Activities - Santiam Christian Schools

Student Activities

Santiam Christian offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations for all grade levels. Clubs can be an amazing way for students to get involved with the school while having fun with friends. Ranging from choir to robotics there are many interesting activities.

Senior High (grades 9-12)

FFA – SC is the only private school in Oregon to offer FFA and one of only a few nationwide. This program offers skill development in areas from soil science to public speaking, leadership to floral design, ag construction to tractor safety, and more! FFA provides a wide variety of practical experience, valuable in most any industry.

Robotics – HS students design and build their own robot and take it into battle in the FIRST Robotics Competition. This program is often referred to as a “sport of the mind,” giving high school students and their adult mentors the opportunity to work and create together to solve a common problem. Strategy, creativity, 3D printing, design collaboration – STEM rich skills learning environment.

International Missions Trips – Students have the opportunity to participate in international mission trips.

For several years SC students has worked with The Caribbean Christian Center for the Deaf in Jamaica. This ministry supports marginalized people through its multiple campuses and businesses. Students not only work, but build relationships with people who otherwise often feel isolated.

Yearbook – Student staff learn graphic design techniques, software, publishing, and photographic arts to produce a fantastic yearbook.

Drama – Each year Santiam Christian presents two full-scale high school productions and one junior high production (directed & mentored by high school seniors). All performances are produced in our own black box theater.

Worship Teams – Students lead worship on a weekly basis for our chapel times, and it is a wonderful way to utilize the musical giftings God has given us! There is an audition and interview process in place. Email Mrs. Riddle for more details. The team includes guitar (electric and acoustic), keyboard, drums, bass, cajon, and vocalists. We aim to glorify God and do everything with excellence.

National Honor Society – High achieving scholars, participating in leadership and service. Involvement with the nationwide NHS organization provides opportunity and accountability for members of this scholastic achievement and service club.

Leadership – Student Council and Class Council. Leadership training and participation in OASC events.

Choir - Both Junior High and High School Choir meet during the school day. We perform at several special school events (Veterans Day assembly, Easter or Good Friday chapel services, school auction, etc), local festivals such as the Corban Choir Invitational, and a Fall Arts event, Christmas Choir Concert, and Spring Choir Concert.

Band –Our band program is dynamic and growing! Our small band competes at the ensemble level. This provides some terrific interaction with judges and more personal attention.

Wide variety of elective courses including: Woodworking, Photography, Art, Culinary Arts, Ag science courses, Digital Arts, Music, Cadet Teaching, and many more!

Junior High (grades 7-8)

Junior Players Drama – Full scale drama production for 7th – 9th grade students. This production is directed and mentored by high school seniors.

STEM –We are in search of a program and leadership to engage 7th & 8th grade students in extra-curricular STEM activities for 2023-24. We hope to offer JH robotics or something similar. It is our heart to support student involvement in this area. Parental leadership will be key.

Educational Travel to Washington DC – 8th & 9th grade educational travel opportunity. Utilizes respected educational travel services. This trip increases the “classroom” to include national monuments, parks and historic locations. Offered every other year. Next scheduled trip will be in June 2024.

Wide variety of elective courses including: Woodworking, Photoshop, Ag Science, Culinary Arts, Band, Choir, Introduction to Acting and Art.

Annual competitive events including: Spelling Bee, Math Olympics, Speech Meet, and Band Festival.

Participation with other area ACSI schools.

Elementary

Elementary LEGO Builders’ Workshops – For 2022-23 we are offering LEGO workshops allowing students to learn, collaborate and enjoy building with LEGOS. This springtime program is being mentored by high school students. Parental coaching assistance could make this an actual LEGO Robotics program.

Explorer’s Club – Students have the opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture and language. They learn to speak Mandarin Chinese and recognize simple characters through songs, games and stories.

Annual competitive events including: Spelling Bee, Math Olympics, Speech Meet, and Band Festival. Participation with other area ACSI schools.

Enrichment Classes including: Science Lab, Music, Art, PE, and Technology.

All of these activities are anticipated but are still tentative based on our ability to offer them for 2023-24.

Band Q&A

Who can participate in Elementary Band?

Elementary band is open to all Santiam 5th graders and to 6th graders who have taken band in 5th grade or can show competence on a band instrument at a 6th grade level. 5th and 6th graders who don’t take band will participate in choir. 6th graders are allowed, with approval, to participate in both band and choir.

How do beginning band students choose instruments?

Each year there is a day in the fall when students can meet with the band teacher and try out the various band instruments. Possible choices are flute, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, trombone, baritone/euphonium, and percussion (available on a limited basis, by approval only). The band teacher will decide which students will play which instruments on the basis of student interest, physical suitability for the instrument, and balance of instruments within the band.

Guitar violin and piano are not band instruments.

What do students need for band?

Band students will need an instrument, an instructional book, a music stand for at-home practices and some performances, and instrument care and cleaning materials. Clarinet and saxophone players will need at least four #2 Vandoren brand reeds and a reed guard.

Where do I find an instrument?

Instruments, books, and cleaning supplies are available to rent or purchase from local music stores, such as Albany Music and Sound, Windsmith Music in Philomath, and Willamette Music in Salem. Used instruments can be found in other locations, but parents should be very careful about used instruments and cheap instruments found online. Sometimes the cost to repair an instrument is more than the value of the instrument and cheaply made instruments often need frequent repairs. Parents should check with the band teacher before obtaining instruments for their children.

How often do elementary band students perform?

Performance possibilities are Grandparents’ Day, Christmas Program, Band Festival, and Spring Concert.

What is the cost for band?

In addition to the cost of the instrument, book and cleaning supplies, there is a fee of $35 for band. This will cover band festival registration and 2 pizza outings during the year.

Will students receive grades in band?

Yes, both band and choir students will receive an effort grade (E, S, N, or U). Band grades will be based on participation, behavior, preparation for class, tests and assignments, practice records, and attendance at performances.

How much are band students expected to practice?

Band students need to practice enough to keep up with the progress of the class. This varies from student to student, but in general each student should be doing several 15 minute practice sessions at home each week. Band students are asked to record their at-home practice on a practice calendar each month.

Can a student begin band as a 6th grader?

Sixth graders who haven’t taken band before will be a year behind the other 6th grade band student who have taken band in 5th grade. Sixth graders who want to start band should enroll in private lessons outside of school and then play for the band teacher periodically until they are sufficiently caught up and have her approval to join band. Until they are ready for band they will participate in choir.

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