NMS CLUBS
2008-2009

Academic Bowl

Sponsor: Ms. Major, room 904                              

Participants compete to answer questions on various academic topics and practice for county and district competitions.  There is no application required and it is open to students in all grade levels.   Please see Mrs. Major if interested in participating.

Anime

Sponsor: Ms. Caltabiano, room 726     
Meeting Times: Mondays, 3:45-4:30 p.m. in room 726                    

Anime is a club open to all students who are interested in Anime and Manga to discuss the history of Anime and share drawing skills and techniques.

Jr. Beta

Sponsor: Ms. Deininger, Media Center
Meeting Times: 3:45 p.m., 2nd Monday of each month in the Media Center

Jr. Beta is a service organization at NMS.  Students are required to have an 88 GPA and one’s and two’s in conduct.  Minimum volunteer hours will be required (depending on grade level) and extracurricular activities will be encouraged.

Book Club

Sponsor: Ms. Deininger, Media Center
Meeting Times: 3:45 p.m., once each month in the Media Center

The NMS Girl’s Book Club will be meeting once a month in the Media Center from 3:45 to 5:00.  We had a planning meeting on September 2 and our first novel is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  Our next meeting, to discuss this book, is October 7.   The other two first semester meetings will be on November 6 and December 9.  A Boy’s Book Club is in the works.  Please see Mrs. McElroy in room 906 or Mrs. Deininger in the Media Center for more information or if you would like to join us on October 7. 

Environmental Awareness Club        

Sponsor: Ms. Halls, room 624
Meeting Times: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:45 a.m., room 624

The Environmental Awareness Club is a school sponsored program made up of approximately 25 students, meeting once a month.  The club began its mission during the 2004-2005 school year and has continued to promote environmental stewardship.  The club was formed because students had an interest in an organization whose main goal was improving our environment.  The club is working towards achieving three main goals during this school year:  To promote environmental stewardship and education by conducting monthly news broadcasts on the morning announcements and through posting information at school, to encourage & support recycling by continuing a paper recycling program at NMS and to promote school-wide recycling of various materials such as aluminum, cell phones and ink cartridges.    Please see Ms. Halls if interested in participating.

Equestrian Club

Sponsor: Ms. Hopps, room 701
Meeting Times: To be determined.

Girls on Track

Sponsors: Ms. Hinton, Guidance office & Ms. Boehm, room 616
Meeting Times: Tuesdays, September thru November – 12 weeks
                        Tuesdays, January through April – 12 weeks

The Girls on Track is a program for girls interested in achieving healthy habits through running.  The program teaches girls about health, friendship, positive body image, self-esteem and community service.  At the end of the twelve week program the girls will be able to successfully complete a 5k race together.  This is more than a running program that will prepare girls for life challenges outside of the classroom.  Please register with one of the sponsors.

GirlTalk

Sponsor:  Ms. Busman, room 203   
Meeting Times: Tuesdays, 3:45 p.m.—4:45 p.m. in the chorus room (203)

This club is sponsored by a high school student who is excited to mentor younger girls. The girls enjoy games and a snack while they share concerns.

Handbell Ensemble

Sponsors: Mr. Becker & Ms. Busman, administrative office
Meeting Times: Mondays, 7:30 a.m.—8:30 a.m. in the chorus room (203)

This group meets on Monday morning from 7:30 -8:30.  The group is open to students who have an interest in learning to play handbells. Depending on the number of students interested, an audition may determine membership. Students must be willing to commit to weekly rehearsals .

Honor Chorus

Sponsor: Ms. Busman, room 203
Meeting Times: Thursdays, 3:45 p.m.—5:00 p.m. in the chorus room (203)

Singers from the chorus classes at NMS may audition to be part of this select group.  Students share a snack and then rehearse repertoire that is of a challenging level. Performances may be scheduled to highlight the talents of the group.

H.O.S.T.S.
Multicultural Awareness Club

Sponsors: Johndra Jordan & Tearra Thomas
Meeting Times: First Monday of each month

Mission: To promote the success of our students through knowledge and appreciation of the contributions of various cultures in our society. 
 

Objectives:

• Promoting acceptance and understanding of diversity at Northwestern.

• Let students know that there are persons that they can relate to that care about them and their success.

• Implement training in developing tolerance of diversity.

• Developing a sense of pride & confidence in students’ diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Empowering students to become delegates/ambassadors for community change in an increasingly diverse community.

• Provide opportunities for positive student collaboration and interaction with fellow students, teachers, administration & staff of Northwestern.

• Provide a venue for students to explore their own cultural identity.

International Club

Sponsor: Ms. Chiodo, room 917

S.A.D.D.

Sponsor: Ms. Stefanov, room 613
Meeting Times: TBA

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is a very productive and fun organization. We try to do at least one activity every month that encourages kids not to make destructive decisions, such as smoking or using drugs. Last year we had a huge success in campaigning and hope to be more successful this year. Our two main activities are Red Ribbon Week in October and UR The Spokesperson in March.  Another activity we support is the Giving Tree in December. 

Spirit Squad

Sponsor: Ms. McIntire, room P1B

The NMS Spirit Squad will promote school spirit & enthusiasm and will be cheering at school games and other school events.  The squad is open to all students who are positive role models and possess good sportsmanship!  Please see Ms. McIntire if you are interested in joining.

Student Council

Sponsors: Ms. Wylie & Ms. Lana Smith, rooms 815 & 816
Meeting Times: To Be Determined

The NMS Student Council (NMSSC) is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.  Students interested in being council members are expected to be conscientious students with a strong desire to work with their peers, faculty and administration towards the common goal of improving the learning culture of NMS.  The purpose of NMSSC is to:

• Create an avenue for students to voice & deal with student concerns and issues.

• Empower students with voice and responsibility in their school lives.

• Include students in the processes, which influence their academic lives.

• Give students practice in democracy and leadership.

• To develop leadership qualities of middle school students by way of service to the school & community.

• Assist in peer conflict resolution.

• Provide for an exchange of ideas among the student body.

• To plan and organize activities and projects which advance the social and civic development of the student body.

• To promote school spirit and an attitude of cooperation between the faculty, administration and school body.

NMS Theater Wildcat Players

Sponsor: Mr. Harbour, room 210

Each show will require an audition.  Packets for each audition may be picked up in the front office. 
This will be the first year for the Wildcat Players troupe at NMS.  All students are welcome to join and help out with wonderful productions throughout the year.  Actors and actresses are cast by audition.  Crew members are selected by the director.  Production opportunities for this year include our fall production, “Sideways Stories from Wayside School”, a spring musical production and smaller projects throughout the school year.  While a show is in rehearsal, the cast will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school until 5:00 p.m.  The crew will meet on Tuesdays after school until 5:00 p.m.

Junior Thespian Society

Sponsor: Mr. Harbour, room 210

This is a type of Drama Honor Society.  The first induction will take place some time at the end of this semester for those who have been involved in school and community theater.  Membership in this society includes regional and state events as well as special projects and community services.  Meeting times will be announced at a later date.