This year of middle school can be what you make of it.  Don’t sit on the sidelines.  Look for opportunities to get involved.  Go out for a sport you’ve never tried.  Learn to sing or play an instrument.  Let the spotlight shine on you in a drama production or the spring talent show.  Help your community through volunteering.  There’s a place for everyone.  Look for yours. 

Getting involved is one way to take a stand against bullying.  Here are a list of some of the after school opportunities available this year:

Jennings Youth Involvement Team

The Jennings Youth Involvement Team is a community service group at Jennings County Middle School. It gives middle school students the opportunity to participate in a variety of community service projects while developing leadership skills. Some of the annual projects include the building of Christmas Cheer baskets for the Jennings County Coordinating Council, Special Olympics, and a dance for Riley Hospital for Children and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Walk.  The team is made up of eight 7^th grade and eight 8^th grade students. Members are chosen through an application process and teacher recommendations. Once selected, members may serve for two years of middle school.

Science Club

“It’s the Law.”  Science club explores the laws of science and other interesting phenomenon using a new hands-on project each meeting. Science club will start up second semester when they will prepare for the SAE Junior Solar Sprint Car Competition.  Guaranteed to be fun and informative. Sponsors for 2011-12 are Mrs. Kelley and Mr. Earl.

Young JCMS Historian

Our “Young JCMS Historian” does many interesting things.  We are members of the “Young Indiana Historical Society,” but our interest doesn’t stop there. We are interested in history around the world.  Last year we took field trips to the Eiteljorg Museum, the Statehouse, and even visited historical homes in Madison.  We have special speakers and a debate or two.  We hope to participate in the Indiana Historical Day compettition this year.  We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 3:15 – 4:30 in Room 28.  Hope to see you this year.  Ms. Anderson and Mrs. Franks.

JCMS Technology Club

The Jennings County Middle School Technology Club meets the 1^st & 3^rd Wednesday of the month from 3:15 until 4:15 p.m. The group learns about different computer programs, instead of playing video games. One of the main goals of the club is to create entries for competition like the AIME Media Fair. The sponsors for this club are Mrs. Doran and Mrs. Martin.

Panther Print

The Panther Print is the Middle School newspaper. It is o pen to both 7^th and 8^th graders. We have news about school teams, sports teams and events, special events, clubs, trivia questions, puzzles, music, and more. If you like to write, consider joining our staff.

Survivor Book Club

Will you outwit, outlast, OUTREAD?  Survivor Book Club is a place for students and their parents (or other adult) to come together to talk about great young adult books and to have fun. We will meet just six times from September through April.  Next year’s dates are Sept 22, Oct. 27, Dec. 8, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, and April 26.  Each meeting starts at 3:15 and ends at 4:15 in the library.  At each meeting we will present four books to choose from.  All are great books nominated for the Young Hoosier Book Award.  They include contemporary fiction, fantasy, historical fiction and much more.

C.S.I. (Christian Student Involvement)

In C.S.I. students gather to discuss issues surrounding Christianity. The club meetings consist of discussions, chat time, listening to music, playing games, eating food, and possibly some volunteer activities. This club meets from 3:00-4:15 on Thursdays in Mrs. Lane’s room.  To attend C.S.I. you must have a completed permission slip on file with the sponsors.  The dates will be announced.  Sponsors are Mrs. Lane, Mrs. McCormick, and Mrs. Roberts.

Archery Club

The archery club meets twice a week throughout the year. Team members will practice shooting usually at a different site other than the middle school. Members will compete at the county, state, and hopefully at the national level.

Drama Club

Drama is an after-school program for 7th and 8th graders. We produce three shows per year:  one in the fall, a spring children’s theater, and in May, a musical. Students audition for the opportunity to act or be a part of the stage crew and work with building sets, painting, lighting and sound equipment.

Student Council

Student council is made up of ten seventh grade students and ten eighth grade students.  Members are selected upon completing an application and teacher recommendations.  Applications are available in the Main Office on Mrs. Herr’s desk.  Turn them in to the mailbox outside Mrs. Thompson’s door.  Activities organized by the council include Veteran’s Day program, Red Ribbon Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, and layout design for our student handbook.  Sponsors are Mrs. Lane, Mrs. Mattern, Mrs. Shoultz, and Mrs. Thompson.

JCMS Fiddle Club

The JCMS Fiddle Club rehearses and performs old-time fiddle music.  It is open to any JCMS student who plays violin, viola, cello, bass, mandolin, banjo, or guitar. 

JCMS Math Club

Do you like mathematics? Do you want to do fun activities, solve challenging math problems, and play games with other students? If you said “Yes” to any of those questions, then Math Club is right for you.  This club meets twice a month right after school to do just that. 

Builders Club

This club focuses on community service and leadership. It is sponsored by Kiwanis International. Some of the activities are a clothing drive for the Jennings County Homeless shelter, collecting Yoplait lids for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, trick-or-treating for canned goods, fundraisers to benefit March of Dimes, Riley Hospital, and the American Cancer Society. For information on Builders Club check out the International website at http://www.buildersclub.org.

How will you get involved this year?