School Clubs
Academic Games
Academic Games is a series of games designed to test student's knowledge in various subjects. Thurston 4th and 5th grade students will have the opportunity to enhance their problem solving and team building skills while playing fun games. Students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Each student who is accepted will be asked to pay a fee for startup cost of purchasing additional games and printing. Academic Games meets weekly, and parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer.
Chess Club
Chess Club is a FREE club held one morning per week in the Thurston library. Students play friendly games of chess with their classmates in a low-stress environment. Club time is from 8 am until the bell rings. There are a few parents who supervise, so you may leave your child. There is no sign-up, nor are there snacks, and you can come anytime. If you are interested in Chess CLASSES, you can sign up and pay for these through Ann Arbor Rec and Ed Department online, or at their main office (at Pioneer High School). Many of our "clubbers" do enroll in Red and Ed's Chess Classes, but are not required to.
Community Service Club
The Community Service Club provides students with the opportunity to do service projects for the school and community. Students meet once a month during lunch/recess hour to work on specific projects and initiatives. In 2016, students launched the Thurston Pantry. This in-school pantry provides goods to families in need at the school. Other projects include a shoe drive, Operation Gratitude, Project Keep Warm, Thurston’s Buddy Bench and more. These students take great pride in making a difference and being seen by their peers as leaders. The Community Service Club is offered to grades with a volunteer parent coordinator who helps plan and execute age-appropriate community service projects during lunch hour. Participants hold fundraisers throughout the school year to raise money for various charities and supplies for future projects.
Students may be asked to bring in project-related supplies. For more information, visit www.thurstoncsc.org.
Fifth Grade Choir
Our music teacher organizes a Fifth Grade Choir every year. It is open to all fifth grade students. They meet once a week during lunch recess and perform several times throughout the year, including once at a Board of Education meeting at the downtown library in the fall. Thurston is the only elementary school in town to have a fifth grade choir. Please contact the music teacher for more information.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a program for 3rd through 5th grade girls, designed to get girls moving, think outside-the-box, and have fun. The group meets in the spring, twice a week, from 4-5:30. There are short, interactive lessons focusing on making healthy choices regarding nutrition, relationships, exercise, etc. There are fun, group-building exercises and lots of movement! The movement varies, from walking to running to skipping to galloping . . .whatever form it takes, the goal is to be active and have fun. The season culminates in a 5K run/walk on U of M's north campus. GOTR is a wonderful way for your daughter to get to know herself and the girls around her better, to challenge herself physically, and to have a great time!
Green Schools
Thurston’s Green School has a reputation for doing exemplary work, earning us “Evergreen” status—the highest “green” award possible! The students on the Green Team lead school-wide efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle. They help in many ways, including: making the lunchroom a waste-free place by showing peers where/how to compost and recycle; by planting, watering, weeding and harvesting in Thurston’s garden; helping with recycling/ composting at school events; and collecting compost/ recyclables from other parts of the school. Each student on the Green Team has a job that they do weekly or more regularly, and jobs may be rotated throughout the year. Being a part of the team is a great way for your child to learn responsibility and help the environment at the same time.
Robotics Club
The Robotics Club motivates students to learn different science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts through a fun and exciting robotics based curriculum. Through working in groups, Thurston 5th grade students will have the opportunity to enhance their problem solving, and team building skills. In addition, they learn important life skills including presentation skills, leadership skills, and self-assurance. Each student who is accepted will be asked to pay a fee for startup costs. Robotics club meets weekly, and parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer.
Safety Patrol
Thurston's Safety Patrol is conducted under the auspices of AAA of Michigan. Our patrol is composed of up to 36 volunteer students from the 4th and 5th grades. Safeties serve every other week in pairs or groups of three to cross students at intersections, assist in our parking lot, put up and take down our flag, etc. A meeting is held during the first week of school to inform students of the responsibilities of serving on the Safety Patrol and to invite volunteers to participate. Parents of participants may be asked to serve hot cocoa to safeties as they come in from their posts on winter mornings.
Student Council
Student Council is an extracurricular activity for individuals interested in student and school affairs. Representatives will either be selected by a teacher, or nominated by their class. Elected officials will meet monthly to plan and organize school events and fundraisers. Information about student council will be available through your child’s classroom teacher.
