Student Activities
Athletics
Our school provides an afterschool sports program for both boys and girls in Grades 5th thru 8th. Students have the opportunity to participate in basketball and volleyball. The purpose of the athletic program is to develop skill, sportsmanship and enjoyment. A "D" or "F" on a student's report card is cause for athletic probation. Students participating in sports sign a contract and pay fees for each sport.
There are specific regulations for participating in after school activities and/or practices on campus:
1. Students may not leave campus between the end of school and the start of practice or until the practice or activity ends
2. Students must have a transportation slip on file
3. Students may not come or participate in sports or school activity if he/she was absent from school for more than 1 hour
In those cases where students practice off-campus, it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to ensure transportation to the site of practice and supervise students until the stated time for the beginning of practice or until the designated coach arrives. Students are not to be dropped off and left unsupervised for any length of time. Parents/guardians providing transportation for students must have a car insurance information sheet on file with the school office.
Academic Junior High Decathlon (AJHD)
The Academic Decathlon was originally created by a former Orange County school superintendent, Dr. Robert Peterson. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools conducts an annual Academic Decathlon event for middle school children (ages 11 through 14). Schools, including St. Jude the Apostle School, compete as a team in the subjects of Religion, English, Literature, Math, Science, Social Studies, Current Events and Fine Arts.
First Lego League - "Roboteers"
St. Jude's FIRST Lego League (FLL) is an international robotics program utilizing science and technology. It is open to any student in 5th through 8th grade (a junior program is available for younger students). Each year the FLL team is given a challenge based on current issues relating to science and the world. Each team competes by researching the challenge theme, presenting their research and solutions, and building a robot using engineering concepts to complete various tasks. The major competition takes place at LEGOLAND California on the first Sunday of December each year. The winner of this event then competes at the national competition in February or March.
Junior First Lego League is a simplified program for ages 6-9. It encompasses the core concepts of all FIRST programs to inspire, excite and introduce kids to the wonders of science, technology and engineering. Students will work in small teams of 5 or 6, with a volunteer parent/coach, to solve a modified challenge similar to First Lego Team. They will do research and present a Lego model to a panel of judges at the LEGOLAND California Expo. This is usually held the last Saturday in January.
Christian Service Program
St. Jude the Apostle has a school-wide Christian Service Program that involves the school's participation with the parish's Loaves & Fishes program for a variety of service drives such as Holy Spirit School Supply Drive, Coats for a Cause, Drive for the Troops, the Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program and Easter Baskets.
