The halls of Russell Middle School continue to be busy even after the bell rings at 3:40 p.m. to dismiss the students for the day. In the past, I've noticed clubs meeting after school that have very few members, and some clubs that disappear all together because of lack of attendance or interest. In fact, when my co-worker came to me explaining he would be doing TWO robotics teams this year (BEST robotics along with FIRST Lego League), I feared he wouldn't be able to get enough students interested or involved because at our school it seemed the top 10% of students were involved with EVERYTHING. They play in the band, they are in the art club, they sing in the show choir, they play the sports, they do everything. Typically the top 10% don't have time for the technology or engineering clubs or activities because of everything else they do.
To my surprise, my prediction/fears were quite unfounded. Not only did my co-worker have enough students to participate in the other robotics team, he has nearly 20 students who come on a regular basis. Not to mention one of the parents of one of the students comes to most practices to serve as a mentor. This is after we had the largest turn-out in years to try-outs for our FIRST Lego League teams.
Other clubs that have experienced an influx of members are drama club, forensics, art club, Raiders REACH Out (a service club), and many other clubs. I've been very impressed this year that the students are becoming involved in their school and doing things outside of the school day. I've particularly been excited to see that some of those top 10% are actually participating in our technology clubs.
Part of the reason for my co-workers' success with his BEST robotics team I believe lies in the fact that he's flexible. "Come when you can," is his philosophy. He stays with his team from the time school lets out until 6 p.m.! He also hosts practices on Saturdays for those who can't make it during the week. Raiders REACH Out also offers a morning time or afternoon time. Just like when working with adults, I think the more flexible and accommodating we can be to meet students' time demands, the more we'll be able to see participating in our clubs and after school activities.
I remember in middle school, while I was only there for two years instead of three, I didn't get too involved with too many clubs. I played sports and played in the band, but outside of that, I didn't join too many clubs or organizations. I'm glad to see the student body of Russell really getting engaged and participating in some really enriching out of the classroom activities sponsored at school.
What have you done to get students involved? Families? How has the involvement of students in after school clubs helped foster better relationships between teacher/mentor and student?
I am grateful for the technology clubs we run, because some of the students don't have time in their schedule to always get into my class, but I get to see them once a week or several times a week as they participate in the clubs I sponsor.
Check out all of the clubs Russell sponsors here.
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Our high school was also suffering from a lack of participation in clubs. Last year we started club day twice a month. We have A clubs and B clubs. On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month we run a club schedule. We took 4-5 minutes from each class and added a club period. This has allowed students that cannot come early or stay late (because of transportation issues) participate in clubs. It has also given those students that are in band or play sports also participate because it does interfere with practice time. We have had many new clubs begin and also a much larger percentage of our student body participating. Those that choose not to participate have study hall in teacher’s classrooms that do not sponsor a club.
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