Activities

Clubs/Programs

Following is a list of clubs. Clubs may be added or deleted as student and faculty interest is determined.

AMBASSADORS

The Ambassador Club is composed of students recommended by their core team of teachers. The students exhibit the following characteristics: good role models, good affective qualities, adequate grades, responsible, mature for their age, a leader, has inner strength when making decisions. Students are selected yearly by each new team, though there may be some student carry over from the previous year. The students are asked to perform numerous duties that provide service to their school and community.

ART CLUB

Art Club at Haines Middle School is for the eighth grade student who wishes to leave behind a positive contribution to their school. Art Club artists build, stretch, and paint their own canvasses. Starting the second week in October, art club members meet after school ince a week on Thursdays. Art Club is open to any and all eighth grade students interested in developing their artistic abilities. Haines Middle School Art Club encourages individual expression. The sky is the limit on creativity!

BUILDERS CLUB

Builders Club is a member of the Kiwanis family. Builders Club provides a way to form sound personal values based on experiences in meaningful community service activities. The members learn by doing. They learn organization, teamwork and leadership. The most important lesson they can learn is that individuals working together can and will make a difference to the world around them.

BUSINESS CLUB

The Business Club manages the operations of the school store. It is responsible for the purchasing, marketing, accounting and sales of the products.

CHOIR

Haines Middle School offers opportunities for Vocal Music to all students, regardless of ability or gender. There are three grade level Choirs, one each for 6 th, 7 th, and a8th grades. These Choirs meet during the school day, opposite the students’ lunch hour. Students can choose to participate in both vocal and instrumental music if they so desire, with the directors working out a rehearsal schedule conducive to all participants. Choir is graded in a pass/fail basis.

The Haines Middle School Choirs participate in three yearly concerts. Additional opportunities for performance include participation in the Illinois Grade School Music Association District and State Choir Contests. Students are also encouraged to participate in the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest.

In addition to the above grade level Choirs, Haines offers a non-auditioned boys group, “Boys in Black.” This Choir meets before school, one day a week. Boys in Black is open to any 6 th, 7 th, or 8 th grade boy who is interested in singing. Members must also be enrolled in their grade level Choir.

For the student who is interested in additional opportunities in performance, Haines offers an auditioned mixed group, “Concert Choir.” This Choir meets before school, one day a week. The singers also attend sectionals one day a week, before school. Concert Choir is open to any Choir student who wants to go through the audition process and make the rehearsal commitment.

COMPUTER CLUB

The Computer Club meets on Fridays as a chance for students to work with and learn more about computers. Independent digital (film & video) projects, Power Point or other programs are available for student use and instruction.

If possible and depending on interest, students will maintain the school webpage. The Computer Club is open to all students.

IMAGES CLUB

Images Club is a club for 8 th graders that chronicles their year through photos. The students take pictures of every 8 th grader, and then at the 8 th grade dance the slide show is put to music for all to enjoy!

JAZZ BAND

Opportunities for band-related experiences beyond the classroom include solo and ensemble contest and the Jazz program. The Jazz program at Haines includes our auditioned Jazz Ensemble (made up of 7 th and 8 th graders) and our Jazz Lab bands that give opportunities to students of any grade the chance to learn about the styles of Jazz music. Jazz groups rehearse outside the school day.

LITERARY MAGAZINE

The literary magazine features a collection of creative writing from 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade levels. Students are actively involved in collecting, editing, and layout of the magazine. All students are invited to submit writing to be considered for publication in the Haines Expressions magazine.

MATH COUNTS

MATH COUNTS is an extracurricular mathematics club for 7 th and 8 th graders who are interested and talented in mathematics. Students explore non-routine math problems in a relaxed atmosphere. Competitions are held at county, state and national levels.

NEWSPAPER

The Haines Herald is the student newspaper published at Haines Middle School. Student reporters investigate and write stories that keep students abreast of what is going on in the school, community and around the world. The newspaper may feature editorials, feature articles, sports news, class news, jokes and spotlights on people and events.

ORCHESTRA

String orchestra is available for students at the middle school level, with rehearsals during school hours. The 6 th, 7 th and 8 th grade orchestras perform individually and may include some advanced wind and percussion players. Rotating sectionals are scheduled for 6 th, 7 th and 8 th graders; lessons are scheduled for 6 th grade only. Students receive a grade in orchestra; refer to Orchestra Handbook for details.

PEER MEDIATION

Peer Mediation provides an opportunity for students to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner. Mediators undergo training in conflict resolution and are skilled in assisting students in solving problems effectively. Mediations can be requested by students, teachers and administrators.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

Student members of the photography club are taught how to take photographs which will be used in the school yearbook. Instruction is provided on the equipment used.

ROCKET CLUB

The Rocket Club is open to any 7 th or 8 th grade student, regardless of experience. We will build, design, and fly model rockets of all sizes and complexities depending on your experience. Students will be able to apply basic scientific principles of rocket construction and flight to improve their model rocket skills.

SCIENCE CLUB

Students participating in Science Club will investigate their scientific curiosities. The format will be decided upon by participating students. We will focus on all aspects of science including: Earth Day, recycling at Haines, beautification of Haines grounds, and overall impact of ecological variables. We will also provide the opportunity for student participation in regional and state tournaments in Science Fair and Science Olympiad.

STUDENT COUNCIL

All students vote in their classroom for a representative and an alternate for Student Council. The representatives then vote for officers. Student Council raises money for Haines through fundraisers such as the candy cane and carnation sales. The council also promotes fundraisers for charities such as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Each year Student Council participates in the annual Electric Parade in St. Charles. The council promotes school spirit by planning Spirit Days as well as provides opportunities for all students to get involved in services that benefit the school and community.

TECH CLUB

Tech Club is an opportunity for students to learn the basic principles of design and problem solving skills by creating products such as piggy banks, CD racks, and/or shelves. Students can decide as a group what projects they would like to work on. Students will learn how to utilize hand and power tools safely. The goal of the club is to provide a fun and safe environment where students work together as a team and can experience success by designing and creating a product that is useful to them.

TEK (Teachers Encouraging Kids)

TEK is a homegrown program that bonds students, parents and community into a dynamic educational family. It provides a framework for staff mentor relationships with students, as well as staff sponsored activities for students. Activities the TEK program has sponsored in the past include, but are not limited to:

Broadway Plays
Bulls Basketball Game
Cubs Baseball Game
Snow Tubing Trip
Fabulous Facials for girls
Pizza/Ice Cream parties
Student/Teacher lunches
DeKalb Corn Maze
Seasonal Celebrations

Information regarding TEK activities can be obtained through the website, various Friday Forecasts and by contacting the Haines Office.

THEATER

Haines will have its own fall play and spring musical. A pit orchestra may be included in one of these shows. Students who audition for performance roles should be prepared to commit a great deal of after school time; backstage, costume crews and pit orchestras slightly less time. All students must commit to a "Tech Week" during which rehearsals are from 5-9 p.m. every night on stage.

YEARBOOK

Each year a number of students and their advisor assemble the yearbook. Students help with layout and copy (stories). Yearbooks are paid for during registration and are distributed to students the last week of school.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Some additional activities offered may include; Music Competitions, Science Fair, Science Olympiad and a variety of other clubs.

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO)

Haines Middle School has a very active Parent/Teacher Organization. This group hopes to do much through the course of the year to enhance our school program. They sponsor programs of significance to parents, students, and staff and provide many opportunities of service for parents wishing to become more involved in the school. Among the variety of PTO supported programs are the Haines Family School Bulletin, The Principal Coffees, Family Orientations, Book Fair, Teacher Appreciations, Student Dances, Student Directory, Honors Breakfasts and the Graduation Reception. Parent education and increased communication between home and school are goals of the PTO.

The PTO Board usually holds meetings the 2 nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Learning Center at Haines. All Haines parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Please feel free to call the Haines Office at any time for more information. Families are urged to contribute $15.00 per family to help offset costs for this service organization.