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We provide multiple opportunities for students to lead here at Combs. Below are just a few of the school-wide leadership roles in which students must sign up and/or interview to participate. Families can preview information, deadlines, and school contacts in these various roles below. Unless otherwise noted, applications will be found on the Leadership Application Station bulletin board which is across the hall from the library door.
Cheer Club
Vision: To provide all 3rd-5th grade students the opportunity to participate in a cheer club that celebrates school spirit, vertical grade level leadership, and the joy of being active. Leaders will learn motions, cheers, and choreography. Students meet after school from 3:30-4:30 in the music room. Fall and spring sessions are six weeks each. Sign up information will be available in September, and the first practice will be late September.
Ashtin Gill agill@wcpss.net
Chorus
Chorus is open to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students who love to sing! We typically perform at Combs’ school events and sometimes off campus. Third and fourth Graders meet on Wednesdays (7:45-8:25am), fifth graders meet on Thursdays (7:45-8:25am) and all rehearsals are in the music room. About a month before a performance, we will add Friday morning rehearsals (7:45-8:25am) with combined third, fourth and fifth grade Chorus students. I will have the Chorus packets available at Meet the Teacher outside the Music room (I will be there too). All children are admitted to Chorus. They need to write a paragraph telling me why they want to join. I am unable to let a child join if I do not have parent/guardian permission, which is also part of the Chorus packet. The packet turnaround time is quick as our first performance, Walk to School Day, is October 9, 2024. Please have your child turn packets in to me by September 6th. We will start Chorus with 3rd and 4th Graders on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 and 5th graders Thursday, September 12, 2024. Please contact me with any questions: Jacquie Wojtowicz (pronounced Voytuvitch) : jwojtowicz@wcpss.net
Flag Holders
We are proud to know that our A.B. Combs families come from over 70 different countries around the world. We have flags displayed along our hallways to represent these countries, and we want to be sure everyone is included if they would like to be. If your child was born in another country, or your family is from another country, please let us know so we can be sure to update our flags. We often have students hold the flag of their family's country at special events. If you would like for your child to represent your family in this way, please fill out the google form under the Back to School Forms & Information tab. The form is titled, "Student Representation Form."
Gator Ball Handlers
Open to 3-5 graders who are motivated to attend practice every Tuesday morning from 7:45-8:25, and practice ball handling skills on their own 15 minutes per day. Gator Handlers progressively learn over 50 basketball handling skills. We move quickly so skill name recognition and performance is critical in early practices as we then advance to improving skill performance speed and also application of skills to song - moving and performing skills rhythmically. We perform at Combs, and in the community. Later in the season we add extra practices on Tuesday afternoons from 2:45-3:30 to prepare for such events. You can see a video example of our performance style here: IMG_3391.MOV Character development is a big part of our program. Students in their first year complete a brief weekly written character homework assignment to help them develop the “skills that build” great life skills and expectations for our program. Practice begins October 1 and runs through May 14. Applications w/ student info./contract and student essay (essay is required for first year applicants only, however every returning member must complete an updated contact sheet. 2nd and 3rd year members are guaranteed a spot) will be available to all 3-5 students and will be due to Coach Hook by September 17. (place under her office door in the gym)
Coach Hook jhook@wcpss.net
Gator Thespians
This group learns stage/acting terminology, works on memorizing lines, and learns acting, singing and dancing. We learn how to work together to produce a full musical. Applications for interested students will be available on the Application Station board in September. This is open to 3rd-5th graders.
Jacquie Wojtowicz - jwojtowicz@wcpss.net
Tiffany Webb - tmwebb@wcpss.net
Leadership Day
This is held twice each year (fall and spring), and is an authentic way for students and staff to practice their leadership skills. Educators and community leaders from around the globe visit our school to learn from and see Combs leaders in action. There are classroom leadership roles, as well as school-wide roles. Details will be shared with students by classroom teachers.
Traci Totherow - ttotherow@wcpss.net
Library Assistants
Open to 4th and 5th graders and each leader will be assigned one morning per week from 8:00-8:30. Duties include shelving books, running library errands, helping students find as well as check out books, checking books in, adopting a shelf to give extra care, and helping to create and maintain book displays. Applications will be available at the Leadership Application Station (bulletin board across from library) the first week of school and day assignments are made within a couple of weeks (we take into consideration mornings that leaders are involved in other leadership opportunities and work around those). This leadership opportunity lasts the entire school year.
Angie Headley aheadley@wcpss.net
Lisa Ray lray@wcpss.net
Magnet Tour Guides
These tours are held during the magnet application season (November – February). Students serve as tour guides for prospective magnet families. They must be able to carry on conversation with families, tell all about our leadership model, and lead guests around campus to share about our school along the way. Interested students can fill out an application and schedule an interview in early October.
Traci Totherow - ttotherow@wcpss.net
Morning News
These leaders run the daily live morning newscast. Crew members are limited to 5th graders, along with one 4th grade apprentice later in the year. All interested students can schedule an interview by filling out an application found on the Application Station board. Roles include on and off camera responsibilities. Applications are submitted in August for this year-long opportunity.
Traci Totherow - ttotherow@wcpss.net
Robotics
Our FIRST LEGO League Robotics clubs are available to 2nd-5th graders. During the fall we have a competitive and non-competitive robotics team for 5th graders called FLL Challenge. The competitive team applies during May of their 4th grade year (with opportunities for new 5th graders to join in September). The non-competitive robotics team is part of the 5th grade in-school club offerings, and can be chosen during club sign-ups in October. In the spring, we offer a 2nd-4th grade junior robotics after school club called FLL Explore. The application for junior robotics will be available in December.
Chelsea L’Heureux - clheureux@wcpss.net
Safety Patrol
Members hold a very important leadership role and are a vital part of our school environment. They remind students of safety rules learned in the classroom and ensure a smooth and safe dismissal for all children. Some Safety Patrol responsibilities include:
- AM duties -7:55-8:20 a.m.; PM duties - 2:55-3:25 p.m.
- Report for duty on time, wearing orange safety vests
- Lead by example by encouraging students to observe safety rules on campus
- Be proactive - look at the weather report if you have an outside duty and plan appropriately.
Applications will be available mid-September. Open to 4th and 5th grade students only.
Claudine Parisi - cparisi@wcpss.net
After school paid activities
Chess
More information is coming soon!
Lego Play-Well
Engineering program using LEGO materials provided by Play-Well. This program is offered in fall and spring with sessions lasting 6-8 weeks. Informational fliers will come home to every student prior to a new session with information on how to join. Fall session runs September 16-November 18th
Tennis and Soccer
Tennis Class Dates are on Mondays from September 9th-November 25th.
Soccer Class Dates are on Fridays from September 6th-November 22nd.