Behind the Scenes: Making Club Day Happen

Middle School students love Club Day. Each trimester, we step away from academics for a full day to allow students to explore different skills and activities that aren’t typically offered in the classroom – friendship bracelets, quilting, yoga, or board games, just to name a few. Prior to Club Day, students share their desired club selections and cross their fingers, hoping they’ll get into their top pick. But how is that determined? What goes into planning these clubs? Let’s take a peek behind the scenes to see what brings club day to life.

The Clubs Committee, taking input from the Middle School staff, selects a date in each trimester to host clubs. A few years ago, we realized Halloween is the perfect date for Trimester One, but the second and third trimesters offer us a bit more flexibility. This trimester, clubs will be held on Tuesday, March 31, the same day as All-School Chapel and the BIGG Corral Pals Service Day. Sometimes it’s as easy as asking, “Can we stack this with something else?” which is how we nailed down our T3 date.

After dates are nailed down, MS teachers begin brainstorming ideas for potential clubs. What grades can participate? Where can the club be held? How many students can I host in one round? Many teachers choose to host a club for a creative hobby they participate in themselves, such as Mrs. Rich, who has taught many students to crochet, or Coach Garos, who shared her pickleball prowess in T2. Other teachers have harnessed the power of AI to help come up with new and fresh ideas that Middle School students will love.

Once ideas are nailed down, teachers determine supplies they need and send requests to Ms. Erlandson. She orders supplies, but also plans snacks for students for during the day – think donuts or popsicles! Without her, Club Day would not run as smoothly as it does.

Mrs. Lemons is the true magician of the Clubs Committee. With a few mouse clicks and formula entries into Google Sheets, she is able to plan our entire day, down to the minute. She keeps in mind crossover teachers who have classes in other divisions or any breaks for teachers that need to be planned. The spreadsheet is truly where the magic happens.

After space and schedules are planned, students make their selections and the Clubs Committee begins placing students in clubs. While exceptions always have to be made, many students end up in exactly the clubs they want, effectively planning their entire day of fun activities!

On Club Day, students receive their schedule for the day and shoot off to their various locations. Fifth graders spend time in clubs with eighth graders and new relationships are developed across the division. It’s a fast and furious, but fun day for the students. As you can see, a lot of work takes place behind the scenes, but it always ends up worth it, as many students would say these are their favorite days of the year.

In Trimester Three, teachers get a short reprieve from the planning part of clubs by way of a pre-planned rotation. Advisories group up and rotate through activities such as kickball, pickleball, Easter Olympics, and volleyball. This allows for team building across grade levels and advisories, and makes the life of a Middle School teacher in T3 just a little easier. 

Club Day is always a big commitment – for students and teachers alike – but one that helps us fulfill the mission of Trinity School in a different and rewarding way.