Jackson Middle School Activities, Clubs, & Sports   

2018 - 2019  

Are you looking to meet new friends, learn something new, or pursue your favorite hobby? If yes, then Jackson’s activities, clubs, and sports are for you! Involvement in extracurricular activities at school is shown to help students’ performance socially and academically. Belonging to a school activity/club increases self-esteem and helps students feel more ownership and pride within their school. Below is information about activities and clubs offered at Jackson Middle School. If you have any questions about a specific activity/club, please email the sponsor listed. Don’t forget to listen to daily announcements for the most current activity/club information!   

Activities & Clubs Activity/Club Name: Builders’ Club Grade Level(s): All Time: 3:25 - 4:10 p.m. on even Tuesday dates in the LRC General Information: We build leaders! Students in Builders’ Club organize spirit weeks, candy grams, and other activities for the school. Members work on service projects, build school community, and work on leadership skills. We have a lot of fun! Contact: Ms. Jilek, tjilek@d45.org; Mrs. Merry, hmerry@d45.org   Activity/Club Name: Chamber Pop/Jazz Strings Grade Level(s): All Time: 3:25-4:10 p.m. on Mondays General Information: Any student in Concert Orchestra may be a part of the Chamber Pop/Jazz Strings. We received a D45 Foundation grant this year, so we will be using those funds to help support our goal of learning pop and jazz music. The students will learn how to improvise, how to play in different pop styles, and have multiple performances in the community, at school, and at a Chicago Wolves’ game.  Contact: Mr. Farquhar dfarquhar@d45.org   Activity/Club Name: Drama Grade Level(s): All Time: After school until 4:10 p.m. or later, depending on rehearsal/work schedule. 

General Information: Jackson drama (acting and crew) is an activity with cuts taking place in August-October. Tryout dates and crew applications are generally the first week of school. Practices and work days are after school. There are three performances of the school musical over a fall weekend, and the general public is invited to attend. Contact: Ms. Giordano, sgiordano@d45.org (Music); Mrs. LaBorn (6th grade) mlaborn@d45.org    Activity/Club Name: Engineering Club Grade Level(s): All Time: TBD (mid-October to May) General Information: Come dig into robotics, computer programming, 3D design and 3D printing, and engineering beyond what we have time for in PLTW class. At the informational meeting, we will decide on days and times. Work as part of a team to design and build a robot or automated system, focus on learning the programming to control the robot, or learn to use 3D design software to design and print your own creations. You choose what to focus on during our time.  Contact: Mr. Granger, mgranger@d45.org   Activity/Club Name: Girls on the Run Grade Level(s): 6th, 7th, & 8th grade girls  Time: Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m., beginning at the end of February and ending in May General Information: Girls on the Run is an organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Important social and physical skills and abilities are developed and reinforced throughout the program. At each season's conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a 5K running event which gives them a sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible, and teaching girls that they can.   Contact: Ms. Cocco, pcocco@d45.org   Activity/Club Name: Jaguar Zone Grade Level(s): All Time: 3:25 - 4:10 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday in the LRC 

General Information: Jaguar Zone is a drop-in center, where students have a quiet place to study, read, or work on homework/projects.   Contact: Mr. LaBorn, rlaborn@d45.org; Ms. Jilek, tjilek@d45.org   Activity/Club Name: Makerspace Grade Level(s): All Time: Grade level lunch periods  8th gr. meets Mondays, 7th gr. meets Tuesdays, and 6th gr.meets Thursdays General Information: Hands-on activities, exploring technology, and many other activities. Students sign up via Google Classroom.  Contact: Ms. Jilek, tjilek@d45.org   Activity/Club Name: SAVE (Students Against Violating Earth)  Grade Level(s): All Time: After school on odd-numbered Tuesdays, from 3:30 - 4:20 p.m., in room 113 General Information: SAVE is the environmental conservation club that meets twice a month. We work on efforts focused on recycling, reusing, composting, and reducing waste in our school and community.   Contact: Mrs. Voyt, avoyt@d45.org; Mrs. DePasquale kdepasquale@d45.org    Activity/Club Name: Steel Drums  Grade Level(s): All Time: 3:20 - 4:10 p.m., Mondays & Tuesdays Location: Jefferson Middle School, room 102 General Information: Students learn how to set up and play steel drums. Students do not need to know how to read music to join this club. Contact: Mrs. Vrchota (Jefferson teacher), jvrchota@d45.org     

Intramurals Intramural Name: Intramural Basketball Grade Level(s): All Time: 7:30-8:15 am. Monday through Friday; Girls (October), Boys (November) General Information: This program accommodates players of all skill levels. Every student is encouraged to come out in the morning and start their day off with some exercise and fun. Teams will be formed and games will be played during each session. 

Contact: Mr. Aliga, naliga@d45.org; Mr. Huckstadt, ghuckstadt@d45.org; Mr. LaBorn, rlaborn@d45.org    Intramural Name: Intramural Floor Hockey Grade Level(s): All Time: 7:30-8:15 a.m.; March-April General Information: This program accommodates players of all skill levels. Every student is encouraged to come out in the morning and start their day off with some exercise and fun. Teams will be formed and games will be played during each session.  Contact: Ms. Vicicondi, nvicicondi@d45.org   Intramural Name: Intramural Football Grade Level(s): All Time: 7:30-8:15 am. Monday through Friday; late August through early September General Information: This program accommodates players of all skill levels. Every student is encouraged to come out in the morning and start their day off with some exercise and fun. Teams will be formed and games will be played during each session. Contact: Mr. Aliga, naliga@d45.org   Intramural Name: Intramural Rock Climbing Grade Level(s): All Time: 7:30-8:15 a.m.; April General Information: This program accommodates all ability levels of rock climbers. Every student is encouraged to come out in the morning and start their day off with some rock climbing and fun.  Contact: Mrs. Jurik, cjurik@d45.org   Intramural Name: Intramural Boys’ Volleyball Grade Level(s): 6th, 7th, & 8th grade boys  Time: 7:30-8:15 a.m.; January through February General Information: This program accommodates players of all skill levels. Every student is encouraged to come out in the morning and start their day off with some exercise and fun. Teams will be formed and games will be played during each session. Contact: Mr. Ramsey, jlramsey@d45.org   

Intramural Name: Intramural Girls’ Volleyball Grade Level(s): 6th, 7th, & 8th grade girls Time: 7:30-8:15 a.m.; January through February  General Information: This program accommodates players of all skill levels. Every student is encouraged to come out in the morning and start their day off with some exercise and fun. Teams will be formed and games will be played during each session. Contact: Ms. Vicicondi, nvicicondi@d45.org   Intramural Name: Intramural Wrestling  Grade Level(s): All Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m. General Information: Students will learn wrestling moves and have a chance to learn from the team, as well as compete against Jefferson at Willowbrook High School. Practices take place on days when there is a basketball game.   Contact: Mrs. DePasquale, kdepasquale@d45.org   Intramural Name: Intramural Soccer Grade Level(s): All Time: 7:30am -8:15 a.m.; May General Information: This program accommodates players of all skill level. Every student is encouraged to come out in the morning and start their day off with some exercise and fun. Teams will be formed and games will be played during each session. Contact: Mr. LaBorn, rlaborn@d45.org   

 Sports 

Sport Name: 7th & 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Grade Level(s): 7th & 8th grade boys Time: Practice 3:30-5:30 p.m. (M,T, TH, & F). 4:00-5:30 p.m. (W). Game days 4:00-5:00 p.m. The season runs from the end of November through the end of January. General Information: Each team will carry 12 players and compete in a full conference schedule. At the end of the regular season, the teams will compete in a conference tournament to determine the overall champion. Non-conference games and additional tournaments will be scheduled each season. Contact: Mr. Huckstadt (8th), ghuckstadt@d45.org; Mr. Manata (7th), amanata@d45.org   

Sport Name: 7th & 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball Grade Level(s): 7th & 8th grade girls Time: Practice 3:30-5:30 p.m. (M,T, TH, F). 4:00-5:30 p.m. (W). Game days 4:00-5:00 p.m. The season runs from the beginning of October through the start of Thanksgiving break. General Information: Each team will carry 12 players and compete in a full conference schedule. At the end of the regular season, the teams will compete in a conference tournament to determine the overall champion. Non-conference games and additional tournaments will be scheduled each season. Contact: Mr. Huckstadt (Athletic DIrector), ghuckstadt@d45.org; Mr. Manata (7th), amanata@d45.org; Ms. Kopija (8th), ekopija@d45.org   Sport Name: Cheerleading Grade Level(s): 7th & 8th grade Time: Practices: Monday 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 3:30-4:10 p.m., Game Days: 3:30-5:00 p.m., August through January General Information: The cheerleading team incorporates cheer, dance, tumbling, and stunting skills. The team is comprised on 7th and 8th grade students who cheer for the Jackson vs. Jefferson soccer Cross-Town Classic, as well as all boys and girls home basketball games. The team also marches with the Jackson and Jefferson bands in the Lilac Parade at the end of May.  Contact: Ms. Fulmer cfulmer@d45.org; Mrs. Alis mcoleman@d45.org   Sport Name: Cross Country Grade Level(s): All  Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m. General Information: Cross Country is a no-cut sport that is open to all Jackson students. It takes place during the month of September with several meets, culminating in the big conference meet at the end of the season. 6th and 7th graders run 1.5 miles at meets, and 8th graders run 2 miles at meets. Contact: Mr. Aliga, naliga@d45.org; Ms. Vicicondi, nvicicondi@d45.org   Sport Name: Soccer  Grade Level(s): All Time: Practices 3:30-5:30 p.m., M, T, Th, & F; games in September and beginning of October 

General Information: The Jackson soccer team is open to girls and boys in grades 6-8. Tryouts are held during the first and second week of school to fill the 22-24 player roster. Represent Jackson against other schools in the area. Contact: Mr. Granger, mgranger@d45.org    Sport Name: Track & Field Grade Level(s): 7th & 8th grade boys and girls Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m. General Information: Track and Field is a no-cut sport that is open to 7th and 8th grade boys and girls. It takes place the during the month of April (right after Spring Break) and the first couple of weeks in May. There are several meets during the season, with the big ones being the Hadley Invitational at Glenbard West and the Conference Meet at Elmhurst College. Contact: Mr. Aliga, naliga@d45.org; Mr. Clot, dclot@d45.org; Mrs. Loftus, kloftus@d45.org; Ms. Sciullo, asciullo@d45.org    Sport Name: Boys’ Volleyball  Grade Level(s): 7th & 8th grade boys Time: After school until 5:30 p.m. or later depending on games; February through March General Information: Boys’ volleyball is a cut sport taking place from February-March. Tryout dates will be announced as the time gets closer. There are several exhibition and conference games throughout the season. Practice will be held on non-game days. Contact: Mrs. Kueper (7th), mkueper@d45.org; Mr. Ramsey (8th), jlramsey@d45.org    Sport Name: Girls’ Volleyball  Grade Level(s): 7th & 8th girls Time: After school until 5:30 or later, depending on games. General Information: Girls volleyball is a cut sport taking place from February-March. Tryout dates will be announced as the time gets closer. There are several exhibition and conference games throughout the season. Practice will be held on non-game days. Contact: Ms. Byron (7th), cbyron@d45.org; Mrs. Haugen (8th), khaugen@d45.org