Activities

VMSS is holding a schoolwide spelling bee for anyone who is interested! There will also be a vocabulary component to the test. All VMSS students will have the opportunity to participate using an online format. More information will be shared in English classes this winter. See Mrs. Gagnon or Mrs. Pelinka in room 401 for more information.

Open to any VMSS student that wants to play (or learn how to play) chess.  Students meet Wednesdays after school until 4:00 in Mr. Bettini’s room.

A once a week general knowledge trivia game played with three teams of 4-6 players per team. Competitions will be held once per month after school at SHMS on Wednesdays. There is also an advisory option for practice and fun VMSS-only scrimmages. If students are looking for extra practice, try the site www.triviaplaza.com or https://www.greatauk.com/freequestions.html.  Questions?  See Mrs. Pelinka or Mrs. Gagnon in room 401.

Students at VMSS will have an opportunity to compete in the National Geographic Bee in the spring. Students will test their knowledge on various areas around the world until we have one school winner! See Mrs. Gagnon and Mrs. Pelinka for more information.

Thinking Cap is a general knowledge quiz bowl where students compete as a large group team. Students are encouraged to answer questions about a wide variety of topics in a timed setting. Competitions are held twice a year in the fall and spring and consist of 100 questions. Our teams compete in a computer based setting against schools in our midwest region. Practices take place weekly during advisory time. See Mrs. Gagnon or Mrs. Pelinka for more information.

The Math Masters mathematics competition program challenges 6th grade students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in mathematics. Students compete as individuals and on teams in eight rounds of competition held in March and April each year. Students’ academic effort and achievement is recognized with plaques, medallions and ribbons in each competition element: Fact Drill, Individual Round and Team Competition. Teams practice once a week during advisory time with math coach, Mrs. Gagnon.

Meetings and fun activities will be communicated via school announcements and the Battle of the Books Schoology group. This activity is open to all grades! Questions? See Ms. Pitzen (room 214) or Mrs. Trudeau (room 207). Happy Reading!

All students are welcome to participate.  Students work with coaches to select a speech category, practice at home, and meet with a coach once a week after school.  Be sure to watch for more information in the announcements! Speech is a Winter after school activity. Questions? See Mrs. Vaillancourt (room 508).

Students can attend a creative writing workshop at Bethel University in the Spring. More information will be given during advisory announcements and in your ELA classes. Questions? See Mrs. Rogers (room 206) or Mrs. Martin (LMC) for more information.

Our writing club meets weekly during advisory time. We talk about character development, dialogue, plot development and more. Students write together, share ideas and make writing goals each month. We meet once a week during advisory time. Questions? See Mrs. Gagnon or Mrs. Pelinka in room 401.

8th graders have the opportunity to be leaders for our incoming 6th graders.  Applications are filled out in April of their 7th grade year. This is a great way to be involved at VMSS! See Mrs. Venz, Ms. Pitzen or Mrs. Trudeau for more information.

The First Friends Group is responsible for helping new students learn how to navigate Valley Middle School of STEM. They assist with introducing new students to peers, helping with lockers, guiding students to classes, and answering any questions they may have. By following the VMSS Way, (being responsible, respectful, and safe), our First Friends provide a welcoming environment for our new students. See your school counselor for more information.

Student Council is a group of student leaders from 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade endorsed by both classmates and teachers that will collaborate together to serve our school community in order to make our school the best it can be! There are certain requirements for joining student council, which can be found on the application. Applications to join the Student Council are available in September and are closed in October. Meetings take place at least once a month (more when needed) before school at 7:15 AM. Teacher Advisors:  Mr. Galaher and Mr. Roseen

Grow your math knowledge by tackling challenging problems beyond the scope of typical math class curriculum! Math Team will meet Wednesdays afterschool in room 408. Questions? See coach Mrs. Antonich (room 408).

Conservation Club is a youth-led, empowering program that engages students in learning + leadership around conservation opportunities at VMSS. The goal of this program is to provide students an opportunity to lead our school in improving our conservation efforts as a community. We meet once a week during advisory time. See Mrs. Pelinka in room 401 for more information. We are sponsored by Conservation Minnesota.

Kindness Club is a student-led group that promotes generosity, compassion for others, and positive school culture through student-led service projects and helping others. Students visit Southview Elementary to help in the areas of math, writing and reading.

What will the cities of the future look like? Do you like designing, planning, engineering and working together to create something great? Join Future City! This is an afterschool program that runs from September through January. Questions? See Mrs. Trudeau (room 207) for more information.

Students from any grade with or without theater experience are encouraged to join the fall play or spring musical! There are opportunities for onstage performance and backstage tech crew work. Students work on a show from start to finish and get to show off the final result to the school and the community. Contact Mrs. Deyo or Mrs. Waage for more information.

Students in General Music have the opportunity to explore several different areas of music, such as music of history, music around the world, and what music means to them individually. Students will also learn the basics of piano, guitar, ukulele, and bucket drums.

Want to participate in a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) where players work together to explore a fictional world, complete quests, and defeat monsters? Yesssss, please! In late September, this opportunity will become a reality! Students will play after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:50 - 4:50. Activity buses will be available to go home. Questions? See Mr. Staum (room 515) or Mr. Thingstad (room 411) for more information. Open to all grades.