Extracurricular Activities

Fifth through eighth graders are welcome to join us every other week in an exploration of acrylics.  Students are guided through color mixing, blending, and basic brush work as we travel through different types of paintings to broaden our students' experiences.  
 
Classes will be held after school on Mondays beginning in January.

Altar serving is available for boys and girls who have received their first communion. Please contact Jason Markowski for training. 

Below are the available positions:

• Crucifer (Cross Bearer): carries the cross in procession
• Acolyte 1: carries one of the candles in procession and is paired with Acolyte 2. This server is responsible for the Priest's chalice, the wine, holding the towel during hand washing, and ringing the bells.
•  Acolyte 2: carries one of the candles and is paired with Acolyte 1. This server is responsible for water, the bowl for hand washing, and other items to be brought to the altar.
• Torch: These servers carry the torches (lanterns) in procession and during certain key parts of the Mass.
• Thurifer: carries the thurible (censor of hot coals) on which the incense will be place. The Thurifer handles the thurible to insense the priest, the people, and the Eucharist at different times.
• Boat: Carries the insense in a small vessel called a boat. The Boat follows the Thurifer and opens the boat so the priest can scoop the incense onto the hot coals. There is one point where the Boat puts incense on the coals.
• Master of Ceremonies (MC): This server is responsible for all of the Altar Servers at Mass. The MC is the most experienced server and should know the duties of all other Servers. He is also responsible for directing the priest in some of his functions at Mass.

America's Battle of the Books is a reading incentive activity for students in grades 3-8. Each group has 4-6 members who read twelve books and quiz each other on details.
 
This culminates in a school-wide competition in February in the Parish Center, and a Regional Competition between teams from the Salem Catholic schools.
 
Click here to see a reading list.

Mr. and Mrs. Schneider hold tryouts each fall for students from the parish who are interested in joining the church choir. 

Students meet every other Wednesday in the school to practice for an hour. 
 
The choir is featured at many of the Sunday Masses throughout the year, including (and especially!) Christmas and Easter!

Our older students take part in National Geographic's Geography Bee each year. 
 
Fourth through eighth graders compete in their classes to determine who knows the most geographic facts and trivia.  The top two members of each class move on to the school competition. The entire school gathers with proud parents as students compete for the top spot each winter.

Participating students receive a build challenge and have two weeks to create their masterpiece.  On video day, students bring in their finished products, and describe all of the wonderful details of their piece.
 
This is an opportunity for students to stretch their imaginations and their design, engineering and building abilities to develop their spatial awareness and thinking outside the box. Challenges are available on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Each January, teams travel from around the country, Canada, and Mexico to take part in this Roman Catholic trivia challenge.  Facts from the Bible, Catechesis, and  history are all fair game as teams battle for bragging rights and prizes.
 
Students form teams of 4-5 in the 5-6th grade or 7th-8th grade levels. Mr. Adam Librande is the coach.
 
Our middle school team took Second Place at the 2018 competition!
 
This year, we plan to hold a school-based competition, and possibly a virtual regional one!

Sports club is held every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:30 in the gym or playground (depending on weather) throughout the spring term. Students in 5th through 8th grade play organized games, supervised by Mr. Adam Librande and other volunteers. 

Student Government is an opportunity for children to learn about coordinating ideas and activities with a larger group. 
 
Each class elects two representatives to sit on the student council. Students from third through eighth grade get a chance to listen to campaign speeches and vote for officers.
 
Middle school students may run for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Public Relations Director.

Our students get a chance to share their unique talents with all of their school friends. Each year, students come together to watch as individuals, small groups, and entire classes are highlighted as they show off what they've been working on. It's a wonderful way to end the school year!
 
It is held each May at 2:00 pm on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

Trail Life is a  Christian outdoor adventure, character and leadership program for boys and young men. 
 
St. Joseph Trail Life Troop OR-1531 is run by St. Joseph alumnus and parishioner, David Wendell. It is open to boys from Kindergarten through 8th grade and beyond. Visit the troop's website for more information. 

First through fifth graders are welcome to join us every Monday to paint together, developing both an understanding of color and the medium, and their experience with art.  In a low-pressure, step-by-step class, students are encouraged to paint together for fun and companionship.
 
This class takes place after school on Mondays, beginning the first week of October.