William Rolon
Principal Grades 6-8

41 Lincoln Ave.
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-6300

Clubs and Activities 2011-12

Boys Basketball Club

Boys varsity basketball coach, Mr. Joe Guarneiri, supervises this activity. Club members learn the basic skills and fundamentals of basketball in abbreviated mini-clinics. Coach G. then organizes and supervises full-court games. Players are strongly encouraged to jump-start games on their own and eventually become self-sufficient in organizing teams and playing the games with very little adult intervention. The major goal of the club is to get young participants to enjoy the game of basketball by improving their skills and appreciate the cardio-vascular fitness that a lifetime sport like basketball can help foster.

• Advisor: Mr. Guarneiri

• Meeting Times: Sundays, 3-4:30 p.m. and Fridays, 5:30-7 p.m. in the new gym. "Be there or be square!"

Creative Crafts/Animation Club

The Creative Crafts Club will be exploring different types of crafts including silk painting, jewelry making, furniture painting and working with clay. The Animation Club is for students who have dreamed of working for an animation company like Dreamworks, Pixar, Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon and would like to learn how to animate. All students interested in either or both clubs can sign up with Ms. Ochs in room 157.

• Advisor: Ms. Ochs

• Meeting Times: Wednesdays from 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Culinary Club

The purpose of the Culinary Club will be to instruct students in the preparation and selection of fresh food. The students will be planning and preparing a selection of foods. Students will participate in group cooking activities, while focusing on safety, measuring, and cooking techniques.

• Advisor: Mrs. Caruso and Mrs. Hughes

• Meeting Times: Thursdays, 2:30–3:10 p.m. once per month and 2:30–5 p.m. once per month

Dance Club

Provides students an opportunity to exercise, have fun and learn new rhythms such as hip hop, salsa, meringue, bachata, regueton, etc. In addition, we will incorporate some of the most popular dances into our choreographies.

• Advisor: Mrs. Ackert

• Meeting Times: Fridays, 2:30–3 p.m.

Environmental Club

The Environmental Club is open to all students in grades 6-8. The purpose of this club is to increase students’ environmental awareness and civic responsibility through various student-directed activities. Some of the goals of the Environmental Club include improving the school’s recycling program, researching/preparing a proposal to eliminate the use of non-recyclable materials in the school cafeteria, helping to maintain the school’s courtyard and participating in a save the wildlife campaign.

• Advisor: Mrs. Molinaro

• Meeting Times: Monday and/or Wednesdays, 2:30 to 3:10 p.m.

French Club - Le cercle Francais

Students will partake in cultural activities aimed at discovering the cultures and customs of the French-speaking countries and in learning some conversational French! Students will learn about diverse regions of the Francophone world, celebrate festivals, cook some recipes, sing some folklore songs, watch French movies, study painting, and much more! Open to all students in grades 6, 7, and 8.

• Advisor: Monsieur Riviere

• Meeting Times: Mondays from 2:30–3:15 p.m.

Girls Leadership Group - grades 7 and 8

Girls Leadership is open to all seventh and eighth grade young women who would like to develop strong leadership skills, receive mentoring and participate in team-building and leadership activities. We participate in career shadowing, community-service and fund-raising programs, listening to women as guest speakers who have leadership roles in the community and related field trips.

• Advisors: Ms. Jordan

• Meeting Times: Mondays, 2:30-3 p.m. in Room 216

Leo Club

The Leo Club provides young people with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of our community. Leo's will create and implement various events to help give back to our community. For an application, please see Mrs. Blake in Guidance.

• Advisor: Mrs. Blake

• Meeting Times: Every other Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in the cafeteria

Math Team

Students participating in this activity will be expected to attend 10 to 15 practice sessions, complete practice problems on their own and participate in 5 interschool meets. Practices are typically 45 to 60 minutes long. Math knowledge is an extension and enhancement of typical middle school math classes. Events in a competition include “speed and accuracy,” “calculator,” “percentages,” “geometry,” “wild card,” and either a relay or cooperative group question.

• Advisor: Mrs. Mesic

• Meeting Times: October-November, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:30-3 p.m.

Newspaper

Students will produce a school newspaper reflecting activities within school. Articles will cover current trends for middle school students in fashion, music, movies, etc. Students will have opportunities to express opinions and share humor through original writings, photography, and artwork.

• Advisors: Ms. Jordan

• Meeting Times: Wednesdays, 2:30-3:10 p.m.

Peer Mediation

The Middle School Peer Mediation program consists of student volunteers in grades six through eight who are trained to assist other students in resolving conflict. Peer mediators attend an 8-12 hour training session where they develop listening skills and conflict management techniques so that they can help disputing students reach a written agreement. This written agreement helps to structure the future relationship of the conflicting students.

• Advisors: Mrs. Bigg and Mrs. Blake

• Meeting Times: Refresher training in November; Mediations as needed; Practice sessions held the first Monday of the month as needed

Quiz Bowl

Students in grades 6-8 are invited to join. Students are placed on a team by the advisors. Teams compete against each other answering questions on science, math, current event, social studies, sports, and general trivia. Points are earned for correct answers and total team points are calculated at each meeting. An All-Star team is picked to compete for our school at the Orange County Quiz Bowl competition in May.

• Advisors: Mrs. Bigg and Ms. Rueckert

• Meeting Times: Mondays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. from January to mid-May

RallyWorks!

RallyWorks! is a new club which will meet to make handmade cards and other works. It is our hope to honor and celebrate holidays, special occasions, offer support, and bring cheer to anyone who needs it with our one-of-a-kind creations.

• Advisors: Ms. Behringer and Mrs. Hughes

• Meeting times: Tuesdays from 2:30-3 pm. Occasional meetings may run until 5 pm. Meetings are held in Room 218 (the old library)

Readers’ Clubs - grades 6-8

Readers’ Clubs meet once per month over lunches to discuss a particular book that all group members have read. Everyone is encouraged to join whether you are a “reading-person” or not. Discussions are lively and fun, and a good time is had by all.

• Advisors: Mrs. Banuls

• Meeting Times: Lunch one time per month

Science Olympiad

Students participating in this activity will be working in a combination of events drawn from a total of 25 events to be competed at the regional, state, and national level. Events cover the full spectrum of science subjects including physics, chemistry, earth science, biology, technology, and problem solving. Team work is an important quality that students learn. Knowledge goes well beyond typical classroom curricula. Practices start on a limited basis in October and begin daily (including Saturdays) in November. The season ends following the state and/or national tournaments in April and May. The state and national teams may continue until the end of May.

• Advisors: Mrs. DenDanto

• Meeting Times: Practices start on a limited basis in October and begin daily (including Saturdays) in November

• For information about Science Olympiad, visit www.newyorkscioly.org  

Service Club

Service Club provides students with opportunities to give back to their community. Activities may include baking for the senior citizens, care packages for troops and collections for those in need.

• Advisor: Ms. Demers

• Meeting times: Mondays, 2:30 – 3:10 PM in room 203, with additional meetings as needed. Additional meetings may occasionally go until 5 PM when planning and carrying out service events

Sixth Grade Sports Club

This club gives sixth grade students an opportunity to participate in organized sports in the middle school. The club’s focus is on recreation, sportsmanship social interaction, and having fun!

• Advisors: Mrs. Storms and Mr. Dornfest

• Meeting Times: Every other Thursdays, 2:30–3 p.m. (excluding faculty meeting dates)

Ski Club

Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 can join the ski club. The ski club begins in January meeting after school on Fridays (weather permitting). Skiers of all levels are encouraged to join. Some “scholarships” are available. There is one mandatory safety meeting prior to the trips.

• Advisor: Ms. Bertone  and Mr. Lamonica

• Meeting Times: Five Fridays, 3-9 p.m., Jan.–March

Sports Club

Open to grades 7 & 8. Focus on skill development and game play in a variety of sports and activities.

• Advisor: Mrs. Guarnieri

• Meeting Times: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:30-3 p.m.

Student Activities

Students will work together to help plan spirit days, fundraisers, dances, and other school activities. Students will learn how to plan and coordinate events, order supplies, and follow through on their plans. Communication and cooperation will be essential skills.

• Advisor: Mrs. Adams

• Meeting Times: Thursdays, Room 213

Student Government

Members will actively participate in identifying, researching, analyzing and resolving issues and concerns in the school community and beyond. Important cooperation and leadership skills will be developed.

• Advisor: Mrs. Angelo

• Meeting Times: Thursdays, 2:30–3 p.m. in Room 238

Video Yearbook Club

Club members will identify clubs and activities that they would like to videotape, using cameras to record and computers to edit videos. The end product will be a DVD yearbook for eighth graders.

• Advisor: Mrs. Pahucki

• Meeting Times: Eighth grade, Tuesdays, 2:30–3 p.m.

Yearbook

What will you remember at the end of the school year? The best memory is one you can take with you. The ultimate school spirit is having your own yearbook. Our yearbook is created entirely online, so if you have superb computer skills, this is the club for you.

• Advisors: Mrs. Caruso & Mrs. Adams

• Meeting times: Mondays, 2:30–3:10 p.m. in Room 212