Activities

Jerling offers a wide variety of clubs and activities, including:

• Drama Club
  • Mrs. Callis, Mr. McElligott, Mr. Reif, Mr. Murphy
  • About: Drama Club - A chance to participate in the production of a play/musical. Students learn songs, dances, lines, crew skills, set building skills and scene changes in order to put together and perform an hour-long show in the spring. Students can participate by performing in the show, or working as the crew backstage.
  • About: Drama Set Design - We use various techniques and materials to design and build sets and props for the yearly musical performance.  Open to all 3 grade levels.
• Student Council
  • Mrs. Marinier & Mrs. Doyle
  • About: A club where students experience the roles of President, Vice President, Treasury and Secretary and learn how these positions govern a committee.  Students main focus is to brainstorm ways to raise money for their school, National organizations and their community.
  • Meets throughout the year on Mondays 
• Chorale
  • Dr. Greene
  • About: Chorale is an audition based, smaller vocal ensemble that focuses mainly on improving and learning proper vocal technique, breathing, and ear training. We sing our musical selections for the season at the Winter Choir concert. Auditions for chorale include singing 20-30 secs of a song, acapella, and common warm-ups to test vocal range. Chorale is seen as a stepping stone for smaller chamber/acapella group singing in high school and onward.
  • Meets on Wednesdays until 12/26
• Drumline
  • Mrs. Gihan
  • About:  Drumline is an after-school performance ensemble focused on training students in the technique and show style of the marching percussion arts as seen in the movie "Drumline" and at HBCU's across the country.  The initial drumline workshops and auditions, held in the Fall, are open to all Jerling students.  No previous experience is required.  The Drumline will perform at various school, district, and community events, with even more opportunities as we grow!
  • Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays through February
• Guitar Club
  • Mr. Hiatt
  • About: Beginner & Intermediate level guitarists an opportunity to practice and perform Pop and Rock songs in a group and one-on-one setting. They will gain knowledge of the instrument, music theory and aural skills, and how to start playing together with friends and other musicians. Guitar club will run January - May, culminating with a performance with the Jerling Jr. High Choir.
  • Meets on Mondays from January 26 - May 18
• Yearbook
  • Mrs. Brosnan & Ms. Mangia
  • About: A club that welcomes all to take picture, write, and create layouts for memories to be submitted and printed in our annual yearbook! Come make friendships, gain photography, journalism, technology skills!
  • Meets throughout the school year
• Intramurals
  • Fall - Mrs. Melka & Mrs. Marinier -- Meets on various dates in October
  • Winter - Mrs. Marinier -- Meets Nov. 7, 12, 13, 21
  • About: A club to play games with your friends after school like basketball, football etc..  These games are friendly in nature and as competitive as you would like to make them.  There is no limit in attendance so bring as many friends as you would like! 
• Art Club
  • Mr. Murphy
  • About: Art Club is an open space for students to learn various art making techniques.  There are set art projects, however students may decide to use any materials they would like.  Open to all 3 grade levels.
  • Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays September through November
• Rock Climbing Club
  • Ms. Krown
  • Students will learn how to climb the indoor rock wall
  • Meets Fridays in November and TBD days in January - February
• Speech Contest/Declamation (SWIC)
  • Mrs. Doyle
  • About: Do you like to make a statement? Do you want people to listen to what you have to say? Do you like to make people laugh? Jerling Speech Team is a chance to work on your public speaking and acting skills and have fun doing it!
• Dance Club
  • Ms. Krown
  • About: Dance Club starts at the beginning of January and runs until May (Days TBD). We rehearse weekly with yoga, ballet barre, across the floor combo and culminate with jazz routines. We perform at community events for District 135, Carl Sandburg and the Village of Orland Park.
• Pride Club
  • Ms. Callis
  • About: Pride Club all are welcome to join this inclusive club for LGBTQ students and allies. We support each other while having fun in a safe environment and promote acceptance in our school community.
• Math Club (SWIC)
  • Ms. Schaffer & Mr. Gonnella
  • About: Mathletes is open to students who excel in math and demonstrate higher levels of competency in math reasoning and computational skills. This is a competitive activity in SWIC, with all member schools competing at an end of the season competition.
  • Meets January through March on various days/dates
• Book Club
  • Mrs. Jensen
  • About: If you love reading, or even just want to talk about books, book club is for you.  We might read books together or even do some book related crafts! Even if you want to start reading more this club is for you! 
  • Meets January through March (Dates TBD)
• T-Shirt Club
  • Mr. Murphy
  • About: Students learn a variety of screen printing techniques to design and create shirts for other clubs and sports teams here at Jerling.  Students also design and create their own personal designs.  Open to 7th and 8th graders only.
  • Meets on Wednesdays
• Science Club
  • Ms. Niven & Mrs. Marinier
  • About: An afterschool program for students to conduct fun and engaging scientific Investigations and explore Science topics through a hands-on Experience.  Students also have an opportunity to join a Science Bowl Competition, which is held by Argonne National Laboratories, against other schools from Illinois. 
  • Meets September-March on Wednesdays and Fridays (some Saturdays)
• AV/Tech Club
  • Mrs. Conway & Mrs. Poniatowski
  • AV Club (Audio Visual Club) is an auditioned group that writes, films, and edits a weekly news-style show. The show airs on Friday mornings at Jerling and features news and announcements for the coming week, as well as highlights of clubs, teams, and events around the building.
  • Meets on Tuesdays, September through May
• National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
  • Mrs. Conway & Mrs. Kreger
  • The National Junior Society (NJHS) recognizes and promotes student achievement in scholarship, character, service, citizenship, and leadership. Eligible students in 6th and 7th grade can apply through a portfolio and rubric-based selection process in the spring. Accepted students will be inducted into the school's NJHS chapter and must maintain a B average, complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service yearly, and participate in monthly meetings and school-wide community service programs.
  • Meets (approximately) every other Wednesday, September through May
• American Sign Language Club
  • Ms. Corral
  • ASL starts in October and runs through March. Students develop expressive and receptive skills with an emphasis placed on fluency, vocabulary and cultural awareness.
  • Meets on Wednesdays, March through May
• Anime Club
  • Mrs. Poniatowski
  • About: A safe space for students to share their love of anime with other students.  During anime club, we will watch and discuss anime, as well as create illustrations of our favorite anime.
• Lego Club
  • Mrs. Abramovske
  • About: Students will work together to create/build historical landmarks and/or places around the world using Lego. Lego creations to possibly be displayed in the library or other areas around the building. 
  • Lego club meets on Wednesdays and runs October 1 - November 17.
• Fitness Club
  • Mrs. Reynolds
  • Students will use the weight room and learn how to operate the weight machines and the proper form for lifting free weights.
  • Meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday, September 10 - October 24
• Cricut Club
  • Ms. Jensen, Ms. Bingham
  • Students will use a cricut to create designs that they can transfer to items like t-shirts, cups, signs, etc.
  • Meets the first and last Monday of the month (typically) December 1 - May 18
• Crochet Club
  • Ms. Ziemba
  • Students learn the basics of crocheting
• Newspaper Club
  • Ms. Jensen
  • Students will act as reporters and writers for the school newspaper. They will learn the basics of interviewing, writing and editing, resulting in student-authored stories in a published, printed school newspaper.
  • Meets the first three Wednesdays of the month (typically) and runs September through May
• Makerspace Club
  • Ms. Poniatowski
  • In Makerspace Club, students can tap into their creativity and innovation through the use of a wide variety of hands-on materials such as 3D pens, snap circuits, perler beads, 3D printing, and even a laser cutter! Students interested in coding can also join Makerspace Club and learn how to code their own games and more.
  • Meets every other Monday (approximately) and runs September through May
• E-Sports (Gaming)
  • Mrs. Poniatowski
  • Students compete with other students and schools in online gaming.
  • Meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays and runs December through April
• Chess Club
  • Ms. Brosnan
  • Students learn how to play chess and play matches against other students.
  • Meets on Tuesdays and Fridays and runs September through October.
• Fishing Club
  • Ms. Ziemba, Mr. Hall
  • Students meet after school and head to the nearest pond to fish.
  • Runs in the Spring
• Zumba
  • Ms. Ciezkowski
  • Students will learn the basics of Zumba for fun and exercise.
  • Meets on Wednesdays, March - May
• Cheer Club
  • Ms. Palumbo
  • Learn basic cheers and routines and perform at some school events and basketball/volleyball games
  • Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays and runs December through February.
• Flag Football
  • Ms. Mangia, Ms. Palumbo
  • Students meet after school to play flag football.
  • Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays and runs September - October.

Interested in starting a new club at Jerling?  Complete this google form