Arts & Clubs

  • Students at the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School often explore and excel in specialized interests beyond the classroom, with extra-curricular opportunities in the arts, culture, service, public speaking, athletics, academics and more.

    These organizations provide students with valuable pursuits that enhance and expand their education while helping to build a track record of involvement. The following list of school-based clubs and organizations is subject to change based upon student interest and other factors. Contact your individual school or advisor listed below for more information.

Clubs & Organizations

  • Agriculture Club
    The Agriculture Club provides hands-on opportunities to learn about local agriculture while exploring different agricultural industries, including animal sciences, plant and food sciences, as well as tomorrow's future leaders.
    Advisors: Jessica Spence and Marina Bartolotta-O’Brien

    Alliance Club
    A student-led club aimed to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students while promoting social equality, tolerance, and acceptance of those with different backgrounds and preferences throughout the entire school community.
    High School Advisor: Layna Gray
    Middle School Advisor: Nicole Burke

    AFS
    The program provides high school students an opportunity to travel abroad to live with a family, attend school in a different country, experience life/culture, and grow. Families are also needed to host exchange students from different countries.
    High School Advisor: Emily DeVito

    Art Club
    Art Club provides students an opportunity to create artistic projects using a variety of materials. Lessons go beyond classroom work to provide participants with further time to explore.
    Elementary School Advisor: Melissa Kuter
    Middle School Advisor: Nicole Burke
    High School Art Club: Shannon Gage

    Archery Club
    The Midlakes Archery Team competes on the local and state levels to improve a student’s proficiency in the art of archery. Participants use school-supplied bows at 10- and 15-meter distances on Thursdays after school. All abilities are welcome.
    Advisor: Chris Van Gorden

    Audio Sound Production
    Students participating in Audio Sound Production assist in the audio production/engineering and lighting aspects of school concerts, productions, and other events.
    Advisor: Joe Godfrey

    Chess Club
    Students can sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving skills by competing against peers in friendly games of chess. Players of all abilities are encouraged to participate.  The weekly after-school program at Middle/High School runs from September to June. The Elementary School club begins in March and is held after school on Tuesdays through the end of the school year.
    Middle/High School advisor: Stephen Shymkiw
    Elementary School Advisor: Heather Bradley

    Chorus Ensemble
    An advanced vocal ensemble comprised primarily of High School students who perform at both school and community events. Chorus is offered separately for students attending the Elementary School and Middle/High School. See Music for more information on Midlakes' music program.
    High School Advisors: Amy Conner, Amy VanderWeide Elementary School Advisor: Kate Kenyon

    Clay Target/Trap/Skeet
    Students in grades seven through 12 are eligible to participate in the New York Clay Target League weekly at the Newark Rod and Gun Club, 5704 Tellier Road, Newark. Participants submit their scores to an online system, which ranks competitors in various divisions throughout the state. Participants may compete in the state (June) and the national (July) tournaments. No experience is needed but students must obtain a hunter safety certificate or provide their SAFE certification prior to participation.
    High School Advisors: Chris Van Gorden, Jacob Knapp

    Debate Club 
    The club's purpose is to teach students the fundamentals of debate, public speaking, and communication. Students will become more confident, build leadership skills, and learn how to research, organize, and develop thought-out arguments in a nurturing environment.
    Advisor: Robet Goldberg

    Environment Club
    The goal of the environmental club is to increase student awareness of environmental issues and carry out a student-developed action plan to reduce waste here at the school. We will participate in Enviro-thon in the spring. 
    Advisor: Brie Stratton

    E-Sports Club 
    E-sports is a rapidly growing interscholastic-based opportunity for students to compete in a team-based competition with specific rules set in the arena of a video game. 
    Advisor: Jesson Wolfe

    Equity Club
    Advisor: Layna Gray

    Fall Production
    Students interested in acting and performance can join Midlakes Theatre Experience’s annual fall production shared with audiences in the intimate Black Box Theatre at Midlakes Middle/High School. Performances typically occur in late October/early November. See Theatre for more information.
    Advisor: Layna Gray

    FCCLA
    Midlakes hosts Middle and High School chapters of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, which is focused on a variety of events including fundraisers, cooking, sewing, craft activities, community service, and leadership training. 
    Advisor: Ron Lombardo. Assistant: Kathryn Herman

    French Club/French Honor Society
    Midlakes French Club promotes French culture and its role in the global community through a variety of academic, cultural, and social activities for students in both Middle and High School. Members will be given opportunities to practice their French language skills, go on field trips, and travel to Quebec and/or France. The Middle/High School French Honor Society also coordinates with the French Club. Open to all French students and former level 3 and 4 students.
    Advisor: Michelle Shenton

    Interact Club
    The goal of the club is to provide High School students with an opportunity to become involved in making the community and our schools a better place to live. The Club may engage in community service projects and typically helps with roller skating parties at Midlakes Elementary School. Interact is supported by the Clifton Springs Rotary Club.
    Advisor: Brandy Hungerford

    Intramurals
    Intramurals provide students with an opportunity to play recreational sports at school. Intramurals meet regularly in the mornings or afternoons, depending on the school, and are less competitive than school-organized team sports and other youth-focused athletic activities. Elementary intramurals will be held the second and fourth Monday of each month, starting Oct. 24. 
    High School Advisors: Kyle Sanders, Lisa Pietrocarlo, Brittany Sullivan
    Middle School Advisor: Chris Van Gorden
    Elementary School Advisors: Julie Backus, Trenton Jones 

    Jazz Band
    An advanced instrumental group that includes members of the High School Concert Band. The group performs in both school and community events. There is also a Middle School Jazz Band. Concert Band is offered to Elementary and Middle/High School students. See Music for more information on the Midlakes music program.
    High School Advisor: Jim Trowbridge Middle School Advisor: Joe Godfrey

    Jogging Club
    A fun club offering Elementary School students an opportunity to get or stay in shape.
    Advisor: Steven Corey

    Knitting/Crafts Club
    Learn the fundamentals of knitting and crocheting during this weekly program open to all students.
    Advisors: Sarah Clement, Nicole Burke

    MakerSpace
    The Makerspace at Midlakes Elementary School is an opportunity for students to create new items using a 3-D printer based on their creativity. Contact Mrs. Bradley in the library for more.

    Marching Band
    A group for students interested in expanding their musicianship by performing in celebratory on-campus events and local parades. Participation in Concert Band is a prerequisite.
    Advisor: Jim Trowbridge, Scott Monagle

    Masterminds
    Masterminds is an academic trivia game featuring two High School teams facing off to answer questions on a variety of subjects, such as literature, history, science, arts, geography, popular culture, current events, and more. The team with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
    Advisor: Jesson Wolfe 

    Middle School Store
    The Midlakes Middle School Store students provide school supplies to students for a nominal fee. Positions include cashier, store manager, security, buyer, inventory, and treasurer.
    Advisor:
    Donna Borrelli

    Midlakes Athletic Leadership Organization (M.A.L.O.)
    The Midlakes Athletic Leadership Organization or MALO is a group of students dedicated to improving the health and fitness of the school community by planning events focusing on active lifestyles, healthy eating, and overall wellness. Previous events have included sponsoring family hikes, healthy tailgates, and providing fruit smoothies to students. MALO members meet after school each month. Students from all grade levels are invited.
    Advisors: Kyle Sanders, Lisa Pietrocarlo, Brittany Sullivan

    Midlakes Theatre Experience
    The award-winning high school theatre club produces a fall play in Midlakes Black Box Theatre and a spring musical on the stage of the Midlakes High School Auditorium each year. Students work closely with a team of select directors to perform multiple community performances with emphasis given to acting, singing, dancing, and building sets. The fall show begins in about last August with performances typically in early November. Auditions for the spring musical begin in early December with performances typically in mid-March. See Theatre for more information.
    Advisor: TBD

    Morning Announcements
    Midlakes offers students of both schools opportunities in front of a camera to help highlight important school events and student accomplishments.  Broadcasts are not made available to the public.
    Middle/High School Advisor: Ethan Sleeman
    Elementary School Advisor: Chris Marquart

    National Honor Society
    The National Honor Society or NHS is an organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. Membership is based on a student’s outstanding performance in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Midlakes' chapter actively participates in school and community service projects and activities. Juniors with a cumulative GPA of 88% or higher at the end of their second semester are eligible to apply. Midlakes also offers the Midlakes Junior Honor Society for Middle School students and the National Elementary Honor Society for fifth and sixth graders.
    NHS (High School) Advisor: Kelly Hart. Assistant: Erin Everson
    NJHS (Middle School) Advisor: Jocelyn McConnon. Assistant: Denise Kelly
    NEHS (Elementary School) Advisor: Heather Bradley. Assistant: Erin Altman

    Newspaper Club
    The Newspaper Club is designed to expose students to journalism, photography, design, publication, and collaboration. 
    Advisor: Emily Houston

    Outdoor Club
    The Midlakes Outdoor Club provides members opportunities to participate in a variety of outdoor and seasonal activities such as hiking, rock climbing, camping, whitewater rafting, and more. The club hosts monthly activities with camping trips in the fall or spring.
    Advisor: Ron Lombardo

    Seal of Biliteracy
    The New York State Seal of Biliteracy, marked by a gold seal on the diploma or transcript, recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English.
    Contact: Michelle Robinette, Wendy Sheffield

    Snow Club
    Students learn how to ski and snowboard during after-school outings each Wednesday (weather permitting) from January through March. Participants pay for ski passes. The district provides transportation.
    Advisor: Ron Lombardo Assistant: Jennifer Warrington

    STEAM Club
    Elementary students will expand their knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities through hands-on learning and projects in the STEAM Club.
    Advisor: Heather Bradley

    Student Council
    Students help plan and organize a variety of school events, activities, and fundraisers throughout the year, including school spirit week, winter and spring dances, and field days. Student Council is available to students in elementary, middle, and high school although each level provides a different opportunity to get involved.
    High School Advisors: Marissa Tyler, Emily Houston
    Middle School Advisors: Chris Stell, Katie Peck
    Elementary School Advisors: Mary DePorter, Sue Cleary

    Midlakes' Student Council is assisted by student leaders of each grade level and their advisors/assistants. 
    Senior Class Advisors/Assistants: Paula Hannux, Kelly Hart
    Junior Class Advisors/Assistants: Richard Doan, Erin Everson, Kyle Salisbury
    Sophomore Class Advisors: Brittany Sullivan
    Freshman Class Advisors/Assistant: Krystina Brooks, Robert Goldberg

    Vocal Jazz/Chorus Ensemble
    This ensemble of vocal musicians is the traveling arm of the Midlakes High School Chorus and performs in the community and for school-related activities and concerts. Auditions are held in early September with regular rehearsals scheduled throughout the school year.
    Advisors: Amy Conner, Amy VanderWeide

    Yearbook
    This production-based club introduces High School students to the fundamental skills and processes needed to publish “Midlakes Reflections,” the Midlakes High School yearbook. Students receive a comprehensive experience in publishing, photography, layout and design, copywriting and editing, marketing, sales, and more. Also, Middle School students help with the production of the Middle School yearbook. A yearbook is made available to Elementary School students through the generous support of Midlakes PTO.
    High School Advisor: Brie Stratton. Assistant: Sarah Clement
    Middle School Advisors: Laura Robbins-Milliman, Julie Pastore

    Youth to Youth
    This club engages Middle School students with meaningful activities and experiences to help them develop and implement ideas to create positive change.
    High School Advisor: Emily DeVito Middle School Advisors: Jen Galbraith, Donna Borrelli


    ORDER A SCHOOL YEARBOOK!!!
    Did you know that three yearbooks are produced annually for students and families to purchase at Midlakes schools? Each is separate with different ordering deadlines, fees, and more. Visit our Yearbook section online for purchases, ad and photo deadlines, adviser information, and much more. Visit Midlakes.org/Yearbooks today!!