Student/Parent Handbook - Onteora Central School District

Solo Ensembles Music Festival (NYSSMA)7 th – 12 th GradersThis music festival takes place each spring at a neighboring school. Students work individually on asolo or duet of their choice during rotations beginning in February. At the festival, a qualifiedprofessional music educator evaluates students on their performance. NYSSMA is open to any 7th-12th grader enrolled in music.Marching Band 7 th – 12 th GradersThis group of band members is active during the fall and spring. The marching band participates atvarious competitions at the local and non-local areas. They may also march in the Kingston and NewYork City St. Patrick’s Day Parades along with performances at community Memorial Day parades.Diversity Club 9 th – 12 th GradersThe goal of this club for the 2012-2013 school year is to raise awareness of bullying and name-callingacross all grades and to encourage a positive and safe school environment through various activities:participation in creative expression contests, creating banners and posters, awareness activities duringlunch periods, and delivering presentations at elementary/intermediate schools.Gay-Straight Alliance – GSA 9 th – 12 th GradersThe GSA is a club that strives to build school community, increase student safety, and give allstudents a voice. The GSA works to educate students and staff on the importance of celebratingdiversity. It sponsors activities such as, “No Name-Calling Week”, “Ally Week”, and the nationallyrecognized “Day of Silence”.Harvard Model Congress 9 th – 12 th GradersA government simulation in which students are assigned the roles of members of congress, cabinetsecretaries, federal judges, lobbyists and national journalists. They interact in an effort to create publicpolicy in the form of bills, executive actions and court decisions. The delegates compete in Boston-Cambridge yearly during the last week in February. Participation fees may be requiredFrench Club 9 th – 12 th GradersThis club is available to students taking French as a second language. Students attend meetings andparticipate in travel, field trips, and activities.Spanish Club 9 th – 12 th GradersThis club is available to students taking Spanish as a second language. Students meet after school foran enriching experience centering around Spanish culture and tradition.Distributive Education Clubs of America - DECA 10 th – 12 th GradersThis club is for high school business students and focuses on community service andbusiness/marketing competitions. DECA students man the bookstore blood drives, Coats for Kids,Toys for Tots, football and basketball concessions. Trips include a fall conference, regional and statecompetitive events and National Senior Citizen Day.47