Latin School of Chicago

Creating OPPORTUNITIES O n any given day in the middle school, groups of students can be found mixing ingredients during an early morning meeting of the cooking club, gathering in the library during recess to discuss a chapter of The Hunger Games, assembling a rocket for Science Olympiad, practicing their lines for the play, coming up with fundraising ideas for Free the Children or heading out to Lincoln Park for athletic practices. This is middle school life outside the classroom. There are countless opportunities for students to explore their interests, hone their skills, make friends and broaden their horizons. Each semester, some two dozen clubs meet. In addition, middle school students play in fall or spring athletics, are members of the longstanding Science Olympiad or Math Counts teams, and participate in the fifth- and sixth-grade or seventh and eighth-grade plays. Participation "Our primary objective in the extracurricular program is participation," says David VanderMeulen, who coordinates middle school clubs and middle school athletics. "We want to involve as many students as possible." He estimates that every middle schooler participates in at least one activity. VanderMeulen explains that the social- and community-building aspects of extracurricular participation are especially important to students of this age and that the extracurricular program provides opportunities for students from different grades in the middle school to interact. At the same time, he says, "Middle school is a time for trial and error. Kids are defining what their interests are, and we provide a low-key environment where they can make choices and either love an activity or give it up without feeling any pressure." With that in mind, activities are flexible, accessible and inclusive. Everyone who wants to participate, can. Club meeting times are scheduled around student needs, and teachers and coaches approach attendance with an understanding for students' busy lives. Inclusiveness Renie Finch, seventh and eighth grade dean and longtime field hockey coach, says her favorite part of coaching in the middle school is that athletes of any ability level are given an opportunity to play. "It is especially rewarding when players who aren't natural athletes, who probably won't ever be playing at a varsity level, end up being the greatest assets to the team because of their enthusiastic and engaged participation," Finch says. "My assignment for them is to investigate whether other students would be interested in joining the club and coming up with ideas and concepts about what it will look like." – Dave VanderMeulen At the same time, athletes who want to pursue other activities are given a certain amount of leeway as well. As long as they are able to attend at least two out of three practices, they are welcome on a team and are guaranteed field time. "They are going to have to commit soon enough. I am happy that we are able to give them the time to try other things while also acclimating them to the competitive experience they will face in high school sports," Finch says. Latin School of Chicago 19

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