Extracurricular Clubs and Activities

The Band program is comprised of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students are given individual instruction during the school day, and meet as a group after school for rehearsal. Students are taught the techniques of performance and the fundamentals of music. The program strives to impart upon students the unique experience which can be attained through an instrumental program. Band members perform twice annually at concerts for their families and peers in addition to competing in the Archdiocesan band adjudication each spring. 

The Mary of Nazareth Chess program invites players of all levels to join our club. Students are instructed in small groups and enjoy matches between players of similar experience. More advanced players help instruct new players on the basics of chess play. All players receive a rating based on their initial level of knowledge; as  knowledge increases, so does the player's respective rating. At the end of the year the club holds an in-club Blitz Tournament for all students. We stress fair play and good sportsmanship throughout the year while participating in fun competition. The Mary of Nazareth Chess Club meets weekly from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the art classroom. Children in grades 1-8 from beginners to champions are welcome to join our club.

Youth Choir is available to students in 3rd through 8th grades who meet directly after school for a time of music enrichment and fellowship. Spiritual growth and service to others are encouraged through participation in the Student Cantor Program, which gives students the opportunity to lead the school in song during Mass. Music development is enhanced through additional training in performance practice, as well as music literacy. Youth Choir looks forward to their annual trip to King’s Dominion for Choral Festival in addition to other social functions planned for group bonding.

Mary of Nazareth School sponsors a Cub Scout Pack open to boys in grades 1 through 5. Cub Scouts generally meet once per month with their Dens, in addition to a monthly meeting with their Packs. Cub Scouts participate in several activities throughout the year, including two fall and spring overnight camp-outs, annual popcorn sales, the Pinewood Derby, C&O canal hikes, Bike Rodeo, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the Blue and Gold Recognition Dinner. Service projects sponsored by our Scouts include the Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit St. Martin’s Food Pantry and the December Toys for Tots Collection.

Mary of Nazareth sponsors troops at the Daisy, Brownie, Junior, and Cadette Girl Scout levels. Girl Scouting provides girls with opportunities to develop important life-skills. Scouts from Mary of Nazareth School have participated in numerous community service activities, camping experiences, parades, field trips and cookie sales. Girl Scouts also have the opportunity to earn religious medals at all levels of scouting. All troops are run by parent volunteers, and many meet after school in the school building.

The Computer Club is open to students in grades K-8, and is run by parent volunteers. The club meets during the winter months after school in the computer lab. Special attention is given to teaching basic coding skills to club members. Students in grades K-3 follow the Code.org computer curriculum. Projects for grades four through eight include Scratch, Sphero robot programming, Minecraft programming with Scriptcraft, web design, and Python. Badges are awarded for successful mastery of skills.

Mary of Nazareth School is proud to continue hosting a chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a middle school student. Our chapter has worked hard to bring the accomplishments of outstanding students to the attention of parents, teachers, peers, and the community. Our chapter strives to give practical meaning to the Society’s standards of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These five ideals are considered as the basis for selection. No student is inducted simply because of a high academic average. The National Junior Honor Society strives to recognize the total student—one who excels in all of these areas.

The standards used for selection are scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character as demonstrated by activities and teacher evaluations. Invitations to complete a candidate information packet for NJHS are extended to students in grades 6 (second semester) through 8 who meet or exceed the scholarship requirements. A candidate’s accomplishments in the areas of service and leadership are identified in the candidate information packet. Additionally, the middle school faculty provides a recommendation for each NJHS candidate in the areas of service, leadership, citizenship, and character. The NJHS induction will take place in the spring. Chapter meetings will be held throughout the school year.

Membership in NJHS, however, is more than an honor. It is an ongoing responsibility and an obligation to continue to demonstrate those outstanding qualities that result in a student’s selection. Membership also carries a responsibility to the chapter. If our NJHS chapter is to be effective and meaningful, each member must become involved. All members are expected to attend the weekly chapter meetings and to give back to the community by participating in the chapter­ based service project and at least one additional individual service project (or a minimum of five hours) in the greater community.

Scholarship and Character Requirements: In order to be considered for NJHS, students in grade 6 must have as the first two quarters of the current school year all A’s and no more than two B’s in core academic subjects. Students in grades 7 and 8 must have as the final grades in the previous school year(s) and the first two quarters of the current school year all A’s and no more than two B’s in core academic subjects. Students must not have less than a G in any supplemental class.* The scholarship requirements must be maintained throughout the duration of a student’s membership. *The scholastic requirements are subject to change as permitted by the National Junior Honor Society Handbook.

In adherence with the National Junior Honor Society Handbook, a candidate will be able to demonstrate an outstanding record of conduct and behavior (character) with regard to school and community rules, guidelines, and policies, or be able to demonstrate sufficient growth and improvement to compensate for previous inadequacies. The student of character: consistently exemplifies positive and desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability, etc.), cooperates by complying with school policies and regulations and codes of conduct, takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously, demonstrates the highest standards of honesty, academic integrity, and reliability, regularly exhibits courtesy, concern, and respect for others, complies with instructions and rules, and displays personal responsibility. Failure to comply with the character expectations may result in a student not being inducted into or dismissed from the honor society.

The Mary of Nazareth School Student Government Association (SGA) promotes participation among the student body in all school and civic affairs. Officers elected to the SGA represent student interests, publicize rules and regulations of the school, and strengthen the relationship between students and staff. The SGA also works towards furthering educational and spiritual opportunities, aiding in the continued development of the school through a variety of leadership opportunities.

The SGA is made up of students in grades 6-8, and consists of a four member Executive Office, nine member Student Senate, and six Class Representatives.

https://monsga.wixsite.com/monsga

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