Clubs, Activities & Opportunities

ACADEMIC 

National Junior Honor Society - One of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious organizations for middle school students, the National Junior Honor Society members are selected by the SJS chapter’s faculty for meeting high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

8th Grade Experience - Students in eighth grade will have the opportunity for Catholic high school entrance exam study and admissions process prep.  They will also have time devoted to learning about social media security, interviewing skills, goal setting, organizational skills and CPR training. 

7th Grade Exploration - Technology concepts such as coding, 3D printing and digital citizenship.  Junior Achievement Finance Park classes on personal finance. 

6th Grade Residential Experience - The 6th grade class participates in a week-long residential experience at North Bay Adventure Camp. 

School Guidance & Counseling - All students will participate in grade-appropriate lessons throughout the year such as note taking and study skills, time management, learning styles, test-stress strategies, classroom guidance, character education and career awareness. 

Spelling Bee - Students in grades fourth through eighth will compete at grade, school and Archdiocesan levels through the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

Egg Drop Challenge - STEM challenge open to girls in fourth and fifth grades. 

Yearbook Club - Understanding the basic elements of graphic design principles, Yearbook Club members are involved in as many aspects of managing the school’s annual yearbook as he or she desires. Taking photographs, designing book pages, and organizing various elements of the St. Joseph School yearbook are all parts of the process that students will learn.

Book Club - Open to students in Kindergarten through second grade, this club offers an opportunity for students to read books, create crafts, play reading games and more. 

Spanish Club - The Spanish Club enriches knowledge of the Hispanic culture on campus - incorporating books, Latin dance, movies, cooking and a Spanish music video through production challenge. 


LEADERSHIP

Student Council - The Student Council, which is the leadership of the student government, is an excellent introduction to civic responsibility and the democratic process. Officers are elected by the students in grades sixth, seventh, and eighth. There are also class representatives in fifth through eighth grades. Student Council members meet with a teacher-facilitator to plan events involving school and community outreach.

Oratorical Program - All middle school students will write and deliver speeches for the school, local and state competitions through the guidance of the Language Arts Department and participation with the Cockeysville and Timonium Optimist Clubs. 

Leadership Institutes - Archbishop Curley High School (boys) and The Institute of Notre Dame (girls)

Student Ambassadors - Students serve as school tour guides and greeters for various school events helping SJS parents and visitors discover what makes SJS students shine. 

ROARing Buddies - Older students assist younger students as Mass, with service projects and other special occasions. 

Scouting (Girls & Boys) - Coordinated through the Parish, organized activities to help promote leadership, courage and community involvement.  


SERVICE

Service Club - The service club meets to work on various community projects. On Thursdays, the Service Club also manages the St. Joseph School tradition of making sandwiches for Our Daily Bread. Students make a difference by doing various small and simple community service activities for charitable organizations in the area.

Baltimore Hunger Project Birthday Packs - Birthday Packs provide a family in need with a special treat and a chance to make memories. Click here for more information on this wonderful project.

Our Daily Bread Sandwich Service - Weekly service project for fifth through eighth graders to make sandwiches for Our Daily Bread.  Students in all grades are asked to send in sandwiches or supplies to contribute to the collection. 

Altar Servers - For students in fifth grade through eighth grades, altar servers provide assistance to the priest during the Catholic Mass.

Sacristan - Coordinated through the Parish, Sacristans are experienced Altar Servers who help with preparing for Mass.

Safety Patrol - Helps to provide a safe environment on the parking lots during dismissals.

Carpool Pantry - Monthly food drive lead by eighth graders to collect food for local food banks.


ARTS 

Instrumental Music - Instrumental Music is offered as an elective.  SJS is contracted with the Instrumental Music Program. Instrumental instruction is held during the school day. 

Concert Band - For advanced instrumental students: full band rehearsals to prepare for school events and assemblies, local concerts, as well as competitions outside of school. 

SJS School Mass Choir - Lead singing at SJS Masses as well as assist with the celebration of the Liturgy. 

SJP Youth Choir - Students develop healthy vocal technique, basic musicianship & music literacy skills, make new friends and learn to use the gifts that God has given them! The group sings at several Sunday Masses.  The choir is coordinated through the Parish. 

SJP Contemporary Youth Ensemble - Eighth grade students have the opportunity to join this youth ensemble (for eighth through twelfth grade) to provide contemporary worship for Edge and Underground our Sunday evening Youth Ministry programs at SJP.  Students can participate by singing, playing piano, guitar/bass guitar, drums or other instruments.  

Dance Club - Incorporates a variety of dance styles, including modern and jazz, with some ballet. Dancers will be introduced to the different kinds of dance, while later exploring the mechanics of the structure of each style, and finally learning a routing integrating all dance styles. The Dance Club will perform at the Christmas Show and the Middle School Spring Musical. 

Knitting Club - While learning this life-long art form, or enhancing knowledge-base, students engage on many levels: fine and gross motor skill work, reading, math, comprehension, critical thinking and problem solving, creativity, persistence, focus & attention, spatial recognition all while building confidence and self-esteem. 

Cooking Club - Lessons and techniques incorporating this year's theme of "Holiday Treats".

Arts & Crafts Club - New and fun creative ways to celebrate the holidays and the seasons. 

Abrakadoodle Afterschool Art - Students paint, draw and sculpt while learning about Old Masters, Contemporary artists and art vocabulary. 

 

SPORTS 

Game Club - Students will enjoy learning game etiquette and understanding rules, taking turns, fair play and FUN! 

Running Club - Healthy habits, conditioning activities and training for a 5K are the staples of this club.  Students will run in the annual Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Shuffle in the spring. 

Boys & Girls Soccer Teams - Catholic Youth Organization (CYO).  Coordinated through the Parish. 

Boys & Girls Basketball Teams - Catholic Youth Organization (CYO).  Coordinated through the Parish. 

Boys & Girls Lacrosse Teams - Middle school afterschool league. Both the boys and girls teams compete against other private and public middle school teams.