Extracurricular Activities
Academic extracurricular activities are opportunities for students to expand their learning experiences beyond regular classroom instruction. We encourage students to get involved at this level so that as they progress through their school years, they will gain lifelong learning experiences, knowledge, and improve decision-making skills. Unless noted, activities are open to all students at all grade levels.
Bits of Lit
This award-winning literary publication recognizes and encourages creative expressions through art, poetry and prose.
Sponsor: Nicole Mitchell and Fran Lund
Forensics Team
Students develop their public speaking skills, confidence, and poise in locally held competitions October through April. Practice is usually held once a week after school.
Sponsor: To Be Determined
Best Buddies Program
Students selected for the program work with fellow students to promote a culture of
caring and friendship amongst their peers by helping students to develop better social skills and interaction within our school community.
Sponsor: Sandra Yakubic
The Green Team
The Green Team is our school's environmental club that works to promote environmental awareness amongst our students through a variety of activities that include recycling and paper collection, the planting of flowers and shrubs on school grounds, and volunteering to help with township clean up days. The program works to teach students about the importance of reusing and recycling and the environmental responsibility each of us have to our school, our community, and our planet.
Sponsor: Kristen Fazio
Geography Bee
This is a competition, sponsored by National Geographic, held to heighten public awareness about the importance of geography and our increasing global interdependence. The qualifying test will be administered within Social Studies classrooms. Qualifying students will advance to the next level, which will involve another assessment during a study lab in January. One winner will earn a medal issued by National Geographic.
Math Counts
Students expand their math skills by practicing once a week for the local competition in November. Winners advance to further competition.
Sponsor: Mrs. Amy Quiring
Music
The Middle School Curriculum includes opportunities for students in band, marching band, chorus, and string orchestra.
Chorus Sponsor: Mr. Larry Lucas
Band Sponsor: Mr. Dan Nesaw
String Orchestra: Mr. Stephen McGough
Musical
Students may audition for our school musical held in the Spring. Recent musical productions have included Beauty & The Beast, Jr., Peter Pan, Jr., Shrek, Jr. and The Little Mermaid, Jr. Rehearsals typically begin in January.
Sponsor: Lorra Brannen
National History Day
Students in Grades 6-12 make history come alive as their independent research leads them to uncover information through oral interviews, newspaper or manuscript collections, family letters and photographs, archives, libraries, and historical sites. Development of the long-term project begins in the Fall and is supported by monthly general meetings until the local competition at Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center in March.
Sponsor: Josh Elders
Newspaper
Students have opportunities to provide articles for publication along with learning skills in layout and design.
Sponsor: Nicole Mitchell
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)
The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) is a science competition designed to stimulate and promote interest in science in middle school and high school students through the development of research projects and investigations. Students research and conduct a science experiment, create a digital presentation of their findings, and present those findings to a panel of judges at the regional competition in February. If a student receives a first place standing, they will advance to the state competition in May. The competition is open to all middle school students and any interested student can sign up by attending the PJAS meetings. There is a meet and greet meeting held in September but regular meetings are held from October through February.
Sponsor: Keith Compeggie
Science Olympiad
The Competition, consisting of more than 20 events based upon talent, training, teamwork and scheduling, applies knowledge of the science world. Practice runs after school as needed. Local competition begins in January.
Sponsor: Keith Compeggie
Spelling Bee
Students may participate in the Washington County Spelling Bee usually held at Washington and Jefferson College. Individuals prepare during after school hours for competition in the Spring.
Sponsor: Renee Brown
Student Council
Students meet once a month, or as needed, before school, to promote school and community service and to develop leadership skills. In addition, the students participate in committees such as Student Concerns, Principals' Liaison, Fund Raising and Charity, Cafeteria Liaison, Middle Level Education Week, and Dance / Entertainment.
Sponsor: Katie Stouden and Rebecca Ritter
The Works Crew
These selected Grade 8 students participate in using computer skills for video programming productions and operations of the Middle School television studio and auditorium. These operations take place during school, after school, and in the evenings.
Sponsor: Brian Griffin
Yearbook Staff
Middle School students are eligible to work on the Yearbook staff one or more days per week after school October through March. Tasks include sales and creation of a photo-ready product.
Sponsor: Melissa Giaquinto & Anna Meckey