Middle School Activities

Student Council

Sponsor:  Mr. Long  (longr@qvsd.org)
Website:  http://www.qvsd.org/page.cfm?p=3486

The Quaker Valley Middle School Student Council members will strive each day to develop school spirit, to represent the needs and wishes of our classmates, to provide opportunities for students to work and play outside of the classroom, to give back to our school community, and to develop leadership abilities in our students to make our members better leaders and our school a better place.  Membership in Student Council is open to any students in grades 6-8.  Any students interested in joining Student Council are required to submit a 1 page essay about why they want to join Student Council and are required to attend all Student Council sponsored events.

Drama

Sponsors:  Ms. Margot Bruno (brunom@qvsd.org) and Mr. Thomas Forrest (forrestt@qvsd.org)
Website

Interested students audition for a musical or play (alternates each year).  If they make the cast, they rehearse and perform a full-length, high caliber musical/play

All 6th, 7th and 8th graders may audition.  Not all students will be selected for the cast.

Rehearsals are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3 to 5:30/6:00 pm.  2 mandatory Sat. dress rehearsals + 3 performances (2 evenings, 1 matinee)

Begins the end of Oct. until the first week of March

Juggling Club

The QVMS Juggling Club is an after school organization which offers its members an opportunity to learn the ancient art of juggling, to increase their performance skills, and to share what they learn through community service.  Juggling Club gives every member an opportunity to participate in a wide-variety of activities.  From painting clown faces and creating balloon animals....to learning to juggle with scarves, thuds, diabolos, devil sticks, clubs, and eurorings....to learning to ride a unicycle, walk on stilts, and juggle with partners....there is something for everyone in our club!

All students in grades 6-8 are eligible.

We meet every Thursday after school from 3-4:15pm. Our community service events usually occur in the evenings or on weekends.

We meet the entire school year except Dec and Jan.  

Our Webpage:  QVMS Juggling Club

http://www.qvsd.org/page.cfm?p=4069

German Club

Sponsor: Amy Karst
412-749-5557 x5316
karsta@qvsd.org

Students in Quaker Valley can participate in German Club at both the high school and middle school levels. Students attending German Club will be making preparations for upcoming events involving the Quaker Valley/Buxtehude student exchange program and preparing for competition in the annual American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) German Day, traditionally held in March at Washington and Jefferson College.

Activities for the club include making authentic crafts, cooking demonstrations, preparing skits and musical acts and making costumes for them, poetry recitation, painting and drawing of German places, people or events.

Every other year the club will prepare for the German exchange students from Buxtehude, which involves organizing a welcome breakfast and introducing our students. In a travel year, students will have the opportunity to prepare for their own exchange trip to Buxtehude, Germany.

The club meets weekly in Room 212 at the Middle School.

Xpress

LIVE, Channel 3, 7:45 am
Subscribe to our PODCAST

Sponsor: Mr. Demko

Quaker Valley Middle School students capture the news and events in and around the school. They film students, teachers and staff as they report on school activities, sports, academic achievements and much more. This school television program is appropriately named xpress to allow students to take ownership in their school and "xpress" themselves. 

The show is broadcasted LIVE through our television network within the school district and is also podcasted through iTunes which is available for subscription.

All students can contribute to Xpress. Simply email your news, video project, etc. to xpress@qvmail.org and we will consider showing it on Xpress.

Yearbook

Yearbook club consists of students that are chosen to manage our school yearbook. This consists of capturing photos of students, activities, etc.

All students can contribute to the yearbook. Contact Mr. Doucette if you are interested.

Running Club

Sponsor: Mr. Doucette

Open to 6th graders who are interested in running competitive races against other elementary school runners.  The season coincides with the Middle School Cross Country schedule.

Intramurals (After-school sports) 

Sponsor: Mr. Vecchi
-Held once a week depending on space availability, weather.
-Students will participate in a number of physical activities/games in a relaxed and monitored setting. The activities are intended to be fun while students get fit aerobically and increase muscular strength.
-Activities include flag-football, soccer, stationary biking, treadmill use, basketball, muscular endurance and strength work with light weights

 Art Club  “Studio Life”

Meets on Monday and Thursday from 3-5pm (Will not run when QVMS is closed for holidays and In-service)
Studio Life is a club for the serious artist.  The program is designed for 6,7 and 8th graders look for a more in-depth experience in the visual arts.  A few of the key components and expectations of the club are: Daily journal entries, problem solving activities, cooperative learning opportunities, mentor/mentee opportunities and artistic skill building.  The club will provide a small snack for kids due to the lengthy time constraints.  If your son or daughter is interested in joining the art club please feel free to contact Mr. Jeff Evancho at evanchoj@qvsd.org.

Competitions

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a competition testing your science and mathematical skills.  There are many different events that include knowledge tests, laboratory skills and building and engineering.  Each event is covered by 2-3 team members and each team member is responsible for a minimum of 2 events.  Last year was the first year for Science Olympiad at the middle school, and our team was incredibly successful.  They participated in the regional competition in March, and did well enough to be invited to the state competition in April.  There is an informational meeting about science olympiad November 11 from 7-8pm in the Community Room (the room off the entryway to the main office of the middle school.)  I STRONGLY recommend that anyone who is interested attends this meeting.  If you are interested, but cannot attend the meeting, come see me next week for information.

Odyssey of the Mind

OM is a creativity competition.  It consists of 2 parts — a long term problem and a spontaneous competition.  Long term problems are selected now, and a solution is worked out over the next several months.  The solution takes the form of a skit, structure, or vehicle depending on the problem selected.  Teams consist of up to 7 QVMS students.  Each team needs an adult to coach and an adult to volunteer to be a judge.  The competition is in March.  Last year, both of our teams went to the State competition in April.  I know a few teams are already forming.  If you are interested, come get a copy of the problems and a registration form.  One existing team is looking for 2 additional 7th grade girls.  If you are interested, let me know and I will put you in touch with the coach!

Essay Contest

The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh is offering an essay contest for 7th and 8th graders.  The topic is about the conservation and recycling of water.  You are limited to only 325 words (less than 1 page!), and there are 26 awards of up to $500 in savings bonds.  It’s definitely worth the time to give it a shot!  If you are interested, pick up the information packet from my door and come see me about submitting your entry.

I hope you find something that makes you want to get involved in your education.  If you have other ideas, come see me!

Mrs. Coffman
Academic Specialist
Rm 310A