MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

The information on this page is intended to give you as parents an idea of the various activities that are available to your student here at Falmouth Middle School. The purpose is to provide as much information to you as possible in order for you to best support the extra curricular activities your child may have an interest in. Should you ever need further information or clarity regarding any of these activities, please email the advisors listed at the end of each description.

Breakfast Club
The cafeteria will be open at 7:30 in the morning for those who would like to have something to eat before school. There will usually be a choice of cereal, muffin or bagels and milk or juice. All students receiving free or reduced lunch can have a free breakfast at the cafeteria. Please come and join us.

Civil Rights Team
Falmouth Middle School Civil Rights Team is open to any student in grades 5 – 8. This is a team building group that develops friendship through helping promote “kindness and respect.

The mission of the Civil Rights Team is to increase the safety of each middle school community member and to reduce the incidence of bias-motivated harassment and violence in school. We also strive to train, encourage and support each member of the Falmouth Middle School Civil Rights Team to be leaders, in collaboration with their teachers, administrations, parents and community members in their school communities, and to develop the skills and confidence to address incidents of bias and harassment. The advisor is Pat Wright, pwright@fps.k12.me.us.

SOS/GUESS
SOS (formerly GUESS) is a group of 8th grade students chosen by their peers as people whom they trust and are comfortable talking to. The goal is to provide support for the student body in whatever way s needed. That might include: awareness days, sponsoring speakers, and assemblies, help with new student transitions or just being available to talk to individuals who have a concern. The advisors are Robin Haley, rhaley@fps.k12.me.us and Pat Wright, pwright@fps.k12.me.us

Intramurals
The goal for intramurals is to provide a safe, structured, and fun environment for grades 5-8 after school. A specific activity will be designated for each month - check the Daily Bulletin. Our Intramural program tries to introduce students to a wide variety of sports such as badminton, soccer, football, floor hockey, kick ball, basketball, frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee and golf to name a few. Intramurals is a great place for students of all ability levels to feel excepted and part of a team.

Ping Pong Club
Ping Pong club, for 5th and 6th grade only, will begin in October and will run through May. This is an opportunity for students to learn the game or to improve. Ping pong rules are strictly enforced to ensure a good time for all. The advisor is gturner@fps.k12.me.us

Falmouth Rock Climbing Club
Welcome to Reaching New Heights ... This group will be headed to the Maine Rock Gym in Portland once a month for a few hours of climbing and camaraderie. Climbing builds confidence as well as physical strength. The MRG has an extensive bouldering wall (going horizontal) as well as a number of vertical walls. Instruction will be given to student grades 5-8 in basic rock climbing technique as well as belay techniques (for students over 12 years old). The cost is $17 per visit. This includes entrance to the gym, rental of the shoes and harness, and full access to the climbing wall as well as the bouldering area. Last year we had a steady crew of climbers and more are always welcome.
We will not have school sponsored transportation to get to the gym. We are planning on going the third or fourth Wednesday of every month and will rely on parents to volunteer for transportation. If you are able to drive please let us know and how many other passengers you can take. Parents will also be responsible for picking up their child at the Maine Rock Gym at the conclusion of the activity. The plan is to climb from 3 -5 each time we go, with parental pick up by 5:00. The Maine Rock Gym is located at 127 Marginal Way in Portland. Their phone number is 780-6370. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact me at the middle school 781-3740 or jstein@fps.k12.me.us
Thanks for your support, Jeremy Stein

Team Green
Team Green is for 5th and 6th graders who want to get involved in environmentally responsible activities. Advisor is Craig Shain, cshain@fps.k12.me.us

Student Council
The Student Council is for 7th and 8th graders. Advisor is Ray Fox rfox@fps.k12.me.us

Science Club
The Science Club is open to all 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, We meet on specific Monday afternoons in Mrs. Stuart's room from 2:45 - 3:30 so you can catch the late bus. A list of dates is provided at the beginning of the school year (check the Principal Notes and the Daily Bulletin.) We start by exploring a simple experiment or two and then we will follow the interest of the group. In the past the group has opted to explore the insides of frogs. sharks, pigs and even a cat. You are invited to come to as many as you can. Advisor is estuart@fps.k12.me.us

MATHCOUNTS
MATHCOUNTS is open to any 6th, 7th or 8th grader with an interest in doing challenging problems and learning more mathematics, than is covered in math classes.

The MATHCOUNTS competition program is a program to excite and challenge middle school students. The National Society of Professional Engineers hosts a local competition in Southern Maine and opportunities to compete at the state and national levels. These competitions provide students with the opportunity to go head-to-head against their peers from other schools, cities and states; to earn great prizes individually and as part of their school team; and to progress to the 2009 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition.

Meeting times TBA, when group is formed each year (watch the Principal Notes and the Daily Bulletin)
Advisor is Shawn Towle, stowle@fps.k12.me.us

5th and 6th Grade Math Team
The 5th and 6th Grade Math Team is for any 5th or 6th grader who likes to do math problems, wants more of a challenge, or would like to become a better math student. We practice challenging problems as you learn strategies and skills that will help you in class and during competitions. There are 4 competitions during the year where you put your skills to the test against other kids and schools in the state. Snacks and fun await you! Advisor is Linda Jacobs ljacobs@fps.k12.me.us

7th Gade Math Team
The Seventh Grade Math Team is a low-stress (no homework!) way to enjoy doing fun math problems. It is open to seventh graders who like math and wish to compete against 20 other area schools in four math meets during the school year. Advisor is Mrs. Bennett, sbennett@fps.k12.me.us

8th Grade Math Team
The 8th Grade Math Team is open to any 8th grader with an interest in doing challenging problems and learning more mathematics, than is covered in math classes. Students may participate in practices, but are not required to go to math meets. The 8th grade math team is part of the Southern Maine Math League and participates in 4 meets per year in competition with other 8th grade math teams from Southern Maine. Advisor is Shawn Towle, stowle@fps.k12.me.us

Musical Theatre
Collaborate, problem solve, effectively communicate, responsible, involved.  Every other year.  Chorus members may audition to participate on stage.  Prerequisite for on stage performance:  chorus enrollment. Advisors are Renovia Marro, rmarro@fps.k12.me.us and Madeline Sarantidis, msaranditis@fps.k12.me.us

Gold Chorus
Open by audition to all 7th and 8th grade chorus students.  Students will continue to develop 3 and 4 part singing skills, sight reading, and music theory to assist vocal production through a variety of advanced repertoire. Students will have the opportunity to participate in extra performances throughout the year. Advisor is Madeline Sarantidis, msaranditis@fps.k12.me.us

Small Group
Open by audition to all 5th and 6th grade chorus students.  Students will continue to develop 2 and 3 part singing skills, sight reading, and music theory to assist vocal production through a variety of advanced repertoire. Students will have the opportunity to participate in extra performances throughout the year. Advisor is Renovia Marro, rmarro@fps.k12.me.us

Third Key Glee
Open to all male chorus students grades 5-8.  Members will develop a camaraderie in order to support each other through the vocal change.  Students will participate in fun team building activities.  Rehearsals will develop part singing, vocal tone and sight reading while working on varied repertoire, including popular music.   Students will have the opportunity to participate in extra performances throughout the year. Advisors are Renovia Marro, rmarro@fps.k12.me.us and Madeline Sarantidis, msaranditis@fps.k12.me.us

6th Grade Jazz Band
6th Grade Jazz Band is open to all 6th grade band members. 6th Grade Jazz band members will learn beginning techniques of rock and swing music as well as beginning improvisation. Jazz band members will have 3 evening concerts. Advisor, Larry Jackson, ljackson@fps.k12.me.us

Middle School Theatre
Middle School Theatre is a co-curricular, after school program for ANY student who is interested and can make the time commitment. Auditions and one reading are held in early December. There are two productions - one for 5th and 6th grade and one for 7th and 8th grade. The majority of rehearsals end in time to catch the late bus. There are a few rehearsals held in the Theatre at the high school which run later and do require students to be picked up. The rehearsal schedule lasts about 4 weeks. The plays are age appropriate and geared so that all students can find a place to be involved and have fun! This program has been in place for almost 20 years and is a wonderful way for students to work together and have a positive stage experience. We hope to see lots of Middle School students involved again this year!
Theatre Director - Dede Waite, dwaite@fps.k12.me.us