May 21, 2012

Download a printable copy of the FMS Clubs and Activities brochure (PDF)

Astronomy
Are you fascinated by the stars and the sky? Do you want to learn more about stars, planets and galaxies? Do you want to learn about constellations and how to find them? Would you like to be part of creating a true scale model of the solar system? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Astronomy Club is for you.
Tuesdays during Activity Period
Room 102
25-30 Student Enrollments
Mr. Lasselle

Charlotte Book Club
This book club discusses good books, brainstorms book talks, works on projects and goes on field trips to promote good books. We will have guest speakers and generally enjoy all things literary. Meetings will be every other week starting in October.
Thursday during Activity Period
Learning Center
All grades Welcome
Mrs. Lehman & Mrs. O’Connor

Chess Club
Students learn chess strategies, play games and participate in a tournament. A good time is had by all. No cost or restrictions. All skill levels welcome!
Thursdays during Activity Period
Room 201
All grades welcome
Mr. Flynn
Sign up for Chess Club online

Debate & Law Club
Do you like to argue? Do you want to learn to debate and defend your position with evidence? Do you think you’d enjoy being an attorney or a witness in a mock trial? Come and learn the basics of courtroom procedures while participating in a mock trial. The trial will be performed at the Town Court. Procedure for choosing members of the team will be explained at the first meeting. 30 student enrollment only.
Mondays at 7:45 am in Learning Center
October-December
All Grades Welcome
Mrs. Escobar
Sign up for the Law Club online

Environmental Club
This is a service club dedicated to maintaining our butterfly, native plant and organic gardens. We will also be exploring ways to make FMS a more environmentally friendly school as well as organizing the annual Earth Day House Contest. If you are interested in the environment, gardening, nature and helping to maintain FMS’s recycling program, come join us to make a positive impact through this club.
Mondays during Activity Period
Room 303
All grades welcome
Dr. Fiero, Mrs. Ford, Mr. Fry

Expedition Niagara Falls
As 8th graders, you will have an opportunity to study one topic (with a partner of your choice) that involves the Niagara Falls Region. Projects must utilize technology and be completed by May 2012. A culminating trip to the Niagara Falls/Toronto Region of Canada will occur May 25-28, 2012.
Tuesdays during Activity Period
Grade 8 only
Enrollment limited to 40 Students
Mrs. Clum Dolan & Mrs. Hyland

Future City
This is an academic team competition for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students that are based on solving problems using science and engineering. Although each student may not be expected to perform all of the following activities the team will prepare for the competition by:
    • Creating a computer simulated city of the future.
    • Researching an engineering problem and proposing a solution.
    • Writing an essay describing a vision of a city of the future.
    • Creating a model of a futuristic city, complete with infrastructure, using mostly recycled parts.
    • Presenting a skit to describe the city.
Preparation for the competition begins in September. Students are expected to perform much of the work on their own in the beginning. The computer simulation and much of the research is completed individually and reported to the team during meetings. Part of the team will use the research and ideas generated to write an essay describing the city and the team’s solution to the problem assigned. From November to January, the team will design and build their city of the future based in part on the computer simulation. Future city is a big commitment for students as they will work after school (until 5:30 pm) many evenings. They will also be asked to give up several Saturdays and at least one day during the winter break. Students will learn to work as part of a team and will be expected to perform tasks assigned in a timely manner.
Mr. Lasselle
Mr. McGreevy

Future Engineers and Architects
We will learn the basics of architecture as well as engineering principles like bridge-building, city planning, etc., and will experiment with hands-on activities in building models, creating working parts, etc. We will also learn about the science of predicting the future. Students will create a SimCity model to learn about the design of a city’s infrastructure. Field trip(s) may also be scheduled for this group.
Thursdays at 7:45 am in Learning Center
February-May
Grades 6 & 7 only
25 Student Enrollments, Tryout Required
Mrs. Escobar
Sign up for the Future Engineers and Architects Club online

Go Pink
Has breast cancer touched your life in some way? This club was created to raise money and awareness through fund raising for people diagnosed with breast cancer. We may even get a team together for the “Relay for Life”. Go Pink will be donating money raised by bake sales, car washes and other events to the Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer, a not for profit organization. WE ARE THE NEW GREEN!
Meeting date, time TBA
Room 202
Mrs. Watson

Guilderland Animal Protection Society (GAPS)
Closing the “gaps” between animals and people. Come join the fun and learn all about wildlife and domestic animals. Guest speakers, fund-raisers and group activities for all animal lovers!
Tuesdays /once a month
Activity Period
Room 306
Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Margosian

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History Club
Join this exciting group in which students research and create projects for National History Day competition. The theme this year is “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Either as an individual or a group of up to five, students can create a performance, documentary, exhibit, website, or write a research paper. (Research papers can only be written as an individual, not as a group). Weekly classes will focus on skills and methods of history research. This project requires a significant amount of work outside of the classroom. Completed projects will be entered in the regional History Day competition at the State Museum in March. Students who win the regional level will go on to the State competition in Cooperstown in April,, and State winners will go on to the National Finals in College Park, Maryland in June. We have had many FMS students who have made it to the national level of this program. Additional coaching sessions (outside of the early morning time) will be required and students will be responsible for scheduling those appointments with the teacher. A “how-to” product workshop will be held after school and students are expected to attend.
Wednesdays @ 7:45am in Learning Center
October-April
25 Student Enrollment
All Grades Welcome
Independent Study Option Available for Groups or Individuals
Mrs. Escobar
Sign up for the History Club online

Intramural Sports
Soccer, lacrosse, softball, basketball, volleyball, cross country, running, gymnastics, wrestling, floor hockey, adventure activities and track and field are offered to FMS students.
Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursday during Activity period
All grades welcome
Physical Education staff

Jazz Ensemble
Open to saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass guitar and drum set students. This group will perform difficult jazz music meant for more advanced musicians. Students will be selected for this group by audition in September. See your band director to sign up for the audition.
Mondays during Activity Period
Room 511
All grades welcome
Mr. Utter

Junior Ski Club Learn more and download a permission form (PDF)
Junior Ski Club is for new skiers and boarders and those skiers who want to improve their skiing ability. All participants take ski lessons as part of a package offered by Jimmy Peak ski area. Transportation, lift tickets and lessons are included in the cost. Rental equipment is available. This club is a first come, first serve basis. The cost will be determined and preliminary information available in mid-September. No prior experience necessary!
Thursday evenings starting in December
Mr. Curro and Mr. D. Ball

Marine Biology Club
This club is for students who are interested in exploring and learning about a variety of marine habitats and the diverse life found in them. Students will be able to experience and discover the field of marine biology as well as how to promote conservation and proper care of marine environments. This club culminates with a great trip to Key Largo, Florida and a publication created by students.
Tuesday or Thursday during Activity Period
Room 406
Grades 7 and 8
Mr. Hilgendorff

MASK Visit our Web page
FMS MASK is a drama club which produces a full length musical in March. Any students in grade 6th, 7th or 8th are invited to audition. Tryouts start in October and rehearsals will run from November-March after school and some will go into the evenings. Students will have the opportunity to sing, dance and act.
Activity period & evenings
Day and location to be announced
Mrs. Mewhorter/Musical Director
Mrs. O’Mahony/Producer

Mask Set Construction
Students will construct the sets needed for the Mask production using specifications and designs provided by the MASK director.
Activity periods Oct. - early March
7th and 8th grade
Mr. McGreevy

Math Counts
Sharpen your math competition skills by participating in coaching sessions to prepare you for the Math Counts Competition. Students who have attended coaching are given the opportunity to try out for the teams that represent FMS at the Regional Math Counts Competition at the G.E. in February. The winning teams from Regional go on to the State Competition in March. Once the competition team members and alternates have been selected, they will be asked to participate in 3:30-5:30 coaching sessions during January, February (and March if the team is going to State finals) to prepare for competition.
Tuesdays during Activity Period
Location TBA
October-March
Grades 7 and 8
Mrs. Escobar, Ms. Vangelis
Sign up for the Math Counts Club online

Math Olympiad
Compete in five national “Meets” and practice and develop word problem-solving skills. Students must follow through with their commitment once accepted for the team. Coaching sessions are held each week with one meet a month from November through March. Tryouts will be held during the first few meetings and team members will be chosen based on participation as well as achievement on the first test in November.
Tuesdays @ 7:45 a.m. in the Learning Center
October - March
Grade 6
35 student enrollment
Mrs. Escobar
Sign up for the Math Olympiad Club online

National Junior Honor Society Visit our Web page
At the end of the 1st marking period of 8th grade, all students achieving an average of B+ or higher (without rounding) through nine quarters (6th, 7th and the 1st quarter of 8th grade) will be considered academically eligible for NJHS. These students will receive notification via the mail at the end of December/beginning of January. Those students receiving notification will then need to demonstrate service, leadership and citizenship.

Newspaper Club
If you love writing, and would like to make your voice heard in the school, then the school newspaper club is for you! We will have editorial meetings once a week and our goal is to print a paper at least six times during the school year. The newspaper will include team and house news, sports, music, book and movie reviews. We have many positions open for photographers, reporters who will write articles, artists for design, cartooning and layout. This club will fund raise to cover publishing costs. Get your investigator’s hat on and come join in the fun. Oct-May
Fridays @ 7:45 am in the Computer Lab
Grades 6-8
Limited to 20 students
Mrs. Escobar
Sign up for the Newspaper Club online

Peer Mentoring Club
Do you want to make a difference in the life of another FMS student? This club gives motivated students a chance to assist peers during access and activity periods. In addition to a leadership opportunity, mentors earn service hour credits for National Junior Honor Society. Be on the look out for more information in early October!
Access and Activity Periods
All grades welcome
Room 152
Mrs. Rausch

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Select Band
This select band will perform difficult and challenging music as well as show tunes and fun music. Students must audition in September to be in the club. Any woodwind, brass or percussionist may audition. Earth Science students can rehearse on Friday mornings.
Fridays in Band Room, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m..
50-60 student enrollment
All grades welcome
Mrs. Austin

Select Choir
Select Choir is an auditioned group of unchanged voices that is open to students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. They must be a member and be in good standing with their grade level chorus in order to audition. Auditions are held in the fall. If accepted into this club, students must be able to commit to weekly Friday morning rehearsals from 7:45-8:30 a.m. starting in October.
Fridays in Room 517, 7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
All grades welcome
Mrs. Mewhorter

Senior Ski Club Visit our Web page
Ski & ride on Saturdays with your friends at various ski areas in New York and Vermont! Senior Ski Club is open to all students in grades 6,7, and 8 who have at least one year of experience. Several trips will be scheduled from December through March. No lessons or equipment rentals are provided. Specific information can be obtained from Mr. Freeman in room 505 or by visiting our Web site (see link above).
December - April
Time to be announced.
Mr. Freeman

Sign Language Club
Come learn sign language or improve your sign language skills. Join us for games, storytelling and role-playing. Also learn about deaf culture while making new friends.
November - March, 8 - 8:30 a.m. in Learning Center
All grades welcome
Ms. Vooris

Singing Dutch Boyz Club
This ensemble is a volunteer group of boys in 6th, 7th & 8th grade who enjoy singing pop, Doo Wop and Barbershop style music in 3 or 4 part harmony. We perform at various concerts and functions throughout the school year. The Electric City Barbershop Chorus, an adult group of men, works with us on occasion. We also sing in concerts with the high school “Singing Dutchmen”.
Activity Period
Day TBA
Mrs. Norman

Spelling Bee Bootcamp 
If you’re determined to make it to the National Spelling Bee, this club is the place for you to receive the coaching that might help get you there. Students will be coached and given tips and recommendations, word study lists, etc., that will prepare them for the school, regional, and hopefully national level of competition.
Thursdays during Activity Period
Room 101
All Grades Welcome
Mrs. Escobar
Sign up for the Spelling Bee Bootcamp Club online

Stage Band
This is a jazz based group that teaches the jazz and rock styles of music and invites all band instruments to participate. No audition is required.
Wednesday @ 7:45 a.m.
Band room/Round Building
All grades welcome
Ms. Woodley

Student Council
Representatives and alternates are elected by their social studies classmates. Officers are elected in school-wide elections. Students must make a commitment to attend meetings and dedicate additional time to successfully organize and participate on activities. Meetings are held once a month for members.
Place, Time, Day to be announced
Ms. Affronti & Ms. Romano

TV News Club
This club provides students with the opportunity to learn how to operate a television studio. The club meets for training sessions during activity period. Club members produce FMS’ morning program and students become involved in various other video productions.
Place, day and time to be announced
Ms. Merola & Mr. Freeman

Ultimate Fit Club for Girls
This is a fitness club for any middle school girl looking to challenge yourself with physical training and looking to improve your physical fitness. Participants will develop the fundamentals of movement including flexibility, speed, power, agility, strength and movement skills. This is a good option for individuals of all ages who are just starting performance training for the first time. This heavy focus on movement leads to improvements in overall physical abilities which positively affects an individual’s ability to perform the activities of daily living. Our system of training is designed to help you meet all of life’s physical challenges and improve your overall health.
Tuesday & Thursdays during Activity Period
Coach Ficarra & Coach Buckley

Vigorous Vocabulary
This class is a must for those students who are participating in the Johns Hopkins Talent Search and taking the SAT this year. In this club, we will have fun while learning Greek and Latin roots of words, expanding vocabulary, and playing games like bingo and jeopardy to reinforce our learning. We will also learn strategies for vocabulary/reading assessment tests.
Thursdays @ 7:45 a.m. in Learning Center
October - January
Grades 7 & 8
Mrs. Escobar
Sign up for the Vigorous Vocabulary Club online

Yearbook Club
Students work from September through the end of April preparing the layout of photos for the yearbook. Students need to be available to attend work sessions one day a week (to be announced). They will also be responsible for selling yearbooks in November and distributing the yearbooks in June.
Activity Period, Day TBA
Room 108
Mrs. Hyland & Ms. Linders

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