Clubs at Dodgen 2023-24
For more information on any of these groups, please contact the Faculty Sponsor listed.
Breakfast Buddies
The Breakfast Buddies club provides an open and inviting space for kids to meet to have fun and develop meaningful friendships in a safe and encouraging environment. We will meet at 8:15am on the second Friday of every month (September - May) in Room #841. The club is open to anyone and everyone!
Faculty Sponsors: Melissa Hardin, Ashley Miller, and Amanda Mann
Dodgen Civics Club
Dodgen’s Civics Club will model a Legislative Youth Assembly within the club during the fall, and in the spring will participate in the Junior Georgia United Nations Assembly. The club meets at 8:15 AM in Mrs. DiBlasi's room #611 on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for full club members. Elected officers will also meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month in preparation for the club meeting and events. This club is open to all Dodgen students. The club fee will be $25.00 per student to cover the club's annual association fee. T-shirts may be provided at an additional cost. Participation in the spring Junior GUNA 3-day residential program is an additional $375.00 per student to be paid by parents of participating students.
Faculty Sponsors: Christian DiBlasi and Curry Wiles
Chess For Fun
The Chess Club is an informal but enthusiastic group that plays matches together in the Library Learning Commons. Chess boards are available from 8:15 to 9:00AM every morning in the LLC. There is an open invitation for anyone to come at any point during the year.
Faculty Sponsor: Wendy Cope
Eco Club
Dodgen Eco Club is open to all students who want to help DODGEN protect and promote our environment through programs like: recycling, gardening, animal encounters, the Clean Air-No Idling Carpool Campaign, Earth Day and other student-led activities. We meet monthly at 8:15 in Room 639, usually the 2nd Wednesday each month.
Faculty Sponsors: Donna Halverson
Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl
The Reading Bowl Team is a club that is driven by competition! The objective is to read, study, and become experts on award-nominated books, then continue to win the annual Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl! The club members will try to earn one of the final ten coveted spots on the official Dodgen team! We meet weekly on Thursdays after school from 4:15-5:00 PM in Ms. Roose's room. All students are welcome to join the Reading Bowl Team club and try out for the final spots. There is a club financial obligation of $35, and the expense of purchasing the 10 novels to read, highlight, take notes, and study. The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl competitions will be offsite and are required events.
Faculty Sponsor: Elizabeth Roose
Badminton Club (8th Grade only)
Badminton Club is an extension of the Intramural program, but for 8th grade students only. Students can come as many Fridays as they want. It is not mandatory that students show up every Friday; however, they must be in the gym by 8:15 AM in order to participate. The participation fee is $20, which covers the cost of t-shirt, replacements of racquets and shuttlecocks. The money will help buy prizes for tournament. Watch the morning announcements or speak with the PE teachers to find out when the first meeting will take place.
Faculty Sponsors: Clint Daniel, Leslie White, Trent Weiser, John Ivers
Math Team
Any Dodgen student may be part of the Math Team. Meets every Monday at 8:15 AM in Room 835. The Dodgen Math Team competes in 2-3 district math competitions throughout the year, striving to develop students’ problem solving abilities and higher-order thinking skills. All of our students are encouraged to participate in the AMC 8, which is a national competition. Ten students will be hand-picked by the Math Team coaches to represent Dodgen in the MathCounts competition. A $25.00 club fee is a requirement for t-shirts and competition registrations.
Students must complete an information form on team website: www.dodgenteam.weebly.com Additionally, students must have their parents complete a Parental Permission form found on the team website.
Faculty Sponsors: Kim Clark, Alex Collins, Christine Einertson, David Gabel, Andrew Malott, Ashley Miller, Gary Swint, and Richard Wilford
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad functions much like a football or soccer team, requiring preparation, commitment, coaching and practice throughout the year. Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.
Try-outs will be held in late August and early September. Try-outs are open to ALL Dodgen students who are able to dedicate their time to learn content, attend practices, and competitions. More information can be found at the Science Olympiad website.
Watch the morning broadcast for information. If there are any monthly meeting changes, coaches will notify team members. Meetings are in the Dodgen cafeteria. This club also requires that students attend Saturday competitions.
Faculty Sponsor: Barbara Kappel & Shelby Borth
Young Author's Club
The Dodgen Young Authors Club, better known as YAC (pronounced yack), is open to all Dodgen students who enjoy writing and sharing stories and/or poems. The club is mainly student-run. The club meets on the 2nd/3rd/4th Tuesdays of the month in Rm. 614 at 8:15 a.m. No fees, open to all Dodgen students, and the only obligation is to be a good listener and share at least a few of your writings over the course of the year.
Faculty Sponsor: Brian Wilson
Spanish Club
All 8th grade students are welcome to attend Spanish Club! We meet at 8:15AM on the last Friday of each quarter in Sra. De Miguel's classroom (847) to celebrate and learn about Spanish-speaking peoples and cultures. There is no fee to join Spanish Club.
Faculty Sponsors: Jennifer De Miguel and Yazmin Morrone
French Club
Dodgen French Club is open to Dodgen students in ALL grade levels who have an interest in French culture, current affairs, art, music, travel, cuisine, language, etc... If you have ever been curious about the French-speaking world, join us to learn more about the topics that interest you. The club meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8:15am in the Cafeteria. Please use this link to register to attend: https://forms.office.com/r/a6ryMSHvv1
Faculty Sponsor: Marlo Sharp
Band Ensembles
The Dodgen Band Ensembles are extracurricular groups that meet once per week before school, providing additional instructional and performance opportunities. An ensemble is a fun and satisfying way to get in some extra practice time! Scheduled performances include a Fall and a Spring Showcase at school, as well as community performances as those opportunities arise. These ensembles are open to all 7th and 8th grade band students at no cost. Regular participation in rehearsals is expected in order to be included in performances. These morning ensembles meet at 8:00 AM in the band room.
Flute & Double Reed Ensemble on Tuesdays
Clarinet Ensemble on Tuesdays
Saxophone Ensemble on Wednesdays
Low Brass Ensemble on Wednesdays
Trumpet Ensemble on Thursdays
Percussion Ensemble on Thursdays
Dodgen Pops (By Audition Only) on Fridays
Faculty Sponsors: John Jeffres and Brian Westphal
Chorus Ensemble
The Chorus Ensemble is is open to current 7th and 8th grade students currently enrolled in chorus. This group rehearses together and performs in chorus concerts and in the community. There is no audition required for this group. The chorus ensemble will begin meeting during the second quarter and will meet on Wednesday mornings at 8:15 AM in the chorus room. Details are on www.Dodgenchorus.com. There is no participation fee.
Faculty Sponsors: Chris Whittington and LeAnna Iddings
Drama and Spring Musical
Drama is an extra-curricular activity. It is run by our Partner in Education, Vicki Chase at MTW Drama. The club will meet before school 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM.
Music Theater Workshop also presents a show in the spring. Participation requires an audition before school the week prior to the December Break. For more information, visit the MTW Drama website. There is a fee and commitment requirement for students participating in the play.
Sponsor: MTW Drama and Vicki Chase, Dodgen Partner in Ed
Orchestra Ensembles
Dodgen Orchestra ensembles are extra-curricular groups that meet before school for rehearsals in the orchestra room. For information about the ensembles available and meeting times, please visit dodgenorchestra.org
Chamber Orchestra is a separate group, which has a separate page on the orchestra website. Students interested in Chamber Orchestra should go to Chamber Orchestra dodgenorchestra.org for detailed information.
Faculty Sponsors: Ashley Culley and Evelyn Champion
Makers Club
Come stretch your creativity and problem-solving skills with your friends! Try solving challenges using everyday objects.
When and Where: Tuesdays at 8:15AM in the Library Learning Commons.
Faculty Sponsors: Wendy Cope
Fandom Club
Are you so passionate about something that your family is tired of hearing about it? We are, too! Come share what you love! We'll do PowerPoint Persuasion Presentations, plan a Library Con (like a Comic Con, but in the library) and will have some guest speakers along the way.
When and Where: Wednesdays at 8:15 in the LLC.
Faculty Sponsors: Wendy Cope
Library Advisory
Want a say in what happens in the library learning commons? Want to help develop programs and services for the library? Serve on the Library Advisory Board and help the library become its very best!
When and Where: First Friday of the month, 8:30AM in the LLC
Faculty Sponsors: Wendy Cope
Book Clubs
Reading is AMAZING, and it’s even better when we share a conversation with friends! We will offer MANY diverse book clubs throughout the course of the year others before school or during lunch, for example, the Graphic Novel book club, What I’m Currently Reading book club, Silent Reading Club, in addition to other student-determined book clubs.
Faculty Sponsors: Wendy Cope
Dungeons & Dragons Club
This is a club for experienced students who enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons. Come to Room #639 at 8:15 AM on Friday mornings to play the game and make friends with similar interests. See Mrs. Halverson with any questions.
Faculty Sponsor: Donna Halverson
Japanese Club
Learn to speak and write basic Japanese in a fun and relaxed way. Open to all Dodgen students until we reach maximum capacity.
This club will meet weekly on Friday mornings, 8:15 - 8:45, in Mr. Wilson's classroom (Room #614). See Mr. Wilson for details.
Faculty Sponsor: Brian Wilson