As a way to bring students and staff together, every half day at Joe P. Eblen Intermediate is filled with fun and unique learning opportunities.
Those half days are known as Club Days. Each teacher comes up with a unique activity for students to enjoy. Not only are the kids learning something new, they are also building relationships with their teachers that they may not otherwise have.
“We conducted surveys for the students to see if they feel like they are a part of the Eblen community,” said Principal Julia Hodges. “In response to the data, Club Day was created so our students could have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with adults in the school building.”
Ms. Hodges said this opportunity is important not only for the students, but the staff as well.
“Clubs help students foster communication skills and build relationships, while learning new skills,” she said. “Students enjoy time making new friends with similar interests as their own, while feeling a part of our Eblen Warrior Community. Teachers and staff are able to build relationships with any student in the building because of clubs.”
Eblen offers 36 clubs for students to choose from, including sewing, drumming, cooking, walking, Battle of the Books, Spanish, and many more.
“At the beginning of the year, teachers/staff were able to decide which club they were going to lead,” Ms. Hodges explained. “Our counseling department worked hard to organize these clubs for students to enjoy. Students are given one of their top five choices of clubs.”
Ms. Hodges hopes that the impact of Club Day will carry on with students even throughout their high school years.
“Erwin High School students have joined our basketball and soccer clubs to establish the link between intermediate and high school,” she said. “It is important for our Eblen students to see themselves as Erwin High School students. The ultimate hope is to increase the number of graduating seniors.”
