Clubs/Activities at UMS

2012-13

CLAW Newspaper – B214 with Mrs. Kallens

Students work to produce up to four issues of the student newspaper and several monthly newsletters.  Each issue includes news, sports, comics, pictures, reviews and free writing such as stories and poetry.  This club is open to everyone, there are no requirements to join.  You may join the CLAW anytime throughout the school year.  The CLAW meets every Thursday unless otherwise announced for the full school year.  The first CLAW meeting will be on Thursday, September 13^th.

Computer Club – C101 with Mrs. Markmann Students can come any Thursday to print, research or work on the computer for any content area.  During the school year, we will have special computer activities that students can also sign up for such as making t-shirt designs as gifts during the holidays and learning a programming language to make games.  Flyers will be distributed during the school year to inform students.  Computer Help Day is on Thursdays all year.

Debate Team –   B-114 with Ms. Dempsey and Ms. Kevorkian

Eighth-grade students (only) are invited to audition for the UMS Debate Team, which competes in the Mini-Model Congress event each year.  Students learn to assess controversial issues and then argue their position, a process which includes researching, writing, and preparing oral arguments.  Additionally, they write formal legislative bills that are submitted for the competition.  This club requires focus and dedication, but also is a lot of fun.  Information packets detailing the club and the audition requirements are available in October.  The Debate Team meets from November through March on Tuesdays.    Attendance is mandatory.

Flag Football – Outdoors with Mr. Ramsay

Flag Football is a fall club.  Games are played outside rain or shine, unless the weather is extreme or dangerous for play.  Team sizes range from 6 to 10 students, depending on the number of teams.  Teams are formed the first week of play.  Anyone can join but only a limited number of latecomers are allowed to join.  A student must have a signed permission slip to play.  Each student should make a commitment to play whenever his or her team is playing.

Flag Football meets Wednesdays for 10 weeks beginning in the Fall.

International Foods Club – F103 with Mrs. Muller

Students prepare foods from around the world.  Students will be introduced to new cultures and its food history.  The club is limited to the first 25 students who sign up—there is no open enrollment after 2^nd meeting) International Foods Club meets every Thursday in the Spring for 10 weeks beginning in April.

Interact Club –  B-111 with Mrs. Friedman

The Interact Club is a community service organization which meets year round.  Students plan and coordinate all school community service projects.  Interact is open to all and there are no requirements to join.  Students can begin at any time and come as often as they would like.  The club is the school branch of the Montgomery Rotary Club.  Interact Club meets throughout the school year on Thursdays.

Intramural Basketball –  Outdoors with Mrs. Doulis

This is a chance to learn some new basketball skills, play as a team, meet new people and have some fun!  New teams are made each session and no experience is necessary.  Intramural Basketball meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the spring.

Jazz Band – F102 with Mr. Heller

This is an audition-only after school ensemble that meets every Tuesday and Thursday from October through May.  This award-winning ensemble is a high-energy band that travels to other middle schools and performs at concerts throughout the year, including Hershey Park.  This ensemble is open to all UMS students who play Drumset, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, Trombone and Saxophone.  Auditions are in late September and audition requirements can be found on Mr. Heller’s teacher web page when they become available.   Jazz Band rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday from October-May after school until the late bus dismissal.

Math Counts –  Mrs. Lauren Smith

MathCounts is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every US state and territory.  Mathcounts is one of the most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students.  MathCounts is open to all 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders who enjoy math and like to solve math problems and puzzles and meet other students with this common interest.  You do not have to compete in order to join the MATHCOUNTS Club.  You may come as often as your schedule allows.  If you decide you want to try out for the competition, you should plan to attend the meetings on a regular basis.

MathCounts Club meets every Wednesday in the UMS cafeteria beginning in the Fall and ending in March 2012.   

Robotics Club – B116 with Mrs. Weinberger

The Robotics Club will meet weekly for all 7^th and 8^th grade students.  Anyone interested in using the LEGO “Mindstorm” kits and various other robotic pieces are invited to design, build, and program robots during club time.

Robotics meets every Wednesday beginning in November through March.

Science Club – E107 with Mrs. Ferrante

Science Club is for students who have an interest in Science class and wish to do more hands on activities after school.  Labs are done involving simple physics, chemistry and biology.  Some activities are held outside, weather permitting.  Science Club is open to all 7^th and 8^th graders and attendance at all meetings is not mandatory, although some activities do carry over from one week to the next. 

Science Club meets on Tuesdays in E107 for 12 weeks beginning in the Fall.

Science Olympiad – E105 with Mrs. Sowa and Mrs. Blakemore

The Science Olympiad is a national organization that promotes science learning and competition.  The UMS team is selected based on set criteria in September and includes 7th, 8th and 9th graders.  Students should complete an application and submit it to one of the coaches in September.  Students will also be required to complete a project and take a test.

Science Olympiad meets after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and occasional Saturdays throughout the school year.

Student Council – B112 with Mrs. Feigenwinter

The Student Council at UMS sponsors many school wide events.  Student Council runs fundraisers throughout the school year including the magazine drive.   Student Council sponsors two dances and plans Spirit/Red Ribbon Week.  Other activities are guides at Back to School Night, prepare gifts for teacher appreciation week , sponsors the 8^th grade end of year t-shirts and various other activities depending on the Student Council’s needs.  In order to join, you must fill out an application and submit it to Mrs. Feigenwinter in the first few weeks of school.  Most applicants are accepted unless there are too many applicants. Students new during the school year can speak to Mrs. Feigenwinter regarding membership opportunities.  Student Council meets on Wednesdays, approximately 2-3 times a month, depending on the current project, throughout the school year.

Ultimate Frisbee – B210 with Mr. Fritz

Ultimate Frisbee is a no coaches, no referees sport that was created by high school students from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ.   Come play and learn the sport of Ultimate Frisbee, soon to be an Olympic sport.  Emphasis is on fair play, not winning.  Students who like athletics but don’t like the more organized/aggressive sports are encouraged to join.  This club is open to all, come as often or as little as you like.  Ultimate Frisbee meets in the Spring for 10 wks.

UMS Spring Musical – with Mr. Violette

Each year the UMS music department invites any and all students to participate in a full-length Broadway style musical.  There are opportunities for being on stage; working backstage; playing in the orchestra; building and painting scenery; making costumes; creating publicity posters; and working with the sound and lighting technology.  Auditions for actors are usually held in December.  The other production teams usually begin forming in January.  Mr. Violette is the producer/director.  Mr. Hackel conducts the orchestra.  Mr. Mulligan coordinates the set design and construction.  Ms. Sprout and Ms. Rose coordinate the art work.  Mr. Lonergan directs the technology team.  Rehearsals for the actors and instrumentalists are after school and require regular attendance.  The performances are open to the public and are usually scheduled in March.  For more information, speak with Mr. Violette. 

Volleyball – with Ms. Giboyeaux

Volleyball is an intramural sport that is open to all, no experience is necessary.  The club covers the basics of the game including serving, bumping and setting.  The majority of the time is dedicated to playing the game and having fun.  Regular participation is required by the advisor.  Students will be playing games against fellow students at UMS.  Volleyball meets on Thursdays for 10 weeks in the Spring.

Yearbook Club –  Mrs. Kallens

The Yearbook Club designs and produces the annual Upper Middle School yearbook.   Activities include planning, design, artwork, photography, writing, editing and proofreading.  The Yearbook Club is open to all students in 7^th and 8^th grade who enjoy writing, photography, and art.  The Yearbook Club meets once per week or as necessary (dates to be determined) from October thru February.

Revised 9/12