Extracurriculars & Societies

Call all Jazz enthusiasts!  The Jazz Ensemble is a select group of 7th & 8th graders ready to take your musical skills to the next level. This ensemble offers a fantastic chance to perform beyond the MS band and dive into the exciting world of Jazz.

Rehearsals are a blast, happening once a week after school from 2:40 to 3:40.  You’ll play jazz classics, sharpen your skills, and jam with friends who share your passion.  If you’re eager to make music and have fun, the Jazz Ensemble is the perfect place for you!

Advisor: Ms. Yoon

The WEMS Book ‘n Media Club is not your typical book club - it’s a whole new adventure!  Get ready to explore not only exciting novels but also comics, manga, TV series, games, and movies that connect back to the stories we love.

Join us each month in the library, where every meeting brings new surprises & creative happenings.  Dive deep into thrilling narratives chosen by you, spanning all genres, and then gather for lively “book chat’s to share thoughts & favorite moments.  But you don’t stop there - expect to exchange recommendations & stay ahead of the latest must reads.

If you love to read about discovering new worlds & love talking books and stories with friends, this is your club. Come be a part of the WEMS Book ‘n Media Club & make every page turn into an unforgettable journey.

Advisor: Mrs. Maus-Colucci

Join the Builders Club & become a leader who makes a difference! As part of this national organization for middle school students, you’ll develop leadership skills while engaging in exciting service activities that benefit your school & community. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, our local Caldwell West Essex Kiwanis Club provides fantastic support & opportunities.

In the Builders Club, you’ll participate in a variety of projects that make a real impact, from fundraising for our local food pantry to clean up organizations.  It’s a great way to meet new friends, learn new skills, & give back in meaningful ways.  Don’t miss out on this chance to lead, serve, & make your mark! 

Advisor: Ms. Solari / Ms. Danese

Calling all 7th & 8th graders! If you love to sing & want to be part of a fantastic vocal ensemble, this is your chance. Join us every Wednesday from September through May for fun & energetic rehearsals.

You’ll get the opportunity to showcase your talent at school concerts, music festivals, and community service events. It’s a great way to make new friends, improve your singing skills, and have a blast performing together.

Advisor: Mrs. Rizzo

Welcome to the Middle School Coding Club! This club is designed for students who are curious about technology, love problem-solving, and want to learn how to bring their ideas to life through programming. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this club offers a fun and supportive environment for everyone.

In the Coding Club, you’ll:

• Learn the basics of programming languages like Scratch, Python, and JavaScript.
• Work on exciting projects like building games, apps, websites, and more.
• Collaborate with fellow students to solve real-world problems through code.
• Participate in coding challenges and competitions to test your skills.
• Develop critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.

No prior coding experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! Join us.

Advisor: Ms. Saus

The WEMS Dance Team is a spirited group of 7th & 8th graders who meet twice a week throughout the school year, sharpening their skills and having a blast!  This team serves as a fun and energetic stepping stone to the Varsity squad, helping dancers gear up for tryouts.  Along the way, they get to shine in various performances, with the highlight being the annual Dance Show in February.

Advisors: Ms. Blake / Ms. Mayaan

Learn More

West Essex Esports competes in a variety of video games, with players committing time to practice and compete during competitions. Join us!

Advisor: Mr. Gruby

Get ready to shine with Knightlights Magazine!   W.E. publish once a year in June, but we make it count, featuring the best of student creativity.  Love a good scare? Don’t miss our famous Scary Story Contest!  Whether you’re into writing poems, short stories, plays, songs, or essays, we want to see what you’ve got.  Plus, if you’ve got an eye for detail and a passion for words, join our editorial team to help select and polish the pieces that make it to print!  

If you’re dreaming of a future in journalism, this is the perfect place to start. 

Advisor: Mr. Massa

Get in on the action with Knightly News, the WEMS school newspaper where creativity meets journalism! As a club member, you’ll have the chance to write, organize, design, and publish a brand new issue every marking period.  

We’re not just looking for writers, our team also needs photographers to capture the perfect shot, layout editors to bring it all together, tech whizzes to keep us running smoothly, and artists to add that creative flair.  Knightly News meets twice a month, so join us and help shape the stories that make our school tick!

Advisor: Ms. Solari

Are you a WEMS student that loves a good math challenge? Then Math Counts is the club for you! Join us once a week from late October through early February as W.E. dive into puzzles, problems, and brain-teasers that’ll sharpen your math skills and get you ready to crush the competition at the Regional event in February. 
 
It’s not just about numbers, it’s about having fun, thinking outside the box, and showing what mathletes like you can do!

Advisors: Ms. Priore

Join the WEMS Identity & Inclusion Multicultural Club (IIMC) and dive into the rich tapestry that makes our West Essex community so special. W.E. celebrate the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and voices that shape who we are. 

Everyone’s invited to be a part of this vibrant group where we explore and honor our cultural traditions and identities through lively conversations, fun activities, delicious food, and empowering actions.  Whether you’re curious, passionate, or just love learning about different cultures, come a make a difference with us as we celebrate diversity in all its forms!

Advisors: Mrs. Maus-Colucci / Mr. Maffei

Calling all string players! If you’ve got skills on the violin, viola, cello, or double bass, the String Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra wants YOU!  No need to enroll in Orchestra as a class - just bring your passion & join the fun. We welcome players of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.  We meet once a week to jam out to music from all genres - whether you’re into pop, rock, jazz, or Broadway, there’s something for everyone.  

Advisors: Mrs. Koch / Mr. Mormile

Ready to put your skills to the test? R.O.G.A.T.E (Resources Offered to Gifted and Talented Education) is the place for students who love a good challenge and a whole lot of fun! From brain-busting math games like Challenge 24 to intense quiz battles, dramatic readings, chess matches, and more, there’s something for every curious mind.  

Plus, you might even get the chance to represent WEMS in the Essex County Interscholastic Competitions.  We meet twice a month after school in the library.  If you’re up for the challenge, come join us.

Advisor: Mrs. Jing

Get ready to unleash your innovator with the STEM Club!  Dive into a world where you can create, invent, compete, and have a blast with challenges that put your Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math skills to the test.

S - Super cool science
T - Tech that blows your mind
E - Epic engineering
M - Mind bending math

At every meeting, you’ll tackle a fresh, exciting challenge using the engineering design process - and of course, your imagination.  It’s time to turn those wild ideas into reality and have a ton of fun doing it!

Advisor: Mr. Maffei

Join the Student Council & be the voice of WEMS!  This dynamic group of elected and volunteer students work together to plan exciting school and community activities.

As a member, you’ll have the chance to share your ideas and interests, making a real impact through service projects and fun events. Imagine planning pep rallies, organizing fundraisers, creating unforgettable spirit weeks, celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, and setting up dodgeball tournaments.

It’s your chance to lead, inspire, and make your mark on our school community. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to bring your vision to life and create lasting memories for everyone at WEMS!

Advisors: Mr. Sorrentino / Mrs. Sorrentino

Get ready to unleash your inner entrepreneur with TREP$!  This awesome club is all about helping you build your very own business from the ground up.  You’ll dive into designing cool products that people actually want to buy, using your creativity and problem-solving skills to make something that can be mass-produced, marketed, and sold for REAL cash.
  
With weekly workshops and a buzzing marketplace at the end, TREP$ is your chance to turn your big ideas into a profitable reality.  Perfect for all aspiring WEMS business moguls!

Advisors: Ms. Schiavo

The WE Care Club began as a way to help our students and staff embrace and embody our school's core values: Collaboration, Awareness, Resilience, and Empathy. Throughout the year the WE Care members come up with activities to remind everyone in our school community about our core values. One project is the collaboration with the Little Words Project. The students helped design bracelets with the "WE CARE" message. These bracelets serve as a daily reminder of the values we strive to uphold.  Stay tuned for more activities and events throughout the year! 

Advisor: Mrs. Macioci / Mrs. Solari

WE Lead is an orientation, transition, mentorship, and leadership training program where 8th graders help 7th graders as they enter middle school. With WE Lead, 7th graders connect to small groups with older students and they do a series of fun activities focused on building relationships and learning how to be successful in middle school. Our new 7th graders will have older students, called WE Lead Mentors, they can trust as a resource to help guide them in their first year of middle school. Mentors will also be trained on leadership skills and lead activities throughout the year.

Rising 8th graders: interested in becoming a mentor? Interviews are held in the spring, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox!

Advisors: Ms. Hamman / Mr. Larcara / Ms. Priore / Mr. Schwindel

Get ready for a year of creativity & excitement!  Both 7th and 8th grade students have the chance to join the Yearbook Club & bring the school year to life through their lenses.  You’ll capture unforgettable moments of athletic teams, student clubs, school events, and everyday life at WEMS.

As part of the Yearbook Club, you’ll snap photos throughout the year & work together to sort them. Then you’ll dive into the fun of designing the yearbook, deciding on the theme, page layouts, picture placements, and so much more.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn everything from photography to yearbook making, and leave a lasting mark on our school community. 

Advisor: Mr. Gruby / Ms. Cooper

Eighth grade students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the first six marking periods of middle school are eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, character and citizenship of NJHS.

• Service is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community with a positive, courteous and enthusiastic spirit.
• Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
• The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and lean lifestyle.
• The student who demonstrates citizenship understand the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations and school clubs.

Advisor: Mrs. Morrissey