ART CLUB
Advisor: Kathryn Giles
Mission: The Art Club is a welcoming and open-ended, creative environment for high school students to come and express themselves artistically.
Mtg Time/Location: Art Room 131 on Wednesdays (except the 2nd Wed. of the month when I have a faculty meeting) @ 2:45-3:30
Typical activities: Community and school beautification projects: past projects include school murals, instillations and posters and Sinterklaas panels. Fund-raising projects have included making and selling jewelry, magnets, and handmade cards; hand painted potted plants; and candles. Creating and promoting the importance of the arts.
Mtg Time/Location: Art Room 131 on Wednesdays (except the 2nd Wed. of the month when I have a faculty meeting) @ 2:45-3:30
AV CLUB
Advisor: Cynthia Baer
Mission/Typical Activities: Each week the AV Club meets to learn about new equipment using it within the school, practice shooting footage and work on post production using the Adobe suite. Students learn how to film and edit 4K footage using the Adobe Premiere Pro program as our editing software. Students gain work experience in the AV field by working on the school plays, taping the BOE meetings and other school events. Students write and produce their own reels from original content and have the opportunity to act in any created content.
Mtg Time/Location: Fridays 2:45 – 3:30 pm
CHOIR CLUB
Advisor: Kaylee Kelsey
Mission/Typical Activities: To provide a structured extracurricular opportunity for students to create music in a smaller ensemble format. The musical selections and instrumentation are student generated. Students are encouraged to use instruments including guitar, bass, drum set and piano as well as vocals. Music could also take the format of a cappella arrangements, and various other combinations of voice and instrumentation. Students also have the opportunity to arrange their own music and learn how to do so by peer mentoring as well as structured guidance. All students are invited to join the Choir Club. Please see Ms. Kelsey about joining if you are not in band or chorus. Your commitment is required, and ALL are welcome despite your musical ability!
Mtg Time/Location: Thursdays after school in the chorus room; 2:40-3:15/3:30pm
CREATIVE WRITING CLUB
Advisor: Sarah Wheeler
Mission: Our club offers creative space and support for writers of all grades and skill levels. Whether we consider writing a fun hobby, a potential professional pursuit, or a lifelong practice, we wish to explore and celebrate writing with others. As writers, we will experiment with new styles and genres; as readers, we will look for inspiration from other authors’ works. Our members can take active roles in planning club events and experiences.
Typical Activities: Writing to prompts, writing in a variety of forms, writing from a range of perspectives and voices, sharing writing we have read and liked, imitating the work of our favorite authors, finding new readers for our writing, whether through publication or collaboration with other student groups, incorporating other media (i.e. visual arts, music) into our work, listening to each other’s work and applauding with fierce enthusiasm. We will also work together to make contributions to the school's Literary Magazine Murmur.
Mtg Time/Location: Creative Writing Club will meet on Thursdays in the Writing Center in room 140.
DEBATE CLUB
Advisor: Gideon Moor
Mission: To develop a variety of debate techniques for use in Bard’s annual Debate Tournament. To understand how to properly construct a competent and effective argument.
Typical Activities: Participate in mock debates with each other and with local high schools, work with a member of the Bard Debate Team to develop debate techniques, and attend the annual Bard Debate Tournament to compete against other local high schools.
Mtg Time/Location: Wednesdays/2:40-3:15pm/Room 105
ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
Advisor: Natalie DeStrange
Mission: Through a variety of activities, increase sustainability awareness in our school.
Typical Activities: Raise funds for various environmental issues, increase awareness of recycling and sustainability in our district and Earth Day Activities.
Mtg Time/Location: Two meetings monthly (Mondays and/or Thursdays)
Typical Activities: Raise funds for various environmental issues, increase awareness of recycling and sustainability in our district and Earth Day Activities.
FALL DRAMA CLUB
Advisor: Cynthia Baer
Mission: To engage students in the Theatrical Arts in order to experience collaboration at its best with a Fall play to be performed in November.
Typical Activities: Theater games, improvisation bits and movement are included as we work on a series of short plays. Rehearsals will also be scheduled for individual work on Thursdays after school. Everyone is welcome. One important note about the Drama Club is that everyone who is interested can be involved. If a student wants to perform, we find a spot for him or her on the stage or behind the stage. Stage Crew and Tech Crew is another opportunity for involvement. Join us for a chance to be silly and have some fun together-apart.
Mtg Time/Location: Fall Club: mid-September – mid-November Thursdays 2:45 – 3:30pm. Rehearsals: Scheduled during the week for induvial work and on Wednesdays 6pm – 8pm. Stage and Tech Crew: meet Saturdays & Sundays, 12noon – 5pm.
FRENCH CLUB
Advisor: Sarah Wheeler
Mission: To promote French cultures around the world. To learn more about French history, culture, society, etc. We enjoy snacks and baked goods brought in by our members and listen to French-speaking musical artists. We’d like to see French promoted everywhere! Vive le français!
Typical Activities: Crêpe stand, a “fête française” for the school, movie screenings, French cuisine, email/Facebook pen pals, painting a mural, field trips, and raise money for charities in less-advantaged francophone countries.
Mtg Time/Location: Tuesdays after school in room 142
GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE
Advisor: Isabel Polletta
Mission: The Rhinebeck Gay Straight Alliance is a club in which everyone is heard and accepted. It is a place where you can be yourself without pressure to impress or the feeling that you may be judged. It’s a safe environment made by students and run by students. Our purpose is to support and encourage the LGBTQ community within our school and keep Rhinebeck aware of issues that are important.
Typical Activities: Activities to raise awareness of the LGBTQ community and to increase inclusiveness among all students like Day of Silence and New Paltz Pride.
Mtg Time/Location: GSA meets in Room 107 every Monday
GENDER EQUITY CLUB
Advisor: Katelin Grande
Mission: A club whose purpose is to shed light on the lack of, and necessity for, gender equity throughout the world. GEC is a safe place for students to promote discussion, empower each other, connect to organizations and people advocating for gender equity, and to create change and positive culture in RHS.
Typical Activities: Discuss of current gender equity issues, organize fundraising events and drives to benefit national and international organizations, engage in book clubs, attend local conferences, meet with teachers and school leaders to address changes in policy, structure, curriculum, and culture.
Mtg Time/Location: Every Tuesday at 2:45 in room 147
HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND
Advisor: Laura Natalie
Mission: The jazz band will perform a wide range of music, centering on jazz, blues, and Latin styles, at multiple performances through the year. During rehearsals, we have the opportunity to explore new types of music as well as improvisation. All band students are welcome in the jazz band, as well as bass, guitar, and piano players.
Typical Activities: Rehearse jazz band repertoire in a fun, inclusive environment.
Mtg Time/Location: Wednesdays or Fridays after school
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: December – April
Director: Sabrina Cahenzli
Mission: The Rhinebeck High School Drama Club is the largest single activity in the Rhinebeck Central School District, typically involving more than 75 students, grades 9 - 12, in its annual Spring Musical production.
Tentative Meeting Times: TBA
Play Rehearsal: Mondays/Wednesdays (3pm-5pm), Thursdays/Fridays (5pm -7pm), occasional Tuesdays (3pm-5pm) Stage Crew: Tuesdays (3pm-5pm), Sundays (12pm-5pm)
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Advisor: Bobbie Bie
Mission: The National Honor Society recognizes juniors and seniors who have achieved excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Eligible students can apply in the fall of their junior or senior year.
Typical Activities: Service projects for the benefit of the school and surrounding community.
Mtg Time/Location: First Tuesday of the Month
PEER MENTORING
Advisor: Meg Rodier
Mission: The Peer Mentor Club is comprised of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are faculty nominated as they are in good academic standing and serve the school community as positive role models. Peer mentors are trained during the summer in communication skills, problem-solving skills, rapport building, and how to manage their roles and responsibilities as mentors.
Typical Activities: Helping new students adjust to the high school. Provide afterschool homework help at BMS. Work with students who need tutoring and mentoring in the middle and high schools.
Mtg Time/Location: Ongoing and Varied
RHINEBECK REALITY NEWSPAPER
Advisor: Sarah Wheeler
Mission: To publish and print online issues of the Rhinebeck Reality newspaper to inform, educate and entertain. We hope our coverage of local and national events informs the student body and inspires them to express their own voices as journalists.
Typical Activities: Brainstorming story ideas, encouraging independent and collaborative research, writing, interviewing, and photographing subjects of interest to produce articles for the paper. Our newspaper is published in print and online at www.rhinebeckreality.org.
Mtg Time/Location: All are welcome on Thursdays in the Writing Center room 140.
SCIENCE CLUB
Advisor: Jason Stevenson
Mission: The RHS Science Club’s Mission is to provide a setting outside of the classroom to further explore science through research and experimentation, and with fewer set expectations and time restraints.
Typical Activities: Club Updates, Fundraisers, Science Activity Suggestions, Engage in student selected science activities, Talk about what we've learned and how activities could be improved, The Rhinebeck Discovery Festival.
Mtg Time/Location: Once per week (usually on Monday) - 2:35-3:15
SPANISH CLUB
Advisor: Matthew Fisher (Sr. Pescador)
Mission: The RHS Spanish Club's mission is to raise money for those in need in the Hispanic Community while maintaining a fun and safe environment for all students. Additionally, the Spanish Club exists to help students achieve success in their Spanish classes.
Typical Activities: Fund-raiser event planning, Taco Stands, Movie Nights, Spanish Karaoke, soccer tournament, 5 de mayo Fiesta! Listening to Spanish music / watching music videos, Group studying/peer tutoring/general extra help with Spanish classwork. Our main project of the year is to provide Holiday gift packages to local Hispanish families in our community. Each year, we donate roughly $600-$1000 to aid those in need with food, clothing, household essentials and/or gift cards for groceries or gas.
Mtg Time/Location: Wednesdays 2:35-3:15 - Room 108
STEEL DRUM BAND
Advisor: Laura Natalie
Mission: The steel drum band will learn about the steel drums while playing a range of music, from traditional steel drum literature to pop music. We will have the opportunity to perform throughout the year. All students who are interested in learning to play the steel drums are welcome. No prior experience necessary.
Typical Activities: Rehearse steel drum band repertoire in a fun, inclusive environment.
Mtg Time/Location: Wednesdays or Fridays after school
STUDENT COUNCIL
Advisor: Gideon Moor
Mission: Provide a democratic forum for students to address school-related issues and improve the school experience for all students. Maintain a continuous communication channel between students, faculty, and administrators as well as among the students within the school. Offer a year-long program of student government, social functions, and community involvement projects for students.
Typical Activities: All RHS students are welcome to join Student Council meetings to share their ideas, voice their concerns, and monitor student government at work. In addition, students may run for an office. Offices include grade-level Class Officers, as well as Student Council Officers open only to 11th and 12th grade students. Elections are run in Spring of each year. Students who run for Class Officer positions are responsible for organizing activities that are related to their grade level and the Presidents of each class are voting members of the Student Council. Student Council members oversee the entire student government. Examples of Student Council accomplishments and programs, include: Hawk Day, Town Hall meetings, school dances, advocating for feminine hygiene products being available in the girls' restrooms, advocating for increased attention to student well-being and good mental health, etc.
Mtg Time/Location: Mondays/2:40-3:15pm/Room 105
CLASS OFFICERS
Advisor Based upon grade level
Mission: At each grade level, all students are encouraged to be active with their class in planning activities and fundraising. This group is headed by the class officers and is a branch of Student Council. Class officers are elected each Spring and assume their positions for one year, until the next end of the following school year. Presidents and Vice Presidents run as a team, while Secretary and Treasurer positions are run for individually. Students running for office must write and deliver a speech to their classmates regarding their running platform. They can run a campaign with posters, stickers, etc. prior to the election. Officers, together with their faculty advisor, facilitate all class activities and fundraisers. The officers must be responsible, available to attend meetings, and abide by the RHS Constitution (which is attached to this packet). The Class President is responsible for attending Student Council meetings as well as class meetings. Download https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GYgwmrlc0bffnuVKdZUcmQeUfBCuX2dw/view?usp=sharing
Mtg Time/Location - Varies by class. Please check with Class Advisor
YEARBOOK
Advisor Stacey van den Thoorn
Mission: To create a high-quality full-color yearbook that reflects a year in the life at Rhinebeck High School. This includes but is not limited to coverage of: prom, graduation, art, extra-curricular activities, sports, clubs, high school musical, programs and schoolwide events.
Typical Activities: Yearbook design and layout, extensive photography opportunities, proofreading, editing, conducting yearbook sales, reaching out to local businesses for advertising sales and finding the best way to portray our school.
Mtg Time/Location: TBA. All staff members will work to complete assigned pages. Positions include photographers, designers, sales and promotion. Much work can be done remotely using the online design software. A great addition to any art or English related resume!