WH Sports Activities 2012

WEST HOLLOW MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES TABLE OF CONTENTS Cheerleading 3 Chess Club 3 Computer Club 4 Creative Writing Club 4 Environmental/Horticulture Club 4 Grand-friends 5 Hi-Tech Club 5 Honor Chorus 5 International Club 6 Jazz Band 6 Kick-line 6 Leaders Club 7 Math Olympiads 7 Mock Trial 7 Mural Club 8 National Junior Honor Society 8 Readers Club 8 S.A.D.D. 9 Science Olympiad 9 Student Government 10 Sweet Sixteen Choral Group 10 Weight Training 10 Yearbook Club 11 Intramurals 12 Athletics 13 & 14 Please note: This roster of clubs and activities changes from time to time, to meet the needs and interests of our students. While meeting times are projected they too change periodically to maximize student participation. Club meetings are scheduled to facilitate students catching activity bus routes toward home.

These routes are scheduled to depart West Hollow approximately 3:45 and 4:45 daily.

Variations in actual departure times do occur.

CHEERLEADING Activity/Activities: Cheerleading Purpose and Overview: Cheerleaders perform during the basketball and football season as well as spirit week to encourage enthusiasm and school spirit.

We also develop individual character through commitment and teamwork.

Meeting Time: Practices are usually one hour per week. Specific meeting times will be determined. Changes to the practice schedule do occur to accommodate game schedules. Cheerleaders will be notified.

Membership: Tryouts take place at the beginning of the school year.

Participation is open to 7 and 8th graders. th

CHESS CLUB Activity/Activities: Chess Purpose and Overview: The chess club engages students in matches with others on a variety of teams and across grade levels. Students develop their understanding of the game and its various strategies.

Meeting Time: The Chess Club meets once each week for an hour. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: Students from all grade levels are welcome.

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COMPUTER CLUB Activity/Activities: pursuits.

Members will develop computer skills for academic and recreational

Purpose and Overview: Students learn how to use the internet to do research for school projects as well as play games with other members in the club. They will develop facility with software for multimedia, digital cameras and scanners and internet applications.

Meeting Time: The Computer Club meets once each week for an hour. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: Open to all students ranging in ability from beginner to computer expert.

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Activity/Activities: Students develop their creative writing abilities and discuss various literary genres. The club assembles an anthology which is complimented by incorporating photography, paintings and other art.

Purpose and Overview: The Creative Writing Club provides students with a forum to engage in creative writing beyond the parameters of ELA class projects. It supports and engenders an appreciation for writing in various forms and for the authors who have contributed to the world of literature.

Meeting Time: The Creative Writing Club meets one hour each week. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are encouraged to participate.

ENVIRONMENTAL /HORTICULTURE CLUB Activity/Activities: West Hollow Beautification such as courtyard clean-ups and litter removal around the perimeter of our school grounds. Field trips such as Cold Spring Harbor or Connetquot River Fish Hatchery, Captree State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Atlantis Marine World, Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, and/or Schmidts Farm and assorted Fundraising activities.

Purpose and Overview: To provide students with an opportunity to experience first hand some of the unique environments that we have on Long Island. The club also works on environmental projects within West Hollow.

Meeting Time: The Environmental Club meets two to three times per month while field trips and clean up activities are scheduled in advance after school. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are welcome.

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GRAND-FRIENDS Activity/Activities: Visits to Huntington Hills Rehabilitation Center.

Purpose and Overview: We hope to build intergenerational bonds between our community’s senior citizens and our students through conversations while spending time together. We also hope to instill a sense of community service and generosity.

Meeting Time: Grand-Friends meet twice each month for two hours and visit the residents at the Huntington Hills Rehabilitation Center in Melville. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome to participate.

HI-TECH CLUB Activity/Activities: Rocketry, robotics, magnetic levitation, Science Olympiad, technology related problem solving activities.

Purpose and Overview: The Hi-Tech club introduces students to technology. It allows students to develop interests and skills in technology at a level above what is offered in technology education classes. This club also supports students in preparation for Science Olympiad.

Meeting Time: The Hi-Tech club meets once each week for an hour. Some pre arranged meetings last two hours to accommodate projects but attendance for the full two hours is optional.

Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome to participate though membership is limited to sixty students.

WEST HOLLOW HONOR CHORUS Activity/Activities: Choral singing and public performances.

Purpose and Overview: To provide an outlet for a relatively small group of talented singers to learn the art of solfege and sight singing. This will be especially applicable for students planning on going to NYSSMA for a vocal assessment where sight reading ability will be evaluated. Sight-reading will then be used as a basis to read through and learn choral literature.

Meeting Time: The West Hollow Honor Chorus meets once each week for an hour. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: Open to serious vocal students of all grades, by audition.

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JAZZ BAND

Activity/Activities: The Jazz Band performs different styles of music written since the 1940’s. Contemporary sounds are also played.

Purpose and Overview: The Jazz Band exposes students to different genres of music. It helps students recognize jazz as a truly American art form and valid musical expression. Students also develop their musicianship skills such as rhythm and improvisation as well as an understanding of musical forms and styles.

Meeting Time: The Jazz Band meets once each week after school for an hour.

Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome to audition at the beginning of each school year. Students must demonstrate basic musical skills on their instruments.

KICK-LINE

Activity/Activities: Practices and performances at football and basketball games during season. Additional performances are presented at the West Hollow Holiday Show and during Spirit Week.

Purpose and Overview: Kick-Line fosters physical conditioning and coordination, poise and selfconfidence.

We promote school spirit and work as a team which encourages responsibility and commitment.

Meeting Time: The Kick-Line meets for two hours of practice weekly (usually two one hour sessions) from September through February and for scheduled performances at games and events.

Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize studentparticipation.

Membership: Twenty girls in grades 7 & 8 are welcome to participate. Members are selected by audition.

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LEADERS CLUB Activity/Activities: Students work cooperatively to develop and implement selected fundraising activities. They also develop and implement outreach and service programs in our community as well as within our school.

Purpose and Overview: The Leaders Club promotes leadership and character development in students. It helps to develop personal and interpersonal skills while engaging students in activities that focus on citizenship and a sense of community responsibility The Leaders Club strives to build confidence and self-esteem through student achievement. Students are recognized for their contributions to worthy causes and each other.

Meeting Time: The Leaders Club usually meets one hour each week though special projects alter that schedule from time to time. Specific times will be determined based on club membership and selected projects to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are encouraged to participate.

MATH OLYMPIADS Activity/Activities: Students use mathematics to foster creative problem solving skills.

Purpose and Overview: Math Olympiads is an interschool competition which is held five times during the school year beginning in November and concluding by April. More than 100,000 students participate annually in the Olympiads. Students represent 4,000 teams in the USA and 25 other countries. Through participation in weekly practice sessions, students are exposed to challenging problems and work cooperatively to develop new problem solving strategies.

Meeting Time: Math Olympiads meet for practice once each week for an hour. Competitions are held after school the first Tuesday of each month beginning in November and ending by April.

Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome. Only 7th and 8th graders contribute to the West Hollow team score, but 6th graders are encouraged to participate and develop their skills.

MOCK TRIAL Activity/Activities: Students engage in arguing actual Supreme Court cases. Arguments are adjudicated interschool competitions.

Purpose and Overview: Students develop their debating skills and will acquire an overall understanding of our judicial system.

Meeting Time: Moot Court meets once each week for an hour, usually before school. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 7 & 8 are welcome to participate.

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MURAL CLUB Activity/Activities: Mural projects including designing, drawing and painting.

Purpose and Overview: Serious art students work collaboratively to create a mural as a commemorative activity for their final year at West Hollow. The club fosters the development of artistic skills and concepts while encouraging good interpersonal and collaborative learning skills. All mural projects are screened by the club advisor and approved by building administration prior to commencement.

Meeting Time: The Mural Club meets once each week for an hour usually after school. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: Space is limited to 15 eighth graders in the Fall semester, and 15 eighth graders in the Spring semester.

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY Activity/Activities: A service club for honor students. Students provide tutoring services as well as community and school service.

Purpose and Overview: To recognize students’ academic achievement as well as community and school service. To foster the development of scholarship, leadership, character, service and integrity.

Meeting Time: The National Junior Honor Society meets once each month for an hour usually on Wednesdays. In addition, officers meet with their club advisor twice each week for ½ hour usually in the morning before school. Additional participation at school functions such as concerts, orientations and parent-teacher nights will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: 7th and 8th students are admitted based on established NJHS criteria.

READERS CLUB Activity/Activities: poetry.

Reading and discussion of a variety of novels, short stories, plays and

Purpose and Overview: Students are encouraged to enjoy reading and become life long readers. Reading skills will be developed and students will incorporate reading and technology.

Meeting Time: The Readers Club meets once each week for an hour usually after school. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome to participate.

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S.A.D.D. Activity/Activities: Students Against Destructive Decisions Purpose and Overview: S.A.D.D. helps raise awareness so that students make good decisions and confront peer pressures more effectively. The club generates fund raising activities, which support various organizations such as MADD (mothers against drunk driving) and the American Heart Association.

Meeting Time: Students Against Destructive Decisions meets one hour each week. Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome to participate.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD Activity/Activities: The Science Olympiad consists of various science and technology contests that may include: Bio-Process Lab, Bottle Rockets, Bridge Building, Don’t Bug Me, Earth Sea and Sky, Experimental Design, Fossils, Mission Possible, Naked Egg Drop, Nature Quest, Pentathlon, Physical Science Lab, Propeller Propulsion, Road Scholar, Surfing the Net, Trajectory, What are you trying to tell me?, Wheeled Vehicles and Write it-do it. A select number of students may compete at the state level which involves an overnight trip to the statewide competition.

Purpose and Overview: The Science Olympiad is a national program which challenges students to develop and utilize their knowledge of scientific concepts and processing skills along with science application in technology in order to solve problems. For the last few years our team has placed in the top levels at Suffolk County competitions which enabled us to compete successfully at the state level in Rochester NY. Students expand their Math-Science-Technology skills and develop strong self esteem based on collaborative and individual accomplishments.

Meeting Time: The Science Olympiad Club meets once each week for an hour at the beginning of the year, with considerable additional time scheduled as the year goes on. The additional time is scheduled as needed to support students in their pursuit of success in this state wide competition.

Specific meeting times will be determined based on club membership to maximize student participation.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome to participate. Each member must choose at least two science related and one technology related contest.

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT Activity/Activities: Seasonal dances, Spirit Week organization, Winter Food Drive with a visit to support charitable initiatives, and contributions to Newsday’s Adopt-A-family program.

Purpose and Overview: Students Government promotes school spirit through various activities, community service through various school networks and to provide a means of expression of student opinions on social matters.

Meeting Time: Student Government generally meets bi-weekly at 7:30 am with more frequent meetings when special activities are being planned. Specific meeting times will be determined to maximize student participation.

Membership: Membership consists of four officers who are elected in June to serve the following school year and one representative elected from each social studies class.

SWEET SIXTEEN Activity/Activities: Performances at various school and community functions.

Purpose and Overview: To provide an outlet for a small group of Advanced Chorus members to sing and perform vocal musical selections of various styles. Past performances have included our Moving Up ceremony, various concerts, the Holiday Show and our Faculty Sports Night.

Meeting Time: The Sweet Sixteen usually meets once each week for an hour. Specific meeting times will be determined to maximize student participation.

Membership: Membership is open to 7th and 8th grade members of the Advanced Chorus.

Participation in Honor Chorus is required.

WEIGHT TRAINING Activity/Activities: Students will be introduced to the principles of physical conditioning for better health. Students will learn the proper methods of weight training specifically designed to accommodate the developmental requirements of middle school students. Stamina and strength training will be accomplished using free weights as well as barbell and universal machine weights.

Purpose and Overview: Students will learn how to engage in exercise and weight training in a safe and appropriate manner so that they can work toward improved physical conditioning.

Meeting Time: The Weight Training Club meets three times each week during their season, for one hour each over 15 sessions. Anticipated sessions will occur Monday, Wednesday and Friday during our Winter I Sports Season although specific meeting times will be determined.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are encouraged to participate.

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YEARBOOK CLUB Activity/Activities: Create and distribute the annual West Hollow Yearbook.

Purpose and Overview: Students collaboratively design, publish and sell our annual West Hollow Yearbook under the direction of their club advisor. Students become involved in three possible areas of publication including Art; Photography; Business Sales.

Each team is assigned responsibilities as follow: • Art team consisting of approximately 20 students is responsible for the design and production of pages to be sent to the publisher for printing.

• Photography team is responsible for photographing various school activities and many candid photos as well.

• Business Sales are responsible for community business contacts concerning the sale of the yearbook advertising space.

Meeting Time: Teams meet as follows: • Art team meets weekly until March • Photography team meets monthly until March • Business sales team meets monthly until January.

Membership: All students in grades 6, 7, & 8 are welcome to participate.

• Art Staff is limited to approximately 20 students • Photography staff is limited to approximately 15 students • Business Sales staff is unlimited; all students are encouraged to participate

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WEST HOLLOW MIDDLE SCHOOL INTRAMURAL PROGRAM The intramural program at West Hollow is an outgrowth of the physical education program. All students are invited to attend on a voluntary basis regardless of their sport skill level. Participation, rather than competition, is emphasized. A variety of activities are offered, with most meeting twice weekly for a ten week period of time. Activities change seasonally and are led by staff members. The intramural program is publicized through public address announcements during Advisory, written notices, announcements in physical education classes and posters.

The following is a list of offerings, which may very depending on interests: Season I – Fall Soccer (6th grade boys) Soccer/Recreational Games (6th grade girls) Flag Football (7th & 8th grade boys) Coed Fitness/Weight Training (7th & 8th grade) Season II – Winter Wrestling (6th, 7th, 8th grade boys) Weight Training (6th grade coed) Weight Training/Fitness (6th,7th & 8th coed) Season III – Spring Boys Basketball (6th grade) Softball (6th grade coed) Weight Training (6th, 7th, 8th grade coed) Badminton (6th, 7th, 8th grade coed) Table Tennis/Ping Pong (6th, 7th, 8th grade coed) Field Hockey (6th, 7th, & 8th girls)

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WEST HOLLOW MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAM Interscholastic athletics are a vital part of the West Hollow Middle School educational program. They provide a unique opportunity for students to achieve their full potential as athletes and as people in a setting which can be both demanding and rewarding. Our program strives to meet the needs and interests of the athletically talented individual.

Program objectives are embodied by the following: • • • • •

To provide interscholastic athletic experience to a maximum number of students.

To emphasize that making the effort to win is more important than winning.

To acknowledge that the real value of sport to the students is in the enjoyment derived from the activity itself and from the associations developed among coaches and players in practice as well as in games.

To encourage fellowship, leadership and a cooperative atmosphere.

To inspire a commitment to excellence-in study, work and play.

Students who commit to team membership are expected to attend every practice and contest unless excused by their coach.

Athletic Physical Examinations The school physician has the full authority in determining the physical capability of a pupil to participate in a sport.

The school nurse will arrange for physical examination to be given by the school doctor approximately two weeks prior to each sports season (except in June for fall sports) and notify students of the date, time and place. If possible, a make-up date will also be provided to accommodate students who, for good reason, are unable to be present on the scheduled date.

Each coach is responsible for informing candidates of dates, times and places for pre-season physical exams. Building Assistants, Administrators and School Nurses will assist by ensuring that public address announcements are made regarding the dates of the physical examinations and the sports offerings for the following season.

Coaches are encouraged to call pre-season meetings to organize those who wish to try out for teams. Coaches may assist the nurse by handing out yellow pre-examination forms and/or green consent forms.

Eligibility Regulations No students may participate in an interschool practice game or contest on a day when the student was absent or late to school unless special permission for the absence was granted by the school administration.

No students excused for medical reasons from a physical education class may participate in an interschool practice, game or contest on that same day.

Administrative Responsibility and Procedures The rules and regulations of our interscholastic program are governed by New York Educational Law, the Commissioner’s Regulations, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, the Suffolk County Athletic Council (section XI), and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.

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ATHLETIC TEAMS SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER Fall Season Teams: Cross Country (coed, 7th & 8th grades) Field Hockey (girls, 7th & 8th grades) Football (boys, 7th & 8th grades) Soccer (boys, 7th grade) Soccer (boys, 8th grade) Soccer (girls, 7th grade) Soccer (girls, 8th grade) NOVEMBER – JANUARY Winter I Season Teams: Basketball (boys, 7th grade) Basketball (boys, 8th grade) Volleyball (girls, 7th grade) Volleyball (girls, 8th grade) FEBRUARY – MARCH Winter II Season Teams: Basketball (girls, 7th grade) Basketball (girls, 8th grade) Volleyball (boys, 7th & 8th grades) Wrestling (boys, 7th & 8th grades) APRIL – JUNE Spring Season Teams: Baseball (boys, 7th grade) Baseball (boys, 8th grade) Lacrosse (boys, 7th & 8th grades) Lacrosse (girls, 7th & 8th grades) Softball (girls, 7th grade) Softball (girls, 8th grade) Track & Field (boys, 7th & 8th grades) Track & Field (girls, 7th & 8th grades) Modified Swimming (boys, 7th & 8th grades) Modified Swimming (girls, 7th & 8th grades)

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