Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123

Extracurricular Activities

Clubs and Organizations

Extracurricular activities are a unique way for children to explore and learn new skills, talents, and interests. Each club or organization must have a faculty sponsor willing to organize and supervise the group’s activities. Each year teachers may volunteer to sponsor a club or organization with the approval of the principal. The following list shows an example of clubs that have been sponsored in the past. There is no guarantee that these clubs will be active each school year. Also, there may be new clubs formed during a school year which are not listed below. While it is not possible for every child to participate in every club or organization, attempts will be made involve as many children as possible.

STUDENT COUNCIL
The student council is comprised of student representatives from each class in grades 4 and 5. In the fall each classroom elects three students as representatives. Meetings are held once a week during recess periods.
Each year, the student council sponsors projects which have impact on our school, the local community, and the nation. Past projects have included: food drives for local food pantries, fund raising for children’s burn camp, assistance to the Park Lawn organization, collections for soldiers overseas, and school supply drives for children in less fortunate circumstances.

COMPUTER CLUB
Interested students in grade 5 may join the computer club which meets one day per week from 3:20-4:00. The computer club members work with computer programs and accessories in depth more than the regular computer class time will allow. Students are introduced to and learn to use the latest technology available to the school in creating projects of interest.

CONCERT CHOIR
Select students from grades 4 and 5 make up the concert choir. These students have demonstrated the ability to sing in pitch and have a desire to further develop their vocal skills. The concert choir members are chosen by the music teacher. Rehearsals are held during the school day at lunch/recess time. Students are required to purchase a choir shirt and wear the approved uniform at all performances.

BOYS’ CHOIR
At the discretion of the music teacher, the formation of the Boys’ Choir is open to boys in grades 1, 2, and 3 through an audition process. The Boys’ Choir rehearse one day per week during lunch time. Students are required to purchase a choir shirt and wear the approved uniform at all performances.

SAFETY PATROL
Interested and responsible students in grades 4 and 5 are selected to assist those students who walk to and from school each day. The patrol guard are stationed at the street corners around the school to help other students cross the busy streets before school begins and during dismissal. Parents and other adult drivers are urged to use great caution when driving around the school during these times. The safety of all of the students rests on each driver’s shoulders. New for 2008-09: Parent Patrol Guards may be sought to assist the student
patrols at the busiest intersections around the school. Please look for more information on this topic soon.

DRAMA CLUB
At the discretion of the supervising teacher(s), students in grades 4 and 5 may audition for acting/singing parts in a Winter or Spring production. Plays are selected by the sponsoring teacher(s) each year. Students rehearse after school and those selected to participate must adhere to strict attendance rules. In-school and evening performances will be noted on school calendars.

BAND
The band’s primary purpose is music education. The Band program begins in 5th grade. In May of 4th grade, students are given a listening and pitch test, and then watch a demonstration of all woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. The students then have the opportunity to “try on” one or two of the instruments. Band lessons start in the beginning of the fall of the child’s 5th grade year.

BAND LESSONS
Students are given small group lessons during the day at their ‘home schools’. Lessons are 30 minutes and are held once each week. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis so that the students do not miss the same class each week. Students are expected to make up class work they missed while at band lessons.
Fifth grade students are given a trial period of three months. After the beginners have progressed, early morning band rehearsals begin. District buses transport the students from their home schools to Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School and then back to their home schools by 8:50 a.m.

CONCERT BAND
The award winning District 123 Concert Band is composed of the best student musicians from the six schools in the district. The band rehearses three mornings per week and students receive one group lesson each week.

Other clubs that have been sponsored in the past include Dance Club, Games Club, Spanish Club, and Science Club.