Clubs & Activities
Students in the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District 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 school advisor or view the list below for more information.
School Clubs & Organizations
Agriculture Club/FFA
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.
Advisers: 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 Adviser: Mikayla Wilkes
Middle School Adviser: 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 Adviser: LeighAnn Richards
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 Adviser: Melissa Kuter
Middle School Adviser: Nicole Burke
High School Art Club: TBD
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.
Adviser: 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.
Adviser: 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 Adviser: Stephen Shymkiw
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 Advisers: Amy Conner, Amy VanderWeide
Elementary School Adviser: 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 Advisers: 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.
Adviser: Robert 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. The group also parts in a spring Enviro-thon.
Adviser: Brie Stratton
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 or more information.
Adviser: 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.
Adviser: Ron Lombardo. Assistant: Kathryn Herman
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.
Adviser: Brandy Hungerford, LeighAnn Richards
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 Advisers: Kyle Sanders, Leigh Ann Richards, Brittany Sullivan
Middle School Adviser: Chris Van Gorden
Elementary School Advisers: Trent 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 Adviser: Will Hope Middle School Adviser: Joe Godfrey
Jogging Club
A fun club offering Elementary School students an opportunity to get or stay in shape.
Adviser: Steven Corey
Knitting/Crafts Club
Learn the fundamentals of knitting and crocheting during this weekly program open to all students.
Advisers: 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/Pep 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.
Adviser: Will Hope
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.
Adviser: Brandy Hungerford, Scott Monagle
Middle School Store
The Midlakes Middle School Store provides school supplies to students for a nominal fee during lunch. Positions include cashier, store manager, security, buyer, inventory, and treasurer.
Adviser: 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.
Advisers: Brittany Sullivan, Camryn Pettit & Kyle Sanders
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.
Adviser/Director: Layna Gray
Assistants: Lindsay Douglass, Emily Houston
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 Adviser: Zachary Akin
Elementary School Adviser: 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) Adviser: Erin Everson. Assistant: Kelly Hart
NJHS (Middle School) Advisor: Jocelyn McConnon. Assistant: Denise Kelly
NEHS (Elementary School) Adviser: Heather Bradley. Assistant: Erin Altman
Newspaper Club
The Newspaper Club is designed to expose students to journalism, photography, design, publication, and collaboration.
Adviser: TBA
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.
Adviser: 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: Jeffrey Hamelinck, 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.
Adviser: Ron Lombardo Assistant: Jennifer Warrington
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 Advisers: Taryn Windheim, Jessica Otto
Middle School Advisers: Chris Stell, Katie Peck
Elementary School Advisers: Sue Cleary, Katrina Morland
Midlakes' Student Council is assisted by student leaders of each grade level and their advisors/assistants.
Senior Class Advisers/Assistants: Kelly Hart, Jacob Knapp, Kyle Sanders
Junior Class Advisers/Assistants: Richard Doan, Erin Everson, Kyle Salisbury
Sophomore Class Adviser: Brittany Sullivan
Freshman Class Adviser: Taryn Windheim
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.
Advisers: 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 Adviser: Brie Stratton Assistant: Sarah Clement
Middle School Advisers: 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 Adviser: TBA Middle School Advisers: Jen Galbraith, Donna Borrelli
OTHER CLUBS: Book Store, Dungeon & Dragons, Eagle Ambassador Club, e-Sports, Equity, Arts & Crafts, Tech Club, Percussion Ensemble, Eagle Ambassador (both buildings), Eagle Vision Club, Elementary News Crew, Gardening Club (elementary school) as well as select band and vocal groups. Clubs are added based on student interest. Check with your school for the latest offerings.
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY!!!
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.
►High School Yearbook
►Middle School Yearbook
►Elementary Yearbook