Extracurricular Activities
Even though learning in the academic areas is the primary purpose of any school program, extra-curricular activities are also an extremely valuable area where students share accomplishments and learning experiences beyond those which occur in the classroom. A wide variety of activities are available and we strongly encourage all of our students to become involved in one or more of them.
Art Club
Sponsor - Cortnye Rossi
Students can explore the fine arts outside the regular curriculum. Students of any grade level can participate in this club. We meet every Thursday from 2:45 to 4:00. Hope to see you there.
Cheerleading
Richard Ira Jones Middle School started its first cheerleading squad in the 2004-2005 school year. It will be open to all 7th and 8th grade girls.
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Drama Club
Director: Amy Jones; Assistant Director: John Pilch
In December students audition for the play. During the months of January until March students attend extensive rehearsals three to five days a week preparing for the big production which is held in March. Drama club includes actors, backstage crew members and artists. Drama club is open to all students. In addition to the play, there is also a Talent Show Portion. In February students have the opportunity to show their many talents by auditioning. All students may audition. The Night of Performing Arts show includes the drama production as well as the talent acts.
Environmental Club
Sponsor - Cheryl Lucas
Environmental Club will meet every other Wednesday after school in room 110 until 3:30
The Environmental Club works on issues that help make Ira Jones an environmentally friendly school. Our club helps with school-wide recycling projects as well as informing students about recycling. We provide energy saving tips to students via morning announcements with our "Green Tips of the Week". Our club is also responsible for the planting and maintaining the school flower beds. Environmental Club is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and typically meets once a week.
Chorus
The Richard Ira Jones Chorus is open to all students.
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Interscholastic Athletics
Our middle school attempts to accommodate the large number of students who wish to participate in athletic competitions against other schools. Sports which can handle a large number of students, such as cross-country, wrestling, and track, are operated on a no-cut, no tryout basis so that all who wish to join may participate.
Since only a limited number of students can participate in certain sports such as boys basketball (5), girls basketball (5), volleyball (6), or soccer (11) at one time, a limited number of players are selected for these teams, through a try-out process. To help accommodate more students, a seventh grade team and an eighth grade team are offered for boys basketball, girls basketball, and volleyball.
A wide variety, of interscholastic sports is offered throughout the school year for students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade.
Fall
Soccer............ Boys, Grades 7 and 8 Combined
Cross Country... Boys and Girls, Grades 7 and 8
Volleyball......... Girls, Grades 7 and 8
Winter
Basketball.... Boys, Grades 7 and 8
Basketball.... Girls, Grades 7 and 8
Wrestling..... Boys and Girls, Grades 6, 7, and 8
Spring
Track...... Boys and Girls, Grades 7 and 8
Soccer.... Girls, Grades 7 and 8 Combined
In order to participate in interscholastic athletics, students must maintain academic eligibility as outlined in Section Four of this handbook. This requirement is maintained so that parents and teachers are assured that involvement in interscholastic athletics will not interfere with our students' academic performance which, as noted earlier, is the primary purpose for their schooling.
Students may participate in one interscholastic sport during each season. To ensure safety, students must have a completed, signed sports physical on file in the school office, complete and return an insurance waiver form to the coach before participating in a try-out, practice, or game for any interscholastic sports team at our middle school. Physicals are good for one calendar year, and can apply to any sport within the year following the examination.
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Intramural Sports
The five purposes of intramurals are: fun, physical fitness, competition, character, and leadership. A range of intramural sports are also offered at our middle schools for sixth through eighth graders. Intramural offerings are based on student interest and may include flag football, indoor soccer, basketball, nerf tennis, badminton, floor hockey, volleyball, softball, and handball. All students are encouraged to participate in one or more intramural sports. There are no participation fees and sports physicals are not required. Intramurals are coed activities held after school two or-three days per week.
Jazz Choir
Jazz choir is a mixed group of boys and girls of all grades that sing songs from jazz, pop, rock and Broadway genres. From this experience students will gain an appreciation of jazz music through singing and listening to jazz music. All students are welcome to join at any time. We meet every Tuesday from 2:45-3:30 in the choir room. Jazz choir students will be required to perform at 2 concerts for the school year. Our first concert for Jazz choir will be Thurs. Feb. 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the IJMS cafeteria, and our last concert will be Thurs. May 21, 2009 at 7:00PM in the cafeteria. Students will need to arrive at school at 5:45 before every concert. See Mrs. Chooks in rm. 153 if you have any questions.
Photography Club
Sponsor - John Pilch
Photography club at Ira Jones “focuses” on becoming proficient at basic digital photography skills. The goal of photography club is for students to better understand and use the basic functions on several digital cameras, as well as to become familiar with several advanced camera functions. Topics covered include framing, shutter speed, aperture, focus, bokeh, the rule of 1/3, etc. We will also learn how to create an audio/visual presentation using pictures the students take. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera because the school only has a limited number of cameras to use.
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Student Ambassadors
Student Ambassadors Is open to any 6th,7th, or 8th grade student who wants to have a positive leadership role within the school. Ambassador's primary responsibilities involve assisting new students navigate themselves around the school, helping with Red Ribbon Week and 5th grade Step-up day in the spring.
Student Council
Sponsors - Amber Nickel, Kelly Sester
Officers will meet every Wednesday from 6:45am - 7:15am in room 102 or 108.
Entire Student Council meets every Friday from 2:45-3:30 in the media center.
Student Council provides students with an opoportunity to work together to plan special events and service activities for our school and community. Student council representatives are volunteers who commit themselves to attend weekly student council meetings held before and after school and to assist with programs and activities. the student body elects student council officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer).
Yearbook
Sponsor - John Pilch
The main focus of the yearbook group is to assist in the creation of a school yearbook that represents the diverse student population of Ira Jones Middle School. Students in the yearbook group learn about basic photography, writing skills, design layout, computer software programs, and working successfully together as a production team. The yearbook group will meet at differing times throughout the year as deadlines dictate.
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