Student Activities Guide

 

Student Council

Student Council is a great way to help your school and community. We organize activities such as Pep Rallies, Homecoming, and Pumpkin Grams. Student Council also runs many charities, including the book drive, blood donations, and Christmas presents for the needy. Not only is Student Council a benefit to the school and community, it is also a great way to show your leadership abilities. By joining Student Council, you are leading your peers to success. If you are interested see Mr. Nye in room 303.

 

Interact

Interact is a community service organization for young people from ages 14 thru 18. The first Interact Club was founded in 1962; today there are more than 6000 Interact Clubs worldwide, each sponsored by a Rotary Club. While the Madison Rotary Club provides guidance and inspiration, the Daniel Hand Interact Club is self-governing and self-supporting, giving members a chance to develop a range of leadership skills while learning the value of teamwork. “Interact” stands for interaction with community as well as international action. Interactors are doers who want to solve problems and improve the quality of life in their community and around the world. Many of the projects in which Interact is involved use the vehicle of “walks and runs” to raise funds.

Some of the past activities have included 9/11 Remembrance, Madison Food Bank Drive, COVE (Safe Harbor for grieving children) Run, Pumpkin Festival at Island Avenue School, Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for Smith Children’s Education Fund, assisting the Jaycees Turkey Trot fundraiser, Skate Park Opening, the Crop Walk to feed the hungry, and Madison Cares Habitat for Humanity. The school contact person is Ms. Harrison.

 

Diversity Club

The Diversity Club meets in order to enhance an awareness of and appreciation for diversity at DHHS and in society. We challenge stereotypes and biases by sharing an array of viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences in an open forum while enjoying various activities such as discussing films. All students are welcome! Meetings are Tuesdays at 2:10 in Room 310. Advisors: Mrs. Crompton and Mr. Nye.

 

High School Bowl

High School Bowl is the academic sport of the mind. Using a buzzer system, the ten competing shoreline school teams answer toss-up, then bonus questions in 10 primary matches throughout the year, followed by seeded quarter-final through final matches in May. Topics range from all academic subjects to sports and pop culture. The team especially invites freshman and sophomore girls and boys to attend a practice. People who like Jeopardy, absorb facts well and are competitive are perfect for HSB. Membership is limited to 15, which is the number of buzzers available on our equipment. Practice is held on Wednesdays in Room 246 throughout the year.

 

Varsity Math Team

DHHS is one of 12 high schools that participate in the Greater Middlesex County Mathematics League. There are seven meets over the course of each school year, with practices before each meet. This is one of only 3 academic teams at our school. Advisor: Mrs. Brown.

 

Debate Team

The Hand Debate Team is an interscholastic competitive activity. We compete in the Connecticut Debate League with some 100 other high schools from surrounding towns, in a regionally invented model called Extraneous Debate. This combines some of the attributes of Lincoln-Douglas with the more traditional Policy style. The Hand Debate Team also participates in Connecticut ’s Great High School Debate event, which is strictly Policy and follows the National Forensic League rules. During the year the primary competitions are held for a full day on Saturday; we plan to attend six tournaments including state finals in April. Hand Debate develops critical thought, analysis of complex issues, organizational thought, critical questioning, analytical listening, and of course, confidence in public speaking. Coach: Mr. Robbins.

 

The Hands-on-Stage Company

The Hands-on-Stage Company, Daniel Hand’s Theater Arts Program, is a fun, exciting, and unique opportunity for DHHS students to get involved in the Performing Arts. Everyone is welcome to participate, either behind the scenes or in front of the curtain! We have an annual fall play and spring musical as well as a new “theater troupe” that performs at state festivals. Advisor: Mr.Thompson.

 

Dance Team

The newDaniel Hand Dance Team is a group of approximately fifteen students from all grade levels who will perform original choreographed dance pieces at various school and community events. The group was established to pursue creative expression and community spirit through motion. The Dance Team encourages participation from students in all grade levels but specifically seeks hard working and fun loving individuals with a passion for dance. Captains: Morgan Clark and Brittany Buford. Advisor: Mrs. Staba.

 

French Club

The French Club is an informal meeting of French students who plan activities, play games, speak French, and enjoy French culture. Activities vary, but have included a trip to a French restaurant, making our own French food to share at a member’s home, and watching a movie in French. We are also involved with the LCDC, Le Club de Correspondance, which facilitates the pairing of French adolescents from Lyon who come to Madison for 2 weeks in the summer to visit students in Madison . After this exchange, Madison students then spend 2 weeks in Lyon . Advisor:

 

El club de español

The Spanish Club is beginning its second year now and we are ready to plan some exciting events! Members do NOT have to currently be enrolled in a Spanish course to be a member of the club. Members are expected to attend each meeting, plan and vote on events, volunteer hours to raise money for the club, and be willing to take on the responsibility of promoting the club and its events. Past events have included Salsa Lessons, outings to Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant, watching movies in Spanish, an International Dinner, and a Day of the Dead celebration. If you are interested in becoming a member, listen for the scheduled meetings in the morning announcements and look for flyers in the halls. The meetings take place in Senorita Wendt’s Room 241. If you attend 3 or more meetings you will be eligible to attend the outings and functions that are planned.

 

Junior Classical League (Latin Club)

Our chapter of the National Junior Classical League (a.k.a. Latin Club) is very active. It is open to all current and former Latin students. During the year there are activities such as picnics, games, parties, fund-raising, celebration of Roman holidays, attending classical-related movies and plays such as “ Troy ”, and culminating in State Latin Day in May and our own banquet. Students from all levels of Latin get to work and play together. To join, simply come to room 246.

 

Yearbook

Yearbook is a great way to become a part of the DHHS community. Choose pictures, create the pages and help us to document the year! Yearbook meets Thursdays in the Yearbook Office of the Library. For more information see Mrs. Stober (Room 211).

 

The Hand Print

Founded in 1944, The Hand Print, a student newspaper of DHHS, remains one of the oldest clubs in our school. Published as an after-school activity, The Hand Print welcomes student writers and artists from every class who want to inform the student body of the latest news, as well as see their articles published. The Hand Print is published four to six times per school year and is full of news, photos, and feature stories, developed by the club members. Special attention is given to the Editorial section where students can speak out about issues that concern everyone. The newspaper is looking forward to publishing more frequently, using a new electronic format as it celebrates its 60 th anniversary as a student club. The club meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and welcomes new members throughout the year. Advisor: Mr. Barron.

 

Phoenix Literary Magazine

Phoenix Literary Magazine is an annual 48-page publication produced each spring by a staff of dedicated students who select writing, line art, and photos from contributions made by their peers, then edit, type, lay out, proofread, and publish it. Until a few years ago the Phoenix staff worked as equals with no one taking the title of editor, but now we have editorial positions such as general editor, layout editor, and circulation editor, all of whom take on a leadership role in the production and sale of the magazine. We actively solicit creative work from the student body, welcome all contributions, and attempt to represent as many students as possible in our selection process. We need both contributions and staff members to make this magazine a success. Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 2:10 in Room 346, but we have flexibility. Students who play sports are free to leave early, stage band members and others can come late. Advisor: vacant.

 

The Vox, A Musical Magazine

In realizing how many students at DHHS are passionate about and take part in music, beginning this year we are looking to create a school magazine that focuses on music and features artists, students and faculty, and student reviews. It will also feature history of music genres, new releases, editorials, student submitted articles, artwork and photography, and related fashion. There will be two releases, fall/winter, and spring/summer. Advisors: Mr. Rock, and Mr. Marchase.

 

The Woodsy Club

The Woodsy Club is open to all DHHS students interested in spending time learning more about tracking, the local forest environment, and native cultures. Facilitator: Eric Becker, Madison Youth Services, 245-5645.

 

Best Buddies

Best Buddies High Schools is a friendship club designed to improve school environment by promoting friendships between students with and without intellectual disabilities. Through Best Buddies students will expand their circle of friends and bring happiness to students who are often left out. Best Buddies allows students to see past differences and focus on what everyone likes – good times with good friends. Students who are matched on a one-to-one friendship with a buddy commit to contact on a weekly basis (phone, email, lunch, notes) and two one-on-one activities each month. They must also attend chapter meetings, group activities, and fund raisers. Advisor: Mrs. Cooke.

 

W.O.W. – Women of the World

Women of the World is a girls’ discussion group that has been meeting at DHHS for 11 years. The group meets on Tuesday afternoons throughout the school year and provides a place for its members to look at issues that touch their lives and to voice their concerns, thoughts, and opinions. The group operates on the belief that serious does not necessarily equal solemn. Open to all DHHS girls. Facilitator: Taffy Bowes, Madison Youth Services, 245-5645.

G.A.S.P.

Gay and Straight People is a discussion group for students interested in considering questions of diversity and raising awareness about homophobia. The group meets at Madison Youth Services one evening a month, and at DHHS two afternoons a month. G.A.S.P. operates from the belief that all humans are worthy of consideration and respectful treatment. Open to all DHHS students. Facilitator: Taffy Bowes, Madison Youth Services, 245-5645.

 

Full Circle

Full Circle is a cross age program created in 2002 by members of W.O.W. The five-session curriculum focuses on helping girls to be less mean to each other. During the 2002-03 school year, Full Circle was presented to fifth grade girls. During the 2003-04 school year, Full Circle was presented to fourth grade girls at Academy School . An analogous program was written by DHHS boys and presented to Academy School ’s fourth grade boys. Open to interested DHHS students. Facilitator: Taffy Bowes, Madison Youth Services, 245-5645.

 

Adopt-A-Grandparent

Adopt-A-Grandparent offers DHHS students a chance to interact with residents of Watrous Nursing Center one evening a month for 1 to 1½ hours. Open to all DHHS students. Contact: Taffy Bowes, Madison Youth Services, 245-5645, Facilitators: Jennifer Farmer-Etzel and John Fries.

 

Peer Advocates

Peer Advocates is a two part program which consists first of a thirteen-session, twenty-six hour training in which interested and qualified applicants learn to listen to and to be resources for their peers. Groups consist of 14-15 members and work in areas of self-awareness and insight, and to develop communication and referral skills. After training, Peer Advocates are expected to become involved in at least one of the service, educational, and outreach opportunities provided through the ALUMNI portion of the program. These include CHOICES – a cross age program through which trained Peer Advocates work with eighth graders on refusal skills and decision-making, REACH OUT – through which trained Peer Advocates welcome and support students entering DHHS from other school systems, an annual Fall Retreat, programs with Clinton and Guilford’s PA’s. Application/Interview process is involved for PA training. Facilitators: Taffy Bowes and Eric Becker, Madison Youth Services, 245-5645. Choices Facilitator: Ellen Cecchini, 421-6419.

 

Safe Rides

Safe Rides is a student-to-student transportation service that operates on Friday and Saturday nights from 10:00PM to 2:00AM year round to provide high school students with a safe alternative to traveling with or as an incapacitated driver. Open to all DHHS students. Safe Rides Core Group is a group of Safe Rides members who run the nuts and bolts operations of Safe Rides. The group’s members pledge to each other to remain substance-free. Open to interested DHHS students, there is a recruiting and interview process involved for the Core Group. Advisor: Taffy Bowes, Madison Youth Services, 245-5645.

 

Students of Madison Alliance for Saving Hearts (SMASH)

SMASH is a local community organization made up of Students of Daniel Hand High School and Grove School . The organization is supported and funded by the Madison selectman’s Council on Youth Substance Abuse. Our mission is to educate and inform the community of Madison on issues that affect youth. SMASH has created a Public Service Announcement to stop smoking, brought the AIDS quilt to Madison , raised money for cancer research, and participated in events related to fire safety. The group always welcomes new members. For more information contact Kerry Graham Shay at 245-2778 or kerryeg@prodigy.net.