John F. Kennedy Middle School – Clubs and Activities – 2015-16

GET INVOLVED!! Getting involved in school activities helps you make friends and makes you feel good about yourself. You can learn more about our clubs and activities by listening to the daily morning announcements during homeroom. Also, the J.F.K. website (www.southingtonschools.org) has more information under the Student Life section.

Club/Activity Meeting Information Advisor Description ABC Classroom 1st Wednesday of each month, Mrs. Barnes ABC Asset Build Classroom is aligned with STEPS. until 3:30 in the Media Center. Meetings are at least on time per month after school. This club focuses on advertising the monthly asset and determining how the asset will be honored. Some assets require planning for a particular event and other assets are carried out during advisory and/or classroom lessons. American Red Cross Thursdays, as announced Mrs. Wasserman School-based service group that helps the Red Cross fulfill Room 108 its humanitarian mission. Artist Workshop First and last Friday of each Mrs. Telke-Lyver Open to 8th graders interested in taking Art I at SHS, month until 3:45 workshop style activities to create artwork which will be donated to Southington Education Foundation. Baseball - Boys Spring sport Mr. Lefkowitz JFK team sport – tryout required Basketball Winter season Mr. Lefkowitz JFK team sport – tryout required Boys and Girls Ms. Spreda Bowling Club Fall and Spring sessions Mrs. Hermann Students bussed from JFK to Apple Valley Bowling. Mondays til 4:00 PM Mrs. Kinghorn Parent pick up at the bowling alley at 4:00 PM. Preregistration and fee involved. Builders Club One Thursday/month til 3:30 Ms. Discenza Community services projects Mrs. Dickson Mrs. Cozzolino Cheerleading Fall and winter seasons Mrs. Blitz JFK team sport – tryout required Computer Coding Club Fridays, 3 – 3:30, as Mrs. Slotnick This club has several options for students to learn basic announced computer coding skills and experiment with coding Room 221A language. First, using Scratch - a free program designed at MIT - students learn basic video game coding concepts by making a variety of games. These include races, mazes, and launching games. They can also experiment with a John F. Kennedy Middle School – Clubs and Activities – 2015-16

variety of coding languages such as HTML, jquery, and javascript using lessons designed at Codecademy. Students work at their own pace, collaborating with each other to solve problems and think critically. Space is limited. Color Guard Two sessions: Sept/Oct and Mr. Johnson The JFK Color guard is a year-long, after-school group that Feb through June, 2:45-3:45 performs at all of the JFK Bands' events. Returning 7th & 8th as announced grade members perform with the Bands during Fall events, while new members of all grades join returning members in March for practices after school on Fridays to prepare for the Memorial Day Parade. Performance routines for the flag & rifle lines are created by student guard members and practices are, largely, student-led. There is no fee for participation. There are no auditions, and most of our members go on to perform with the State Champion SHS Color Guard. Con Brio Mondays, 3:00 – 4:00 Mrs. Sloves String Orchestra by audition – members perform at Combined with DePaolo Winter and Spring concerts as well as touring elementary schools. Rehearsals will be as follows: A, C and E days at Kennedy; B, D and F days at DePaolo. Cross Country – Co-Ed Fall season – MWTh til 3:45 Miss Soltys JFK team sport – no tryout required Drama Club January –April per schedule Mr. Palmieri JFK/JAD combined performance, auditions required Environmental Club/ Wednesdays til 3:30, room Mrs. McHenry Courtyard maintenance, discussion groups and two AOK Club 104 or 203 depending on Mr. Gualtieri fundraisers – Costume dress up and holiday wreath sale – activity plus activities to promote kindness at JFK. Fishing Club As announced Mr. Clifford Homework Club Monday/Thursday, til 3:30 Mr. Ghidini Assistance with schoolwork IMovie As announced Mr. Hartt Writing, filming, acting and editing a long form film and several short films. Junior Next Steps Thursday, as announced, til Ms. Daigle Activities and events with the JFK student body 4:30 Lego League Mondays, Room 27 Mr. Testerman Teams research and design a solution to a current scientific question or problem and build autonomous LEGO robots that perform a series of missions. Library Volunteers Before school, SSR or study Mr. DiDonato Assist Media Center with filing and organizing materials hall Game and Puzzle Club Thursdays, as announced Mrs. Sterner In small groups, students work on a puzzle or play a John F. Kennedy Middle School – Clubs and Activities – 2015-16

Ms. Peruta game. Minecraft Club 1st and 2nd Thursdays, except Mrs. Barnes September Mr. Stiebel National Junior Honor Meetings as announced. Mr. Hinman The National Junior Honor Society is a nationally Society (NJHS) Induction ceremony in the recognized organization which stresses five core criteria: fall. Scholarship (3.65GPA or higher), leadership, citizenship, community service and character. This organization, founded in 1929 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. Also, the NJHS is much more than an honor roll. Students who have earned membership within their respective schools have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, character and are active participants within community service programs. It is our main purpose to honor those students who possess such outstanding qualities, challenge them to develop further in these areas and also create enthusiasm for outstanding scholarship. Newspaper Club Alternating Wednesdays, until Mr. O’Neill Publish school newspaper 3:30 in Media Center Peer Advocates Meetings as announced Mrs. Barnes Teacher nominated and application process. Students are trained to assist peers in dealing with issues and/or helping direct peers to an adult that can assist them best. Peer advocates help improve the environment with in our middle school community and may also do some community outreach. This program is for 7th and 8th graders and trainings will be in June for the following school year. This will be an application process due to the number of students being able to be trained at a time. Ping Pong Club November – February, Mrs. DeSimone Small groups organized and play in the cafeteria alternating Thursdays Mr. Leiner Relay for Life Spring Miss Soltys Fundraising and participation in town wide event Soccer Fall Sport Mr. Lefkowitz JFK team sport – tryout required Boys and Girls teams Mr. Cristelli John F. Kennedy Middle School – Clubs and Activities – 2015-16

Softball – Girls Spring sport Mr. Cristelli JFK team sport – tryout required Ski/Snowboard Club January/February Mrs. McLaughlin Preregistration required, transportation not provided 4 Mondays at Mt. Southington Stage Band Monday and Thursday, til Mr. Johnson By invitation – members perform at school concerts in 4:00 winter and spring Music Room Swing Choir Thursday afterschool Mrs. Roberts By invitation – members perform at school concerts in Voices of Thunder winter and spring Unified Theater As announced Miss Daigle Student production in the spring Mrs. Perry Unified Sports Mrs. Blitz Mr. Lefkowitz Voices of Thunder Mondays afterschool Mrs. Roberts By invitation – members perform at school concerts in winter and spring Volleyball – Girls Fall sport Mrs. Volpe JFK team sport – tryout required Yearbook As announced Mr. Richards Produce annual yearbook for school