Academics

Science Explorers - Advisor: Scott T. Macdowall. The Science Explorers is a student organization that concentrates its efforts on the extension of the science curriculum. It is the goal of this group to investigate items that time constraints do not allow in the normal framework of the science class. Research activities include: the establishment and maintenance of both marine and fresh water aquariums, the observation of reptiles (chameleons), astronomy, and technology based learning that will include Internet usage to better investigate both marine and space activities.

ORGANIZATION: The organization of this club is designed to give the students the ability to guide and choose their own direction. Officers have been elected and they do preside over the meetings very efficiently. To date, separate committees have been established to: maintain and clean the aquariums (these aquariums house marine animals, freshwater animals, and chameleons), adopt endangered animals to educate others about them, organize fund-raising events, and to investigate future activities for the club.

Art Club - The Art club is for artists and art enthusiasts. Activities vary from the fine arts to crafts to art service projects, and range in duration from one to several meetings. The GMS art club meets every Friday from October through June. Membership is flexible and students may join at any time. Everyone is welcome.

Drama Club - The Drama Club performs a musical theatre production yearly. Rehearsals begin January 5th and will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday through January and February until the date of the show. Performance nights are scheduled for February 13th and 14th at the Rocky Hill High School auditorium.

Music Keyboard Club - This club is for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who wish to pursue the skills they learn on the keyboard, guitar, and computer in music class. Students may work alone or in small groups on a variety of music from classical to popular. A mini concert will be presented at the end of each session. Session I will begin in January for 7th and 8th graders and Session II will begin in April for 6th graders.

Talent Show - The Talent Show will be presented in the spring. Last year's performance was a huge success and we anticipate an even bigger show this year. This student-organized talent show is open to all students, faculty, parents, and caregivers. We are looking for singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, gymnasts, animal acts, and more. If you are interested in working behind the scenes helping with organization or promotion this could be the club for you. Look for our posters in the spring for more details.

Principal Advisory Groups - The Principal's Advisory Group meets monthly to advise the principal in various situations and to bring issues forward that impact the students. Students are selected to represent a cross section of the student population. The meetings are held during on-team time.

Student Council - The purpose of the student council is to provide students with an opportunity to particpate in the organizing and managing of school affairs. The members meet to plan dances and other student activities, as well as community service projects. Student Council representatives and officers run the school store. Interested students can request applications from their team leader. Student Council meets the third Thursday of the month, after school until the late bus arrives.

Young Educators Society (Y.E.S.) - This club explores teaching as a career. Our group will have the opportunity to shadow teachers, adopt a classroom, learn the components of a total lesson, as well as do a mock lesson. Join us to learn more about diversity, communication, and the teaching profession. Meeting dates are decided upon by the members of Y.E.S.

Newspaper - The Griswold Gazette is the school newspaper. This club is designed to appeal to those students who enjoy writing and believe that newspaper writing is a necessary and critical skill.

Yearbook - The yearbook staff meets every Tuesday after school after yearbook materials arrive at the school. The staff is responsible for designing, arranging, and preparing the yearbook.

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CPR Classes - Students will learn CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver from certified CPR instructors Ms. Denise Mazzamurro and Ms. Jennifer Knight and become certified themselves through the American Heart Association. The following students have earned their CPR certification effective through November 4, 1998: Rachel Fulton, Alyssa Somes, Donna Tumpney, Peter D'Addeo, and Robert Borkowski.

Wild Thing - "Wild Thing" is open to all students who have an interest in nature and wildlife. During the year, members engage in nature-related arts and crafts, study, outings, a hatching project and other activities. Meeting are held every other Thursday after school begins.

Ski Club - This activity is open to all GMS students who either know how to ski or want to learn to ski. The group travels on five Friday afternoons to Powder Ridge Ski area beginning in January.

Intramural Tennis - Intramural tennis is open to all students and is scheduled to meet weekly in the spring. Meetings revolve around the high school tennis teams' schedule and therefore meets based on court availability.

6th grade Intramurals - Intramural activities involving basketball, indoor soccer, and volleyball are offerred to 6th graders in the fall and in the spring to meet the sporting interests of 6th graders.

Student Announcers - Any student interested in delivering the morning and afternoon announcements may sign up for this activity. Announcements are delivered over the intercom and television systems.

Video Club - Activities of the Video Club include scriptwriting, setting up camcorders, using plug-ins, taping fundamentals and techniques, cable connections and much more. The Video Club will meet from September through December on Tuesdays.