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Gum Springs Elementary School

Home of the Panthers

Clubs & Extracurricular Activities

science olympiad

Students build their understanding of basic scientific concepts, like measurement, force, engineering design, and energy through study, hands-on, and inquiry-based activities and challenges. Students will compete in at least one county competition and one regional competition.  Currently planning to have tryouts in September and then meet every Tuesday (and occasionally Mon) until 4:00 pm through March/April.

Sponsors: Kasey Sheridan and Lisa Thomas.

Students engage in research, problem-solving, coding and engineering, as well as building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. Students also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem. Students will compete in at least one county scrimmage and one regional tournament. Tryouts will be August 26th and then meet every Monday (and occasionally Wed/Thurs) until 4:30 pm through December/January.

Sponsors: Kasey Sheridan and Haley Meier.

Gum Springs will be students who wish to grow in their knowledge of music, theater and performance. Students will meet weekly to prepare for upcoming performances such as a Christmas Concert, the National Anthem to perform at games and to prepare for our spring musical, Disney's 101 Dalmatians. However, to have a main part in the musical students will need to audition in which information will be given at a later date. 

Meets on Thursdays!

Sponsors: Emily Cash and Megan Holloway

This is an opportuntiy for students who do not make the Science Olympiad Team to participate in STEM activities eventhough they did not make the Science Olympiad Team. Students will participate in activites that enrich and broaden their problem solving skills by participating in activities based around subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math.  

Meets on Thursdays, once a month.

Sponsors: Missy Brunen and Holly Roland

Tryouts going on until August 22. Team will be announced on August 23.

Open for grades fourth and fifth and meets daily between 7:15 and 7:40. 

Sponsors: Shelly Salom, Stephanie Franks

As the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America, National Beta is dedicated to leading by serving others. The Beta community recognizes high academic achievement, rewards and nurtures worthy character, fosters leadership skills, and encourages service to others. Junior Beta Club is available for 4th-8th grade students.

Club meets on Wednesdays!

Sponsors: Allison Crawford and Hannah Freyre.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of investing as they work in teams to manage a pretend portfolio of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, while competing against teams all across Georgia to be the best money managers!  Is your child a 4th or 5th grader who is interested in competing in the GSES STOCK MARKET GAME CHALLENGE? Is your child available to stay after school until 4:00 P.M. on designated TUESDAYs, starting October 1st and continuing through December 10th. 

Sponsor: Cyndi Kelly

Cooking club will introduce students to a variety of foods with chances to practice reading and measuring ingredients from a recipe. We will also practice knife safety skills and using a can opener. 

Note: Students will need to provide any info about allergies and there will be a fee to help provide ingredients.

Meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays!

Sponsor: Ms. Simmons

Members will work on special projects and a few secret missions around our school community to promote kindness and to make our school home a little happier! Open to all 1st and 2nd graders, the Kindness Club is the nicest club around!

Meets bi-weekly on Thursdays!

Sponsors: Jamie Cofer

K-Kids is a student-led service leadership program for elementary school students that is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Jefferson. . K Kids will help students develop leadership skills, strong moral character, and a passion for serving others. K-Kids members participate in community service projects that help improve their schools and communities. Come join us for a fun and rewarding experience.

Notes:  For grades 3-5. Starting in October, we will meet the first Tuesday of each month. We may to have additIonal meetings depending on the project we are working on. $10.00 membership fees for Kiwanis program materials and awards.

Sponsor: Rhonda Kerr and Michele Sheets

Learning by doing! Youth learn to use their “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health” (the 4 “H’s” in 4-H) to develop leadership, public speaking, and life skills during fun interactive monthly club meetings. Club members will also learn about other 4-H opportunities they can be part of with Jackson County 4-H (SAFE BB, SAFE Archer, cooking clubs, etc.) outside the school environment.

Note:  Meetings will take place on the third Monday of each month unless there is a holiday or school break.

Sponsor: Deborah Buford

Students will learn the rules of chess and compete with each other to practice strategy. Chess club will be student centered and student driven. Prior experience is a plus but not required. Motivated students preferred.

Meets weekly on Wednesdays and is available for students in grades fourth through fifth. 

Sponsor: Tammy Van Lamoen

Students recommended for this club will work on service projects they decide on based on their interests and time of year. Projects may include writing to people in hospitals, nursing, homes, and veterans, creating ways to promote recycling and keeping our school clean, and providing for people in need.

This club is invitation only and meets Tuesdays or Thursdays until 4 p.m. 

Sponsor: Ms. Hunt

This club offers a fun and engaging introduction to the world of farming and gardening. Students will learn about plant growth, animal care, and sustainable farming practices through hands-on activities and projects. The club encourages teamwork, curiosity, and a love for the environment, providing a foundation in agricultural science while fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship. There would also be a strong tie to literacy as books will be connected to various topics.

Meets once a month on Tuesdays and is available for grades 4th and 5th. 

Sponsors: Lowery and Hughes.

  • science olympiad

    Students build their understanding of basic scientific concepts, like measurement, force, engineering design, and energy through study, hands-on, and inquiry-based activities and challenges. Students will compete in at least one county competition and one regional competition.  Currently planning to have tryouts in September and then meet every Tuesday (and occasionally Mon) until 4:00 pm through March/April.

    Sponsors: Kasey Sheridan and Lisa Thomas.

  • Students engage in research, problem-solving, coding and engineering, as well as building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. Students also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem. Students will compete in at least one county scrimmage and one regional tournament. Tryouts will be August 26th and then meet every Monday (and occasionally Wed/Thurs) until 4:30 pm through December/January.

    Sponsors: Kasey Sheridan and Haley Meier.

  • Gum Springs will be students who wish to grow in their knowledge of music, theater and performance. Students will meet weekly to prepare for upcoming performances such as a Christmas Concert, the National Anthem to perform at games and to prepare for our spring musical, Disney's 101 Dalmatians. However, to have a main part in the musical students will need to audition in which information will be given at a later date. 

    Meets on Thursdays!

    Sponsors: Emily Cash and Megan Holloway

  • This is an opportuntiy for students who do not make the Science Olympiad Team to participate in STEM activities eventhough they did not make the Science Olympiad Team. Students will participate in activites that enrich and broaden their problem solving skills by participating in activities based around subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math.  

    Meets on Thursdays, once a month.

    Sponsors: Missy Brunen and Holly Roland

  • Tryouts going on until August 22. Team will be announced on August 23.

    Open for grades fourth and fifth and meets daily between 7:15 and 7:40. 

    Sponsors: Shelly Salom, Stephanie Franks

  • As the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America, National Beta is dedicated to leading by serving others. The Beta community recognizes high academic achievement, rewards and nurtures worthy character, fosters leadership skills, and encourages service to others. Junior Beta Club is available for 4th-8th grade students.

    Club meets on Wednesdays!

    Sponsors: Allison Crawford and Hannah Freyre.

  • Participants will learn the fundamentals of investing as they work in teams to manage a pretend portfolio of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, while competing against teams all across Georgia to be the best money managers!  Is your child a 4th or 5th grader who is interested in competing in the GSES STOCK MARKET GAME CHALLENGE? Is your child available to stay after school until 4:00 P.M. on designated TUESDAYs, starting October 1st and continuing through December 10th. 

    Sponsor: Cyndi Kelly

  • Cooking club will introduce students to a variety of foods with chances to practice reading and measuring ingredients from a recipe. We will also practice knife safety skills and using a can opener. 

    Note: Students will need to provide any info about allergies and there will be a fee to help provide ingredients.

    Meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays!

    Sponsor: Ms. Simmons

  • Members will work on special projects and a few secret missions around our school community to promote kindness and to make our school home a little happier! Open to all 1st and 2nd graders, the Kindness Club is the nicest club around!

    Meets bi-weekly on Thursdays!

    Sponsors: Jamie Cofer

  • K-Kids is a student-led service leadership program for elementary school students that is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Jefferson. . K Kids will help students develop leadership skills, strong moral character, and a passion for serving others. K-Kids members participate in community service projects that help improve their schools and communities. Come join us for a fun and rewarding experience.

    Notes:  For grades 3-5. Starting in October, we will meet the first Tuesday of each month. We may to have additIonal meetings depending on the project we are working on. $10.00 membership fees for Kiwanis program materials and awards.

    Sponsor: Rhonda Kerr and Michele Sheets

  • Learning by doing! Youth learn to use their “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health” (the 4 “H’s” in 4-H) to develop leadership, public speaking, and life skills during fun interactive monthly club meetings. Club members will also learn about other 4-H opportunities they can be part of with Jackson County 4-H (SAFE BB, SAFE Archer, cooking clubs, etc.) outside the school environment.

    Note:  Meetings will take place on the third Monday of each month unless there is a holiday or school break.

    Sponsor: Deborah Buford

  • Students will learn the rules of chess and compete with each other to practice strategy. Chess club will be student centered and student driven. Prior experience is a plus but not required. Motivated students preferred.

    Meets weekly on Wednesdays and is available for students in grades fourth through fifth. 

    Sponsor: Tammy Van Lamoen

  • Students recommended for this club will work on service projects they decide on based on their interests and time of year. Projects may include writing to people in hospitals, nursing, homes, and veterans, creating ways to promote recycling and keeping our school clean, and providing for people in need.

    This club is invitation only and meets Tuesdays or Thursdays until 4 p.m. 

    Sponsor: Ms. Hunt

  • This club offers a fun and engaging introduction to the world of farming and gardening. Students will learn about plant growth, animal care, and sustainable farming practices through hands-on activities and projects. The club encourages teamwork, curiosity, and a love for the environment, providing a foundation in agricultural science while fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship. There would also be a strong tie to literacy as books will be connected to various topics.

    Meets once a month on Tuesdays and is available for grades 4th and 5th. 

    Sponsors: Lowery and Hughes.