Clubs & Activities Descriptions
2023-2024 MIDDLE SCHOOL
Clubs and Organizations
Art Club
Students are provided a creative outlet as they strive to bring artwork to the building. They participate in an ongoing mural project with the library every year, and work with other clubs when needed.
Ballston Buddies
This club creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Students with and without disabilities are matched in a mutually enriching one-to-one friendship. Activities include monthly meetings in the Gateway classroom that foster positive interaction and collaboration between members, and monthly meetings with peer buddies (students without intellectual and developmental disabilities) to enable them to feel comfortable in their roles within the club.
Book Club
This club is designed to foster the love of books and reading, as well as leadership, scholarship, citizenship and character within the BSMS community. Student members assist in organizing and promoting reading by choosing books they love and want to discuss with others.
Chess Club
Members get together to socialize, strategize and develop their skills related to chess; this will allow them opportunities to gain practice in such domains as concentration, problem-solving and friendly competition while also developing a sense of camaraderie, belonging and accomplishment at school.
Creative Writing Club
Creative Writing Club is a place where students are encouraged to push past their writing comfort zones. We work together to try out different writing styles and then spend time on our own pieces. This club is open to all grade levels and is a great way to meet people who share a love of writing.
Environmental Club
This club builds school and community awareness of the environment. Activities include garbage clean ups, multiple recycle programs, trout in the classroom and trout release, garden/greenhouse plantings and recycled bird feeders.
FCCLA
The purpose of FCCLA is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through character development; creative and critical thinking; interpersonal communications; practical knowledge; and career preparation. We reach out to our community for service projects and within our group to share skills.
Garage Band
This club provides students the opportunity to explore music through a Rock Band. They use the guitar, bass keyboard, drums and vocals to learn and create rock music. They will perform for an audience during the budget vote in May.
GOC
The GOC meets once per month to provide female students with activities and events to help them become more confident and more invested in the school setting. There is no strict "requirement" for being a part of the group; just that the student would benefit from an additional positive female role model in their lives.
Green Team
The Green Team's mission is to implement creative ways of convincing others to take action to make our school better for the environment. Students brainstorm ideas and implement projects that interest them as well as improve the impact our school and community have on the environment. We meet two to three times per month, usually on Wednesday from 2:30-3:30 pm. Students can earn service hours by participating in our club.
GSA
The GSA is for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ or for anyone who supports the LGBTQ+ community. We provide a safe space for middle schoolers to talk about gender and sexuality as well as provide awareness to the entire school.
Intramurals
It is a continuation of the Physical Education program for those who do not play a sport. Intramurals allow students to exercise while interacting with peers.
International Club
Students explore various world cultures. Activities have included multicultural holiday celebrations, Zumba dance, African jewelry-making, card-making, the history of chocolate and the importance of the Fair-Trade Movement, an international board game day, as well as community service on both a local and global level.
Jazz Band
This ensemble meets once a week and has no less than two performances a year. The purpose of this group is to rehearse and perform jazz music while encouraging improvisation.
Junior SurvYvor
The club focuses on building both self-esteem and sound relationships between teens and adults in the building and between teens and their peers. Activities include discussing difficulties encountered in school and brainstorming solutions. Once a month, members interact in a fun, athletic setting.
Launching Pad
Middle School students produce at least one show per year and rehearsals are after school. Students can also be a part of the stage crew or sound and lighting crew, and all grade levels are encouraged to participate.
National Junior Honor Society
The goal of the club is to encourage students’ development in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship and character.
Odyssey of the Mind
This is a long-term problem-solving program. A group of seven students work together to develop solutions for a variety of tasks. Competitions are held in February.
Peer Leader
The Peer Leader Program is designed to help sixth graders and new students transition into Middle School. Peer Leaders help students learn how to navigate the building, open their lockers, organize their materials, take the late bus and so much more! Peer Leaders are more than just role models to their 6th graders, they become great friends! Peer Leaders meet monthly after school with their advisors and attend at a minimum one evening or after-school event with their 6th graders.
P.A.W.S.
This is a club that works to teach about prejudice and discrimination and helps different groups of people learn to accept each other through forming friendships and becoming allies. Our goal is to have all middle school students become part of our community of caring, generosity and kindness. Students will participate in club and whole-school activities to help make BSMS the most welcoming place for all.
Robotics Club
Members learn teamwork and develop core values through problem solving. Its three teams participate in programming, building and research. A final tournament is held at RPI in December.
Running Club
Outdoor running is for any 6th, 7th or 8th grader who runs or wants to run. During Running Club, time will be spent on teaching, demonstrating and practicing fundamentals, running and having fun.
Sea Perch
An innovative underwater robotics program that allows students to utilize their imaginations to construct a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). This club teaches students basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. The Sea Perch program provides students the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV, with assistance from professional engineers in the work force. Throughout the project, students will explore technical applications and utilize problem-solving skills. At the close of the program, students will have the opportunity to participate in a competition with other schools, which may lead to further competitive opportunities.
Service Club
Students participate in service-related activities within the school and community.
Ski Club
Beginners to advanced skiers/boarders take a bus to West Mountain in Queensbury six afternoons beginning in January.
Student Council
This is the student government for all Middle School clubs and activities. Student elections occur in mid-October.
Students Helping Students
This is a weekly tutoring/mentoring program where select high school students come to the middle school to work with students on academics. It also eases the transition for many middle school students as they go to high school.
VBC (Video Broadcasting Club)
VBC is for students interested in creating student-led feature news stories, film, photography, acting and video editing. This club teaches students how to film and edit video while we produce our morning video announcements for the Middle School. Students will cover school activities and events, sports, world news, local news, business reviews, feature stories and more.
Yearbook
The club plans and designs the yearbook. Students take pictures, choose layouts, organize receipts, and collaborate to choose the best design of the book. Advisors guide students through the decision process.