Extracurriculars

Sponsors: Jamie Lies Karen Snoddy Jlies@cps.k12.in.us & ksnoddy@cps.k12.in.us

Through this Hoosier contest, founded in 1987, teams of students enhance their research and study skills by delving into topics which change annually, taking them beyond what is usually covered in the classroom. There are two levels of competition, Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12). Subject area rounds include English, math, science, social studies, and interdisciplinary.

Call Out Meeting: 2/5/2025 3:00-3:15 PM

Meeting Time: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00 PM 

Sponsor: Jeannie Pritchard jpritchard@cps.k12.in.us

Art Club encourages imagination, creativity, and art production. This is an opportunity for you to be involved, learn about different types of art, and to have fun creating. 

Call Out Meeting: 9/18/2024 2:55 PM

Meeting Time: Every other Wednesday 3:00 - 4:25 PM

Sponsor: Melissa Watroba mwatroba@cps.k12.in.us

Students will volunteer and compete community service projects in order to development skills and become strong, civicminded individuals who enjoy helping those in need.

Call Out Meeting: 9/14/2024 3:00:00 PM

Meeting Time: Two Thursdays per month until 3: 45 unless otherwise noted 3:00 - 3:45 PM

Sponsor: Matt Guritz mguritz@cps.k12.in.us

This club teaches the essentials of financial planning and investing and involves real stock purchasing experiences.

Call Out Meeting: 10/29/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Time: Every other Tuesday from October 29 - March 11 3:00 - 3:30 PM

Sponsor: Melissa Watroba mwatroba@cps.k12.in.us

Students gather to share their love of hot beverages as they make connections to their peers, discuss middle school topics, listen to music, and chat with guest teachers about middle school inquiries.

Call Out Meeting: 9/20/2024 7:00 AM

Meeting Time: Two Fridays per month before school 7:00:- 7:30 AM

Sponsor: Amy Howard ahoward@cps.k12.in.us

We will make a variety of crafts to donate to a charity or anyone in need.

Call Out Meeting: 9/4/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Time: Wednesday 3:00 - 3:45 PM

Sponsor: Natalia Mommsen nmommsen@cps.k12.in.us

Putting on a fall play/musical

Call Out Meeting: 8/29/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Time: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Sponsor: Natalia Mommsen nmommsen@cps.k12.in.us

Show Choir that attends the ISSMA Jazz contest in March

Call Out Meeting: 12/11/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Time: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Sponsor: Liz Franklin efranklin@cps.k12.in.us

We will meet bi-weekly to learn about far away places that we don't have enough time to cover during the regular school year.

Call Out Meeting: 9/5/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Times: 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month through March 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Sponsor: Melissa Watroba mwatroba@cps.k12.in.us

Students will meet to explore the plot intricacies of the Harry Potter series as an individual in their own age group struggles to identify who he is, how he fits in the world, and what true friendship means in the grand scheme of life.

Call Out Meeting: 9/13/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Times: Two Fridays per month 3:00 - 3:45 PM

Sponsor: Kyle Govert kgovert@cps.k12.in.us

Advanced music ensemble performing music in the jazz genre.

Call Out Meeting: 10/23/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Times: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Sponsor: Karen Snoddy ksnoddy@cps.k12.in.us

Learn about Roman/Greek Gods through the stories of their Mythology. If you are interested in taking Latin in High School, this is for you.

Call Out Meeting: 9/10/2024 3:00:00 PM

Meeting Time: Every other Tuesday 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Sponsor: Pam Abraham pabraham@cps.k12.in.us

The purpose of the Minecraft Club is to provide a safe and fun environment for students at Robert A. Taft Middle School where students can interact with each other while playing Minecraft.

Call Out Meeting: 9/27/2024 3:00:00

Meeting Time: PM Fridays 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Sponsor: Joy Cramer jcramer@cps.k12.in.us

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) recognizes outstanding middle level students. NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character, and Citizenship. Students with a 3.75 cumulative GPA after two semesters at Taft are invited to apply. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

9/9/2024 *Not a callout - members only 3:00 PM 1st Monday of the month 3:00 - 3:20 PM 

Eligible students are given applications. Once inducted, students remain in NJHS for the remainder of their middle school career.

Sponsor: Kelly Welsh kwelsh@cps.k12.in.us

We create a digital newspaper for our school.

Call Out Meeting: 8/22/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Times: 2nd & 4th Thursdays 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Sponsors: Jamie Lies Pam Abraham Jlies@cps.k12.in.us & pabraham@cps.k12.in.us

Science Olympiad is a team competition in which students compete in 23 events pertaining to various fields of science, including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Call Out Meeting: 8/27/2024 3:00-3:15 PM

Meeting Times: Tuesday & Thursday 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Sponsor: Karen Snoddy ksnoddy@cps.k12.in.us

Participants will be given a list of 1400 words to learn. They will compete at the regional level against other schools in the area with a change to compete at State.

Call Out Meeting: 8/21/2024 2:55 PM

Meeting Times: Monday and Wednesday 3:00 - 4:15 PM

Sponsor: Joy Cramer jcramer@cps.k12.in.us

The purpose of the student council is to give students an opportunity to develop leadership by organizing and carrying out school activities and service projects. Students in grades 6-8 plan events that contribute to school spirit and community welfare.

Call Out Meeting: 9/16/2024 - Pick up apps. 9/27/2024 -Apps are due 1st meeting 10/14/2024

Meeting Time: 3:00 PM 3rd Monday each month 3:00 - 3:30 PM

Sponsor: Kristen Hughes khughes@cps.k12.in.us

Jazz / Public Performance Orchestra

Call Out Meeting: 9/2/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Time: Tuesdays 3:00 - 3:45 PM

(7th & 8th Grade students enrolled in Orchestra may audition.)

Sponsors: Rachel Walker & Jason Mendoza rwalker@cps.k12.in.us & jmedoza@cps.k12.in.us 

Competitive Vex IQ Middle School Robotics Team

Meeting Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00 - 4:30 PM 

Sponsors: Ryan Voss, Christopher Manley rvoss@cps.k12.in.us & cmanley@cps.k12.in.us

The Taft TV staff produces a weekly episode of Taft TV for students and staff to be entertained and informed about the ongoings of Taft Middle School. Students utilize the journalism skills of filmography, editing, and interviewing, as well as the valuable skills of collaboration, creativity, and responsibility. Call Out Meeting: 8/14/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Time: The 1st & 3rd Monday of each month - staff members select the topics that are to be produced for the next installment of Taft TV. Varies

Sponsor: Chris Manley cmanley@cps.k12.in.us

Thinkers’ Club is an afterschool experience that will consist of board games, puzzles, mini-escape rooms, and any other activity that is fun and challenging to think of! Compete against your friends as a god to gather their divinity stones, become a member of an adventuring party as you explore different worlds or just relax while taking in the sights of the battles of Heroscape. All choices point to fun!!!

Call Out Meeting: 9/5/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Times: 1st and 3rd Thursday each month 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Sponsors: Patrick Thomas, Jennifer Pugh pthomas@cps.k12.in.us &  jpugh@cps.k12.in.us

Group runs throughout December, January, and February twice a week.

Call Out Meeting: 12/9/2024 3:00 PM

Meeting Times: Two days a week. 3:00 - 3:45 PM 

Students need to have an active physical on file (after 4/1/24)

Sponsor: Joy Cramer jcramer@cps.k12.in.us

The yearbook staff creates the nationally recognized, gold medal award winning Taft yearbook. Students utilize the journalism skills of photography, layout and design, writing and editing, and interviewing.

Call Out Meeting: 8/14/2024 3:00: PM

Meeting Time: 1st Wednesday of the month- staff members have daily responsibilities such as going to clubs, concerts, and sporting events.