The popular Club 8 activities for Washougal middle school students have returned as a way for them to feel connected and provide opportunities to explore a variety of interests, even while schools are closed.
“Our teachers have been concerned about their students and are looking for different ways to reach them,” said Tracey Stinchfield, Club 8 coordinator. “They are excited that this new opportunity is available and look forward to the chance for kids to connect in a more social way.”
Club 8 is for students at Jemtegaard and Canyon Creek Middle Schools and offers afterschool club activities for students to try new things or dive deeper into an area of interest including art, science projects, games and leadership. The clubs are held each Monday and Thursday afternoon from 3:00-4:00pm with students now meeting via Zoom link rather than in classrooms at JMS.
“Our first virtual Club 8 activities held on April 20 seemed to be a success,” said Stinchfield. “The clubs ran smoothly, and the kids had a great time. I could hear a lot of talking and laughing in the clubs I was able to participate in. I talked to a couple students that attended and they both said they really enjoyed it!”
“I just appreciated seeing how invested the students are in the activities,” said JMS Principal David Cooke. “Club 8 has been really important to our students so to be able to give them back a part of their normal school routine has been great.”
“It was fun to see the students again,” said JMS art teacher, Dani Allen. “We started the first day with students sharing some of the art they have been doing,” she said. “Next we will try some recycled art at home and after that some rock painting.”
The Club 8 Sound Stage, led by Diana Larsen, has a large following and focuses on performance art. “The kids were asked to share their favorite song lyric that has helped them through this quarantine,” said Larsen. “They shared their feelings and one student shared lyrics to a poem. We also rehearsed monologues from the play we had planned to perform on April 14. Next week we will be doing a mini songwriting lesson. The kids seemed to enjoy just being together online.”
The American Sign Language Club is taking full advantage of the remote capabilities now being used. The instructor, Anthony Valdez, is a former Washougal High School student who now lives in Virginia. He is using this opportunity to continue the ASL Club 8 lessons that he started two years ago.
“We know that a lot of kids are doing just fine and are staying busy but we worry a lot about the ones who don’t have a way to connect with their friends or other adults in a positive way,” Stinchfield explained. “Club 8 gives students something to look forward to, a way to connect with friends and maybe even make some new friends.”
Stinchfield is expecting the clubs will continue to grow as students talk to each other and encourage one another to participate. In addition to the ASL, art and Sound Stage Clubs, students can participate in Book Club, Chat with a Counselor, Coding Club, Game Club, Kindness Club, Pep Club, Rainbow Alliance, and a Friday workout. There are several clubs that are always available with an occasional special club activity offered. New activities will be added as they become available, and students are asked to submit ideas for a fun club.
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