ACTIVITIES GUIDE 1

EAST MEADOW

HIGH SCHOOL

A GUIDE TO CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

16TH EDITION

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 2

Table of Contents

Introduction

List of clubs and activities ................................................................. 3

Clubs and Activities

American Sign Language ................................................................... 4

Art Club ............................................................................................... 4

Athletes Helping Athletes ................................................................... 4

Cheerleading ....................................................................................... 5

Chess Club ........................................................................................... 5

Environmental Club ........................................................................... 5

EPIC .................................................................................................... 6

Ethnic Awareness Club ...................................................................... 6

Fashion Club ....................................................................................... 6

Future Business Leaders of America ................................................ 6

GSA ...................................................................................................... 7

Hoops ................................................................................................... 7

Horticulture ......................................................................................... 7

Jet Gazette ........................................................................................... 7

Key Club .............................................................................................. 8

L.E.A.F ................................................................................................ 8

LOTE Honor Society .......................................................................... 8

Math Team .......................................................................................... 9

Model Congress .................................................................................. 9

National Honor Society ...................................................................... 9

Peer Leaders/Peer Aids Education .................................................. 10

Perspective......................................................................................... 11

Pre-Med Club .................................................................................... 11

Rockettes ........................................................................................... 11

SADD ................................................................................................. 12

Step Team .......................................................................................... 12

Theatre Guild .................................................................................... 13

Tri-M Music Honor Society ............................................................. 13

WHAC ............................................................................................... 14

World of Difference .......................................................................... 14

Yearbook (Resume) .......................................................................... 14

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 3

COME JOIN! Extracurricular involvement constitutes an integral part of the high school experience. As many students already know, getting involved in the myriad of activities available is necessary for a completely enriching educational life. Clubs and activities not only help you to make friends and have fun but they can help you make a big impact on our community.

At East Meadow High School we are proud of the many clubs and activities offered. Whether you are deeply involved or not at all, let this guide serve as a menu of opportunities for a well-rounded high school experience. For further information on these clubs and activities, and for their meeting dates, times, and locations, as well for their advisors, listen to morning announcements, or check in Room 117 or in the Main Office. Come Join!

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LOTE HONOR SOCIETY

ART CLUB MATHLETES

ATHLETES HELPING ATHLETES MODEL CONGRESS

CHEERLEADERS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

CHESS CLUB PEERLEADERS

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB PEER AIDS EDUCATION

EPIC PERSPECTIVE

ETHIC AWARENESS PRE-MED

FASHION CLUB ROCKETTES

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS SADD

OF AMERICA (FBLA) SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

GSA (GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE) STEP

HOOPS THEATRE GUILD

HORTICULTURE TRI-M MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY

JET GAZETTE WHAC

KEY CLUB WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

L.E.A.F. YEARBOOK (Resume)

*All clubs/activities are subject to changes and/or additions

pending student interests and district approval

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 4

ART CLUB Our purpose in the Art Club is to learn more about the world of art through activities, meetings, field trips, group projects, and informational meetings (i.e. art workshops, schools of art, art careers).

Our activities include the Art Show, group projects, art-related field trip, and individual projects. Our previous accomplishments include displaying a mural in the Nassau County Medical Center. Students will work collaboratively on Projects for The Olympics of the Visual Arts, a NYS art competition which provides an opportunity for students to participate in artistic problem solving.

ASL HONOR SOCIETY

The American Sign Language Honor Society is an organization dedicated to the awareness of ASL as a language and the Deaf community comprised of Juniors and Seniors who excel at the language. The ASL Honor Society is in-volved with fundraising, interpreting and cultural awareness. ASL Honor Society culminates in a two day trip to Gallaudet University in Washington DC. ASL Honor Society is open to qualifying 11th & 12th grade students who take American Sign Language. Selection to the ASL Honor Society is by application.

ATHLETES HELPING ATHLETES

The Athletes Helping Athletes Student/Athletes Leadership Program is a sportsmanship and drug and alcohol abuse prevention program. In addition to informing students of these issues, the program also promotes involvement in positive activities, such as sports and clubs. The students must maintain an 85 average or better.

Students are trained at Molloy College in the skills of public speaking. They learn how to deliver the message of sportsmanship; why bullying is bad; and how to avoid drugs and alcohol and still be cool. Presentations are made to various 5th grade classes, as well as the all the 6th grade classes at Woodland.

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 5

EAST MEADOW CHEERLEADERS

East Meadow is proud to have a Varsity and JV squad that not only cheers at all football and basketball games, but also competes at local

competitions. Both squads have brought home trophies. The varsity squad also competes nationally, as they have done in the past in Virginia

and Florida. The squads practice three times a week. All grades are welcome to try out.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

The Environmental Club is a club dedicated to helping save the environment. This is done through community education and fund-raising for

worthy causes and direct beautification of the earth. Students will also participate in a variety of outdoor activities.

We are working on beautifying the school grounds.

CHESS CLUB

The Chess Club is designed to offer students the opportunity to learn and en-hance their playing techniques and the strategies involved in the game of chess. The club is a great place to meet people and we welcome new members.

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 6

FBLA

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA

The Future Business Leaders of America is a national organization of all high school students participating in business and office programs. FBLA strengthens the confidence of students in themselves and their work by providing opportunities for students to succeed in projects, activities and competitive events bringing them recognition and awards for a job well done.

FBLA at EMHS gives students a competitive edge through career exploration, self-improvement, training, and community service. FBLA students build their resumes, make new friends, participate in business competitions and attend business field trips. FBLA is known for their Thanksgiving Dinner, Blood Drive, weekly pizza sales, Spring Charity Dodge ball event, business competitions and participation in East Meadow Pride Day.

ETHNIC AWARENESS CLUB

The Ethnic Awareness Club is designed to promote cultural awareness, as well as to bring people of world-wide cultures

together in order to share each others’ ways of life. To accomplish the goal of sharing cultures from around the world, a variety of activities are planned each year. There are regular meetings, shared fundraising activities and extended

afterschool rehearsal, as well as the African-American History Program. A May banquet culminates the year’s activities

EPIC E.P.I.C. (Expanding Your Pride in Israel Culture) is a Hebrew cul-

ture club designed to offer students opportunities to better understand the rich culture, history and traditions of Israel. Students will learn about different holi-days and customs celebrated by the Hebrew people. Meetings are fun,

informative, and filled with lively discussions. The year ends in a student-designed presentation for select social studies classes. It is a commemoration of Holocaust Awareness Day. Meeting times vary and are announced in the

morning.

FASHION CLUB The Fashion Club works towards educating high school members about

current fashion trends. Members of the club become informed about possible careers in the fashion industry and how to achieve their fashion

goals. The year ends with the annual fashion show featuring students from E.M.H.S. proceeds are donated

to a charitable organization.

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 7

JET GAZETTE (school newspaper)

The purpose of the Jet Gazette is to disseminate information and issues affecting the lives of the East Meadow student both in and around the school. Students interested in journalism may join as staff writers, writing sports, news, features, editorial and arts & entertainment articles. . Additionally, students interested in photography or the business side of journalism may participate.

This club meets several times a month to plan, create and distribute. Announcements are made in the morning several days in advance of the meetings.

GSA GAY/STRAIGHT/ALLIANCE; Student Alliance For Equality . Students work to bring awareness to other students, teachers and the community about creating a safe school for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. The club works closely with LIGALY attending workshops and participating in the Day of Silence to help bring awareness to the school community to work on equality and safety for all students regardless of their sexual preference, race or religion.

HOOPS

HOOPS provides students with the opportunity to do homework, projects (including computer use) and study for tests either individually in small groups or with the assistance of a teacher.

The “drop-in” format allows you to stay for as long as you like between 2:06 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Snacks are served and textbooks and school supplies are availa-ble for use.

HORTICULTURE

The Horticulture Club teaches students the science and art of growing flowers and ornamental plants in our greenhouse and on the school grounds. Help keep East Meadow High School beautiful!

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 8

KEY CLUB

Key Club is not all about Keys. It's about FUN, CHARITY, and MAKING NEW FRIENDS. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. It provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership. Key Club International is part of the Kiwanis International Group.

Some of our major events include the Convention, Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner, Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner, and A. Holly Patterson. Some of our major accomplishments include raising THOUSANDS of dollars for the March of Dimes.

If anyone is interested in joining, dues are $15.00 for the year; just come to our next meeting.

LOTE HONOR SOCIETY

The LOTE Honor Society is an organization for 11th and 12th graders who demonstrate outstanding performance in the field of Spanish, Italian, French and ASL.

Students who are accepted must meet specific criteria and must complete an application in order to be considered.

The Honor Society activities include: induction of new members, fundraisers, Foreign Language Week Activities, field trips, cultural activities and end of the year dinner/party.

L.E.A.F.

L.E.A.F. (Legislation Education Advocacy and fundraising) is an organization that is closely aligned with “One In Nine” (a group which supports finding a cure for breast cancer) and connects with

other schools in Nassau County to further promote their cause. The members of L.E.A.F. are also involved with community projects and various workshops to expand their scope. Our club meetings twice a month, and we welcome new members.

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 9

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

As the most prestigious club in the school, the National Honor Society provides a program for the 11th & 12th grade students who

have an overall G.P.A. of 90. The club promotes intellectual stimulation and growth by interaction with others who share the same enthusiasm for learning. The goals of the club include establishing an Academic Wall of Fame. This wall has the pictures of past Valedictorians and Salutatorians. Another goal is to raise the standards of the club. The N.H.S. meetings are held after school and are held monthly. The student held positions on the board include: 2 Presidents, 2 Vice Presidents, 2 Secretaries and 2 Treasurers.

One of the National Honor Society's major events is the Induction Dinner for the new N.H.S. members. Some other activities include trips to museums, Broadway shows and movies. The National Honor Society also ushers events such as graduation, The Senior Academic Awards Ceremony and "Meet the Teacher Night." A major accomplishment of the National Honor Society is that it established a student-run, 1-on-1 tutoring service. This service is provided for any student needing help in any area of study. The club has grown to be much more than something to write down for college. The members of the organization are expected to and do contribute their services to the school. There is an application and admissions process. Please see the Guidance Office for additional criteria.

MODEL CONGRESS

Model Congress is a debating club. We argue infinite possibilities on almost every subject that you could think of. Visitors from other schools are

allowed (and known) to attend meetings.

During the weekends, conventions take place. A convention is when a host school invites other Model Congresses to come and participate in debates and contests. If you need more information, contact the advisor or one of the board

members

MATH TEAM

The Nassau County Interscholastic Mathletes consists of teams of students in grades 9-12 from schools throughout the county. An

introductory meeting will be held in early October. All students interested in problem solving and challenges in mathematics are invited!!

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 10

PEER LEADERS

East Meadow High School’s Peer Leaders are a select group of students con-sisting of sixteen seniors and five juniors. Peer Leaders are selected in the spring for the following year through teacher recommendations. They are

trained weekly on different topics and then present the information to freshmen classes through activities, discussions, role playing, etc.

Peer Leaders help to clarify misconceptions and aid in helping others to make

well-informed decisions by passing on their knowledge and expertise. Their role is not to preach, but to educate.

PEER LEADERS EDUCATION

The Peer AIDS Education group’s mission is to help prevent the spread of AIDS. The group provides information to their peers through classroom

presentations and assembly programs. They help to raise awareness about the disease and to raise compassion towards people living with HIV/AIDS. The

group also raises money to help their cause.

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 11

ROCKETTES

The East Meadow Rockettes are a Kick line team. The Rockettes participate in all home football games, basketball games, and homecoming events. The Rockettes take part in Long Island dance competitions throughout the year. There are captain positions available for seniors that have been on the team the previous year. To become a member, the student must be a sophomore,

junior or a senior. Students may try out entering their sophomore year.

PRE-MED CLUB

The Pre-Med Club relates to service professions associated with the welfare of people, animals and society in general. We learn about different professional

careers associated with serving people. The club has monthly meetings and runs an annual fundraiser which donates its

money to Smiletrain. All members must do hours of service in some type of medical field with a supervising adult. Volunteer work is also discussed and

recommended.

PERSPECTIVE

Our purpose is to provide a literary magazine filled with the best of our students' creative writing, grades 9-12. We meet once or twice a week after school. Here we discuss our own writing, setting up critical criteria and making decisions based on that criteria. We receive about 300 poems and prose pieces per school year and accept about 50. The EMHS CREATIVE WRITING AWARD for a graduating senior perennially emerges from work submitted to Perspective. Aside from this prestigious award, Perspective sponsors a creative writing contest, the winner's work being features in our magazine. Anyone interested in poetry, short stories and drama is welcome to join!

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 12

SADD

(STUDENTS AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE DECISIONS)

The SADD chapter at East Meadow H.S. meets on a monthly basis. We are involved in a variety of activities, which include discussions, skits and occasional

guest speakers. Each spring the group sponsors a major project to raise the consciousness of the students about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, especially when combined with driving. A student who wishes to join SADD should attend the monthly meeting, which is announced in the morning and

posted throughout the school.

STEP TEAM

The Step Team provides group unity and coordination, as well as a physical and aerobic work out for all members on the team. The team stomps their feet and/or claps hands to a musical beat, along with moving into different formations. It is a big accomplishment for all when the team works together as a group with their Hip-Hop energy. Come join the fun!

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 13

THEATRE GUILD

One of East Meadow High School's largest clubs is the Theatre Guild. What does Theatre Guild do? For those who would like to be on stage, there are two major performances throughout the year. Along with these two major productions there is the Children's Theatre Showcase, which travels to elementary schools and puts on plays for children. For those who enjoy singing, there is the Singing Showcase, which performs at Holiday Parties and other social events. There is also the Third Thursday Theater Showcase, which takes place in the Performing Arts Center every Third Thursday of each month. These shows feature different aspects of East Meadow High School’s Performing Arts each month. And yet another aspect of our Theatre program is the Dance and Choreography Workshop. For those who would rather not be seen or heard, there are numerous jobs doing technical work, production, directing, costume designing, and electronics. These positions are as important, if not more important, than those on stage.

To find out what is going on with Theatre Guild you can listen for announcements, or look at the Call Board, which is located inside the doors exiting to the courtyard off the Main Lobby. We hope to see a lot of new faces this year.

TRI-M MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY

The formation of the East Meadow chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society signified the school’s recognition of the importance of the arts in the development of a comprehensive educational program. Tri-M Music Honor Society provides a means of recognizing the efforts and achievements of music students who volunteer their time and share their musical talent with others. Students are selected for membership on the basis of musicianship, scholarship, character, cooperation, leadership, and service to their school and community, as well as their attitude toward teachers and fellow students. Students must have participated in NYSSMA and achieved an A on a level VI solo, and must be in good academic standing. The organization’s high standards serve to challenge students to greater effort and accomplishment, and to encourage them in the pursuit of excellence. Music students will be invited to become members by the music teachers of the department, and then fulfill the requirements set forth by the Tri-M manual.

ACTIVITIES GUIDE 14

YEARBOOK

(RESUME)

The main goal of the EMHS Resume Staff is to produce the best yearbook possible. Staff members make layouts, submit drawings, and take pictures. There is a job for almost any interest. Anyone interested can join by coming to any one of the meetings or contacting the editors.

Among other accomplishments, the Resume staff creates a yearbook East Meadow High School can be proud of.

WORLD HUNGER ACTION CLUB

The World Hunger Action Club, commonly referred to as W.H.A.C., is a service organization concerned with promoting awareness about world hunger. Under the supervision of the advisor, WHAC aims to make positive changes within our community by organizing the annual food drive, visiting a soup kitchen to do volunteer work, and conducting several fundraisers.

In November, we conduct the annual food drive and provide the collection of items to a local food pantry. We also fundraise for “adopt a family “ in December. Other projects include: clothing and coat drive; creating “care packages” of necessary items, like toiletries for patrons of the Mary Brennan Inn; and raising money to send to a child or children in need overseas. For these events to be successful, an active membership is needed. All high school students are encouraged to listen for

announcements.

WORLD OF DIFFERENCE A World of Difference (AWOD) is a club that was initiated at the high school and middle school level under the guidance of the Anti-Defamation League.

The goals of the club are to promote tolerance and understanding among mem-bers of the student body by generating opportunities for discussion among

peers. The members of the club receive training in activities designed to help them feel comfortable in their roles as peer discussion mediators.

AWOD generally sponsors a fundraiser in the fall and organizes a presentation for Human Dignity Day in the spring. Additionally, through the year students

visit elementary and middle schools in the district to mediate classroom discussions on tolerance and diversity.