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The many organizations, clubs, and
activities, both curricular and extracurricular are an essential
part of the total educational experience at Chaminade. These
activities are moderated by faculty members.
Students are encouraged to
participate in the extracurricular program as a supplement to
classroom instruction and as an opportunity for personal and
social development.
Some of the various
clubs and activities a student at Chaminade Middle School may
participate in are:
ACCELERATED READERS
The Accelerated Reader program combines the reading of fiction
and nonfiction young-adult books with computerized quizzes that
test comprehension. The Chaminade library make every effort to
provide as wide a selection of books as possible on our
Accelerated Reading lists and attempt to incorporate other
reading programs at Chaminade into Accelerated Reading (summer
reading, the California Reader Medal program, our annual Author
Visit).
Any student may elect to participate in the AR program as an
extracurricular activity. Teachers have the option of building
the AR program into their curriculum and may require a certain
level of participation from their students or may offer
extra-credit for AR participation. The Patch Club is a component
of the AR program. For every five quizzes with a score of 80% or
higher, the student earns an embroidered patch and becomes a
member of our Patch Club with all the privileges of membership.
Each AR book has an assigned number of points based on the
book’s length and difficulty. When a student has finished
reading a book, he/she takes a quiz on a computer program that
records the student’s achievement and awards points. Points
accumulate over the student’s entire time at Chaminade. At the
end of each year, the library presents awards to the top point
earners. Library Reading Certificates are awarded to the top
point earners in sixth and seventh grades. The highest point
earner overall is awarded the Library Reading Excellence Award.
The eighth grade student with the highest points and a GPA of
3.0 or higher, receives the coveted Library Reading Award at
graduation.
The Accelerated Reading program at Chaminade not only motivates
students to read more and better books, but helps improve
reading levels as well. For details on how to get started as an
Accelerated Reader, see the flyer in your Orientation packet or
visit the library.
AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY HONOR SOCIETY (ATHS)
Participation in the American Technology Honor Society (ATHS) is
offered to all continuing students that share a common interest
in technology. Seventh and eighth graders are invited to join
ATHS in the fall, with sixth graders being invited at the second
semester. Regular attendance at weekly lunchtime meetings is
expected. ATHS is a service-based organization that recognizes
and encourages the use of technology for school and community
projects and service activities. Projects are oriented to meet
the needs of the immediate school community and the greater
community at-large. In addition to weekly meetings, members are
involved in developing projects that provide for specific needs,
such as assisting the MIS department with hardware/software
repairs and upgrading, annual sponsorship of a springtime
school-wide typing contest, and operation of the middle school’s
Low Power FM radio station, Radio Chaminade.
Concert Band
Students perform at school events, festivals, and field trips
(e.g. Disneyland, Promenade Mall, or Universal Studios).
Students with musical experience may join Concert Band. All who
are enrolled in an exploratory band class, may also join.
Concert band meets daily at 7 AM.
Jazz Band
This group is in addition to advanced or beginning band.
Students will perform at school events, concerts and some
community events. A solid commitment is needed. Class meets
Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.
Orchestra
This ensemble consists of strings: Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass
in addition to the standard band instruments. Students will
perform at concerts. The class meets on Tuesdays from 3:00 –
4:00 PM.
Percussion Ensemble
Any student can join the percussion ensemble and learn
instruments like the timpani, tambourine, caves, drum set,
bells, xylophone, marimba, vibes, bass drum, snare, cymbal, and
gong. Class meets after school on Thursdays from 4:00 – 5:15
PM.
Chaminade TV Club (E.N.N.)
The Chaminade TV News Club, Eagles News Network, gives students
of all grade levels the opportunity to be a part of a
campus-wide news broadcast written and produced by middle school
students. Students act as anchors, special reporters, camera
operators, writers, directors, and editors as they learn the
television news production process. Broadcasts will air during
Channel One and will include information on campus news and
activities. As members of the Chaminade TV News Club, students
will be required to attend weekly meetings after school and one
day a week during lunch.
CHEERLEADING
Cheerleading is a yearlong athletic activity that is open to any
sixth, seventh or eighth grade male or female. Although
gymnastics or tumbling is not required, it is recommended. The
squad supports our athletic teams at games, performs at school
events, participates in community service, and attends
competitions during the spring. Students tryout in April for
next year’s squad. The squad’s season typically begins with
practice in August and ends with the final competitions in mid
April. Chaminade cheerleaders also attend UCA Cheer Camp during
August.
CHUMS
CHUMS provides sixth, seventh, and eighth graders opportunities
for interaction and recreation. Students take part in a variety
of activities that include playing board games, card games, and
computer games, watching videos, listening to music,
participating in discussions, and many more fun and relaxing
activities. This is a place for Chaminade students to have some
fun during a busy school day. Students can drop in and visit
CHUMS to relax and enjoy doing fun activities while making
friends.
C-NOTE CHOIR
The Chaminade “C-NOTES” is a non-auditioned choir open to all
boys and girls in grades 6-8. Choir rehearsals are every Monday
and Wednesday after school. This choir performs throughout the
school year. Choir provides the opportunity for students to work
together as a musical team, while building self-esteem and
having fun at the same time. All C-Notes are given opportunities
to express their individual musical talents, resulting in
confident and expressive singing. Students learn proper vocal
technique, music reading, and perform a wide variety of song
repertoire. The Chaminade C-Notes perform at Disneyland each
year and traditionally travel on a singing tour each year during
Spring Break.
COLOR GUARD
Color Guard is an activity that uses choreography, flags, sabres,
and other props in performance. Members of the Middle School
Color Guard practice once a week and perform at Homecoming and
other assemblies during the year.
Dance
The Middle School Dance Program runs from August through May and
is open to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade girl or boy. All levels of
dance experience are welcome and there are no auditions. Members
perform many styles of dance including hip hop, jazz,
liturgical, and ballet. Dance club members perform at school
assemblies, masses and after school events such as the Talent
Show.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLUB
The Foreign Language Club is open to all students. Members of
the club engage in activities that foster cultural awareness and
appreciation. These activities include cultural celebrations,
guest speaker events, and outreach opportunities. Through
participation in the club, students gain a broader perspective
of the global community.
Kids Are Kind
Kids Are Kind is an environmental service club that promotes the
awareness of our earth and its resources. Students plan,
promote, and attend service activities both on and off campus
such as recycling, beach cleanups, adoption and care for
animals, and educate peers about environmental issues. Members
of the club believe making a difference starts with one simple
act.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
The National Junior Honor Society is an organization created to
recognize and encourage academic achievement while developing
leadership and service. Chaminade’s chapter is open to returning
seventh and eighth grade students whose cumulative GPA is 3.8 or
higher. These students will be considered for membership after
they have submitted an application and essay. Students are
required to meet on a weekly basis to plan and conduct school
and community service projects. NJHS members must maintain a
minimum cumulative GPA of 3.8 throughout the year and are
expected to participate in the society’s activities.
Performing Arts Club
This club gives students interested in performing the
opportunity to take part in shows as actors, singers and
dancers. Students also fill all the jobs on the technical and
makeup crews. The club has CORE members for whom this is the
main area of interest, and ROTATING members who may come in by
audition for individual projects. Each area of participation
meets independently as well as with all the others. The meetings
are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 until 5:00 p.m.
Radio Chaminade
Radio Chaminade is a student-run FM radio station that produces
a weekly lunchtime broadcast using our Low Power FM radio
equipment. Our LPFM radio station serves the immediate school
community with a limited range signal heard campus wide.
Students serve as DJs and audio technicians and learn aspects of
producing an ongoing radio show. Participation is open to any
members of ATHS, the sponsoring organization of Radio Chaminade.
To foster school-wide participation in the radio station,
interested sixth graders are invited to join Radio Chaminade in
the second semester.
ROBOTICS
This club gives students interested in engineering the
opportunity to work collaboratively to design, build, and
program Lego-structured robots to perform special tasks. All
Robotics members belong to the First Lego League and attend
local and regional competitions and travel to San Diego to
compete in the Annual LegoLand Robotics Tournament. Meetings for
the team are held on Mondays after school from 3:15 to 4:45.
Check the Student Bulletin for more details.
VEX
The VEX Robotics Design System offers students an exciting
platform for learning about areas rich with career opportunities
spanning science, technology, engineering, and math. VEX
Robotics projects encourage the development of teamwork,
leadership, and problem solving skills. The VEX team
participates in several competitions throughout the year.
S.H.I.N.E.
S.H.I.N.E. (Students Help Inspire new Experiences) is comprised
of seventh and eighth grade students interested in growing in
their own faith experiences and service opportunities. Members
help in Campus Ministry during collection drives, participate in
Catholic Schools Week activities, and plan and execute prayer
services and school-wide Masses. In addition, members of
S.H.I.N.E. participate as a group in community service and
community building events. Through their involvement in the
S.H.I.N.E. program, students are awarded a certificate of
completion for their Apostolic Works service hour requirement.
Students may apply to be in the organization if they have a
cumulative GPA or 3.0 or higher and submit a completed
application form with a letter of recommendation and a copy of
their course schedule. Applications are accepted in April for
the following school year.
Student Council
Student Council is comprised of officers and grade-level
representatives from the student body. This organization is
responsible for leading the student body in activities that
foster community and build school spirit. The Student Council
plans assemblies, dances, Spirit Week, and Family Fun Day.
Members are required to attend weekly meetings and actively
participate in all planned events. Student Council Offices
include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Commissioner of Publicity, and Commissioner of School Spirit.
Officers are elected by the student body in the spring for the
following school year. Eligibility for Student Council is based
on academic standing, behavior, and teacher recommendations.
Students must also have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA with no
grades lower than a “C and be in good disciplinary standing in
order to run for any office.
Students wishing to run for office must attend an informational
meeting where the Student Council moderators will define and
outline the campaign process and election rules. Prospective
candidates will be given an application to complete. Officer
candidates will be required to type and submit an election
speech with their application. After all applications have been
reviewed, students will be notified if they are eligible to run
for office. Students must commit to attending a summer
leadership training camp during the dates posted before running
for office.
Students also have the opportunity to serve as grade level
representatives. Those wishing to run for representative must
have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA with no grades lower than a
“C-”. Representative candidates must submit an application and
teacher recommendation forms. Upon approval, candidates will
briefly introduce themselves to their grade level peers and an
election will follow.
Because Student Council members serve as leaders and role models
of the school community, they are coveted positions and the
responsibilities should be taken very seriously. Students must
remain in good academic and disciplinary standing throughout
their tenure in office. Any member not representing the Council
or Chaminade in a positive manner or any member not meeting his
or her responsibilities may be placed on probation or dismissed
from the Student Council.
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