Skip to main content
Academics and Student Life » Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular Activities

A wide variety of extracurricular options are available to enhance your student's educational experience; there's something for everyone! Some activities are moderated by SJS faculty and others are offered through partnerships with approved organizations, whose facilitators are all in compliance with guidelines from the Office of Protection of Children and Youth. Students attending extended care are escorted safely to and from extracurricular program sessions in our building.

 

Academic Competitions

Scholastic Quiz Bowls

Our junior high students participate in several scholastic competitions, often called academic bowls, sponsored by area high schools, including Fenwick, Gordon Tech, Notre Dame, Loyola Academy, Trinity, St. Ignatius, and St. Patrick. At these tournaments our student teams compete against other Catholic schools on a variety of academic subjects, as well as sports, current events and popular culture. The faculty leaders of the academic team are Ms. Kanela Arianas and Mrs. Jane Lidgus. The students prepare for competitions during after-school sessions using buzzer equipment. We're very proud to say our teams consistently place at or near the top.

 

 

Battle of the Books

Our younger students have the opportunity to compete against other Catholic schools in the Battle of the Books contests. Students individually commit to read certain books on the "Battle" list, attend practice sessions after school and then compete as a team against neighboring schools in late spring. The Battle of the Books program is coordinated by our library aide, Mrs. Heidi Jimenez.

 

 

Academic, Art & Music Programs

Some activities are school-sponsored (*) and other programs are offered through partnerships with external organizations. All are on-premise; fees for partnered programs are set by and payable to the program.

  • Band, for students learning to play band instruments.
  • *Children's Choir: Instruction and preparation to sing for school and parish liturgical celebrations.
  • *Drama & Glee Clubs: Performance arts instruction and practice.
  • *High School Test Prep: Offered in the fall for eighth grade students, to help prepare for the Catholic High School entrance exams in January.
  • Irish Music School of Chicago: Instruction in the tin whistle.
  • Renaissance Knights: Chess instruction and games.
  • Star Guitar: Guitar lessons and practice.
  • *STEAM Club and new STEAM Lab: Science, technology, engineering arts, and math for students in first through eighth grade.
  • Young Rembrandts: Art instruction and practice.
 
 
Student Council

Our student council presents a unique opportunity for students in grades four and above to learn organization, leadership and teamwork skills, and prepares them for later student government positions. Under adult supervision, the student council comes up with activity ideas, votes on the ones it will implement, plans all aspects of the activity and then run the activity. Recent activities include:

  • Sale of bead necklaces for Mardi Gras to benefit school needs
  • Collection of donations and assembly of Easter baskets for needy children
  • Pack-the-Gym nights to benefit local food pantries
  • Fundraising, shopping, wrapping and delivery of Christmas gifts for underprivileged children

Our student council is representative-based, and elections for grade representatives and officers are held in May for the upcoming school year. Mrs. Jane Lidgus and Ms. Kanela Arianas are the faculty moderators for our student council.

 

Scouting

St. Juliana Parish is proud to sponsor youth scouting organizations as part of its mission to support the local community.

 

Boys
 

Tiger and Cub Scout Pack 3965 is open for boys in kindergarten through fifth grade; registration begins early in the school year. An informational session for parents is provided.

 

The Boy Scouts of America first came to our parish in 1932 and BSA Troop 965 remains a thriving, active group today.

 

Their website highlights activities which include regular troop meetings, camp-outs and preparation for the prestigious and hard-earned Eagle Scout award. The troop welcomes boys in sixth grade and up; current troop members hail from Ebinger, St. Paul of the Cross, Notre Dame, Lane Tech, St. Pat's, and St. Ignatius, as well as St. Juliana School.
Girls
 

Girl Scouts of America offers girls from kindergarten through eighth grade opportunities to be Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadets.

 

Registration opens at the beginning of each school year. Meeting dates and locations vary, and parent volunteers are welcome. 
 
 
BOKS rocks our mornings!
STEM Club Igloos
Altar Servers
Give it up for Glee
Girls on the Run
Children's Choir