For the first time, Morningside will form a Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade MES Reading Bowl Team with picture books!  The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl is the original reading competition created by Georgia educators to encourage students to read!  Our K - 3 team will compete in the Georgia Helen Ruffin Picture Book Reading Bowl Regional and State Competition on November 16, 2024, in a virtual format using zoom.  The book lists are available here:  https://www.gahrrb.org/booklists   If more children qualify than spots are available, a random app program will be used to select the final participants.  Our club leaders for the K - 3 team are Wendy Westwood and Angela Banks.

Each class will select a volunteer STEAM Ambassador to work together with an adult and other STEAM Ambassadors to promote STEAM activities at our school.  The students should have an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and/or Math, with also a desire to help others and learn leadership skills.  All activities take place during the school day.  This club is led by our STEAM Coach, Stephanie Felton.  

2nd & 3rd Grades - No Place for Hate Ambassadors

Representatives from each class meet once monthly to assist with carrying out planned NPFH Activities throughout the year.  Students must have good attendance, and are required to write a one paragraph essay (4 sentences) about what it means to be a leader. There is also a recommendation form that must be completed by their teacher.  All activities take place during the school day.  This club is led by our counselor, Saidi Oseni.  

This is an in-school club where we are competing against students across the United States in various math challenges. Students can learn more math and enjoy it at the same time!  The activities are conducted in class during regular school hours without any additional time or transportation needed.  Each student works independently within a specific time period completing his or her math challenges, during the various contests/meets that are scheduled nation-wide.  There is NO restriction as to how many students may participate in the Meets or Contests.  Our MES team will award the top 6 students in each division for each CML Meet.  Also, there could be national and regional awards given to our team by the CML organization.  Participation in “CMS” helps to develop students’ abilities to approach a problem and to experience a level of competition among peers of the same age.  

Grades 2 - 3:   There are 3 CML Meets, with 6 questions each.  Each meet lasts 30 minutes.

Grades 4 - 5:  Pythagorean Division - Students participating require above-average reading comprehension and analytical reasoning capabilities. Their computational skills should be appropriate to their grade level.  This division has 5 CML Meets, with 6 questions each, lasting 30 minutes.  Our club leaders are yet to be determined for grades 2 - 5.  

Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to enhance participants' social, emotional and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences. Our fun, interactive lessons meet the unique needs of participants of all abilities and backgrounds.Third, Fourth and Fifth grade girls meet to learn about life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. At each season's conclusion, the girls complete a 5K running event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible, and teaching girls that they can succeed!  Girls in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade sign up for a lottery, through the Girls on the Run website, in August and January. There are 15 spots for each season.  Girls on the Run is led by parent and community volunteers, trained through the organization.  

The Science Olympiad is a national non-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of science education, increase diversity in science, and recognize outstanding achievement by students and teachers.   In Georgia and at MES, our new Science Olympiad program is an academic competition for students in grades 3rd, 4th and 5th.  The program encourages a wide range of students to participate by combining events from different disciplines, such as earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.  Science Olympiad enriches the minds of young people and nourishes an appreciation, understanding, and love for science.   If you are a student who enjoys science or engineering, is self-motivated with a desire to learn and succeed and want to be part of a supportive and competitive team - this could be the club for you!  If more children qualify than spots are available, a random app program will be used to select the final participants.   APS is hosting their first regional tournament on Saturday, March 15th, 2025 from 11am - 4pm  Our club leaders are yet to be determined.  

*This club is on hold, as Atlanta Urban Debate League has a waiting list.*

Our MES Debate Team provides students with the opportunity to improve their academic performance by having an avenue to challenge themselves in terms of literacy, critical thinking, communication skills, and decision making skills. By participating in debate, students gain knowledge and practice skills that will better equip them for their future lives inside and outside the world of academia. Students complete an application process which includes writing a persuasive essay for a debate prompt. Applications are reviewed and students are selected based on their level of competency for debate.  If more children qualify than spots are available, a random app program will be used to select the final participants.  Parents should be willing to serve as a judge for one of the debate competitions throughout the school year.  We will be participating in the Atlanta Urban Debate League “AUDL” sponsored tournaments for elementary students, which take place during the school day.  

Our Morningside eSports club enhances student engagement, teamwork, and offers a fresh extracurricular option, attracting students not typically interested in traditional activities.  eSports is a form of competition using video games.  Is your 4th or 5th grader a video game enthusiast? Do they want to explore STEAM careers? 

In Atlanta Public Schools, we use EGL as an eSports platform. EliteGamingLIVE (EGL) is a competitive gaming league for grades 4th and 5th, utilizing esports as an avenue to cultivate the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. This past year, our students competed in the following games (Will be updated once receive info from APS):

• Madden 24

• FIFA 24

• NBA 24

• SmashBros

• Mario Kart

• Rocket League

We're looking for 10 boys and 10 girls to meet Wednesdays after school until 4:00 PM. Spaces are limited, so apply by Friday, September 27, 2024. The first meeting is on October 2. If more children qualify than spots are available, a random app program will be used to select the final participants.  This club is led by Bibiana Jurado and Marva Nelson.

Apply online for eSports

The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl is the original reading competition created by Georgia educators to encourage students to read!  For our 4th and 5th grade students, there is a regional competition.  The regional winners compete at the district level, with those winners moving on to the state competition. Schools and public libraries throughout the state of Georgia compete annually in Local, Regional, and State Finals competitions to answer questions about award-nominated books.  The book lists are available here:  https://www.gahrrb.org/booklists 

If more children qualify than spots are available, a random app program will be used to select the final participants.   Our leaders for the 4th - 5th grade team are Becky Georges and Mike Rawls.  

5th grade students bring school news to the students and staff each morning. The students highlight birthdays, lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence, student and staff recognitions, and provide the weather and events around the school. A team of students is also behind the scenes, ensuring that all technical parts are in working order.  WDAN is led by our librarian, Mike Rawls.  

This group will consist of representatives elected from each 5th grade class, working together with teacher advisors to provide a means for student voice and student leadership.  Student Council members may assist in school affairs and activities and be representatives of Morningside Elementary School at various events.  The Student Council will also encourage school spirit and work on initiatives to improve our school for all students K - 5th grade.  Class representatives will have the option to campaign for four Student Council officer positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary).  Intent to run for an office from within the already elected class representatives must be posted by 2:15 Wednesday, 9/18/24 outside of Mrs. Lieb's classroom. Those running for office will present evidence of model citizenship and strong academic effort.  There is a confidential student vote for each of the four Student Council officers held among the 5th grade student body following speeches to be held Friday, 9/27/24.  Student Council is led by members of our 5th grade team.  

Stduent Council Advisors:
Jennifer Lieb
Charlie Espinosa

Our MES Safety Patrol is a club that assists with the safe travel of students in the hall, walker, carpool and bus area during arrival and dismissal.  The activities are conducted in class during regular school hours without any additional time or transportation needed.  The students receive training and certification as Safety Patrol Members through a collaboration with our School Resource Officer.  All 5th Grade students view a video in class about Safety Patrol, and have the opportunity to fill out an interest form via Google Classroom.  Once they have expressed interest, they are given an application.  More information is shared on the 5th grade website.  Our club leaders are Laurie Luckmann and Marva Nelson.   

This group assists with photos and content for our annual Morningside yearbook.  The students receive any needed photography training and work in collaboration with parent volunteers who create our final yearbook.  Students apply and are selected, with a final teacher recommendation.  If more children qualify than spots are available, a random app program will be used to select the final participants.  The Student Yearbook team is led by members of our 5th grade team and parent volunteers.