There are many opportunities for students to get involved in sports and clubs during their time at Elm Place.
Activities provided at Elm Place
(some activities are offered all the time, and others are offered from time to time – some activities are open to all students, some activities are open to some students – call the principal’s office with questions)
Activities offered all the time
AFTER-SCHOOL SPORTS
Provides students with an opportunity for supervised athletic activities with an emphasis on participation and fun.
ENROLLMENT: 6th graders
TIME: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday - Fall Quarter: 6 weeks/Spring Quarter: 6 weeks
3:00 - 3:45 (There is a late bus for regular riders)
ART CLUB
Art Club is geared for all students who enjoy art and want further enrichment. All activities are based on group choice and range from planting "picture" tulip gardens to making hot air balloons or puppets! It is a great opportunity to meet other students with your interests, create beautiful art and have fun!
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th graders
TIME: One hour/week, sessions to be announced
BAND
Band is an exploratory class that exposes students to a wide variety of aesthetic experiences through the study and performance of music.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grade
TIME: One small group lesson per week and sectionals to be announced. In the school day 2005-2006.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There are winter and spring concerts, an All-City Band Festival, and special field trips and visits by guest artists.
BOOK MATCH
This is a game that encourages reading and discussion of excellent children's and young adults' literature. Teams match wits with students from schools in Highland Park.
ENROLLMENT: 6th and 7th graders
TIME: Practices start in October (usually twice a week at lunch) and continue until the matches are completed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Six competitions per team take place at the Highland Park Library after school from January through April. Banners and ribbons are given to participants at the end-of-the-year party.
BASKETBALL
Students represent Elm Place School in a competitive interscholastic basketball program. Students are selected on the basis of their ability.
ENROLLMENT: One team each 7th & 8th grade boys and girls
TIME: TBA by the coaches - 3:30 - 5:00 or 4:30 - 6:00 PM
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There are different tournament opportunities each year. There may be an inter district intramural basketball program for students who do not make the teams for learning, competition and experience.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball provides an opportunity to participate in a team building sport. Players will learn the fundamentals of volleyball including rules, strategies, and skills.
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th graders
girls in fall, boys in winter
TIME: Monday through Friday 3:30 - 5:00 - September through late October (girls), January - March (boys). Games and practices as scheduled
CHESS CLUB
Playing chess fosters logical thinking (patterns, probability) and at the same time provides fun play and tournament experience.
ENROLLMENT: Grades 6 - 8 and faculty and administration
TIME: Times TBA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Instruction (any level) available for beginners every Wednesday and Thursday upon request
STOCK MARKET CLUB
The stock market game provides an interesting and motivating device for learning about economics and the financial markets. While managing their own portfolio purchased with computer dollars, students learn to understand and execute the necessary steps for the purchase and sale of stocks.
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th graders
TIME: Both Semesters - weekly meetings held during lunch recess
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Awards are presented to the top teams in the Chicago land area.
CHORUS
Chorus is a class that exposes students to a wide variety of individual and group experiences through the study and performance of violin, viola, cello, or bass.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grades
TIME: One small group lesson per week and sectionals and 2-3 ensemble rehearsals to be announced.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There are winter and spring concerts, an All-City Orchestra Festival, and special field trips.
CROSS COUNTRY - co-ed, open to 6th-8th grade students
Here is an opportunity to learn the sport of cross country running. Boys and girls will learn the basics of preparing for and running in cross country competition. This includes stretching before and after a workout, nutrition, and safety. The schedule will consist of several competitions against other middle schools in the area.
ENROLLMENT: 6th, 7th & 8th graders
TIME: After school 2-3 days each week. Season runs from late August to late October
ECLIPSE LITERARY MAGAZINE
Students are offered the opportunity to choose, edit, design, layout, process, and market a magazine that is rated excellent by the National Council of Teachers of English. Although all students, grades five through eight, are encouraged to submit writing, art and photography, only those in seventh and eighth grades may serve on the magazine staff.
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th graders
TIME: Approximately one day a week (during 6th period lunch) all year
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Due to the nature of the work, there may be additional days required near the completion date in March or April.
GREEN ELM STUDENT NEWSPAPER
The school newspaper provides news of current happening at school and provides opportunities for students who enjoy writing to be published.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grades
TIME: Meeting times vary, but the sponsor is available Tuesday - Friday after school for help on articles. Student staff is responsible for writing, collating and distributing all issues.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Writing assignments are generally selected by students. The sponsor assigns other articles as needed.
HOMEWORK CLUB
This club provides students the opportunity to work on school related assignments. The sessions are held in the learning center where computers and other resources are readily available. Staff members are ready to assist whenever necessary.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grades
TIME: Monday through Friday – before/after school
Late bus available
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE
This is an opportunity for everyone to participate in a geography activity. There are 10 questions for round one, but no one is eliminated for an incorrect answer. Students are called back for round two based on scores from round one. Winner of round two takes a written test to qualify for the state round.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grades
TIME: January - February
ORCHESTRA
Orchestra is an exploratory class that exposes students to a wide variety of individual and group experiences through the study and performance of violin, viola, cello, or bass.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grades
TIME: One small group lesson per week and sectionals and 2-3 ensemble rehearsals to be announced. In the school day during the 2005-2006 school year.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There are winter and spring concerts, an All-City Orchestra Festival, and special field trips.
PARALLEL LEAGUE - Basketball
Parallel "Basketball" League is a "no cut" intramural basketball program for boys and girls in grades 7 and 8. All participating students are assigned to teams and everyone plays a minimum of one game per week. Playoffs for a league champion are held in March.
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th graders
TIME: After school on Fridays during basketball season, 3:00 - 4:00
SCHOOL PLAY
Creative, dramatic experiences are provided through the rehearsal and production of an age appropriate musical.
ENROLLMENT: 8th graders
TIME: 7 weeks in the spring - Monday through Friday 3:00 - 5:30 PM
Two performances are held in April
SCHOOL YEARBOOK
Students have an opportunity to publish an end-of-the-year book and are involved in picture-taking, layout and all decisions regarding the publication.
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th graders
TIME: Announced, weekly meetings after school
September 1 - March 1
SPIRIT TEAM
This is a "no cut/no tryout" activity designed to involve as many students as possible and to encourage school spirit, recognition and participation. Individuals will be able to develop leadership and athletic skills through this activity.
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th graders; separate squads for each grade, depending on enrollment
TIME: Mid-October through February (follows basketball schedule). Practice held
during lunch period and after school from 3:30 - 5:00 PM one or two days per week.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All students will be trained in floor cheers, side-line cheers and pompon routines. Participants receive uniforms and cheer at all home basketball games. There is a pep assembly at the start of the basketball season in January.
SOCCER (CO-ED)
An awesome opportunity for soccer enthusiasts to represent Elm Place in a competitive interscholastic soccer program. Students, both boys and girls, will be selected on the basis of effort, attitude, knowledge of the game and overall ability. You will be sure to get a kick out of this game!!
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th grade students (two teams)
TIME: Monday through Friday Practices 3:00 - 4:45
Games TBA September - mid-October
STUDENT COUNCIL
Student Council members plan to enhance the students' education through kindness, participation and support. They encourage unity in the school by providing new events, having school spirit, and student recognition.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grades
TIME 8th graders meet once a week during lunch period. Meetings for all grades are held once a month during school, time to be announced.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Some of the special events and projects sponsored by Student Council are Spirit Week, pizza days, school dances, the EPS program (student and teacher recognition program), a canned food drive, the Santullano Holiday Drive program, and a variety of other fund raisers and community service projects. Students may volunteer for a variety of committees.
Activities Offered sometimes
EARTH SERVICE CLUB
The Earth Club provides students with an opportunity to learn about the environment through specifically designed outdoor activities led by naturalists and teachers at Heller Nature Center. This program, oriented towards a broad understanding of the functioning of life on this planet, emphasizes:
* feeling at home with the natural world
* becoming aware of the ecological processes which govern life
* increasing both sensory awareness and conceptual understanding of the natural world
* building a sense of relationship with the natural world
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grade students
TIME: One day per month 2:50 - 5:15 PM WHEN OFFERED
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Earth Club meets at Heller Nature Center. Students meet in the lunchroom directly after dismissal and travel to and from Heller by bus. Because students spend time outside at every meeting, it is important to consider weather conditions and dress appropriately.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Students learn how to apply the six steps of the problem-solving method (brainstorm sub-problems, define main problem, brainstorm solutions, develop criteria, judge solutions and develop a plan) to societal problems (e.g. world hunger, sports ethics, ozone depletion).
ENROLLMENT: 6th, 7th & 8th graders
TIME: 3:00 - 4:00 (once each week) - Tuesday or Friday - dates TBA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A definite commitment to the program is necessary. The six-step method of problem solving is a difficult process to learn and there is homework.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Students are introduced to jazz literature and the various styles of American jazz. Auditions for Jazz Ensemble are held in September of each year.
ENROLLMENT: 7th & 8th graders
TIME: When offered - Lunch period through the year
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There are winter and spring concerts, and a Highland Park Jazz Night. Pep Band also performs at selected home basketball games.
TECHNOLOGY CLUBS
Elm Place offers students the opportunity to participate in either the Troubleshooters Club or the Web Page Design Club. The Troubleshooters help identify areas where students and staff can improve their knowledge of computers and related hardware. The Web Page Design Club works to update and improve the Elm Place Web Page.
ENROLLMENT: 6th through 8th grades
TIME: When offered: From one to more times per week
YOUNG ADVOCATES
Students volunteer to tutor younger students or assist classroom teachers. The program benefits the volunteers, students, and classroom teachers.
SPONSOR: Counseling Staff
ENROLLMENT: 8th graders
TIME: Students miss one class on a rotating basis.