Extra Curricular Activities
Introduction:
After-school activities play a crucial role in fostering students' holistic development, providing opportunities beyond the classroom to explore diverse interests and enhance various skills. It is our goal this year to increase the outside of school hour offerings to students in order to return the same level prior to 2020. Our hope is to bring back some familiar competitions and clubs, as well as introduce new offerings to students. This document categorizes our after-school activities into four main groups: Sports, Arts, Academics, and Clubs.
Sports
Sports activities aim to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Through participation, students develop discipline, resilience, and leadership skills. These activities complement classroom learning by fostering a healthy lifestyle and teaching valuable life lessons.
Intramural Sports
We provide intramural level sports for 5th and 6th grade students as follows: Fall - Volleyball, Winter - Basketball, Spring - Soccer. See the schedule below for more details. Practices are from 3:15-4:30pm with a culminating competition at the end of the season. We will be offering volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, and soccer in the spring. Our program will offer two separate days for each sport to accommodate more students. You will have a choice between practices on Tuesdays or on Thursdays (you will need to select only one). Registration for soccer is now open. Registration (link), emergency card (link) and payment is required to hold your sport. Due to the number of participants, soccer will only be held on Thursday. Each program will be 8 weeks long and is available to 5th and 6th graders at the Elementary school as well as our Summit Program (schedule). Drop off paperwork and payment in the office. All practices will be held at the Elementary school from 3:15-4:15. Students will need to be picked up at the main entrance by 4:30 p.m. In the event that we do not have enough participants on one of the days, we will move those students over to the other day so that everyone can participate. We are looking forward to you joining us this year! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Clubs
Clubs offer a diverse range of interests, catering to specific hobbies or shared passions among students. The goal is to create a sense of community, provide an avenue for social interaction, and allow students to explore niche areas of interest. Clubs serve as an extension of classroom learning by fostering camaraderie and collaborative learning experiences. Examples of these are Yearbook club, Newspaper, and StuGo.ZAS
Formation of After School Activities:
Clubs are typically formed by interested students with the guidance of a supervising staff member. Students propose the idea for a club, outline its purpose, and seek approval from the school administration using a form from the main office and return to the main office. Once approved, the club is officially recognized, and members can start organizing activities.
The Arts
Artistic pursuits, including visual arts, music, and drama, encourage creativity and self-expression. These activities enrich students' lives by fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts, promoting confidence, and developing critical thinking skills. They serve as an extension of classroom learning by allowing students to explore and showcase their talents. This area includes our Musical, primary art and intermediate art. Some clubs in this section may run 2x4 weeks sessions in each season. Additionally, our Musical/Drama timeframes may go into 2 seasons.
Academics
Academic activities provide additional opportunities for intellectual growth. They may include subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts, offering students a chance to delve deeper into specific areas of interest. These activities reinforce and extend classroom learning, helping students excel in their academic pursuits. Examples of these are Geography bee, Spelling Bee, and Math club.
Club and Activity Calendar
Teachers/sponsors will work together to ensure the club and activity offerings are spread across the days of the week to allow students the potential to select multiple offerings if allowed. 9 weeks is provided to compensate for any lost days. All activities end at 4:30 PM unless otherwise agreed upon with administration (examples could be competitions, festivals, culminating event).
Fall - 8 weeks Sept 9th, 2024- November 8th 2024 (9 weeks). Clubs/Activities will meet 1 day a week for 1 and a half hours.
Winter - 8 weeks starting November 11th, 2024 - January 31st, 2025 (9 weeks). Clubs/Activities will meet 1 day a week for 1 and a half hours.
Spring - 8 weeks starting February 3rd, 2025 - April 11th, 2024. Clubs/Activities will meet 1 day a week for 1 and a half hours.
Creativity Club (Art Club)- Creativity Club is an after school enrichment opportunity offered to first and second grade students. Club is full.
Art Club- Art club is an after school enrichment opportunity offered to 3rd -6th grade students who express a passion for the visual arts. Club is full.
Authors Club - This is a new club for 4th - 6th grade students. Students will create a story that will be published. They will have an opportunity to read and share in a culminating activity at Barnes and Noble. This club will meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 p.m. beginning November 14. For more information and to register use this link.
Chess Club -(Winter Session) - Calling all 3-6th graders. Join the chess club and become a master of strategy! You'll have fun learning new moves, challenging friends, and solving tricky puzzles. Whether you're a beginner or already know the basics, you'll improve your skills while making new friends! We will meet on Mondays from February 3 - April 14. Sign up HERE.
D & D Club! - Calling all 5-6th graders, we will be offering a new club in our Winter session from November 14th - Jan 30th. Joining a Dungeons & Dragons club offers your child a unique opportunity to develop creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a fun and imaginative environment. Through storytelling and role-playing, students enhance their critical thinking and communication abilities, all while building friendships and working together to achieve goals. The game fosters a sense of community, encourages positive social interaction, and allows kids to explore their creativity in a safe, inclusive setting. Plus, it's an engaging way for them to practice math and reading without even realizing it...and it's free! This club is full.
Drama Club- This after school program is offered to 5th & 6th grade students. Students may tryout for parts in the play or take part in the stage crew. Mrs. Ballard will offer drama club for 5th & 6th grade students. There will be an information meeting on November 11 from 3:00 - 4:00 in the intermediate music room. Please check your commitments before signing up for drama club. If students miss more than two of our rehearsals or have to consistently leave rehearsals early, their part may be given away. The cost of the program is $75. Here is the schedule and registration Link. Cast audition information link. Stage crew application link.
Earth Club will meet every Tuesday after school from 3 - 3:45 during the school year (weather permitting). Earth Club is open to students in 3rd-6th grade. Students who participate will spend time picking up trash around the outside of the school, collecting recyclable materials around the school, and doing other projects to help ‘beautify’ our school. Your student will need a good pair of fitted gloves (preferably gardening). Permission slips are available from Ms. Tucker in the Library.
Spelling Bee Club - 4th, 5th & 6th grade students unlock the power of words! This club is the perfect place to challenge yourself and have fun. Practice with friends, boost your confidence, and prepare for exciting competitions. Don't miss out on the chance to become a word wizard—join the Spelling Bee Club today! Spelling Bee Club will start on Thursday November 7 from 3:15-4:15. Please use this link for more information and to sign up.
Talk to the Camera 2 (Winter Season) - Movie Magic (grades 3 - 6th) Young filmmakers work together using a Project Based Learning approach to make a movie! Students actively engage in all aspects of a professional film set. They become directors, film crew and actors-- honing their craft, building their critical thinking skills and gaining a sense of ownership. *Families will receive an edited movie a few weeks after the final class date. Register HERE. Feel free to check out this movie produced by past students: James Potter and the Last Unicorn
Yearbook Club- This Yearbook Club is offered to students in 5th & 6th grade. Students will participate in choosing the yearbook theme, cover and the creation of pages. There is not a fee for this club. Here is the link to register and for the schedule (Link). For more information, please contact Kim Hardin at jeffersonacademyyearbook@gmail.com.