competition in Spring in local and possible International competition
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (Wednesday) – Ms. Scholz (Room A101) – 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.
STEP TEAM (Wednesday - Back Gym) Ms. Ford & Ms. Hawkins: 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.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE (Thursday): Mr. Blate: Ultimate frisbee is a fun, non-contact, high-energy sport that normally is played without referees because all 'fouls' are self-called. The game, ideally, is played on a full football or soccer pitch with 7 players on a side. It's possible to also play with 5 players per team (on a smaller pitch). Points are scored when the team with possession of the disc (frisbee) successfully passes it to a teammate in the 'end zone'. Players may not run with the disc. When the disc hits the ground, is caught out of bounds, or is intercepted, the defending team takes possession, which may flip multiple times before a team scores. Given its continuous nature, students will get very fit. Anyone who wants to try a low-key team sport should sign up! The main goals of the intramural are: (1) have fun; (2) try a non-contact team sport; (3) learn a new game and develop athletic skills; (4) learn to play on a team; and (5) get fit!
YEARBOOK (Wednesday): Ms. Finelli, Ms. 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) AALead's 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.