Activities

Date: November through March

The debate team at John Glenn is a Minnesota Urban Debate League activity that runs from November through March We participate in “Policy Debate” which has a national topic for the year and requires debaters to compete in pairs against students from other schools around the Twin Cities metro-area. 

The John Glenn Debate Team is a relatively new program with only 2 years of experience under its belt. Just this last season (23-24), we had numerous debaters place within the top 10 in their division at the Twin Cities Championships, where we were competing against 14 other middle schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Why debate?

• Fosters student agency: Students advocate for solutions to the world’s biggest problems.

• Equips students with resources & knowledge needed to understand government, economics, policy, law, philosophy, and social movements

• Teaches resilience: Debaters learn about how risk-taking, failure and processing feedback prepares them for growth and success. Students develop a growth mindset through both victories and losses. 

• Builds important life skills like listening, note taking, team-work, research, and critical thinking that are useful in school, college, the workplace, and beyond 

• Encourages friendships and confidence among a team of supportive peers and coaches

• Builds a sense of pride as students represent their school in a competitive setting, with opportunities to earn awards at each tournament

Want to learn more about debate? Visit: 

https://mnudl.augsburg.edu/outcomes-impact/

https://mnudl.augsburg.edu/about-us/

Register

Jazz Band will meet on Monday afternoons from 2-4PM starting October 19th.

Jr Honor Society is the middle school version of National Honor Society. Students in 7th and 8th grade who have a GPA of 3.6 or higher, earn a minimum of 5 community service hours, and have a desire to give back to their community are encouraged to apply in the fall. Students will meet the one Monday of each month with an induction ceremony/presentation evening in the spring. Applications can be found outside Ms. Van Rybroek's room, 327, and are due back with two teacher signatures as recommendations this Friday, October 9th. 

Knowledge Bowl is a fun and fast-paced quiz competition much like the game show “Jeopardy”, except played in teams. Students work with a team of friends to answer questions on a variety of subjects. Be the first to buzz in and score big points!

Knowledge Bowl is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Practices occur after school on THURSDAYS from 2:15 - 4:00 pm, beginning THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5. Activity buses are available for transportation home. This year, we will participate in three Knowledge Bowl Meets on December 17, January 26 and February 11th.

Students can see Ms. Benjamin in room 262 for a permission slip or if they have questions!

Student council coordinates a variety of activities at John Glenn. Students participating in student council work on their character education, bring their voices to the table to be heard as student leaders promoting positive change in the building, run our school store on Fridays, and volunteer at different school events. 

Student council members represent John Glenn and what we like to call "Jet Pride." Therefore, student council members are held to certain standards in order to maintain their membership. These are: 

• maintaining a C or higher in ALL of your classes
• being a positive role model at all times (during and outside of the school day)
• attending monthly meetings after school (2nd Monday of the month)
• not missing more than three after school meetings in a year
• working during lunch (if needed) to complete different student council tasks/responsibilities

Applications can be picked up from the main office and are due on 10/9/2026

• Oakdale Summerfest | June 27
  • Bus departs John Glenn at 10:00 AM
• Lakeville Pan-O-Prog | July 11
  • Bus departs John Glenn at 3:00 PM
• Stillwater Lumberjack Days | July 19
  • Bus departs John Glenn at 9:15 AM
• Minnesota State Fair | August 28
  • Bus departs John Glenn at 9:40 AM

Minnesota Junior High Math League

John Glenn Middle School

What: A regional competition where students travel to meets hosted by middle schools in the northeast metro area. All students will compete with other 6-7-8 graders. Our region has a total of ten teams with over 100 students participating. 

When: All meets and practices are on Monday afternoons. The practices are held Mondays after school from 2:00-4:00pm. If students are involved in athletics or other activities on Mondays, arrangements can be made to still be involved with Math Team. Check with Ms. Erickson

The meet days are as follows:

Monday, October 5th 2026 – John Glenn

Monday, October 26th 2026- John Glenn

Monday, November 16th 2026-  White Bear Lake

Monday, December 7th 2026- White Bear Lake

Monday, January 11th 2027 – Skyview

Where: This year all meets will be in person with the various schools in our League. The sites will be determined at the first meet which will be held at John Glenn. Students will need a ride home after we return to John Glenn around 4:30 pm on Meet nights.

Coach: Ms. Katie Erickson – If you have questions, please call (651) 748-6475 or email kerickson@isd622.org

Transportation: We will be sharing a bus with Skyview Middle school for all “away” meets. On meet nights, parents will be responsible for transporting or making arrangements to transport their child home from John Glenn. Pick-up time on meet nights will be about 4:30pm. On practice nights, students may take the 4:00 bus home.

Cost: These meets and practices are sponsored by the school district with no fee to individual students. Snacks will be provided at each meet and practice.

Eligibility: We are forming three teams this year. Since there are both team and individual scores, it is important that students attend as many meets as possible. The students who will provide the team scores will change from meet to meet. This will be determined by recent practice and meet scores as well as by attendance at practices.

Prizes: The top four teams in each region will be given a trophy. The top scorer from each team will be given a prize. Ten medals for individuals will be awarded in our division. All team members will receive a certificate.