Concordia Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in sports activities organized by the China International School Sports Association (CISSA). There are organized practices and competitions in Touch Rugby, Cross Country, Table Tennis, Soccer, Badminton, Volleyball, Track and Field, and Basketball. In addition Concordia provides some support for the parent organized Swim Club to facilitate their participation in Shanghai Swim League events. Finally, there are Tennis Clubs at the Grade 5/6 and 7/8 levels.

Middle School Student Ambassadors

G7-G8
Concordia’s MS Ambassador leadership program involves students from G7 and G8.  The Ambassadors actively participate in welcoming new students, or visitors to Concordia’s campus.  Ambassadors are a bridge, of servant leaders, bringing Concordia into connection with Shanghai and the global community outside of our school. New MS Ambassadors are interviewed and 24 are selected each spring. Ambassadors are provided with teambuilding and leadership training throughout the school year.

Concordia’s Student Writing and Publishing Center

G7-G8
A small group of highly-committed students will be led through the steps necessary to publish a fictional story, from concept development to the final edited draft. Students will write using the MLA format and improve editing skills with the goal of publishing by the end of the school year!

Ecology Club

G5-G6
The Eco Club is an inclusive group of environmentally minded 5th and 6th graders who meet regularly during their lunch time to discuss ways to recycle within our school. Last year members collected bottle caps and created an Eco Club sign, keeping hundreds of caps out of the dump! This year, who knows which projects the group will be passionate about?

Marine Ecology

Open to students age 14 and older
Are you interested in the ocean and Marine Ecology?  Then this opportunity is for you!  For the past four years, students and teachers from Concordia have taken data on reefs near Racha Yai Island, Thailand as part of a five-year longitudinal study of reef health.  Data from the study has already been published and has been used to change Conservation laws in Thailand.  First year participants will receive training for their PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, and Reef Check certifications.  Returning participants can complete their PADI Rescue or Master Scuba Diver certifications.  In February through April, students complete their coursework at school in the evening with two pool sessions scheduled for Saturday mornings.  During the trip to Thailand in June, students complete multiple days of data collection on the reef ecosystem using a strict scientific protocol created by the Reef Check Foundation.

MS Model United Nations (MUN)

http://phoenix.ciss.com.cn/websites/munsters
G6-G8
Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. Students assume the role of ambassador to a country that is assigned to them by the conference. They research and write resolutions to the world’s problems. Students learn diplomatic techniques such as working together to pass resolutions and how to lobby and merge their ideas with others to form stronger ideas overall. (Text from http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/)

Students interested in MUN this year should pick up an application form from Mr. Larson in P234 or Mr. Stone in M172 and return by Sept. 2. Each MUN conference team will be limited to 20 students. Students will be notified of selections by Sept. 5. First-time MUN students should sign up for Hangzhou or Nanjing, which are learning conferences. Returning MUN students or 8^th grade students may sign up for any conference. Travel fees will apply to each conference. For more information and up to date appointments please visit the Middle School MUN website at:  http://phoenix.ciss.com.cn/websites/munsters.

• Hangzhou MUN, Nov. 11-13, 2011
• Singapore MUN, Feb. 10-12, 2012
• Nanjing MUN, Feb. 23-25, 2012
• MY MUN (Malaysia), April 19-23, 2012

National History Day—Junior Division

www.nhdasia.org
May 5, 2012, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
G7-G8
During the 2011-2012 school year, students from Concordia and other Shanghai-area middle schools will prepare a research paper, documentary film, website or dramatic performance based upon the theme, “Revolution, Reaction and Reform”.  At the May 5th event, judges will award designations for exemplary and commendable performance. Volunteers are needed to serve as judges for each of the research project categories.

Scripps National Spelling Bee

G5-G8
All Concordia MS students participate in a school “spelling bee” via computer in early 2012. Top spellers will participate in a citywide spelling bee in late Feb./early March. The three best spellers from Shanghai will participate in the China national spelling bee, which is held in Shanghai in March, with the finalist attending the US Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC in June.

Service Club

G5-G8
The Middle School Service Club is open to any MS student who would like to be involved with a service project. Throughout the year students will have opportunities to be involved with organizing service projects, such as orphanage visits, or coordinating fundraisers for charities, such as operating a snack kiosk to raise funds. Watch for new Service Club projects in the MS newsletter and website!

Spanish Club

G8-G12
The Spanish Club is open to students in Grades 8-12 and meets on average three times per month usually during lunch or on Saturdays. Spanish Club introduces students to language and cultural experiences related to Spanish-speaking countries. Past activities have included: cooking Spanish and Mexican food, playing language games, watching movies and TV shows in Spanish, a Mexican-themed Christmas party, Latin dancing, taco sales for charity, Spanish-language based games (Boggle, Banana grams, etc.), Mexican Independence Day celebration and making piñatas.

Speech & Debate Club

G7-G8
Students research debate topics and participate in monitored events both within school and with other Shanghai-area schools.

Student Council

G5-G8
Officers are elected during previous school year. In August, students are provided with information about how to become involved as a classroom representative. Student Council plans and holds dances, activity nights, “Middle School Idol” and other activities throughout the school year.

Yunnan Education Project—YEP Club

G2-G12
Students of all grade levels can work together to support projects through Concordia’s flagship charity—Yunnan Education Project. Youth empower progress in rural China through education and human-care projects. Concordia students will build friendships with YEP scholarship recipients and enjoy various ways to be involved with YEP efforts. This multi-grade level club fosters interaction with students from other grade levels—providing older students with leadership opportunities and providing younger students with mentors from whom they can also learn leadership skills.

Alleluia Singers

G7-G8
The Alleluia Singers is an auditioned choir for Grades 7-8, which meets before school each week on Tuesday morning at 7 am. They sing at three concerts per school year – plus extra activities schedule permitting.

Ambassador Singers

G5-G6
The Ambassador Singers is a non-auditioned choir for Grades 5-6, which meets before school each week on Tuesday morning at 7 am. They sing at three concerts per school year – plus extra activities schedule permitting.

Middle School Play

“The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza” by Don Zolidis
February 9-11, 2012
G7-G8
Thespians in grades 7 and 8 will audition in late October for a part in the G7-G8 play. Rehearsals will be held three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) from November with a full production schedule leading up to performances in February. Watch the MS Newsletter and Concordia website for details!

Shanghai Student Film Festival

G3-G12
For details, dates and deadlines, visit the Shanghai Student Film Festival website. The event will be hosted by SAS Puxi in March, 2012. http://www.shanghaifilmfest.org

24-Hour Film Festival

G5-G8
Fall 2011
On Day 1, The 24-Hour film Festival announces a prop and a line of dialogue. Students have 24 hours to write, film, edit, and export a new film that includes the prop and dialogue. How you do that is up to you. Students can make a movie anywhere, or join on Day 2 to showcase the newly minted creations in Wittenberg from 6-8 PM. All MS students and all CISS teachers may enter individually or in teams. See Film Fest blog for details!