Activities
Be The Change Club
Teacher coordinator First Semester: Ms. Matthew
Teacher coordinator Second Semester: Mrs. Stevenson
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world."
-M. Gandhi
The Be The Change Team at GCS is an after-school club currently available to 4th and 5th graders. It's emphasis is on learning positive interpersonal relations and taking action to make the social and physical environment a better place. The idea behind "being the change" is that when we work to improve ourselves, it is then that we can improve upon the world.
Learning to "Be the Change" includes: communicating with respect, social etiquette, goal-setting, planning activities, and learning the importance of thinking about and helping others. These are some of the lessons we work on during the time that we sit in process circles (a circle where everyone gets a turn, you may "pass" if you don't wish to speak, and you must pay attention to the speaker.)
A frequent element in our circles is the discussion and practice of rules as outlined by The Essential 55 by Ron Clark. We discuss those things which we see and are concerned about, and then work on a plan to do better.
Additionally, the group spends time engaged in activities that serve to "make a positive difference." The goal is to take information we've learned and bring it to the outside world. Thus far we have created: The Welcoming Committee, Extreme Desk Notes, Appreciation Days for Cafeteria Workers, for Cleaners, and for Secretaries, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and attempting to maintain four bulletin boards (with Be the Change messages).
Meetings for the Be The Change Team are currently on Mondays, 330-430 in Room 242 (Mrs. Stevenson)
TEAM LEADERS: Allison, Taylor, Skyler, Rachel, Meghan, Quinn, Emily, Alex & Ben .
For more information, contact Mrs. Stevenson at kstevenson@gatewaycharterschool.org.
Future Activities look like....
Recycling Month It's About Others Month Teacher Appreciation Week
The Unknown Student Day, All Red Day, Greet Week, Lunch Mix-Up Day
One Positive Thing Week, Random Stickers, The Hand It Over Game
Drama Club
Teacher coordinator: Mr. Morton
The Drama Club started four years ago with just fourth graders and only about 20 of them. We now have a 140 member club made up of 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th graders who are members by choice. No student is turned away and everyone who wants to be in a show appears on stage in some role--- this is my promise of thirty years to my drama students.
This quarter we meet on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and some Saturdays in the school cafeteria. School day rehearsal times are from 3:30 - 5:30 and Saturdays from 10:00 - 1:00. Terrific parental support has helped this club to grow in number and quality of production. Over the years we have performed THE WIZARD OF OZ, ANNIE, ALADDIN, PETER PAN and a student written show called HOLIDAY HAPPENING. Presently we are in rehearsal for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL with two more shows planned for the second semester.
National Junior Honor Society
Teacher Coordinator: Mrs. Scavone
The National Junior Honor Society is an organization that recognizes students who have made outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership, citizenship, and service. The goal of the National Junior Honor society is to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and in the spirit of the community and school.
Membership in NJHS is both an honor and a responsibility. Candidates for membership are chosen by a Faculty Council each year and inducted into the society during a special ceremony. The members meet on a bi-weekly basis after school to plan service projects and other activities to benefit the school and surrounding community.
Each year, the NJHS plans several community based service projects such as charity fundraisers, canned food drives and toy drives for the holidays. Each member is also responsible for committing fifteen hours of personal service to a cause of their choice.
Members in the NJHS work together throughout the school year to promote scholarship, character, leadership, citizenship and service throughout Gateway Charter School. Students will find their time spent as a member of NJHS is both a challenging and rewarding experience.
Newspaper Club - Middle School
Teacher Coordinator: Mrs. Fultz
The staff of "In the Middle" was selected through a careful process. Students interested in being part of the initial staff signed up for consideration. A 'tryout' was held at the first meeting, where candidates were asked to put together a writing sample and to submit artistically designed pictures. Anonymous drawings, snapshots, and writing samples were reviewed by Mrs. Fultz, the newspaper advisor, and the best of the best were selected.
The staff meets every Wednesday for 10 weeks per semester, from 3:15 until 4:30. Our staff generates a newspaper once per quarter.
Newspaper Club - Elementary School
Teacher Coordinator: Mrs. Stevenson
The newspaper club is a free, student-run (teacher supervised) organization. Interested 4th and 5th grade students may sign up at the beginning of the school year and two representatives are chosen from each classroom. All students are welcome to submit ideas or articles for review, however. Meetings are held every Wednesday from 3:45-4:45 at the Elementary School building.
Spelling Bee Participants
Elementary Teacher Coordinator: Mrs. Stevenson
Middle School Teacher Coordinator: Mrs. Scavone
Classroom spelling bees are conducted in the beginning of January. One winner from each classroom 3-5 and each Reading classroom 6-8 will be asked to participate in a school-wide spelling bee. Two winners and an alternate will be chosen to represent grades 3-5 and 6-8 at the CSUSA Spelling Bee this Spring. The Middle School winners will also have a chance to participate in the Lee County Spelling Bee this Spring.
GCS Spelling Bee located at GCS cafeteria January 24, 2008
Elementary School Bee at 6:00pm
Middle School Bee at 7:00pm.
Lee County Spelling Bee for Middle School participants: Three Oaks Middle School, March 27, 2008 at 6:30pm.
CSUSA Spelling Bee for Elementary and Middle School participants: Coral Springs Charter School, April 19, 2008 at 7:00pm.
Video Game Club
Teacher coordinator: Mr. Simpson
Have you ever wanted to stay after school with friends or meet new friends all while playing video games?
If you answered yes, then the video game club is for you!
We meet once a week, for 10 weeks, for an hour (3:30 - 4:30) in room 227 at the elementary school.
In order to join kids must pay $20 (checks only) and return permission slips signed by parents or guardian. Also they must get their teacher to approve them as well by signing the permission slip. Students must follow school rules and also be doing well in class in order to be accepted into the club.
The club is open to the first 25 students in grades 4th through 8th that were not in the previous Video Game Club Session (August - December). The students that were in the first session may still join but the kids that weren't in the first session get priority. If we don't get 25 new students, then it opens up to students from the previous session.
The club gives kids a chance to hang with friends and meet new friends. The club will help students improve on their gamming skills. Kids learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship; the club will also help improve spatial skill development and cognitive ability development of hand eye coordination. All games that are played are non violent kid friendly games, and students aren't allowed to bring their own games.
Any questions feel free to email Mr. Simpson at dsimpson@gatewaycharterschool.org