Here is some information about TJ's extra-curricular activities :

• SKI CLUB: Open to all students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. The CLIB is open to experienced skiers, however, students that have never skied before are encouraged to join. Three Saturday trips to Vernon Valley Ski Resort are planned.

• ODYSSEY OF THE MIND: An activity in which students engage in a variety of creative problem-solving tasks. The long term task requires research, planning, and designing an original solution. The spontaneous task requires creative responses to a variety of prompts. Both tasks involve cooperation with teammates and culminate in a regional competition in the spring.

• AUDIO-VISUAL CLUB: The A.V. Club is responsible for all audio-visual requests by the staff at TJ. Deliveries of equipment are made before and during homeroom each day and are picked up at the end of the day.

• DIVERSITY CLUB: All people represent a cultural group. Come and join the Diversity Club to share traditions and experiences from your culture. During the year we will be sampling different foods, doing art projects, and planning exciting activities.

• LITERARY CLUB: Composed of students who enjoy writing and publishing their work. Students will have the opportunity to polish their personal writing (poetry/short story/drama) and submit their completed manuscripts to the school newspaper, 8th grade Memory Book, or to selected contests. This club is open to all students.

• STUDENT COUNCIL: The students elected will have the opportunity to assist in the operations of the school. This will be done through the use of student committees, active student involvement, and solicitation of student ideas. The student council members help in fundraisers, community projects, and school activiites to further enhance enthusiasm within our school and reach out to others in need.

• CONFLICT MEDIATION: We utilize student peer mediators to help reduce conflicts that otherwise could escalate into more serious problems. We are now beginning our second year of this successful program and involved in training a second "wave" of new mediators. These students will be trained in two half-day sessions. The training sessions will focus on understanding the mediation process and learning practicing specific communication skills. As a result of this program, Thomas Jefferson students are learning to take responsibility for their own problems and to work out conflicts in a healthy way.

• THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL STORE: The Thomas Jefferson School Store has been very busy. Each month the workers - try to encourage the students to come and see the supplies. During the month of November, the students participated in a turkey shoot. The winner won a chocolate turkey. In December, holiday pencils were distributed to the customers. Our store can't keep up with the demand for Loony Tune pencils and pens that look like twenty and fifty dollar bills.

• WEATHER CLUB: In it's second year of operation, each morning the club makes the current weather map. Then using the data from our weather station and pictures from the "Goes Weather Satellite," we issue a forecast for the next 24 hours. The forecast is read over the PA system during opening exercises. Our accuracy rate for the 24 hour forecast is currently 96%.

• DRAMA CLUB: The Drama Club's goal is to take a modern approach with their plays. Making sure they deal with everyday growing up problems from a different perspective.

• HOMEWORK HAVEN: This club is being offered in almost every school in Edison at least one day a week. In order for students to participate, Mrs. Hohnstine or Ms. Lewis must have parental permission in the form of either a dated note from a parent or the standard permission form available from any teacher or guidance secretary. Teachers provide extra help for any student with his/her homework.

• BOARD GAMES: This club gives students an opportunity to share and learn new (or old) board games and possibly have tournaments.

• TECHNOLOGY CLUB: This club promotes technology within Thomas Jefferson Middle School and the community. To promote technological literacy, and develop critical thinking skills. Special projects with the use of Intel computer kit, LEGO's, Electronic Kits and more. Mr. Frisina's HomePage. Mr. Frisina's Technology Page

• MEMORY BOOK CLUB: The Memory Book Club now consists of about 20 hard-working eighth grade students. The members have organized into committees with specific responsibilities. The Memory Book has been planned out as to page content. We are using a variety of resources, such as the computer lab, clip art, and student surveys.

• FRENCH CLUB: The French Club practices speaking French. We watch French films, sing songs, and sample French "cuisine." We are also excited about a trip to an authentic French restaurant on a Saturday in May called "Chez Michel" in Maplewood. "Bienvenue a Tout Le Monde."

• COMPUTER CLUB: Students play games and compete against one another in various computer games and competitions. Students explore various software and multimedia games. Students will also be updating the school homepage

• COMPUTER QUIZ BOWL: Students will be participating in a trivial pursuit type of competition against other schools in the state. We have a great group this year!

• ART CLUB: Students explore new areas of media. We help in TJ Special activities like the newspaper and provide in ongoing classroom projects.

Our homepage is currently under construction and we would love any information or suggestions.

You can send me e-mail at ymendez@garden.net