Clubs and Organizations: The Details
Altar Servers
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 4-8 who successfully complete training
General Description:
Altar serving gives students a chance to actively participate in and gain a greater understanding of the Eucharistic Celebration. After training, students are placed on a rotating schedule to serve at weekend and weekday Masses. Additional training can be taken to qualify students to serve weddings and funerals.
Meeting Time:
Training schedule is determined by the person(s) conducting the sessions and required training sessions are usually necessary before major liturgical celebrations.
Ambassadors
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 7-8
General Description:
Students have the opportunity to represent their school in a positive manner by volunteering their time during the school day, at special school events, after school and on weekends. Student Ambassadors assist school staff by giving tours of the facilities, escorting and greeting visitors and performing a variety of other duties as needed. Students must attend at least one training session and serve during the annual Open House and Very Special Persons Day, both held during Catholic Schools Week in January/February. They must also serve during the annual party for incoming kindergarten students, which is usually held in February. Other events are on an as-needed basis and may include escorting families on the first day of school.
Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts/Tiger Scouts
Eligibility:
Boys in Grades 1-8
General Description:
St. Thomas More has a very active scouting program. Boys from the parish are involved in service to God and others, while learning about themselves and the roles that they play in our society. The goal of scouting is to strengthen the children physically, mentally and spiritually. Boys in Tiger and Cub Scouts will be assigned to individual dens with parent leaders. Boys in Boy Scouts will become part of the St. Thomas More Boy Scout troop.
Meeting Time:
Meetings are generally held on school premises after dismissal or at a leader’s home. Frequency/length of meetings and field trips are left to the discretion of the leaders. Tiger and Cub Scouts also meet once a month for Pack Night in the St. Thomas More Weis Center. Boy Scouts meet regularly and for a variety of scouting activities, including service projects, camping, hiking and special trips.
Chess Club
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 4-8 who already have an understanding of the game of chess
General Description:
Chess Club provides students with an enjoyable way to improve their chess game and develop strategic and logic-building skills. Students participate in matches weekly with other students who possess a similar ability level. The winner of each match will earn points and the points are used to calculate an overall ranking.
Meeting Time:
One day per week from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Girl Scouts
Eligibility:
Girls in Grades K-8
General Description:
The Girl Scout program is formed around a set of basic ethical values. These values include a concern for others, honesty, fairness, citizenship, responsibility and respect for differences. Girls experience a wide variety of activities and develop life-skills in leadership and conflict resolution that prepare them for adulthood. Girls are offered activities at every grade level as Daisies, Brownies, Junior Girl Scouts or Girl Scouts.
Meeting Time:
Meetings are generally held at the Weis Center after dismissal. Frequency and length of meetings and field trips are left to the discretion of the troop leaders.
Leadership Committee
Eligibility:
Students in Grade 8
General Description:
Eighth grade students who wish to take a leadership role during their eighth grade year can participate on this committee. Students are responsible for making decisions regarding school dances for junior high students and working with the Parent Dance Committee, as well as serving as a decision-making body to determine the recipient of the eighth grade charitable gift.
Lectors
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 3-8 are chosen by faculty based on their oral reading ability
General Description:
Students who serve as lectors take an active role at weekday Masses and gain experience in public speaking. Students are encouraged to continue the ministry of being a lector at weekend Masses after they enter high school.
Meeting Time:
Lector practice is generally held immediately following dismissal on Mondays for students to read at Masses for the week.
Media Club
Eligibility:
7th and 8th Grade students may apply
General Description:
Media Club was created with the intent to provide students with an opportunity to explore their creativity in digital media including: photography, videography, podcasting and live streaming. Students develop their skills in the production of creative media messages that showcase the achievements of the school and its students.
Meeting Time:
3x/month on Wednesdays from 1:15 to 3:00 pm in the School Library
National Junior Honor Society
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 7-8 may apply
General Description:
Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a student. The National Junior Honor Society strives to recognize the total student and one who excels in all of the following qualities: scholarship, leadership, character, service and citizenship. Determination for membership is made based on grades, conduct, demonstration of the qualities expected by the National Junior Honor Society and teacher recommendation. Students only in seventh and eighth grades may apply for membership. Students accepted into the National Junior Honor Society provide school-wide peer tutoring based on need and participate in several service projects throughout the year.
Science Olympiads
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 6-8
General Description:
Science Olympiad is a nationally recognized competitive science program. Teams are formed each year to compete in twenty-three different scientific categories covering disciplines in physics, life, chemical, earth and space sciences, technical writing and engineering. Students may choose the area that best meets their personal interest and work to gain a thorough understanding of their designated field through study and discovery. Student teams compete both locally and regionally during weekend competitions during the winter months. Study groups and teams meet approximately once a week in the fall, but may meet as much as three times per week during the competition season.
Spelling Bee-CYO
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 5 through 8
General Description:
Finalist(s) from each Diocesan school compete against each other to obtain a final Diocesan winner. That winner will represent the Diocese at the state competition and can continue to compete, if successful, at the national competition.
Student Council
Eligibility:
Students in Grades 5-8; Six representatives per grade are elected by classmates to serve a one year term
General Description:
Student Council provides students with leadership and decision-making opportunities. Representatives sponsor, plan and organize events such as Pizza with Santa, holiday candy sales and Fun Day for the younger STMS students at the end of the school year. They also organize and run the annual Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dances.
Meeting Time:
Meetings are generally held in the morning before school as needed or immediately after dismissal.