Clubs and Organizations
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WMS CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS: Organized alphabetically.
Please listen carefully to the daily announcements at school for cancellations or other changes to the clubs’ schedules below.
ART CLUB – Ms. Othmer
Are you a 6th grader who enjoys art? The Art Club meets once a week to give this grade more opportunities to create art and develop artistic skills. Many different materials and techniques are explored, and projects are completed in one or two sessions.
BUILDERS CLUB- Mrs. Swiatocha
The Builder's Club will be involved in H.H. Wells campus beautification. We will be looking at the school grounds and brainstorming ways we can make it more inviting for students, staff, and visitors. We will be working together on many different projects, including one long-term, large project to be completed in the spring.
CHAMBERS ENSEMBLE - Mr. Schwartz
This club is designed for orchestra students who are looking to push their playing to the next level. Using high school-level music, students will learn about difficult techniques, key signatures, and new rhythms. There is no conductor in a Chamber Ensemble; instead, students must rely on their listening skills to play in time with the other instrumentalists. The Chamber Ensemble performs twice a year and also goes with the 8th-grade ensembles to the High Note Festival.
GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE CLUB - Mr. Clark and Mrs. Spears
GSA will be a safe space for LBTQAI+ students and allies to express their individuality and share experiences. In addition, this club will focus on how to create a welcoming and affirming environment for all students.
GUITAR CLUB - Mr. Schwartz
The goal of Guitar Club is to offer an alternative path to the learning of music that isn’t through the traditional means of Orchestra, Band, or Chorus. Students will learn various techniques that go into playing guitar, such as picking, finger plucking, chords, and note reading. Music theory such as chord progressions, song structure, and harmony will be a focus area.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE - Ms. Beyer
This extracurricular activity will prepare students to perform as a part of the Wells Jazz Band. No prior experience in jazz is necessary, but band experience on an instrument is required. Rhythm section instruments including the piano, the upright/electric bass, drumset, and guitar are also accepted instruments in the jazz band (auditions for these may be required depending on the number of students interested). This extracurricular will serve as an introduction to the rich history of jazz music. Through after-school ensemble rehearsal, individual practice, and a variety of performance opportunities, the student will gain an understanding and appreciation for this great art form. Emphasis will be placed on rudimentary improvisational skills, a sense of personal accountability, and musicianship, as well as performance techniques. Members will study and perform different forms of music, including jazz, funk, and blues. Each student is expected to show musical and technical growth through participation in this ensemble. The jazz band will put on at least two performances during the school year. Attendance is mandatory for the performances.
KINDNESS KLUB: Mrs. Biagi & Ms. Guzman
Kindness Klub is not new to Wells but we’re finally “official” this year! Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. We will work together to strengthen the Wells community in the spirit of unity, respect, and most of all, KINDNESS. Students will meet monthly to collaborate on ideas on how to spread kindness to each other and to the whole Brewster community. If you like painting kindness rocks, planning ways to spread kindness, and you like to put smiles on your fellow students' faces, this is the club for you.
LEADERSHIP CLUB - Mrs. Gargano and Ms. Rattiner
The purpose of the club is to foster service activities within Henry H. Wells Middle School, the town of Brewster, and within the global community. Through collaboration, middle school students learn the importance of social responsibility, civics, empathy, and service to others. This club is open to all students in grades 6-8 and meets every other week. Some initiatives the Leadership Club has completed in the past include a collection drive for enlisted service men and women, baking dog and cat treats for rescues at the Putnam Humane Society, a toy drive for sick children at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, an Autism Awareness initiative to support Anderson Center for Autism and collecting change to partner with Heifer International to help end hunger and poverty in third world nations.
MARCHING BAND CLUB - Ms Beyer
This extracurricular activity is a stepping stone between middle school music and the High School Marching Band program. Students will meet after school once a week to work on stand-jams, parade music, and learn how to march. Additionally, there will be drumming-only days where students who want to learn how to play snare drum, bass drum, or quad drums can learn and play the drums. Students who consistently attend middle school rehearsals will be invited to join the high school marching band program prior to 9th grade. Opportunities include: performing at high school football games, performing in 2-3 parades in the spring, and any other in-school trips where the marching band performs. Prior experience with an instrument is required.
MATH AND INVESTMENT CLUB - Mr. Sarazin
The main objective of this club is to introduce and enhance students' knowledge and understanding of finances and our free market system. Participants will learn about the law of supply and demand, differentiate between assets and liabilities, and analyze diverse types of investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, index funds, and real estate portfolios (single-family, multi-family, and commercial real estate). They will brainstorm and implement various business frameworks and ideas.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY (8th Grade) - Mrs. Pryce
Eligibility is limited to those eighth-grade students who maintain a 93% or better cumulative average for both sixth and seventh grades. These students are sent an application which must be completed and returned by the deadline stated. Students who meet the scholarship requirement will have an opportunity to complete a form detailing their accomplishments and commitment to service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Applicants must also receive three teacher recommendations from current middle school teachers. A committee of teachers, known as the Faculty Council, will review each application separately based on a scoring rubric. A majority vote will allow a candidate to be accepted into this organization. The criteria for acceptance are based on scholarship, character, leadership, citizenship, and service. Please see the NJHS website for more specifics. Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 93% or equivalent standard of excellence meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Courses subject to change 31 Henry H. Wells Middle School. This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit. Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. Character: The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle. Citizenship: The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs. Students who accept membership and are inducted into the chapter should be aware of the time and commitment involved with this honor. Members are required to participate in monthly chapter meetings and service projects to benefit the school and community.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT SYSTEMS (PBIS) - Ms. Manguso
Students will have an opportunity to collaborate with teachers and students to create and or revise our current reward system. Students will also have the opportunity to present at grade-level meetings on relevant middle school topics.
PRINCIPAL ROUNDTABLE - Mrs. Hernandez
Students will work with the principal on the vision of the school and are tasked to take part in conversations that help to steer culture and climate, students’ vision, Teacher Appreciation, and end-of-the-year activity planning.
ROBOTICS CLUB - Ms. Golden
Do you like exploring how to build different robots and the coding that brings them to life? Robotics Club is the place for you! The goal and purpose of the club are to learn and create different aspects of computer coding to solve multi-dimensional computer problems. It is here that our coding will lead to programming different robots as well as developing our own unique games and applications.
SAFE SCHOOLS AMBASSADORS - Mr. Gregorio
The SSA program was implemented at BHS and is now coming to WMS. This program provides training for middle school students to be equipped with the skills to build a climate and culture that centers on building peer-to-peer relationships that increase the number of upstanders in the school building.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT - Mr. Gregorio & Mr. Browne
Student Government is an active organization that seeks to promote a positive environment at H. H. Wells Middle School. The President and Vice President of the Student Courses are elected in school-wide voting after a campaign season. Each grade elects a Public Relations Officer to sit on the Executive Committee of the Student Government. In addition, the Secretary and Treasurer are selected from among those nominated to run for the Student Government. Monthly meetings include parliamentary procedure, discussion of upcoming events, and effective leadership development. The Student Council is at the heart of all school activities, community service, and fundraising. The major goal of the council is to involve the entire student body in the activities of school life and promote leadership skills.
STUDENT LIFE- Mrs. Craig & Mrs. Whiting
Our Student Life Coordinators work with students, staff, and the community to organize field trips, fundraisers, and events throughout the school year. The Coordinators work to ensure that all stakeholders are heard and help steer decisions that help improve the climate and student experiences at WMS.
VOCAL ENSEMBLE - Mr. Milici
If you love Chorus and you can’t get enough, this club is for you. The purpose of this club is to have time and space to work on your vocal range and skills. All students are welcome to join.
WMS KIDS AGAINST CANCER - Mrs. Holliday
If you are passionate about raising awareness about issues related to the prevention of cancer, this club is for you. If you are passionate about supporting the American Cancer Society and local organizations that provide support for individual families struggling with cancer and contribute to the Brewster Relay for Life event, join in the fight against cancer.
YEARBOOK CLUB - Mr. Cassidy
Do you like photography? Do you want to learn about design? The Yearbook Club is open to all grades for students who want to participate in the production of the yearbook. Students will take photographs, help design the yearbook, help promote the book, as well as make decisions about content. Meetings will occur once a week from October to April, depending on deadlines.
OTHER CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS
Additional clubs may be considered based on student interest and staff availability and will be announced at a later time.