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CLUBS STARTING ON OCTOBER 7, 2015
LIBRARY CLUB
This club will promote the love of leisure reading through book talks, author
talks, and assist with promoting library activities. The club will meet every
WEDNESDAY at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in the Library.
Sponsor: Elyse Fendt
MEMORY YEARBOOK
Students will complete the TJ Memory Book. The Yearbook Club is a great way
for 8th grade students to get involved at TJMS! Students will help design
yearbook pages, assist with photography at events, and will help promote
yearbook sales. The Yearbook committee will meet on TUESDAY mornings
from 7:50 AM – 8:20 AM in Room 114. (Or when your bus arrives)
Co-Sponsors: Jennifer Persson and Mallory Kilroy
GIRL POWER
Girl Power is an all-girl club that promotes confidence and self-esteem in preteen and teenage girls. We will focus on topics such as hygiene, positive body
image, appropriate dressing, etc., while also having lots of laughs and a good
time too! This club will meet on THURSDAYS at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in
Room 202.
Sponsor: Jaclyn Horbacz
SCHOOL STORE
The club will acquaint students with money and making change as they satisfy
children’s requests. The club meets EVERY DAY at 8:05 AM in Room 214.
Sponsor: Carol Scheid
STUDENT COUNCIL
The Student Council Club will provide a student body community that will take
part in collaboration of school functions, community service, and fundraising.
This club will meet on WEDNESDAYS at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 213. (All
Student Council grades will meet in Room 213.)
Co-Sponsors: (Gr. 6) Marina Margovskaya, (Gr. 7) Lisa Delesantro,
(Gr. 8) Dan DeStefano
IMPROV CLUB
This club will enable the student to be a part of a group of peers where you are
freely able to develop a voice and sense of timing and humor. It will help those
students who are inhibited and unable to speak in front of an audience; who
grow and develop a sense of self and a voice.
This club will meet on WEDNESDAYS at 3:05 PM - 3:55 PM in Room 222.
Sponsor: Kathleen Troy
THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS
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2015-2016
BAND
Students will rehearse in preparation for several performances: Spring and winter concerts,
elementary school concerts, & Great Adventure competition. The club will meet as follows in
the Band Room:
6TH Grade Band—WEDNESDAY from 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM
7TH & 8th Grade Band—THURSDAY from 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM
Sponsor: Jennifer Tobin
JAZZ BAND
Educate music students in the history and performance practice of Jazz, Funk, Latin Jazz and
other forms of music found outside the Band Class curriculum. This club will meet on
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY mornings from 7:30 AM – 8:15 AM in the Band Room.
Sponsor: Jennifer Tobin
6th GRADE CHORUS
Students will develop the ability to blend and sing in 2-part harmony into a finished product for
the Winter and Spring Music Concerts, possible assemblies, will perform at festivals and take a
trip to Six Flags Great Adventure at the end of the school year! The club will meet once a week
during LUNCH on “B” days.
Sponsor: Rebekah Hamilton
7TH & 8TH GRADE CHORUS
Students will develop the ability to sing and blend in 2-and 3-part harmony to create a finished
product for the Winter and Spring Music Concerts, assemblies, music festivals and Six Flags
Great Adventure at the end of the school year! The club will meet on WEDNESDAYS from
3:05 PM -3:55 PM.
Sponsor: Rebekah Hamilton
7TH & 8TH GRADE GIRLS’ ENSEMBLE
Students will develop the ability to blend, sing solo and work in 2-3 part harmony to create a
finished product to be performed at the Winter and Spring concerts and assemblies, including
the annual "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey. The club meets on THURSDAYS
from 3:05 PM -3:55 PM.
Sponsor: Rebekah Hamilton
ORCHESTRA
Students will prepare for upcoming concerts, assemblies, competitions, and performances. The
club will meet every THURSDAY at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM on the Stage.
Sponsor: Deirdre Pasquarelli
LITERACY MAGAZINE / NEWSPAPER CLUB
This club will explore and promote student creativity in literature and the visual arts culminating
in an end-of-the-year print publication and live reading/celebration. We will be accepting
original student and faculty submissions of poetry, short story, essays, literary criticism, drama,
graphic novel excerpts, drawings, paintings, photography, etc. Submissions will be judged
anonymously by club members. Accepted pieces will be assembled into a print publication.
Selected authors, artists, and all active club members will be invited to share their work at an
end-of-the-year live reading celebration. This club will meet every WEDNESDAY from
3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 207.
Co-Sponsors: Kristy Lauricella and Samantha Laiso
THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS
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2015-2016
MATH CLUB
Math Club provides students an opportunity to come once a week for extra help or to reinforce
current or past skills learned in their regular math classes. Students will have opportunities to
peer tutor one another depending on strengths and weaknesses, and complete their homework
with the ability to ask questions and have the teacher support if needed. It is a fun place for
students to work and improve their mathematical thinking. Math Club will meet every
THURSDAY AT 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 213.
Sponsor: Marina Margovskaya
FUEL UP PLAY 60 / WELLNESS CLUB
The Fuel Up to Play 60 Program engages students to work with adults to make school-related
changes that lead to increased access to appealing, nutrient-rich foods and opportunities for
physical activities. Research shows that well-nourished children tend to be better students,
have stronger academic achievement, and better test scores. This club will meet in the GYM on
THURSDAYS from 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM.
Co-Sponsors: Lisa Dettelbach and Russ Berner
ACADEMIC CHALLENGE---(Jan. – June)
Beginning in January, 2016, the Academic Challenge Club will consist of 8th grade students who
enjoy quiz bowl/Jeopardy-type competitions. The club promotes the acquisition of knowledge
in a variety of subject areas/topics. In order to demonstrate their skills and knowledge, the
students will compete against other 8th grade teams in the spring at the Jonas Salk Middle
School Academic Challenge Competition in Old Bridge, NJ. The club will meet on THURSDAYS
at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 111.
Sponsor: Angela Smith
I-READY CLUB
I-Ready Club gives students a quiet place to work on I-Ready in both Math and English.
Students who do not have access to a reliable computer or internet at home can complete their
assignments and study material after school in the computer lab. I am available to help
students with any questions that they may have on a particular topic within I-Ready. The club
will meet on WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 121 (Computer
Lab). (Kelly Ryan will meet on WEDNESDAY and Nicole Jones will meet on THURSDAY)
Co-Sponsors: Kelly Ryan and Nicole Jones
THE IT CROWD AKA ITC
If you are interested in IT or information technology, this is the club for you. In this club,
students will build a strong understanding of Promethean boards, Google suite and Google
Chromebooks trouble-shooting. This knowledge can in turn be used to help both teachers and
peers in your very own classes as well as preparing you for the 21st century. If you want to be a
technology super star, come to Room 112 at 7:50 AM on TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, &
THURSDAYS.
Co-sponsors: Dan DeStefano and Brian Mirfield
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
This club provides students with the opportunity to show off their creativity through group
problem-solving activities. The Odyssey of the Mind team will meet on WEDNESDAYS and
THURSDAYS at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 118 to solve mathematical, literary, and sciencerelated problems. This club offers students the opportunity to compete amongst their peers, as
well as work together to compete against other schools.
Co-Sponsors: Matthew Mawn and Holly Rebovich
THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS
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2015-2016
ART CLUB
Do you ever find yourself doodling away your time, or find that colors express your feelings
better than words? Art Club is the place to unwind through the visual arts. We will explore the
visual word through different projects and crafts allowing you to become a stronger artist as
well as relax. This club will meet on THURSDAYS at 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 120.
Sponsor: Michelle Suchy
MOVIE CLUB
The Movie Club is for students who love movies. We will watch and discuss movies from
different genres. We will explore comedies, action movies, animated movies, and much more!
The club will analyze current and past movies. Success will be measured through discussions
and interactive activities. The club will meet on THURSDAYS from 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in
Room 221.
Co-Sponsors: Claudia Vergara and Fotini Kousoulis
PM CHROMEBOOK CLUB
Have homework, projects, or research to do on the Internet but do not have Wifi at home? Free
Wifi Club will be for you. This club will meet Every WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY afternoon
from 3:05 PM – 3:55 PM in Room 112. The club offers assistance in the form of apps and
extensions that will work well with what you are trying to accomplish for class as well as access
to the Internet during after school hours.
Sponsor: Brian Mirfield