Clubs & Programs
Meeting dates are announced in the mornings and can found on the Clubs and Activities Calendar link.
Click here for the December Club Calendar
All students should listen to announcements for possible revisions in meeting dates.
6th Grade Class (Grade 6)
Advisors: Mrs. Felice & Mrs. Willenbacher
All members of the sixth grade class are welcome to join their classmates for three Friday night movies in the JWY auditorium. At the beginning of the year, each homeroom selects two representatives to help choose the movie and make the advertising posters. The movie nights include an intermission of fun with time to spend with friends, treats, and chances to win raffle prizes. The proceeds from our movie nights help the expenses of the various activities planned throughout the school year. In addition, funds are donated to important institutions and causes, such as the Holocaust Education Center in Glen Cove, NY.
7th Grade Class (Grade 7)
Advisors: Mrs. Raiten & Ms. Grodinsky
All 7th graders are welcome to join the 7th grade class club and become a member at any time during the school year. The 7th grade class club raises money for their class and other organizations that will be decided upon as a group. The money is raised through fundraisers, raffles and selling treats. Seventh grade class club is also in charge of running an activity night during the school year. All funds collected go to the 7th grade class, as well as donated to an important cause decided upon by the 7th grade class club.
8th Grade Class (Grade 8)
Advisors: Ms. Armstrong & Ms. Gunst
The Eighth Grade Class club is a club focused on getting 8th graders involved in planning school events and activities, as well as facilitating fundraising events and supporting charitable causes. This year, the eighth grade class club will be hosting student activity nights in which seventh and eighth grade students can participate in various activities. Additionally, they will be hosting a Toys for Tots drive, collecting toys from both the school community as well as the Bayport-Blue Point community, for children in need. Later in the year, they will be hosting a fundraising event to raise money for the class of 2028 as well as planning the end of the year events, including the 8th grade moving up ceremony and formal dance.
Art Club
Advisors: Ms. Burns & Ms. Raiten
The art club's mission is to provide students with opportunities to participate in self-expression through art, as well as community beautification projects. We host monthly meetings in which students can further share and develop personal artwork or try something new such as seasonal projects, seashell painting, and drawing in the courtyard.
Ecology Club (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Advisors: Ms. Martino and Ms. Khan
The Ecology Club provides students the opportunity to be exposed to aspects of the earth's ecological systems. Activities throughout the year are student-driven based on their interests. Past experiences have included the chance to visit some important ecological sites, listen to special guest presentations and participate in various hands-on activities in school. The Ecology Club is usually involved with the recycling of cans, bottles and cell phones. In addition, the club celebrates Earth Day by helping to clean up the school grounds.
GSA Club (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Advisor: Ms. Mountain
The GSA Club was formed to create a safe, welcoming and accepting environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The club will meet once a month, possibly twice a month, during the school year.
National Junior Honor Society (Grade 8)
Advisors: Mr. Peshkur & Ms. Grodinsky
What is Honor Society?
The National Junior Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization which recognizes outstanding Middle School students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character. The organization seeks to create an enthusiasm for superior scholarship, develop citizenship, promote leadership and instill exemplary qualities of character.
When do I become eligible?
Students are inducted into the NJHS during the first quarter of eighth grade. Sixth and seventh grade students are NOT eligible. However, your grades, actions, school involvement and your community service during these two years are the main determining factors for eligibility.
What requirements do I have to meet in order to be considered for Honor Society in eighth grade?
Initial and continued membership in the National Junior Honor Society depends on conforming to the criteria listed below.
Scholarship
For initial eligibility, you must have a minimum unrounded raw average of 92% or above. This average will be calculated using:
• Marking quarter grades three and four from 6th grade
• Marking quarter grades one through four for 7th grade
Character
Your overall character should be of high quality. A candidate would be ineligible if the student has ever been given out-of school suspension during the second half of 6th grade or at any time during 7th grade. The James Wilson Young NJHS Faculty Council will evaluate overall character based upon the criteria described below.
A student of character:
• Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
• Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior based on the Code of Conduct
• Upholds principles of morality and ethics
• Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
• Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
• Observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside the classroom
• Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
• Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others
• Actively helps to rid the school of bad influences or environment
Service
Students must complete ten hours of voluntary service to the school and/or community from the middle (end of 2nd marking quarter) of 6th grade to the beginning of 8th grade. These hours must be documented by a written acknowledgement and signature from the individual or organization receiving the service. This documentation must be presented when your application is submitted at the beginning of 8th grade – save it in a safe location! Hours performed during the summer will be counted.
The student who serves:
• Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain loyal school attitude
• Participates in some outside activity: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the aged, poor or disadvantaged, family duties
• Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
• Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
• Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
• Is willing to represent the class or school in interclass and interscholastic competition
• Performs committee and staff work without complaining
• Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers and students
Leadership
We are looking for students who demonstrate leadership in the classroom, at work and in school athletics and activities. The James Wilson Young NJHS Faculty Council will evaluate leadership qualities based upon the criteria described below.
The student who exercises leadership:
• Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles and making suggestions
• Demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities
• Exercises influence on peers in upholding school activities
• Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
• Is able to delegate responsibilities
• Exemplifies positive attitudes
• Inspires positive behavior in others
• Demonstrates academic initiative
• Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducts business efficiently and effectively, and is reliable and dependable without prodding
• Demonstrates leadership in the classroom and in school activities
• Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
You will need to demonstrate an on-going commitment in at least two clubs or sports at James Wilson Young Middle School in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades as verified by a coach or advisor. Music class is part of your regular class work and does not qualify as a club or activity. Select music organizations that meet after school or in the evening do satisfy this requirement. Students who are unable to meet these requirements because of family obligations or special circumstances should meet with the advisor to find additional activities that would satisfy this requirement.
Citizenship
The student who demonstrates citizenship shows mature participation and responsibility through involvement in school clubs and activities. The qualified student understands the importance of civic involvement, and has a high regard for freedom, justice and respect for the American form of government.
This criterion will be evaluated in conjunction with leadership.
What else is part of the application process?
All applicants must turn in:
• A completed NJHS application packet
• A letter of approximately 150 words (typed and double spaced) explaining why you want to be a member of the National Junior Honor Society
What happens after I am selected to be in the National Junior Honor Society?
You will be asked to attend a meeting and a rehearsal in preparation for the Induction Ceremony. Your family will be able to share in the induction evening where you will take your official oath. Soon after we will have our first official meeting as new members and begin a wonderful year.
Who can I contact if I have any questions regarding National Junior Honor Society?
Should you have any questions regarding the National Junior Honor Society, you can contact the advisors.
Mr. Peshkur: Apeshkur@bbpschools.org
Ms. Grodinsky: jgrodinsky@bbpschools.org
Newspaper Club (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Advisors: Ms. Lyons
The 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in the Newspaper Club work together to publish 4-6 newspapers a year. The Phantom Press includes pictures and articles on different activities that are happening at JWY Middle School. This includes sports, clubs, and special events. In addition, it includes a creative corner and upcoming dates of events that are happening in the school and the community. We meet twice a month and are always looking for new members that would like to conduct interviews, write articles, take photographs, insert graphic design, create a comic strip, research, edit and contribute with fresh ideas to incorporate within the paper!
Robotics Club (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Advisors: Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Henke Brinkman
The Robotics Club will introduce students to First Lego League and teach them to collaborate with others in developing programmed robots to complete tasks.
Science Olympiad (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Advisors: Krista Peterson
In the spring all grade levels will participate in the National Science Olympiad. This competition, designed by science teachers consists of topic and grade level written tests. In preparation for this contest, we will spend meeting time practicing the different events to find out which science students are the most suited for the kinds of individual and group science events that they choose. Some of the events that will be competed on are: Balloon Race, Batty Buggy, Bridge Building, Egg Drop, Feathered Frenzy, Road Scholar and the Wright Stuff
Student Council (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Advisors: Ms. Gunst and Ms. Willenbacher
Student Council is a school wide organization. The club consists of 2 advisors, 4 officers, and approximately 50 homeroom representatives. Students meet two times a month to discuss school policies, as well as plan and run social events. The council is responsible for hosting the pep rally, dances, spirit week, as well as fund raisers and the end of the year barbecue. The Student Council is a great club to join if students want to be an influential part of their middle school experience.
Yearbook Club (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Advisors: Mr. Cairns & Ms. Mountain
The JWY Yearbook Club meets on Tuesdays. Meetings alternate between morning and after-noon meetings to accommodate students who may have after school commitments such as sports or other clubs. Members of the yearbook club are involved in every aspect of designing the yearbook, from selecting the cover, to taking photos, to arranging layouts of individual pages. In addition, club members participate in fund raising and yearbook sales activities. The yearbook club is made up of students in all three grades, six to eight, and the book is dedicated to representing activities from each grade. Students with an interest in photography or graphic design are encouraged to join as there are many opportunities to showcase those skills and learn new techniques. Please contact advisors Mr. Cairns or Ms. Mountain for more information.
Wellness Club
Advisors: Ms. Carroll & Ms. Schwabe
The Wellness Club, #WhyKnot, welcomes all students to participate in monthly community activities promoting social, emotional, intellectual, and physical wellness. Students have opportunities to collaborate with peers, teachers, and community members by participating in community service projects and charitable events. The Wellness Club meets twice a month; with one meeting in the morning before school and one meeting immediately after school. Every student is welcome to attend any or all monthly meetings. #WhyKnot check us out and see what the fun is all about!
Cooking Club
Advisors: Ms. Armstrong & Ms. Felice
The Cooking Club was designed to foster creativity and social experiences as well as reinforce mathematical skills all while having fun making treats. Meetings are usually held during 6th grade lunch or after school to discuss ideas, suggestions, recipes and then another monthly meeting will be held to create and make recipes of their choice. Students will have the opportunity to learn the skill of cooking, read recipes, measure ingredients while working together and having fun. Cooking Club provides an outlet for student self-expression and social emotional growth through cooking and peer connection.