Clubs and Activities
SWIC Info | Student Activities | Art Club | Band | Book Club | Chorus | Declamation | Eighth Grade Class Activities | Intramurals | Mathletes | Media Aide Club | National Junior Honor Society | Pets Club | Student Council | Yearbook
Southwest Interscholastic Conference(SWIC)Grissom Middle School is a member of the Southwest Interscholastic Conference (SWIC) which offers many competitive activities, including boys’ and girls’ softball, boys’ and girls’ cross country, girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ and boys’ volleyball, girls’ and boys’ track, Mathletes, Speech, Band, and Choral Programs.
We provide a broad and varied program of extracurricular activities designed to meet the needs and interests of our students. Students who represent Grissom in extracurricular activities must maintain good academic and disciplinary status in order to remain eligible for these programs. Student eligibility is determined by their teachers, based on the student’s schoolwork and behavior. Any team member who receives an “F” in any subject is temporarily suspended from competition for one week, or until academic improvement is noted. At the coach’s discretion, students who are on activity suspension may practice but not play in SWIC sanctioned games or events until a passing grade or progress is made toward improving their academic performance.
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Student ActivitiesWe encourage our students to become part of extracurricular activities because we believe that they are a vital part of the middle school experience. Various clubs operate throughout the year. It is expected that each club participant will maintain passing grades and appropriate behavior. Attendance during regular school hours is required in order to participate in after school activities.
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Art ClubSponsor: Mrs. L. Garrity
Art Club is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in learning about different artists and creating their own artwork. This club and meets weekly after school throughout the year and provides additional time, media, and techniques beyond those offered in regular art classes.
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BandDirectors: Mr. R. Forlenza, Mr. M. Szczasny, and Mr. M. Hodges
D140 Band Parents: Ms. D. Puckett, President; Mr. M. Volk, 1st Vice President; Ms. M. Krakow, 2nd Vice President; Mr. R. Krakow, Treasurer; Ms. M. Bialka, Secretary
The 2010 IGSMA State Band Contest will be held in April.
BEGINNING BAND
is the organization which lays the foundation for the entire Instrumental Music Program. Beginning band students receive one half hour small group lesson in their elementary school during the school day. Students have a choice of attending one of three after school Beginning Band rehearsals for the larger ensemble experience. Beginning Band members participate in two concerts during the school year. A recruitment is held annually in September to enlist for membership, students with no previous instrumental music experience. General requirements include a desire to excel musically and a willingness to conform to the District 140 Band Guidelines.
CADET BAND
is an intermediate group consisting of District 140 band members who have had some previous instrumental music experience (usually Beginning Band) and who have successfully displayed a degree of proficiency required by the directors. This band performs a concert in December and May. The Cadet Band also competes in one full band contest and individual members have the opportunity to participate in the I.G.S.M.A. Solo & Ensemble Contest. This group rehearses daily, before school, at Grissom Jr. High School.
SYMPHONIC BAND
is comprised of the most musically advanced instrumentalists from Prairie View and Grissom. Members in this group have displayed an exceptionally high degree of proficiency as mandated by the directors. This band performs at various concerts and festivals throughout the school year. The Symphonic Band also competes at various contests and festivals at both the local and state level. Individual members have the opportunity to participate in the I.G.S.M.A. Solo & Ensemble Contest. This group rehearses before school daily, at Prairie View Middle School.
JAZZ BAND
is comprised of District 140 7th & 8th grade band members who are interested in performing jazz music. This group performs at concerts and various special events. The Jazz Band rehearses once a week, after school.
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Book ClubLove to read? Book club meets throughout the school year and is open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students who love to get together and discuss books. Book selections are determined at the beginning of the school year and participating students must either buy the books or borrow copies from the library and have them read by the meeting date. There is a separate club for each grade level.
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ChorusDirector: Ms. Hostert
The middle school Chorus is open to all interested 6th, 7th and 8th Grade students who enjoy vocal music and its related activities. Our Chorus organizations now feature special-interest performing groups. This is an activity which is created for the enjoyment of its students. Our Chorus organizations perform on and off school campus for the entertainment of parents, the student body, and the public at-large. Chorus practices are scheduled for “full” group sessions after school and for “sectional” sub-groups which could take place during or after school. Initial recruiting for our Chorus begins in late August and this organization is very active throughout the entire school year. Chorus membership demands a commitment on the part of the student to attend practices and fulfill the obligations related to all performances. Our School Chorus organizations participate in selected vocal music competition at various regional levels.
The 2010-11 SWIC Choral Competition will be held in March.
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DeclamationThe SWIC Speech Team offers 7th or 8th Graders an opportunity to build public speaking skills in a variety of categories. A school squad might consist of 8-12 students as a core group who work in some intense practices under the Sponsor’s instruction. This squad represents the member school at the final SWIC competition which is held in April. Try-outs and practices begin in December or January. Students often perform for their peers in each school or in limited engagements elsewhere. Students earn individual honors and recognition for their performances at the Conference Meet, as well as school placement honors.
Speech Team Events Include:
Humorous Duet Acting,Verse (Poetry) Reading, Dramatic Interpretation,
Humorous Interpretation, Oratorical Declamation (speech), Prose Reading
For more information, contact the Grissom school office at 708-429-3030.
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Eighth Grade Class ActivitiesEighth grade students enjoy certain privileges and activities, many of which are scheduled at the end of the year. Eighth graders must demonstrate basic responsibilities and appropriate attitudes before they are allowed to participate in these activities.
Activities:
• Attending the Class trip to Great America
• Attending the Class Graduation Dance
• Attending TBA end of the year events
• Participating in the formal Graduation Ceremony. This participation involves the
purchase of cap and gown, paying the necessary fees, being seated with the Class
of Graduates at the Ceremony, and walking on stage to receive the diploma.
Requirements:
• Students must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.0 (D).
• Students must demonstrate appropriate behavior throughout the school year as
supported by behavioral records and staff recommendations.
• Students must show respect and cooperation toward adults and fellow classmates.
Reasons for Exclusion from Activities:
• A cumulative grade point average below 1.0 (D)
• Severe or repeated misconduct or misbehavior problems as documented through
conduct referral forms, detentions, suspensions, and teachers’ or administrative
notations.
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IntramuralsSponsors: Mr. McDonough / Mr. Wilson / Mr. Heenan
Intramurals are offered to any 6th, 7th or 8th grade student who wishes to participate. Past intramural programs have been organized in basketball and volleyball; sessions usually operate for 6-8 weeks. Students need to have a parent permission form completed to be eligible for intramural participation.
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MathletesMathletes is open to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student who enjoys working with puzzles, solving math problems and exploring math shortcuts. Mathletes use the computer to become more proficient problem solvers and to compete in SWIC competitions. Interested students should see Mrs. Cesario.
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Media Aide ClubSponsor: Ms. M. Browne
Media Aides volunteer to work one day a week in Media Center during their TIP period. They assist in book and magazine checkouts and returns. They also recommend books to their fellow students and assist in organizing the library.
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National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)Sponsor: Ms. Evancevich
Effective with the entering sixth grade class of the 2003-2004 school year, academic excellence which qualifies for the National Junior Honor Society recognition will be established at a level of 3.75 cumulative grade point average. This level of performance must be maintained throughout the duration of membership in the organization.
NJHS members take pride in helping out the community and the school. During the school year, they will have the opportunity to participate in several different activities. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Evancevich at 708-429-3030.
Click NJHS STUDENT SERVICE HOURS SHEET to print a copy of a service log sheet.
Scholarship
Students must maintain a Grade Point Average (GAP) of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. If a student falls below this criteria at mid-term, the student is placed on probation until the end of the quarter. If the student does not achieve the 3.75 GPA by the end of the marking period, the student loses the privilege of graduating with honors.
Great Grissom Kids (G.G.K.'s)
Reward slips are given to students who have performed an extraordinary service of honor. VIP's are drawn on a regular basis and prizes are awarded to students. Prizes are purchased from our fund raisers and through the donations of our wonderful PTO.
Leadership
Student leaders are those who are resourceful good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community while working with or for others.
Character
The student of good character upholds the principals of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrated high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern and respect for others and generally maintains a good clean lifestyle.
Service Projects
Food Drive for Tinley Park Food Pantry
Button Sales for American Red Cross in New York
Service
This quality is defined through voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community.
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Pets ClubPets Club takes pride in making it their priority to respect all animals and their owners. This club meets throughout the year and is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Activities sponsored by the Pets Club include fundraisers for animal shelters, such as bake sales & raffles; field trips to area shelters and vets; and lessons on a variety of animals and their care.
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Student CouncilSponsors: Mrs. Mauer / Mrs. Korczyk
The Student Council sponsors many events at Grissom including a school dance, Spirit Week, and a clothes collection for families in need. We also sponsor the food drive against Prairie View and RED RIBBON WEEK. We decorate for dances and Red Ribbon Week and count the food goods for the food drive. We listen to the students and change what they would like to change.
If you have any comments or suggestions to make to the student council or if you have anything you would like to change at Grissom, please contact your T.I.P. Representative and they will tell your idea to the Executive Board and the rest of the Student Council. Then we will try to put your idea into action.
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YearbookSponsors: Ms.Chaps / Ms. Mirecki
Grissom offers a school Yearbook to their students as a keepsake for their middle school experience. The Yearbook has various sub-committees to address lay-out, photography, sales, story line and similar functions. Yearbooks are sold at the beginning of each school year and reserved for later distribution. Purchasing a Yearbook is optional for any student.
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