Extracurricular Activities

Holiday Celebrations

     Students in grades K- 8 celebrate the holidays with classroom parties. The parties include Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. Parties consist of stories, art activities, games, singing, dancing, a holiday video, and special treats.

Forensics

     As members of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Forensics League, students in grades 5 - 8 participate in a public speaking tournament in a friendly, yet competitive way. Students compete in Drama, Prose, Poetry, Declamation, Extemporaneous Speech, Impromptu Speech, and Multiple Reading. Students are judged with a list of criteria designed to affirm and define areas for improvement. Individual scores are then combined to form a team/school score. Trophies, ribbons, and vocal recognition are a part of each tournament.

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science

     Students in grades 7 & 8 may choose to do research and prepare a science project for the regional Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. Students that receive a first place at this regional competition will travel to Penn State University to compete at the state level.

Spelling Bees

     St. Joan of Arc School participates in two spelling bee competitions during the school year. After elimination rounds that involve all students, one student from grades six through eight is chosen to compete in the Post-Gazette Spelling Bee. Winners from final rounds compete in the National Spelling Bee held in Washington D.C.

School Science Fair and Egg Drop

     Each year, during Earth Week, all students in grades five, six, and seven participate in a School Science Fair. The eighth grade participates in an Egg Drop competition during Earth Week. Various packing materials are used to keep the egg from breaking as it is dropped from the second floor of the school to the ground below.

Drama Club and Musicals

     Students in Kindergarten through fourth grade and their seventh and eighth grade buddies along with students in our instrumental band program, under the direction of our music teacher, participate in an annual Christmas Concert. Students in our Drama Club, under the direction of the music teacher, annually present a Musical in May. Students in fifth through eighth grade audition in January for major parts and any student in Kindergarten through fourth grade are permitted to be an extra.

Additional Programs

• HOPS service group
• Community service projects
• Anti-bullying program
• Fire Prevention Week