PINEY GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENT CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
2012-2013
4-H Club – 4-H is an educational organization provided by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. 4-H is the largest youth organization in the world. Today, 4-H is urban and suburban, as well as rural. The purpose of 4-H is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will help them become self-directing, productive and contributing citizens. There are many opportunities each month to get involved with students throughout the school and county. The club is sponsored by Forsyth 4-H and hosted by Ms. Sarah Whitfield.
Academic Bowl – Academic Bowl is a game of academic competition between students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
The purpose is to boost student confidence and self-esteem, to inspire students to excel academically, to promote good citizenship, to stimulate a competitive spirit and to recognize student scholastic aptitude. All interested students are encouraged to attend. The actual Academic Team will consist of up to ten (10) members and several alternates. The Academic Bowl meets throughout the entire year. There is never a set day. Members will be added to a group on ANGEL. All information about meetings, tournaments, and academic sites will be posted there. This year’s team will be sponsored by Mr. Jim Wiles, Mr. Dan Levi, and Ms. Stacy Dockter.
Art Club - The mission of the Piney Grove Middle School Art Club is to offer a school-year long program to
8th grade students who have a creative interest in Art by providing additional time, media, and techniques beyond those offered in regular art classes. Activities will include projects that may become permanent collection(s) reflecting the Piney Grove community. The Art Club will meet Friday mornings and is sponsored by Ms. Julie Mitchell.
Basketball Intramurals - Basketball intramurals will focus on fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. This will take place in August and September before school from 7:30-8:30 a.m. More information will be available once school begins. Coach Wilson Sessions will lead basketball intramurals.
Book Club – Book Club is an opportunity for students who enjoy reading the latest in young adult literature to come together with a group of their peers and discuss the latest book trend. Students meet approximately once a month in the mornings before school to choose a book and discuss the last book read as a group. The books chosen are based on student recommendation; this is a chance for the members of the book club to explore reading options that are available to their age group and voice their opinion. Book club makes reading a fun, enjoyable experience for students of all reading levels. There will be the cost of books associated with the book club, however if you have any financial concerns please contact Mrs. Jessica Strader.
Cross Country Club – The Cross Country Club offers students the opportunity to improve their running ability as well as their general fitness level through scheduled and organized activities. Participants of any level of fitness are welcome and we will be holding our first club meeting in September, with regular workouts and runs starting soon thereafter. Students interested in our school track and field team are especially encouraged to join. The club is sponsored by Mr. Robert Oswald and Ms. Karin Francis.
Eco / Environmental Club (The Green Grizzlies) - The Eco/Environmental club will be in charge of the school wide recycling program. Come join in the fun as we help out the environment! Ms. Staci Gibson will lead the Eco / Environmental Club.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) – FCA will meet every other week before school for fellowship, food, and fun. We work on local, national, and international mission projects in order to make a difference in others’ lives. For more information, contact Ms. Aimee Park or Ms. Donna Feuerbach.
Future Teachers of America - The mission of The Future Teachers of America is to expose students who are interested in becoming teachers to classroom settings in which they can experience and see first hand the roles and responsibilities that teachers face on a daily basis and the dynamics of student learning. Activities will include visiting live classrooms at Shiloh Point Elementary School, reading to students, helping students with their class work and homework, and interviewing teachers about their roles and responsibilities. The club will meet before school and will be sponsored by Ms. Cindy Carroll and Ms. Kris Wehner.
Genealogy Club - New to Piney Grove this year! Come discover your roots. We will meet once a month before school to uncover secrets about our families. When did your family move to the US? Did your great great great grandfather support the North or the South during the American Civil War? Was your great great grandmother a suffragette and cause a scandal for the family by wanting a voice in government? Maybe you are related to a famous author, actor, or statesman. Join us and find out!
Interact Club- The Interact Club is the middle school branch of the Rotary Club. The goal of the Interact Club is to promote service and the importance of giving back to the community. The Interact Club will meet before school and the will be sponsored by Ms. Aly Brown.
Jr. Beta Club - Junior Beta Club is a service organization that recognizes academic achievement and provides opportunities for students to explore leadership roles. National Beta Club membership provides an opportunity to promote, recognize and train students in the areas of character, achievement, service and leadership. The Piney Grove Junior Beta Club sponsors “Serving our Seniors”, our annual food drive, and pajama day. The club meets on an as needed basis; however, there is usually one meeting per month. For more information, contact Ms. Kathy Vogan.
Lacrosse Intramurals (girls only) – The purpose of lacrosse intramurals is to teach the basics of lacrosse. Participants will learn how to cradle, pass, catch, and throw. The girls will also learn how to play a basic game as they will scrimmage each other. Ms. Katie Richelt will lead lacrosse intramurals.
Math Club – Math Club provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge of math beyond the classroom. Students can expect to explore careers that utilize math and to compete in competitions and contests. The Math Club will meet before school throughout the year. This year the sponsors are Ms. Karin Francis and Ms. Carmen Linn.
Mod Podge Club – Students in the Mod Podge club will practice a craft that will make anyone feel like an artist. Crafts constructed in the club will be based on the theme of “re-use and recycle”. The club will meet approximately once a month before school and will be sponsored by Ms. Shanda Roberts and Ms. Nicole Huffman.
Multicultural Club – The Multicultural Club is designed to expose students to various cultures from around the world. The Multicultural Club is sponsored by Mr. Jonathon Kent, Ms. Muriel Thibedouex, Ms. Rebeca Duyvelaar, Ms. Dina Sanchez-Rincon, Ms. Martha Rodriguez-Gregg and Ms. Lizzette Nixon and will meet before school throughout the year.
Peer Leaders - Sponsored by our counselors, Natalie Soles and Kris Johnson. Piney Grove Peer Leaders were selected at the end of their 7th grade year based on a student essay, character, and teacher recommendations. This group of 8th grade students will encompass many leadership and service opportunities throughout the school year. The different projects will include mentoring, ambassadors to new students, assisting with school and community outreach projects, and peer tutoring. Peer Leaders are placed in Ms. Soles and Ms. Johnson’s homeroom.
Photography Club - Calling all novice or experienced photographers! Join the Piney Grove Middle School Photography Club and spend an exciting Fall learning to operate sophisticated and easy-to-use 35mm and/or digital camera equipment, as well as how to take clear and sharp prints and digital photos that all of your friends and family will view with envy! It promises to be a fun-filled and exciting time as you participate in club meetings, photography expeditions and Piney Grove’s “Annual Exhibition of Photographic Art.” The Photography Club will meet before school and on the weekends in the fall only. See club sponsor, Ms. North, for more information.
Power Team - The "Power Team" is a winter activity that allows any member of the school to be trained for sport. It is an intense and comprehensive strength, speed, and conditioning program. Activities include weight lifting, plyometrics, speed training, and conditioning. The "Power Team" meets before school starting in mid-January through April. For more information contact Phil Duplantis or Keith Kulikowski.
Robotics Club – Students in the Robotics Club will have an opportunity to participate in the Lego League contest sponsored by the Forsyth Alliance. The Alliance is a group of Forsyth County schools, including both North and South Forsyth High Schools who sponsor school teams and events designed to give teams (all “rookies”) a taste of what robotics competitions are like and to help them learn the “ropes” of robotics competitions. This club has a limited number of slots so it is important to come to the first meeting. Robotics Club is a one-semester club and will meet twice a week until November when it is three times a week. The contest is held in early December. Mr. Dan Biskup and Ms. Heather Galligan sponsor the Robotics Club.
Science Club - The Science Club will meet twice a month to participate in fun and challenging scientific investigations and hands-on lab experiences. Students will have the opportunity to use science knowledge to solve real life challenges, and participate in science competitions. The mission of this club is to promote interest in the field of science and science careers. This club is sponsored by Ms. Theresa Witalis and Ms. Dina Sanchez-Rincon.
Science Olympiad is a nationally recognized program that emphasizes hands-on applications of science. Science Olympiad competitions consist of teams of 15 students competing in 23 team events in all disciplines of science. Meetings will generally be held before school, with the regional competition occurring in February. Dr. Ryan Bartlett will be the sponsor of the Science Olympiad.
Soccer Intramurals – Students will learn and practice the basics of soccer. As a culminating event, the soccer club will participate in a round robin tournament with other Forsyth County middle school intramural soccer clubs. The club will hold practices in the spring before school. Ms. Donna Feuerbach sponsors soccer intramurals.
Student Government – The PGMS Student Government consists of student representatives who will have the opportunity to make a difference at Piney Grove. Two eighth graders will hold the positions of President and Vice-President and will lead the students of PGMS to develop a school environment that is safe, fun, and educational. Representatives of sixth and seventh grade will represent the concerns, needs, and suggestions from their classmates and propose solutions and projects for our school to be successful for all students. Student Government activities will begin in October and will be led by Ms. Joan Irwin.
Transition Club – The Transition Club consists of students who assist Mr. Hughes with severe and profound needs students. Typical activities include assisting students from the bus stop or visiting students in the classroom. All of these activities are done under the direct supervision of PGMS staff members. The Transition Club is sponsored by Mr. Shawn Hughes.
VEX Robotics Club - VEX is a Robotics club for 7th and 8th grade Piney Grove Students. 6th Grade students who participate in Lego League Robotics first semester may also be invited to learn basic VEX skills during 4th quarter as well to prepare them for the next year. The club gets to participate in the Forsyth Robotics Alliance which is a group of Forsyth County schools including high schools that sponsor teams designed to give students an understanding of what robotic competitions are like and to help them learn the ropes of robotics competitions. VEX Robotics is a yearlong club. Teams will meet for 2 to 3 hours each week at a minimum. Each team will also get an opportunity to compete at the Forsyth Worlds Qualifier in March. This year we are also piloting a VEX League. Due to resources and robots this club has a limited number of slots so it is important to come to the first club meetings which will be on August 18th.
Volleyball Intramurals (girls only) - Students will learn and practice the fundamentals of volleyball as they learn to bump, set, and hopefully spike! The girls will also learn how to play a basic game as they will scrimmage each other. Volleyball intramurals will start in spring and will take place before school. David Duval will lead this activity.
Yearbook – The PGMS yearbook is created and produced for students by students. This is the purpose of the Yearbook Club. Most of the Yearbook meetings are held during the first semester and the first half of the second semester each year. Yearbook Club is open to seventh and eighth graders only. Contact Mr. David Duval for more information.
