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Extracurricular activities are a
great way for middle school students to make new friends, have fun and
develop new talents. And there's so much to choose from! Did you also
know that students involved in
extracurricular activities earn higher grades and tend to excel -- both
academically and socially. So what are you waiting for? Get involved in
all your school has to offer!
ASTRONOMY CLUB
Advisor: Jeremy Lundy
An "out of this world" opportunity for students (and their
parents) to observe and better understand the
universe we live in by making use of Draper's in-house observatory and telescope. The club will meet one to three evenings per month
(weather permitting) and will feature a short lesson on a
particular subject in astronomy, followed by hands-on use of a modern
telescope (housed in Draper's observatory). The club will focus on
giving students the chance to learn and practice science as science
is really practiced. Topics will include such things as telescope
basics, lunar observing (the formation, importance and geologic history
of the Moon), stellar evolution (the birth, evolution, and death of
stars), and the planets of our solar system. Students will be required
to be chaperoned by an adult to each club meeting. Meeting dates and
topics will be announced in advance. Don’t
miss out on this “out of this world” learning experience!
ATHLETICS:
All students at the middle school (grades six through eight) are
encouraged to take part in intramural activities that are offered
throughout the school year. They are designed to appeal to students of
all abilities and diverse interests. There are also "friendship
league" teams in swimming (USA Swimming Team Club), cross- country
and volleyball that are open to students in grades 6-8. Students in
grades seven and eight may also compete at the interscholastic level on
modified teams in football, wrestling, baseball, soccer, basketball and
swimming. Exceptional athletes in grades seven and
eight may try out for a high school interscholastic team but they will
need to pass a fairly rigorous athletic test of ability in order to
qualify to play at the high school level. Questions? Contact Athletic
Director Timothy McNamara at 356-8270.
CHEERLEADING
(FRESHMEN):
Advisor: Ashleigh Santabarbara
Eighth-grade students are eligible to TRY OUT for the cheerleading squad
for the fall and/or winter seasons. Students who make the squad attend
practices and cheer for the modified football team (fall) and the boys'
freshman basketball team (winter). Tryouts for Fall are in late August
and in November for the basketball season. Skills
learned include jumping, building, tumbling, and dancing.
COLOR GUARD:
Advisor: Lori Marshall
Mohonasen's Color Guard is open to students in grades 8-12. The Guard
accompanies the Marching Band at competitive field shows and parades.
Guard members add a lot of pizzazz to the band by flashing and twirling
batons, flags and rifles and dancing while the band performs. Members
also compete against other color guards in New York State and beyond.
Students have the option of participating in the Indoor Guard during the
winter months. it is also possible for instrumental students to
participate in Color Guard. Students are usually asked to attend
meetings before the school year is over and are expected to attend
practices in Band Camp, held the last two weeks of August.
"GENERATION
Y" TECHNOLOGY CLUB:
Advisor: TBA
Generation Y is a service club for students in grades six through eight
who enjoy working with computers and related technologies. Students work
on projects that serve teachers and the wider Mohonasen community. Some
of the club's past projects can be seen on Mohonasen's Web site -- like
the History of Mohonasen pages and many learning sites on the homepage
for Bradt Primary School.
HISTORY
CLUB:
Advisors: Dale Wade-Keszey and Mark DiCocco
Take exciting field trips (like recent visits to Gettysburg, PA and
Baltimore, MD) while expanding your understanding of history. Students
watch historical movies, visit local museums, host guest lecturers and
have lots of fun. Open to middle school students in grades 7-8.
HOMEWORK
HOTLINE ON THE WEB:
Coordinated by: The Middle School Guidance Office
Draper's Homework Hotline is now strictly a Web-based operation. On a
daily basis, students and/or their parents can find homework
assignments, by teacher, on the district Web site. In order to provide
this valuable service, student volunteers are always needed to help
input teacher homework assignments during their advisory periods. Any
student who would like to help should stop by the guidance office to
volunteer.
LIBRARY
BOOK CLUB:
Advisor: Mary
Frances Manno
The Draper Library Book Club us devoted to connecting
students to books in an ongoing effort to create
lifelong readers. Members meet on a weekly basis to
discuss various books that are selected as a group. In
addition to weekly book discussions and other activities
that promote reading, members also attend field trips.
as well as participate in community and school events.
All students are welcome to attend. All that is required
is an appetite for reading. Meetings take place every
Friday afterschool in the Library Media Center.
MOHON
MASQUE THEATRE CLUB:
Theatre Director: Dr. Margaret Gray
Get involved in a school play - center stage or behind the scenes. Mohon
Masque's big spring musical involves students in elementary grades
through high school. Tryouts and rehearsals are announced at least a
week in advance to give students time to prepare. Even if acting,
singing, and dancing aren't for you, there are many other ways to get
involved in the plays. Stage crew, set building, costumes, fund-raising
and lighting are just a few of the many behind-the-scenes opportunities for
students.
MUSICAL
PERFORMING GROUPS:
Band: Jason Varga
Choir: Nicole Gabriel
Orchestra: Kim Kondenar
Band, choir and orchestra members practice regularly with their group
during advisory periods. Each group performs at the winter and spring
concerts, two school assemblies, the annual school budget vote, the
Strawberry Festival, and other special events that may vary from one
year to the next. Serious students are also encouraged to prepare music
and play for the New York State School Music Association Music Festival each
spring.
NATIONAL
JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY:
Advisors: TBA
Membership in Draper Middle School's National Honor Society is open to
eligible 7th- and 8th-graders. To be eligible for induction, students
must meet established academic criteria. Students who meet the criteria
will receive letters in March inviting them to apply for membership.
Application also requires participating in at least two school and/or
community activities and teacher recommendations. A
special induction ceremony for seventh-graders is held each spring and
parents are invited to attend.
ODYSSEY
OF THE MIND:
Program Coordinator: Lori Ranze
Creative problem solving comes from teamwork, cooperation and
risk-taking. That's the principle behind Odyssey of the Mind, an
international problem-solving competition that is both fun and
challenging. Students team up to work on one of several open-ended
problems that the international OM organization poses each year. For
example, one problem may require students to build a structure that
meets specific guidelines. Another problem may require a theatrical
solution that is written and performed by students. There is a regional
competition each spring and, depending on how students score, they may
proceed to the state level or beyond. Each team has its own volunteer
coaches. (Parents are always needed to fill this important role!)
PEERS FOR
PEACE:
Advisors: Maryam Mair
Peers for Peace is offered at both the middle school and high school.
The goal of this student group is to raise awareness about human rights
and increase tolerance and respect for diversity within the school and
community. This is the group that spearheaded the planting of a Peace
Pole in the school and cares for a seedling from a Japanese khaki tree
that survived the nuclear bombs of World War II. Students take part in a
variety of activities from one year to another.
SCIENCE
CLUB:
Advisor: Carolyn Lundy
This is a club for students in grades6-8. Environmentalists will
enjoy the many outdoor activities (hiking, field trips, etc.) as well as
recycling efforts that club members are spearheading. There are also
plans to participate in competitions that combine science and
technology. Joining this club will allow students to explore different
aspects of science while having lots of fun.
SKI AND
SNOWBOARD CLUB (GRADES 6-12):
Advisors: Rob Buehler, Scott Hays, and Fred
Saccocio
Take to the slopes at various mountains in the northeast from January to
March. Lessons and rentals available. Round- trip transportation
included. Open to students in grades 6-12 on a first-come, first-served
basis. There is a fee of approximately $225 to cover the cost of lift
tickets and transportation.
STUDENT
COUNCIL:
Advisor: Linda Harrison and Laura Galleli
Student Council membership provides an avenue for students to discuss
ways to improve their school and have a voice in school operations. Two
student representatives from each homeroom (grades 6-8) are chosen
annually; these students must maintain an average of at least 80. Each
September the eighth- grade class elects a slate of officers. Student
Council Officers are required to maintain a minimum grade average of 85.
Meetings are held approximately twice a month. The Student Council
sponsors several dances each year and helps organize the eighth-grade
farewell dance. Other activities include an annual flower sale, various
service projects and fundraisers that help support student field trips
at all grade levels. This is a great way for students to get leadership
experience while having a positive impact on their school.
SWIM
CLUB
Head Coach: Jennifer Clifford
Competitive Season: Generally October through March
Competitive summer session also offered
Students in grades K-12 are welcome to participate in Mohonasen's Swim
Club which introduces students to competitive swimming while building
their skills. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced swimmer, there's
a place for you on this team. For
detailed information, visit our Swim Club Web page.
"THE
TOMAHAWK" SCHOOL
YEARBOOK:
Advisors: Karen Squires
Students in grade 6-8 are encouraged to contribute to the many aspects
of creating a lasting record of their middle school years. Yearbook
staffers structure layouts, take pictures, write captions and document
special events that take place throughout the school year. If you are
responsible, good at managing your time, hard-working and dedicated to
producing a yearbook that reflects middle school life -- then this is the
club for you!
"THE
WARRIOR WAY" SCHOOL
NEWSPAPER:
Advisor: Scott Hays
Draper Middle School's student newspaper, The Warrior Way, is published
three to four times each year. Students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to
get involved in one or more of the various aspects of producing a
newspaper. These include reporting, editing, layout, artwork and
photography.
TEEN TOWN:
Advisor: TBA
The extremely popular "Teen Town" program gives Draper Middle
School students a fun night out where they can socialize with friends in
a well- supervised setting. Teen towns are held from 7- 9:30 p.m. at the
middle school. Dates are published in the district calendar. At Teen
Town, students can dance to music provided by a disc jockey in the
school cafeteria, play basketball in the gym, and have friendly foosball,
pool and air hockey matches. Pizza, soda and other snacks are sold
throughout the night. There is a $3.00 admission fee for students to
cover the cost of the disc jockey, dance contest, and door prizes.
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