Club Information
2015-2016
Dear Parents and Students,
Clubs are a great way for students to connect to the middle school environment. Please review the attached list and consider joining one of these great opportunities to extend your learning within the RMS experience! If you would like more information regarding one of the clubs, please contact the club sponsor. We hope you have a stellar 15/16 school year on the “river!”
Sincerely,
Mrs. Carpenter
Art Club is sponsored by Jennifer Turlington, RMS art teacher. This club meets monthly here at RMS. The purpose is to explore art theory and apply advanced art techniques. There is a small fee for supplies.
Academic Bowl is sponsored by Teresia Cox and Brittney Ballard. This club meets regularly to prepare for a variety of academic bowl competitions across the state of Georgia. This group competes on Saturdays throughout the school year.
Builder’s Club – This group is the youth club associated with the Kiwanis Club. Students in grades 6 – 8 may participate. Students meet after school once a month to plan philanthropy activities for the school and to hear month community speakers. The sponsor of this club is Christy McGinley.
Future Business Leaders of America Club - FBLA is sponsored bySuzy Ruckert.Future Business Leaders of America is a nonprofit education association that prepares students for careers in business and business-related fields. FBLA-Middle Level is the fastest growing division designed for Junior High and Middle School students. Becoming a member of the FBLA club, students will participate in a variety of competitions that will enable them to develop competent business leadership skills.
Geography Bee – This club meets throughout the fall to prepare for the Geography Bee which is held in January. The student who wins the school Geography Bee goes on to compete at the county level. The sponsor for this group is Ward Prather.
Guitar Club – This group meets once a month on Friday afternoons to play guitar together. They learn and practice different techniques and try new music together. The sponsor of this club is Tim Mack.
Hiking Club – This club is a family-oriented club that meets one Saturday a month to explore interesting local sites. RMS Hiking Club is for just about anyone: students, teachers, staff, siblings, and parents! The only requirements are a positive attitude and a guardian. Students must come accompanied by an adult. Plus, parents, what a great way to get outdoors, get active, learn interesting facts, and bond with your adolescent! The sponsor for this club is Jennifer Turlington.
HOSA Club – This club meets to help students understand occupations in the health service industry – doctors, nurses, technicians, etc. The club meets on a monthly bases and the sponsor is Melodi Shanks.
Homeless Pets Club – This club is a national organization that works with school-based groups to promote animal welfare, and the Riverwatch Homeless Pets Club is one of the largest and most involved groups on campus. Students work together with the Humane Society to help animals in need, and their efforts are varied and invaluable. The club generally meets bi-weekly to create items for shelter animals, plan events, and participate in animal education sessions. The club sponsor is Mrs. Elizabeth Kennedy.
Jazz Club – This club is for serious students who are interested in learning about and playing jazz music and its various styles (swing/blues/bebop, etc.). Jazz Club will accommodate approximately 2 Jazz combo’s or groups (depending on the number of members). Jazz Club will be offered to any 7th or 8th grade student with their own instrument that wants to try out. However, only a certain number of students will be accepted into the Jazz Club (combos) based on their audition. Auditions are for the following instruments; Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano/Keyboard and Drums. This club is sponsored by Tim Mack.
Chess Club – This club is a group of student who play chess together after school on a monthly basis. Students in grades 6 – 8 may participate. As a culminating activity students participate in a chess tournament. The club sponsor is Lori Calupca.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes - FCA meet after school for fellowship, food, and fun. We work on local, national, and international mission projects in order to make a difference in others’ lives. This club is a Christian organization. The club sponsors are Denise Dickenson.
Yearbook - The RMS yearbook is created and produced for students by students. This is the purpose of the Yearbook Club. Most of the Yearbook meetings are held during the student’s connection class or in the morning. Students participating in Yearbook are expected to attend after school activities for the purpose of taking pictures. Yearbook club is open to 8th graders only. Students must apply in the spring of their 7th grade year to be considered for this club. The sponsor is Linda Scheaffer.
Chorus – This activity is a group of 6-8 grade students who meet on a regular basis before, during, and after school. Students participating in Chorus commit to performing at after school events. Additionally, this group has 2 concerts during the school year – one in the December and one in May. The choral director is Miriam Reynolds.
Band – This activity is a group of 6-8 grade students who meet on a regular basis before, during, and after school. Students participating in Band commit to performing at after school events. Additionally, this group has 2 concerts during the school year – one in the December and one in May. The band director is Matt Koperniak.
Math Club – The purpose of this club is to prepare for various math competitions. This club meets two times a month. The sponsor of this club is Terri Cline.
Junior Beta Club - Junior Beta Club is a part of the National Beta Club. The club promotes the ideals of character, service, leadership, and good citizenship. Membership is made up of 7th and 8th graders who meet high academic requirements in core academic classes and who desire to serve their school and community through volunteer hours. Qualifying students must complete an application process in the fall. This club sponsor is Amy Johnson.
Science Olympiad – This club meets monthly and weekly to prepare for competition in the national Science Olympiad. The club sponsor is Rabun Hunziker and Lisa Alliston.
Student Council - Student Council will consist of student representatives who will have the opportunity to make a difference at Riverwatch. Two 8th graders will hold the positions of President and Vice-President and will lead the students of RMS to develop a school environment that is safe, fun, and educational. Representatives of 6th and 7th grade will represent the concerns, needs, and suggestions from their classmates and propose solutions and projects for our school to be successful for all students. The club sponsors are Melissa Ryan and Sarah Barlow.
Robotics Team is sponsored by and Jeff Whiting. The main focus of the Robotics Club and the Robotics Competition Team is friendly robotic competition involving problem solving, design, building, teamwork, and having fun. Robotics Club: Open to 6th and 7th graders. Students work together to build and program a robot to accomplish challenges and compete against each other at school. Meetings take place Friday mornings, 7:30-8:45am, Sept. 4th – Dec. 11th. Space is limited; there may be a drawing of names if needed.
Robotics Competition Team - Open to 8th Graders enrolled in the Technology Pathway Classes. Students work together to build a robot to compete at local Middle School VEX competitions.
RMS Nutrition Advisory Group – This club meets 5 times per year. Students are selected to serve in an advisory capacity from Health classes. Students offer suggestions for improving the cafeteria and sampling new menu options. The sponsor for this club is Cheryl Burgett, Cafeteria Manager.
Cross Country Running Club – The purpose of this club is to train for running a county competitive cross country races throughout the school year. Sixth, seventh or eighth grade students participating in this club meet before school from August to October for the purpose of training for these races. The club sponsors are Katie Wiltsey and Sarah Kirkley.
Wellness Club – The goal of the Wellness Club is to empower students to lead healthy lifestyle, make positive decisions, increase emotional and academic resiliency, decrease harmful stress, and increase self confidence -- all while having fun with friends and supportive adults in an encouraging environment. Dr. Deana Brown is the sponsor of this club.
Making A Difference! - MAD Club - MAD is open to all students who have a passion and desire to help make a difference in the lives of other people. For the 2015-2016 school year we will be doing this in two ways. The first way is through education and fundraising efforts to pay for the construction of a well in Africa. Our goal is to raise $15,000 during the 2015-2016 school year which will cover the cost of the construction of one well in Africa. The second way we will be Making A Difference is through service projects in and around our community. We will take on tasks like organizing food pantries and sorting donations, etc. All students, and their parents, are welcome to join us for any service project. Project locations will be off-site and will require parents to provide transportation or work out carpooling arrangements. The sponsor for this club is Sherry Collings.
Model UN – Model U.N. simulates the work of the United Nations, allowing students to research and discuss global issues and work together to generate solutions. Model U.N. offers an exciting setting for students to develop their communication and critical thinking skills and to learn more about the world we live in. This club will meet on a weekly basis and will attend conferences in which we will compete with other middle schools. It is open to 7th and 8th grade students. Mr. Chris Monroe is the sponsor.
Panther Guard – Panther Guard is a junior group RMS that supplements and will feed into the Lambert High School Colorguard. This is an ensemble that adds visual color and artistry to the color guard drills. The RMS Panther Guard may attend LHS marching band competitions, LHS and RMS games, and various other events. The members make up a movement based ensemble utilizing dance, flag, rifle, and saber choreography to provide a visual interpretation. Membership requires self-discipline and hard work, with a strong emphasis on teamwork. We will meet bi-weekly after school and as any extra practice sessions are needed. The club sponsor is Mrs. Elizabeth Kennedy.