A Safe Place for Voices, Perspectives, and Growth
A foundational aspect of the school environment is a robust offering of student clubs and activities. In recent years, our students and staff sponsors have created a variety of spaces for all voices, perspectives, and ideas to be shared. We are so proud of the work our students have done to collect interests of their peers, recognize needs, and lead student organizations. Below are a few of these examples from our secondary schools. Please contact a school directly for information on a specific club or organization.
Johnston High School
Amnesty International
Student lead chapter of the International Amnesty organization. Students will spread awareness, protect, and advocate for the fundamental human rights of all people. Students will campaign, volunteer, and speak out against injustices worldwide. (No current sponsor)
American Sign Language Club (ASL)
ASL Club is for JHS students with no prior ASL experience to students who are fluent in ASL. Becoming a member of ASL Club includes the following benefits: frequent information and postings of Deaf events in the Greater DSM area, ASL games and activities, Deaf culture and fun ASL vocabulary! The mission of our club is to increase the awareness of ASL with an acknowledgement and respect for Deaf culture. The goals of ASL Club include the following: provide students with various opportunities to interact with the Deaf community, enhance students ASL receptive and expressive skills and increase students’ knowledge of Deaf culture. Staff sponsor: Lisa Noe.
Community of Racial Equity Club (CORE)
CORE is a place for students of all backgrounds to discuss current events and topics regarding diversity and racial equity. Staff sponsor: Melissa Dale.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For individuals with this community, Best Buddies helps them form meaningful friendships with their peers, provides social mentoring and offers leadership development opportunities while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion of its participants. Staff sponsor: Heath Patschull.
Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)
GSA is a student-directed group for LGBT students and their allies. Meetings are open to everyone and focus on issues important to the membership. Guest speakers and off campus experiences have been part of the GSA experience in the past. Staff sponsors: Lisa Boge and Ed Walker.
Students 4 Change
Students 4 Change is a student led mental health and suicide prevention effort. Student leaders are committed to spreading the message of hope, health and strengthen to JHS students. Staff sponsors: Jenny Palmer and Jesse Dowell.
Johnston Middle School (grades 8-9)
Sisters for Success
The intention of this group is to establish a system of support to help develop personal, social and academic skills of minority female students at JMS. The goal is to have each participating member play an active role in setting up chapter expectations, goals, and objectives for their Sisters for Success chapter. These goals and objectives are centered on the following initiatives including academic development, community engagement, personal development, social development, human relations, mental health and self-care. Staff sponsors: Julie Totten, Heidi Graving, and Annis Austin-Woods from Heartland AEA.