Learning doesn't end with the school day...
At our school, we give our students a variety of extracurricular options. There's something for everyone! All programs are open to any student who wants to join. Any accommodations will be made to support all students in their learning both in and out of the classroom.
“Our task must be to free ourselves...by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”
-Albert Einstein
Gardening club
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/323021375.jpg?247)
While our school focuses on technology and moving into the future, will still enjoy taking time to stop and smell the roses, getting dirt under our fingernails, and keeping produce local. Our gardening club is in charge of maintaining the large produce garden, as well as smaller flower gardens around campus. Produce is used in our cafeteria as a healthy, organic lunch option. Any surplus is donated to the local soup kitchen. Students take pride in beautifying the campus and growing delicious fruits and vegetables for the entire student body to enjoy.
Best buddies
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/842911995.gif)
Best Buddies is a program that is currently in 425 college campuses, 900 high schools, and 145 middle schools worldwide. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for students with IDD to socialize with peers in a variety of environments. The program expands outside of the school setting for older individuals as well, helping them with social skills and interview skills for future employment.
Equestrian club
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/740473597.jpg)
Our students have an opportunity to take small-group horseback riding lessons with a knowledgeable instructor. Students will spend time both on and off their horses, learning how to ride and how to properly care for horses (feeding, grooming, cleaning tack). Students are grouped by ability level and will have an opportunity to spend time in both an English and a western saddle.
Therapeutic riding
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/950223557.jpg)
Our equestrian club goes beyond horse care and riding lessons. We also offer a therapeutic riding program for students with varying disabilities. Riding has been shown to help with social and motor skills. The program is run by a certified therapeutic riding instructor with background knowledge in both disabilities and horseback riding. Students interested in helping out can volunteer as walkers in the program.
Sports teams
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/9392684.jpg?0)
We offer baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, football, hockey, volleyball, cheer leading, swimming and lacrosse at our school. All students are welcomed and encouraged to join a team. Sports are a great way to learn teamwork and to make new friends.
Art Club
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/3961207.jpg?0)
There are art rooms located in each of the academic buildings. Art club provides students with free time to explore their creativity. We have amazing art teachers that love to help students find their artistic passion whether it be with drawing, painting, photography or clay.
Music Club
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/4898159.jpg?0)
There are music rooms located in each of the three academic buildings. This ensures that all students have access to musical equipment. All students are welcome to join the band for their age level, but there is also an after school music club available to all students. Any student can play after school in music club, even if they are not in band. Students are able to play for fun without the pressure of taking the extra class.
Science Club
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/5582013.jpg?0)
Students are allowed to explore further in their science education after school. Students are able to dissect animals, do experiments and learn more in depth about what they are doing in the classroom.
Math Club
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/7434393.jpg?1)
Math club gives students the opportunity to learn more about what they are doing in class and connect math to real-life experiences. Activities are directed by students' interests in varying math topics. Past projects have included:
- creating a student-run snack cart to learn about unit prices, costs and profits
- performing labs to get hands-on experience with the speed and velocity of various objects
- designing small-scale buildings and calculating the cost of materials
- extreme couponing around the holidays, to look into unit prices and percentages. This includes a field trip to a grocery store to buy non-perishable food items, diapers, baby wipes, and other necessities that are all donated to a local shelter.
School Newspaper
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/1726728.jpg?1)
We have a school-wide newspaper that all grade levels are able to contribute to. The newspaper covers student accomplishments, community events, and interviews with teachers, administrators, and students.
Any ideas?
Students are always welcome to bring in their own ideas for new clubs. We want all students to feel welcome in our school and we want to provide them with the means to expand their passions. If any student has an idea for a new club then all they have to do is grab a form from the principal's office and find 5 friends who are interested in the same thing. The school will arrange for a faculty adviser and funding to help out with the new club!
references
Our programs. (2002, 11 15). Retrieved from http://www.bestbuddies.org/our-programs
Raj, A. (2012). Horses soothe kids with autism. Scientific American mind, 23(3).
Raj, A. (2012). Horses soothe kids with autism. Scientific American mind, 23(3).