620 Greenwood Avenue
Student Activities
Extracurricular Activities
Athletics
Fifth and sixth grade students have an opportunity to participate in an intramural athletic program. Fall, winter and spring activities are open to all students regardless of a student’s particular skills level. At grades 7 and 8, interscholastic sports are available.
Sports coordinators:
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Lisa Matthew: (847) 835-7600
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Nick Tabic: (847) 835-7600
Before/After School Clubs
Agility Ball Club
Have fun with friends playing a variety of games that will use your throwing, catching, and agility skills!
Sponsor: Mr. Short
Meeting Dates and Times: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:45am - 8:15am
Meeting Location: Small Gym
Art Club
The Art Club provides additional opportunities for students with an interest or desire in art. These are open classes where students pick a project or medium to explore (clay, drawing, painting). Students have created murals around the school building.
Sponsor: Mrs. Bauer
Meeting Dates and Times: Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:40am - 8:15am except for Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 14, Dec 19, Jan 16, Feb 13, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 14
Meeting Location: Art Room L02
chess club
Chess club is a place where all players of all levels are welcome! We typically have a short mini-lesson or exercise followed by free play. Make friends, have fun, and improve your chess game!
Sponsor: Mr. Pituc
Meeting Dates and Times: Chess club meets after school Fridays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm in the Central School CLC.
Meeting Location: CLC
climbing club
Climbing Club is a fun morning activity where you can challenge yourself. Ascend walls and ropes working on improving your strength and reaching your goals. This club is open to 5th through 8th graders and all ability levels are welcome.
Sponsor: Mr. Paustian, Mrs, Osorio
Meeting Dates and Times: Monday, Thursday, Friday from 7:45am - 8:15am
Meeting Location: Small Gym
Debate Team
The Central School Debate Team is an opportunity for students in 6th through 8th grade to gain and practice crucial 21st century skills in public speaking, argumentation, logic, and teamwork as well as gaining knowledge in the fields of politics, civics, ethics, science, current events, philosophy, and more. We compete in two or three tournaments a year against other schools that feed into New Trier’s highly successful Debate program. These competitions allow for recognition of the power and value of critical thought and a chance for mentorship from skilled high school debaters.
Sponsor: Mrs. Alsberg
Meeting Dates and Times: Monday from 3:30pm - 4:00pm beginning October 2nd
Meeting Location: Room 237
Eclectic Chamber Honors Orchestra (ECHO)
ECLECTIC: Non-classical styles of music
CHAMBER: Musical term for a small group of musicians
HONORS: Twofold meaning- honoring different cultures and traditions, and maintaining high expectations
ORCHESTRA: Open to 6th-8th grade Orchestra students
The goal of these ensembles is to explore music genres and methods outside the classical tradition. We will explore non-classical literature and learn the music in a way that honors the diversity of where different styles of music came from. We will be exploring pop and rock, world music, jazz, fiddle, hip hop, and more!
Sponsor: Ms. Drafta
Meeting Dates and Times: 6th grade - Monday and Tuesday from 7:45am - 8:15am, 7th and 8th grade - Wednesday and Thursday from 7:45am - 8:15am beginning September 18th
Meeting Location: Orchestra Room L68
Executive Cabinet
Sponsor: Mrs. Dwan-Collins, Mrs. Schumacher
Meeting Dates and Times: Tuesday and Thursday during lunch beginning on September 20th
Meeting Location: TBD
fitness club
Fitness club is open to all Central School students and they have the opportunity to work on their cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition. The fitness center has treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, rowing machines, weight machines and free weights.
Sponsor: Mr. Colborn
Meeting Dates and Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday morning from 7:45am - 8:15am
Meeting Location: Fitness Center
french club
The 6-8th grade French Club gives all French students the opportunities to practice their speaking skills but also deepen their cultural understanding of the French-speaking world through music, movies, arts and crafts, games and outings. Selected dates will be communicated by the French teacher.
Sponsor: Mrs. Adelard, Mrs. Boury
Meeting Dates and Times: TBD
Meeting Location: TBD
green club
The Green Club will work with the Organic Gardner in the fall at the Central School Garden to harvest and again in the spring to for planting.
Sponsor: Mrs. Meyer
Meeting Dates and Times: Fridays at 7:40am. - 8:10am September 1, 15, 29, October 13, 27 and November 10 (Garden Shutdown)
Meeting Location: TBD
ham radio club
The Ham Radio Club will learn about and experience electromagnetic communication over the air. Sample activities include morse code, circuits and STEM related activities.
Sponsor: Mrs. Meyer, Mr. Dubin
Meeting Dates and Times: Tuesday October 10th from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Meeting Location: CLC
Jazz Band
In addition to the curricular music program, a variety of musical experiences are available for students at Central School.
Sponsors: Mrs. Hanna, Mr. Pickett
Meeting Dates and Times: 6th Grade - Monday and Tuesday 7:45am - 8:15am, 7th and 8th grade Wednesday and Thursday 7:45am - 8:15am
Meeting Location: Band Room
open gymnasium
Students have the opportunity to engage in various team based and individual sports and games.
Sponsor: Mr. Tabic
Meeting Dates and Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:45am -8:15am
Meeting Location: Big Gym
pride club
Sponsor: Mr. Bauhs
Meeting Times and Dates: Thursdays from 7:45am - 8:15am on the following dates: 9/14, 9/28, 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/16, 12/14, 12/21, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 2/29, 3/7, 3/14, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23, 6/6
Meeting Location: Room 208
Rebecca Caudill Book Club
Students will read and discuss the Rebecca Caudill award nominee books.
Sponsor: Mr. Smolka
Meeting Dates and Times: First meeting will be September 13th from 3:30pm - 4:40pm
Meeting Location: CLC
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is a co-curricular educational team that strives to ignite the passion for science, technology, engineering and math. A team consists of a maximum of fifteen 6th-8th grade students who will compete in 23 different events during a regional competition at a local community college. Students will utilize problem solving skills, acquired academic knowledge, scientific analytical thinking and engineering design to prepare for the competition.
Sponsor: Mr. Sitz, Mrs. Dwan-Collins
Meeting Dates and Times: Wednesdays from 3:30pm - 5:00pm beginning mid October.
Meeting Location: Room 139
spanish club
Spanish Club offers opportunities for 6th-8th graders throughout the year to explore the Spanish language and Hispanic culture outside of the classroom. Stay tuned to hear from your Spanish teachers for more information on upcoming events.
Sponsor: Mrs. Guido, Mrs. Creer, Miss Sherwood
Meeting Dates and Times: Various events throughout the year. First event is Saturday September 30th at 10:00am (Pilsen, Chicago mural walk)
Meeting Location: Varies per event
Student Council
The Student Council is the student governing body of Central School. Representatives from each Home Base meet with the elected officers and the faculty advisor. They assist in planning school activities, making recommendations and discussing ways to improve Central School. They runs candy sales to fund-raise, both for Central School and for a charity they select. Representatives and alternates are elected by Home Bases. Members of the Council elect officers. There is one Student Council for fIfth-seventh grade. In addition, the eight grade class elects its own officers who constitute the Executive Cabinet. The Executive Cabinet organizes service projects and fundraisers to offer the eighth graders opportunities to make a positive impact on the school and the community. Executive Cabinet also organizes fun activities, such as contests or dances, to help make the eighth grade year memorable.
This club is by application only. Applications will be distributed in advisories in early September. The application needs to be submitted by 9/22 to either Mr. Bauhs or Mrs. Branstrom. First meeting is on 9/29.
Sponsor: Mr. Bauhs, Mrs. Branstrom
Meeting Dates and Times: Friday from 7:45am to 8:15am
Tennis Club
The club is open to all grades and levels. Students will warmup and play a variety of games and have fun! Please bring your racquet if you have one.
Sponsor: Mrs. Rose
Meeting Dates and Times: Tuesday from 3:30pm - 4:15pm beginning on September 12th
Meeting Location: Tennis Courts
Yearbook
The Central School yearbook preserves memories of friends, fun and learning throughout the school year. Students meet weekly to: create artwork for the yearbook cover, activities and home base classrooms; take photographs for candid pages; and to create and compile survey information.
Sponsor: Mrs. Dalleska, Mrs. Bauer, Mrs. Geier
Meeting Dates and Times: Wednesday from 7:45am - 8:15am
Meeting Location: Room L04
Weekly Games Club
Sponsor: Mr. Smolka
Meeting Dates and Times: First meeting is on September 28th from 7:30am - 8:15am
Meeting Location: CLC
World Culture Club
Students that participate in the World Culture Club will learn important facts about countries around the globe, while celebrating each other’s heritage and developing cultural awareness. Students will participate in a variety of activities, such as games, cooking, guest speakers, crafts, music, and movies. This club is an engaging way for students to learn about different cultures, customs, geography and history.
Sponsor: Ms. Osorio
Meeting Dates and Times: 7:45am - 8:15am
Meeting Location: 9/20, 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/15, 12/13, 1/17, 1/31 remainder TBD
Meeting Location: Oasis