Clubs & Groups
JCMS is committed to providing opportunities for every student to be involved in activities beyond the classroom. After-school activities help students develop a sense of unity and teamwork in learning how to work with others in reaching the same goals. They can support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe and supportive environment for our students. We urge each student to find an activity of interest and to become a member of a club or program during the 2022–2023 school year.
Middle school students face stress, anxiety, drama, and negativity from time to time. The ARK Club strives to make school a little more pleasant by conducting uplifting campaigns, activities, and projects because it’s the little things in life that make a difference. We meet once a month on select Thursdays, after school until 4:30 p.m.
Sponsors are Ms. Barnes and Ms. Harrod.
Do you love reading? Have you ever wanted the same life as a fictional character? Do you have times when you can’t get into a book and other times when you just can’t stop reading? You are Book Club material! Come sample some favorite middle school titles and authors -- and discover new favorites! We focus on the 20 books nominated for the Young Hoosier Book Award. If you read at least five, you will get to vote on the state winner. We meet monthly after school until 4:00 p.m. to share and discuss the books of the month.
Sponsors are Mrs. Ahlbrand and Mrs. Brown.
Builders Club is the world’s largest service organization for middle schoolers. This club is sponsored by North Vernon Kiwanis and JCHS Key Club and focuses on community service and leadership. Meetings occur on the first, third, and fifth Wednesdays of the month after school in room 17 until 4:00 p.m. The meetings will involve service projects and leadership-building activities. Some projects may include ringing bells for the Red Kettle Campaign, Mercy Rescue workdays, United Way Day of Caring, Trick or Treating for canned goods, and various fundraisers to benefit organizations in our community and the world. Many projects do vary each year based on community needs and student interests. For more information, check out the international Builders Club website.
Sponsors are Mrs. Kelley and Mrs. Ertel.
The club is open to all eighth-grade students. We will meet every Thursday from 3:10 to 4:15 p.m., beginning in September. This club will be based out of the Engineering and Technology department at JCMS. All students have skills and talents, and we want to allow them to discover, develop, and share their gifts. Club members will explore the construction world in various aspects, design process, construction materials, tools, machines, processes, and hands-on activities. All students are responsible for their own transportation home.
The sponsor is Mr. McKeand.
Cooking Club is where students learn how to prepare, use utensils and measurements, understand recipes, utilize safe cooking methods, and explore new recipes. We will meet once a month, after school, until 5:00 p.m.
The sponsors are Mrs. L. Ratcliff and Mrs. S. Ratcliff.
Drama Club/JC Company gives students in grades 7 through 12 an opportunity to participate in supervised creative dramatic activities, which include performances in front of an audience. Members will be exposed to different aspects of theatre, including blocking, lighting, costuming, and prop selection and use. All meetings are held after school at the JCMS auditorium. The group also produces Ghost Walk that is annually held in Vernon, Indiana.
The sponsor is Mrs. Eikelman.
Dues: $15
FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The club is open to eighth-grade students who are currently enrolled in the Intro to Agriculture class. Club members will have the opportunity to participate in monthly FFA meetings and learn more about the FFA, community service projects, and other activities (TBD).
The sponsor is Mrs. Boggs.
Game Club is a place where students can come together to play board, card, role-playing, and video games (offline: Nintendo Switch). Meetings are on the first in-school Monday of the month from 3:10 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The sponsor is Mr. Tyler.
The JYIT is a community service group at JCMS. It gives middle schoolers opportunities to participate in a variety of community service projects while developing leadership skills. Members are selected upon completing an application and having favorable teacher recommendations. Some of the annual projects include the building of Christmas Cheer baskets for the Jennings County Coordinating Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kid’s Sake, and the Riley Dance that benefits the Riley Hospital for Children.
Sponsors are Mrs. Garrett and Mrs. Ahlbrand.
MATHCOUNTS is a program that provides engaging math programs to US middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem-solving. Middle school is a critical juncture when the love of math must be encouraged, and a fear of math must be overcome. It is a program that builds problem-solving skills and positive attitudes toward math so students embrace challenges and expand their academic and career opportunities in the future. This Competition Series brings together students from all 50 states in a series of in-person contests (or virtual) contests —the only competition program of its kind. After-school sessions will begin meeting every Thursday, starting in October, until 4:30 p.m., when school is in session until the state competition. During the after-school sessions, we will be working on the type of problems the competitors will see during the competition. You are welcome to participate in the weekly sessions even if you do not want to compete.
Sponsors are Mrs. Ballenger and Mrs. Patterson.
Students with advanced media skills will be generating graphics and running the video scorebook during sporting events.
Sponsor is Ms. Evans.
This is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle-level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarships, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Common requirements include: maintaining a high grade point average (the national minimum is 3.5 or all A’s and one B) and becoming good citizens by participating in service projects. The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations.
Sponsors are Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. Field.
The Panther Perspective is a digital, student-run newspaper at JCMS. Students create a monthly issue that sometimes follows a theme, other months simply cover the biggest news of the day. Students write articles, take pictures, create video projects, surveys, and art that they share with their fellow peers on the Panther Perspective site. We are a team that works hard but has a lot of fun putting our issues together!
The sponsor is Mrs. Garrett.
This is an after-school program that provides students with a place to get academic assistance, finish homework, catch up on assignments, work on class projects, and make up tests. We meet on Monday through Thursday until 4:30 p.m., starting in September. This club is by teacher invitation or parent/student request only. Parents/students may request an invite by asking the sponsors or the student's teachers. Any student who would benefit from the services of this club is urged to participate and take advantage of this valuable resource.
The sponsors are Mrs. Field, Ms. Barnes, and Ms. Lane.
Science club is open to seventh and eighth-grade students. Students will be learning more about science, practicing problem-solving, being creative, tackling scientific challenges, and having an opportunity to conduct experiments. Students must be responsible for their transportation home as we will meet after school.
The sponsor is Ms. VanLandeghem.
The Student Council will consist of a group of seventh and eighth graders. Each homeroom class will select a representative to serve on the council. The student council participates in a variety of school-sponsored activities such as Teacher Appreciation Week, Operation Spirit, fundraising, and student-level decisions.
Sponsors are Mrs. Shepherd and Mrs. Tucker.
If school is canceled, all activities are canceled.