How to Help MS DD Start a Club at School

[Anonymous]

rising 7th gr DD tried one club last year but didn't stick with it. but she's started to like playing pickleball with us and one of her friends the last few months, so we thought it could be a good opportunity in the new school year for her to use that to connect with other kids after school or even become friends, which is mainly what we would like for her to get out of it. does anyone know how or have tried to help starting a club at a public middle school? i don't know much about how school system works but there's probably some processes or requirements/restrictions kind of stuff to go through? or would it be easier if reaching out to PTA? and if it's not possible or much harder than i think that's fine too. thx!

[Anonymous]

Which district?

[Anonymous]

Teacher and parent here. An off site club after school is going to be tough. Most places I’ve worked require a form with a signature from a sponsor. I’m asked to sponsor many clubs by students every year and I can’t volunteer my time after school or weekends to go to wherever they are planning on going.

Do you have a place they can play at the school? If so, you may have better luck finding a teacher to supervise. I would have her start with asking her homeroom/advisory teacher. It can’t hurt to also reach out to the PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which district?

APS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which district?

APS

I’m the teacher and have been googling pickle ball options. It looks like the YMCA in Arlington has classes and leagues. That could be an option to meet other kids if the club doesn’t work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher and parent here. An off site club after school is going to be tough. Most places I’ve worked require a form with a signature from a sponsor. I’m asked to sponsor many clubs by students every year and I can’t volunteer my time after school or weekends to go to wherever they are planning on going.

Do you have a place they can play at the school? If so, you may have better luck finding a teacher to supervise. I would have her start with asking her homeroom/advisory teacher. It can’t hurt to also reach out to the PTA.

Thanks! We do want to do it somewhere on the school ground, either outside or in the gym or hallway or similar space. So we do need a teacher (or a staff?) to sponsor this, makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher and parent here. An off site club after school is going to be tough. Most places I’ve worked require a form with a signature from a sponsor. I’m asked to sponsor many clubs by students every year and I can’t volunteer my time after school or weekends to go to wherever they are planning on going.

Do you have a place they can play at the school? If so, you may have better luck finding a teacher to supervise. I would have her start with asking her homeroom/advisory teacher. It can’t hurt to also reach out to the PTA.

Thanks! We do want to do it somewhere on the school ground, either outside or in the gym or hallway or similar space. So we do need a teacher (or a staff?) to sponsor this, makes sense.

I don’t work in APS but yes, they would likely need a sponsor. It’s possible they may let someone from the PTA volunteer but I don’t know the rules of APS. It shouldn’t be that hard to find someone if she wants it to be at school! When school starts, she can also ask her PE teacher for advice.

[Anonymous]

At our APS middle school there is an activities coordinator who would be the person to ask. But I'm pretty sure there needs to be a teacher sponsor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our APS middle school there is an activities coordinator who would be the person to ask. But I'm pretty sure there needs to be a teacher sponsor.

OP will get better advice if they say which middle school

[Anonymous]

Here’s the process for WMS from the website:

Creating a club-

At WMS we encourage our students to express and share their interest by creating their own clubs. Here is how WMS students can create/share their own clubs for their fellow wolves.

Students will need to write a paragraph answering the following questions and share the write up with Ms. Hogwood (this goes on the WMS website for others to see and possibly join):
Who: who are the members of the club (five WMS students are needed to start the club)? What staff member will be the sponsor (each club must have an APS sponsor, the sponsor’s role is to moderate the club and ensure fairness and safety for all attending?
What/why: what is the club and its purpose
When/Where: when will the club meet (what day and after-school session, clubs can meet one or both sessions)

**If you have any questions, please email Ms. Hogwood ([e-mail]).

[Anonymous]

No helpful advice. Just everytime I read the thread title I for some reason read it as wanting to start a fight club...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our APS middle school there is an activities coordinator who would be the person to ask. But I'm pretty sure there needs to be a teacher sponsor.

OP will get better advice if they say which middle school

Kenmore. But found the WMS club info useful too. thx!

[Anonymous]

just learned there'll be a counselor chat next week. it is a good and appropriate to ask about forming a club during the chat right? or is not really a counselor's thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:just learned there'll be a counselor chat next week. it is a good and appropriate to ask about forming a club during the chat right? or is not really a counselor's thing?

Different Teacher. I would definitely bring it up then. They may not be able to help but it would be nice if they could spread the word. Likely there is a teacher on staff who has fallen into the pickleball craze and who might be interested in serving as a sponsor.

[Anonymous]

OP, a good starting point would be the Kenmore website. I just did that for you and went to the Activities tab and it says if you want to start a club you should contact Mr. Baugh for help finding a sponsor.

Since it's her school you may want to bookmark kenmore.apsva.us for future reference for all sorts of school-related things.