New Yellow Cluster Clubs Explore Community Service, Art, Music, and More!

This year, the Yellow Cluster began incorporating elective clubs for the first time. Students in Yellow Cluster are aged 9-11, and the Yellow Cluster is the final cluster in the Lower Division. The idea behind Yellow Cluster clubs was to provide students with additional opportunities to explore their interests and passions while doing so in a learning environment. This year, students could participate in one of four clubs focused on community service, art, chorus, or gaming.

Director of Lower Division Donna Logue led the Yellow Cluster Community Service Club. The Community Service Club was involved in many different community-focused events during the school year. Club members assisted during Gaynor’s traditional Thanksgiving Food Drive in November. Additionally, the students coordinated and led a coat drive for Win (Women in Need) that took place during Day of Service in January, and helped organize donated items for the Ronald McDonald House Pantry Drive that took place in May (see photo). The Community Service Club gave participants the opportunity to learn more about giving back to their community, and the importance of helping people in need, as well as the responsibility of taking care of those around us.

The Art Club allowed students to have more time in the art room and to carry out their independent work. As Lower School Art Teacher Sophia Saad said, “The art room for the Lower School is a place to help students develop their interest in art, and express themselves through a different lens. We aim to help them to build their artistic confidence through art projects, whether they’re independent or guided.”

The Yellow Cluster Chorus expanded the opportunity for students to sing together and prepare them for possible future participation in the Upper Division Chorus. Music Specialist Michael Piedmont conceived of the Yellow Cluster Chorus as a way to help create a bridge between the Lower Division and Upper Division. Though Yellow Cluster students sing in the Winter Concert, the club focused on developing a wider skillset by teaching participants to read music and understand rhythm, skills they will need in Upper Division Chorus. The Yellow Cluster Chorus gave their first performance at Relatives and Special Friends Day in April.

The fourth Yellow Cluster club is Gaming with Technology Teacher Joel Levin. In this club, students not only played games, but also participated in game design. During club meetings, the students learned about physical hand games, pen and paper games, computer games, and even outdoor games. This helped the students understand what goes into each type of game, and allowed them to compare them and learn how they differ from each other not only in structure but development.

The clubs were a great way for Yellow Cluster students to engage with the community and explore their passions alongside their peers, and we are excited to see how the clubs develop in the coming school year!