Description: The Chess Club will give students an opportunity to learn the basics of chess and practice the game. Newcomers, as well as experienced players are welcome.

National Junior Honors Society

Sponsor: Ms. Cotton (acotton@altonschools.org)

Ms. Campbell (kcampbell@altonschools.org)

Meeting Time: The easiest way to stay informed is to join the Google Classroom page. The code is: 5saq9a

Criteria: 8th grade, 3.8 GPA and no points

Description: The National Junior Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.

Power of Peers

Sponsor: NO SPONSOR AT THIS TIME

Meeting Times: TBA

Criteria: See School Social Worker for Details

Description: Students involved will do various activities to promote drug, alcohol, and tobacco free living. Students also do leadership activities both on campus and in the community

Redbird Garden Group

Sponsor: Mr. Utgaard (sutgaard@altonschools.org)

Meeting Time: Tuesdays after school until 5 in room 541 in the Annex (SEASONAL)

Criteria: Needs Transportation Home

Description: Students learn to plan, plant and maintain both kitchen and landscape gardens. Students work with garden tools in a hands-on learning experience and often enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Schumann Chamber Orchestra

Sponsor: Ms. Pierce (spierce@altonschools.org)

Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays Morning 7:45-8:25

Criteria: Members must audition in September

Description: This orchestra plays in the community to represent ACUSD #11. Made up of exceptional players

Science Olympiad

Sponsor: Mrs. Allen (eallen@altonschools.org)

Mrs. Keith (skeith@altonschools.org)

Mr. Nelson (dnelson@altonschools.org)

Meeting Time: Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 in room 309 (Main)

Criteria: Signed Permission Slip / Needs Transportation Home

Description: SCIENCE OLYMPIAD has led a revolution in science education. What began as a grassroots assembly of science teachers is now one of the premiere science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards-based challenges to nearly 7,000 teams in 50 states. Science Olympiad's ever-changing line-up of events in all STEM disciplines exposes students to practicing scientists and career choices, and energizes classroom teachers with a dynamic content experience. To be a part of the team you have to have a strong interest in science, enjoy doing hands-on activities, and like experiments

Student Council

Sponsor: Ms. Greenwood (cgreenwood@altonschools.org)

Mr. Winkelman (jwinkelman@altonschools.org)

Meeting Time: Committees meet on Wed from 3:15-4:00 in Rm 530. All student council meets the third Friday of the month from 7:45-8:15 in the Main Library

Criteria: Members must be petitioned in by 20 of their peers, a parent/guardian, and/or a staff member

Description: Our goal is to create student leaders who promote school spirit. Members will be involved on campus and give back to the community through fundraisers and volunteer work.

Yearbook Club

Sponsor: Mrs. Alexander (falexander@altonschools.org)

Meeting Time: Wednesdays at 8:00 in Room 215

Criteria: 7th and 8th graders

Description: Students will learn how to create pages, edit text, and photography.

Honor Choir

Sponsor: Lori MeCaskey (lmecaskey@altonschools.org)

Meeting Times: Monday and Wednesdays, 7:45 - 8:30 a.m. (Unless there is a Monday Holiday and then we meet on Wednesday and Friday.)

Criteria: This is an auditioned group of students from within the 7th and 8th grade chorus. You must be in Chorus to qualify.

Description: This is an auditioned group of singers from within the Chorus. They wear different concert apparel and sing at extra events in the community and within our district. Honor Choir also participates in IGSMA Solo and Ensemble every March.

Lab Choir

Sponsor: Lori MeCaskey (lmecaskey@altonschools.org)

Meeting Times: Tuesday and Thursdays, 7:45 - 8:30 a.m. This choir does not begin until January and then meets through May.

Criteria: This is an auditioned group from within the 6th grade chorus. Auditions are in December. You must be in 6th grade Chorus to qualify.

Description: This is an auditioned group of singers from within the 6th grade Chorus. They participate in the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble every March, sing at events in our community in addition to the Spring Chorus Concert.

Alton Middle School Theater Arts Program:

Sponsor: Mr. Pitts (ppitts@altonschools.org)

Meeting Times: All rehearsals and auditions are held after school from 3:30pm-5:45pm for the productions.Every Tuesday after school, we have Theater Workshop Classes. Here students are taught audition, musical theater, dance, and acting techniques.

Criteria: All Middle School Students

Description: Alton Middle School Theater Arts , is an after school theater program designed to educate middle school students on developing acting, dancing, singing, technical design, costumes, and theater marketing skills for their productions throughout the year.The Theater Arts program provides opportunities throughout the school year for students to explore theater and musical theater.We do three productions a year. A musical in the fall, a children's theater show in the winter, and a musical in the spring.

Circle Of Trust

Sponsor: Mr. Tighe(atighe@altonschools.org)

Meeting Times: Olin 827

Criteria: All Middle School Students

Description: Together we restore peace understand one another, share or experiences, and transform our perspective

JR. Redbird Word

Sponsor: Mr. Baird (rbaird@altonschools.org)

Meeting Times: Every Tuesday Morning

Criteria: All Middle School Students

Description: Help create our school newspaper

District Events

Alton School District: 550 Landmarks Blvd. Suite A, Alton, IL 62002 | Phone: 618-474-2600 Fax: 618-463-2126

Alton Middle School: 2200 College Ave., Alton, IL 62002 | Phone: 618-474-2200 Fax: 618-463-2028