John Adams Middle School
Co-Curricular Clubs 2015-2016
ART CLUB
The Art Club will be held on Thursdays from 3:15-4:00pm. This club allows all 6th, 7th and 8th graders an opportunity to work
together to create Art for the school community. Due to the nature of this club, space is limited to 40 students.
BAND
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6 Grade Band
This group is open to all current 6th Grade JAMS Band students. The 6th grade band was designed to help introduce
students to the middle school band setting. It affords the students the opportunity to come together as a large
ensemble with students at their music level. This band also serves as a feeder to the 7th and 8th grade band. Many
goals are set for this ensemble. Musically speaking, students are introduced to concepts of blend and balance.
Socially, these students have the experience of belonging to a group, where they are motivated to do their personal
best, and are expected to be outstanding “team members”.
7th & 8th Grade Band
This group is open to all current 7th & 8th Grade JAMS Band students. The 7th & 8th grade band plays literature of a
higher caliber. These students are expected to work together to prepare music for upcoming festivals. This band
focuses on preparing 8th graders for their high school experience. These students continue to work towards
becoming a better band through exploring a higher level of musicianship. Through these before school sessions,
the students have the experience of belonging to a group, where they are motivated to do their personal best, and
are expected to be outstanding “team members”.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is a select group. Current band students may audition for this 20 piece group. We work on
understanding the music we call Jazz through performing and active listening. Students perform many concerts
throughout the Spring. Several students in this group are given the opportunity to be soloists in this venue.
Because this group is extremely select, students are accountable for playing their own parts. Sign-up information
can be found outside of Mrs. Buckelew’s door.
CHOIR
Objectives: Students participating in John Adams Middle School Choir develop their singing talents, their leadership and
social skills, and their perseverance and discipline through rehearsals and performances in the different ensembles of the
choir. Students have plenty of opportunities to sing solo and in smaller ensembles. Students have lots of fun making new
friends and participating in planning movements and choreography in certain choir songs. Students in choir classes may also
participate in Central Jersey, New Jersey, All-Eastern and National Honor Choirs upon the choir teacher’s recommendation.
The choir participates in the yearly NJMEA Middle School/Junior High Choral Festival.
Sixth Grade Choir
Open to ALL 6th Grade JAMS students interested in singing; No auditions required; meets every Friday, 7:40-8:20
am. Starts on October 9, 2015.
Concert Choir
Concert Choir is the large choir. It’s open to ALL 7th and 8th Grade JAMS Students interested in singing. No auditions
required except for 6th Grade Bel Canto members who are invited to join the Concert Choir; Meets every
Wednesday, 3-4 pm. Rehearsal starts on October 7, 2015.
Bel Canto
Auditioned Choir; open to 6th Grade & 7th & 8th Grade in the Choir/Music Classes; meets every Thursday, 7:40-8:20
am; Bel Canto auditions are on Men-October 5, Woman-October 6. Bel Canto members are also part of the Concert
Choir.
Women’s Ensemble
Women in 6th, 7th & 8th Grade BEL CANTO; auditioned ensemble; meets every Tuesday,
7:40-8:20 am.
Men’s Ensemble
Men in 6th, 7th & 8th Grade BEL CANTO; auditioned ensemble; meets every Monday, 7:40-8:20 am.
ALL CHOIRS ABOVE PERFORM at the following events:
1.
JAMS CHOIR Winter and Spring Concerts, Dec. 3, 2015 & April 13, 2016
2.
CHOIR Winter Concerts at MLK, JMI and Senior Citizen Center, Dec. 11, 2015
3.
JAMS MUSIC ASSEMBLIES, TBA
4.
CHOIR MUSICALATHON, November 17, 2015 & February 9, 2016
CHEERLEADING SKILLS CLUB
The Cheerleading Skills Club is for cheerleaders looking to improve and refine their skills. Club members will work in a group
setting as well as have time to set and work towards meeting individual goals. All prospective high school cheerleaders are
encouraged to join! Open to all grades and levels of experience!
CODING CLUB
For new and experienced coders! We will be learning how to code through organizations such as code.org and
Hour of Code. Members will be able to teach each other and continue to enhance their computer science and
programming skills they have previously learned. Students must bring charged chromebooks and have an interest
in computer science or programming.
COMMUNITY SERVICE SEASONS CLUB
This club will teach responsible citizenship by providing students with the opportunity to complete meaningful community
outreach activities that will enhance and benefit both our school and the surrounding community through awareness,
action and commitment. Each marking period, club members will get to choose an area of focus that is most meaningful to
them and they develop and participate in awareness activities, fundraisers, and/or mini service projects with guidance
from.
COURTYARD CLUB
The Courtyard Club is an exciting activity which allows students to work in the school’s court yard doing landscape design,
gardening, and decorating for the holidays. Additionally, the Court Yard Club participates in MANY fun-raising events like
after school bake sales and our biggest event ASTRONOMY NIGHT!
DRAMA
The purpose of the Drama Club is to help students develop their acting, improvisation, playwriting, directing, designing, and
leadership skills. There will be a leadership board - Student Drama Council - of six students to help shape the club and serve
in a very active leadership role. However, we are looking for a very strong and active membership. Some activities for the
year will include the 10-Minute Student Playwriting Festival, where JAMS students will write and perform original plays in a
workshop setting; weekly improvisation club activities with a culminating live performance by the Improv Troupe; and the
highly-anticipated spring musical. For the spring musical, we will be casting actors, singers, and dancers; we will also look
for students to work on and lead the Art Crew, Stage Crew, Tech Crew, Props Crew, Hair/Make-up Crew, and more. There
will also be opportunities for students who want to be very active as student directors, student producers, and student
designers.
If Interested in being a member of the Leadership Board, please apply here.
If interested in being a member of Drama club, please let us know of your interest here.
FITNESS CLUB
The purpose of the Fitness Club is to provide opportunities for students to improve their fitness levels and overall health
and wellness. Students will utilize jump ropes, agility ladders, etc. Students will be able to identify their personal fitness
goals such as weight management, cardiovascular and/or strength improvement, etc.
LIBRARY COUNCIL
The Library Council serves to support and advocate for the library. Volunteers make recommendations for books and
programs in the library, help organize activities and events, and decorate the library. Volunteers are also trained to check
out books for students, shelve books, and maintain the computers
MAD SCIENTISTS
Become a “Mad Scientist” and get the opportunity to manage the science lab, become involved in behind the scenes
science, and participate in science help sessions! Open to 8th grade students.
MATH CLUB
Students will be able to brush up on their skills, get help with difficult homework, study for the weeks quiz or learn through
math video games!
MODEL UN
The Model United nations club engages in an authentic simulation of the United Nations system by learning about the UN
system, the skills of debate, compromise, conflict resolution and negotiation. Model United Nation members have fun
learning about the workings of world diplomacy through the lens of current events.
MOVIE CLUB
Do you love movies...and talking about them? Movie Analysis Discussion club is coming to JAMS! We will watch and discuss
popular series, classic kids' movies, and movies based on books. Come join the fun. Open to all grades.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for
students from kindergarten through college. Students apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building
mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to
competition on the local, state, and World level.
ORCHESTRA
6th Grade Orchestra
Is open to all 6th grade orchestra students. This ensemble performs basic to intermediate level
repertoire. Rehearsals are scheduled bi-weekly, as well as for special dress dates prior to concerts. We perform
at annual Winter and Spring Concerts, the North Edison District Orchestra Festival, the CJMEA Festival and the
annual orchestra field trip.
7th & 8th Grade Orchestra:
Is open to all 7th & 8th grade orchestra students. Similar to the 6th Grade Orchestra, rehearsals for this group are
scheduled bi-weekly, as well as for special dress dates prior to concerts. This ensemble performs
more repertoire and repertoire that is intermediate to advanced levels. We perform at the Winter and Spring
Concerts, the North Edison District Orchestra Festival, the CJMEA Festival and the annual orchestra field trip.
The Chamber Orchestra:
Is a balanced, auditioned ensemble that performs advanced level repertoire. This ensemble is open for audition by
those students who are in an orchestra class and who perform with either the 6th or 7th & 8th Grade
Orchestras. Auditions are blind and take place early in the school year. This ensemble rehearses weekly and has a
goal of performing without a conductor. The Chamber Orchestra performs at all of the concerts listed above, as
well as invitational and school / community service performances.
PHOTO & VIDEO-EDITING CLUB
Open only to 8th Graders
Welcome to the fun, exciting world of digital photography. Digital photography has come a long way in a few years. It is
fast, efficient, and more cost-effective that older methods. Best of all, digital photography just keeps getting easier and
more enjoyable. The John Adams Middle School Digital Photography Club will give students hands-on experience using
brand new digital cameras. Students in the club will also learn to use video cameras and photo and video editing software.
Students will be taking the camera equipment outside the classroom to film or take pictures. When they leave the
classroom students need to remember that they have a responsibility to stay focused on their filming or photographing, be
aware of their surroundings, treat the equipment with care, and work cooperatively with other club members. Students
are ultimately responsible for all equipment they sign for. In that regard, any equipment that is lost or damaged will need
to be replaced by the student.
Students must also keep in good standing in all of their classes. If their grades fall below a “C” in any class or any of their
teachers feel that their behavior is being disruptive, the student will be excused from the club until their grades or behavior
returns to an acceptable level. Additionally, students must remember that all pictures must be school appropriate and that
any pictures of individuals taken in school must be approved before they can be published in any form.
PING-PONG CLUB
The Ping Pong Club is designed for students with all different ability levels. Whether you want to learn or have
played before all are welcome. The Ping Pong Club will meet after school on thursdays in the gymnasium from
3:10-4:00 pm. If you have any questions please ask Mr. Schaber.
ROCK DRUMMER’S CLUB
The Rock Drummer’s Club is designed for “intermediate” drummers that have a drum kit to practice. As a member of the
club, you will listen to and learn Rock patterns. Students will be encouraged to practice at home. As well, students will be
able to bring their own favorite music to share.
RUBIK’S CUBE CLUB
In Rubik's Cube club, students will teach their peers how to solve a Rubik's Cube using a variety of different methods.
Students will have the opportunity to write out their own algorithms to solve the cube completely, as well as try to come up
with new ones. Students will also be able to attempt to solve Rubik's Cubes of varying sizes and shapes and compare or
alter their current strategies to fit the different puzzles.
STUDENT AMBASSADORS
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The job of the 8 grade Ambassador is to help students and visitors in our school. Ambassadors are asked to befriend new
students, plan and execute fifth grade orientation, help injured students, help do, well almost anything that means aiding
our school and community.
STUDENT COUNCIL
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Student Council, led by Mr. Spernal (6 grade), Ms. McKenna (7th grade), and Ms. Hickman (8th grade), is to be a student-led
outlet and voice in our school community. Representatives are elected by their peers to represent their homerooms.
Students should exhibit positive character traits and be willing to aid students and staff in various areas of our school
community. Student Council representatives are divided into committees and attend both committee and full council
meetings.
TOASTMASTER’S CLUB
Do you want to work on your public speaking? Do you like creating interesting presentations? Toastmaster’s is for
you. Each week we will be working on creating speeches using a variety of topics. You will learn how to make
your speeches more interesting and how to deliver them perfectly. Also, we will be creating unique and
interesting presentations using a variety of websites and programs.
TRIVIA CLUB
Come spend time with your fellow JAMS trivia buffs in a fun and exciting atmosphere before school. Typical
meetings will involve playing trivia board games as well as online trivia sites, such as Kahoot, Smarty Pins,
GeoGuesser and many more. Wake up your brains with some fun trivia with friends.
YEARBOOK
The yearbook committee will be open to 8th grade students who have an interest in the design process of the
yearbook. Students must be detail oriented and willing to put in overtime to create a successful yearbook. The
process involves intensive editing and corrections, page layout & photo processing. The interested students
should be goal oriented, have a command of editing software, photo processing software and the ability to
engage in focused individual work. The club will meet early in the morning on Mondays through Thursdays, and
sometimes in the afternoon. Students will need to provide a signed permission slip from each of their teachers
indicating that they are current in all of their assignments and that they are maintaining at least a B average.
Students will also have to write a proposal indicating their qualifications for the club, to include their strengths
and weaknesses.