National Junior Honor Society
Grade: 7th & 8th
NJHS is a national organization whose mission is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to influence a desire to offer service, to encourage leadership, to develop character, and to promote citizenship. This is a co-curricular activity that actively supports the academic goals of the school and provides opportunities for service to the school and the community. The National Junior Honor Society is open to students in Grade 8 who meet the academic requirements.
Guardian Angels National Junior Honor Society has participated in or facilitated the following activities:
- Recycle Teams collect recycled paper and plastic on a weekly basis.
- Leaders manage and sell snack items during the Academy lunch period as a charitable fundraiser.
- Members have monthly meetings to discuss their activities and fundraisers. They provide service to their classmates by organizing activities for the students in grades 6-8.
Contact: Mrs. Kristen Brown
Academy Musicals
Grades: 6th-8th
The Academy performs a musical in the spring. They are selected from the Broadway Junior Productions. Auditions are in the fall and rehearsals begin at the end of October. Any students who do not make it into the musical have the opportunity to join one of the crews (see Crew Descriptions.)
Music and choreography rehearsals run from October through December in the music room. After Christmas break, rehearsals are in the gym. The performance is typically the end of March.
Musical Crews:
- Stage Crew: assists with the building and painting of the set
- Prop Crew: assists with the collection of props, creates props as needed, places props on stage for performances and between scenes
- Make-Up Crew: applies make-up to the cast for performances
- Light Crew: runs the stage lights and spotlight for performances
- Sound Crew: runs the soundboard for the show, sets up microphones, headsets, and monitors for the shows, runs sound checks before performances
- Ushers: pass out programs, assist with chair set-up and tear down, help people find seats, collect donations
- Advertising: creates colorful ads and creative announcements to advertise the musical
Contact: Mrs. Andrea Cross
First Tech Challenge Robotics
Grades 6th-8th
Our First Tech Challenge Robotics Team motivates students to pursue technology, math, and science and is open to students in 6th – 8th grades. The middle school students are challenged to build, design, and program a robot to play on a game floor. They compete two to three times a year against other school teams in different counties in Michigan. Our GA Bots learn to strategize, share their ideas and talents, and have fun!
- Robofest (Game Competition)
- Sumo Robo
Contact: Ms. Connie Eisenhart
Service Squad
Grades: 6th-8th
Service Squad is a group of Academy students dedicated to serving the teachers. Membership begins in early September when students have the opportunity to sign up to share their time and gifts. They are assigned to a teacher for the year and volunteer their time after school. In the past, our members have helped in the art room with organizing lessons and supplies, in the science lab helping prepare items for future labs, in the kindergarten or preschool room with organization and lesson preparation, and in the library with book collection and shelving. Service Squad is a great opportunity for students to contribute to our school community.
Contact: Miss Lisa Harlan
Safety Patrol
Grade: 5th
Fifth graders have the opportunity to sign up to become members of Safety Patrol. They are responsible for overseeing their younger peers as they enter and exit the building. Safety Patrol also helps the younger children out of cars as they arrive to school. Safety Patrol members who exhibit leadership qualities can be selected to continue their roles as Safety Officers as they enter the Academy. These students are responsible for overseeing the duties and behavior of the fifth grade members.
Contact: Mrs. Paula Mateus
Young Authors’ Club
Grade: 5th-8th
Students will be encouraged to improve their creativity and imagination through writing exercises and prompts. All writers will have the opportunity to see their stories in print. The club will conclude with a showcase and reception for writers and their families.
Writing Club Website: https://www.gawritingclub.com/
Contact: Mrs. Erin Dawkins
Flavors of Faith
Grades: 1st-5th
Your child is invited to travel the globe as they are introduced to Flavors of Faith! We will sample foods from different cultures as we discuss Saints from around the globe. This extracurricular activity takes place after school one Tuesday a month from 3:30-4:00pm. Meetings will take place in the upstairs teacher’s lounge. Space is limited to 20 slots.
Contact: Mrs. Erika Smithson
Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts
Grades: Kdg-8th
Boy Scouts of America: The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Girl Scouts of America: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Contact: Mrs. Rebecca Jones (Boy Scouts) or Mrs. Julie Kane (Girls Scouts)
