Extra Curricular
Spelling Bee
Is an excellent program to advance spelling skills. Students are expected to learn many new words, their pronunciations, and definitions. There are two levels: the Intermediate Spelling Bee for the 4th and 5th grades and the Advanced Spelling Bee for the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Students participating in the Intermediate Bee are expected to learn about 2,100 words and those in the Advanced Bee are expected to learn around 3,000 words. Students will represent St. John the Baptist in the Archdiocesan Spelling Bee. Students participating in the Archdiocesan Advanced Spelling Bee may be eligible to participate in the State Spelling Bee.
Odyssey of the Mind
OM is an "international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten though college. Kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solution to competition on the local, state and World level."1
1 Odyssey of the Mind. Creative Competitions, Inc. Sept. 2007. www.odysseyofthemind.com.
Math Study Club
Math Study Club is a weekly after school program for middle school students seeking math enrichment opportunities. Students will have a chance to participate in local and national math competitions. There is also a math tutoring component offering extra assistance to middle school students.
Geography Bee
Students in grades 5th – 8th grade may participate in the United States National Geographic Bee. The contest is designed to spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.
Computer – After School
An after school computer program allows students the opportunity to explore, learn and experience some of the many different applications of computers. These sessions are offered during different months of the school year. The students learn how to build and program robots and make their very own game or movie!
Drama
The drama club is offered to students in Kindergarten through the 8th grade. The students are broken up into multi-aged groups with focus on but not limited to miming, monologues, one act plays, reader’s theater and putting on a theatrical production for a large audience.
Cheerleading
The cheerleading squad practices once a week and is co-ed. We cheer at girls and boys varsity and junior varsity home games. We focus on dance techniques, tumbling, basic cheers and choreographed dances for halftime. The squad also participates in our pep rallies.
Student Council
Student Council is open to students in grades 5 through 8. Student Council members plan activities to enhance spiritual, academic and social life for the entire student body.
Parish Affiliated Activities and Programs
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church also offers opportunities to the youth of our parish to get involved and have some fun.
Altar Server
Open to students in grades 4 and up. Altar Server training is held approximately 4 times each year. Once training is completed a Ceremony of Mandation is held and altar servers receive their assignments. Interested students should contact the Parish Center.
Bell Choir
The Junior Bell Choir is for students in 5th through 8th grades. No music experience is necessary. Rehearsals are weekly and a 1-year commitment is desirable. This Bell Choir is considered the stepping stone to the Senior Bell Choir. The Senior Bell Choir is for students in 7th grade through 12th grades. Rehearsals are weekly and a 1-year commitment is desirable. Interested students should contact the Music Minister at the Parish Center.
Choir
The Children’s Choir is for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. The Youth Choir is for students in grades 4 through 8. No music training is needed. Rehearsal is once a week. A commitment of 1 year is encouraged. Interested students should contact the Music Minister at the Parish Center.
Youth Group
St. John the Baptist Parish has a Middle School Youth Group for students in grades 6 through 8. The purpose of Youth Ministry is to form a community among the youth of our church by promoting faith and fellowship. This is facilitated by various activities: camping, community service, spaghetti dinners, Bible Study, spiritual formation, Passion Presentation, Guadalupe Celebration, spiritual liturgies and just plain ol' fun stuff. See the youth page in the current church bulletin for dates and times of youth activities. Interested students should contact the Youth Minister at the Parish Center, or come to participate at regular youth events.
