Academic Team Grades 6 – 8

The Academic Team is a six time Canevin quiz bowl champion and has placed 2nd in the state of Pennsylvania in on-line trivia competitions. The academic team plays games, learns facts and information in a competition but fun atmosphere. Archangel Gabriel Academic Team meets at lunch time at 11:15AM to 11:50 AM in Mr. Betten’s room. On-line competitions are from 3:00 PM to 4:00PM at AGS. Outside of school competitions require parent transportation. Our first meeting will be the 2nd week of October.
 

Battle of the Books Grades 4 - 6

Students are invited to participate in an academic reading competition called Battle of the Books. This is a reading incentive program that is held across the country. The books are carefully selected over a range of reading abilities so that all students can participate. Students will work in teams of up to six members. Each team is responsible for reading all of the books on a given list (usually 6 books.) Each student is encouraged to read as many on the list as possible. Teams, equipped with their books and parent leader, meet to review facts from each book to prepare for the battle. The competition quizzes the students on specific facts from each book, and score is kept during the four rounds of questioning. Trophies are awarded to the top two teams, and refreshments are shared by all participants.
The Battle of the Books is a valuable academic enrichment program that allows students to enter into a world of new authors and literature. It is also a fun way for classmates to interact socially when their team meets to discuss the novels. Parental involvement is needed. The club will be run by Mrs. Jablonski, and Mrs. Thiry.
  

Chess Club Grades 1 – 8

Develop critical thinking skills and learn to graciously win and lose.  Have great fun while stimulating your problem-solving spirit.  Chess is highlighted in “How Children Succeed” a British book reviewed in “The Economist” of 01/19/13.  It argues that development of character traits such as grit/determination/perseverance is as important as test scores.  Focus and concentration are critical activities!   An eight-week session of Fridays for students in grades 1-8 runs September 9th thru October 28th from 2:50 to 3:50. The classes will be in the Science / Computer Lab. Classes include 30 minutes of instruction followed by 30 minutes of play paired by experience and results.  Students not picked up after class will be sent to “After Care”.  The fee is $20 per student, per 10-week session.  Please make your check payable to Will Surlow and direct it with the form below to the school office in an envelope marked “Chess”. Our instructor, Will Surlow, was a child prodigy at chess.  He played in chess tournaments, mainly in California, but also in 20 other states.  At St. Paul, his K-8 school, he coordinated a large program where older students would mentor younger students at chess.  The school chess team won numerous state championships and sent teams to national championships where they did well.  In third grade he became the National K-3 Champion. That paralleled the story portrayed in the true story/movie Searching for Bobby Fischer.  He became the youngest PA State Champion in history. Soon after that at age 15 he earned the title National Chess Master.  His two children are enrolled at AGS.
 

Forensics Grades 5 - 8

Forensics is a competitive speech program where students compete in one of six categories: drama, prose, poetry, declamation, impromptu, and multiple reading. The students are judged on their abilities in verbal skills, vocal performance, pacing, eye contact, facial expression, understanding of mood, and poise. Regular meets are held on Saturday mornings three times a year with additional finals and all-star meets occurring in March. Forensics is a great program that helps students become more comfortable in speaking publicly, which is a skill that will be beneficial throughout their lives. Practice will be after school on Tuesday's from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm from September - March.  Mrs. Williams and Miss Golden are in charge of Forensics.
 

Science Club Grades 6,7, & 8

The Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (Covestro PSREF) is a science fair competition open to all students in grades 6-12 in 21 counties in Western Pennsylvania and Garrett County in Maryland. Students can compete in the fields of science, engineering, and/or mathematics. The competition is held in March at the Carnegie Science Center. Covestro PRSEF will nominate middle school students at the local event to attend the Broadcom MASTERS Middle School Program held annually in October in Washington, DC.  Science Club meetings will either be during the day or after school, depending on the number of participants. More information will be sent home.  
 

Student Council Grades 5 - 8

Student Council is a great opportunity for students to express leadership and community involvement skills. Students in grades 5th through 8th can run for homeroom representatives. One boy and girl will represent each homeroom. Eighth-grade students can also run for president, vice president, secretary, public relations, and treasurer these are 8th-grade offices only. The student council meets at lunchtime 11:15-11:50 pm in Mr. Betten’s room twice a month beginning in November. 

Spelling Bee 4-6
Pray and Play Group (All Ages)
Come join us for a monthly “Pray and Play” group! I believe our children could always use more of these two things; praying and playing! Inspired by the Holy Rosary and my own 4 fun kids I have decided to host a once a month group right after school until 4:00 p.m. For the first 15 minutes I will attempt to influence our group to pray the Rosary more often. I will have some information available on the Apparitions of Mary, especially to children, such as Lourdes and Fatima. I will have simple depictions of the Mysteries of the Rosary for them to have access to, as well as some wonderful children’s picture books on Mary to share with them. With the rest of our time I plan on having simple play stations for the children to circulate through as they wish. We plan on having a hoola hoop station, board game area, card games, blocks, puzzles, art area and corn hole. For the older ages (6th, 7th, 8th graders) Dr. Swiger has approved this hour to count towards volunteer time, as I could utilize them to assist the younger children playing games and moving about the play stations. Please contact Mrs. Sedlack for more informaiton.
 

Art Club Grades K – 8

Students will enjoy painting ceramic pieces supplied by the Clay Café. This club meets on Mondays or Wednesday's from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM and runs for a 5 week period throughout the school year. There is a fee for this club. There will be club sign-ups several times a year. There is a limit on the number of students for this club.  The flyer went home in the back-to-school packet and is posted on the AGS website. Please contact Mrs. Leslie Williams for more information.

School Musical Grades 4 - 8

The AGS Musical is a great opportunity for students to showcase their creative side Whether it’s as an actor/dancer/singer or as part of the sound/lights/stage crew, there is something for everyone. Auditions for the show are held in November with rehearsals beginning immediately after the return from Christmas break in January (2+ days per week after school). There are three performances of the show in May. Students in 4th through 8th grades can participate. There is an activity fee per student to cover costs of cast t-shirts and food/snacks the week of the show.  Mrs. Beck will be the teacher responsible for the School Musical.
 

Cantor for Mass Grades 4 - 8

 

Band - Grades 4-8

Violin -  Grades K-8