Before/After School Programs 2009-2010
The Board of Education needed to make some difficult decisions regarding the budget this year in light of the economic conditions in our state. While everyone would have preferred to keep all extracurricular activities intact, it became necessary to cut back in this area. For that reason many of our afterschool activities will not be offered this year.
These afterschool activities will be offered in the 2009-2010 school year:
 Drama Club
The Van Wyck Drama is open to all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Students may participate both on stage and off as part of the cast or crew. During the 2009-2010 school year the club will produce one performance. Past productions have included musicals, serious drama, and lighthearted comedies such as “Little Shop of Horrors”, “A Tale of Two Cities”, “Cinderella”, “Altar Egos”, “Superman”, and “The Beverly Hillbillies”.
For more details see the Drama Club's website: www.vanwyckdrama.com
 Jazz Ensemble
This is an extracurricular activity that rehearses after school. In addition to performing in the winter and spring concerts, the ensemble has participated in activities such as “Arts in the Park,” Honor Society Induction, "Salute to Students,” holiday festivities at malls, Jazz Festivals and Fun Fairs.
The ensemble is made up of approximately twenty students who play one of the following instruments: saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, bass guitar, electric guitar and percussion. Students are selected through an audition that is held in September. Rehearsals begin in September and continue through June.
Students must audition for this ensemble.
For more details see the Jazz Ensemble page.
 Marching Band
The Wappingers District Marching Band is one of the few activities that students can participate in that brings the district together, not in competition but in collaboration with each other.
The Marching Band performs at Home Varsity Football Games for both John Jay and Ketcham. The groups also participates in community parades such as Wappingers Community Day and East Fishkill Community Day. Students must audition for this ensemble.
For more details see the Marching Band page
 National Junior Honor Society
Van Wyck Junior High School is a charter member of the National Junior Honor Society. In order to be inducted, students must meet the following criteria:
- Eighth grade students must achieve at least a 90.000% average in the seventh grade year and a 90.000% average in the first two quarters of the eighth grade year, without rounding.
As academics are only one part of the total person, a faculty council is also asked to evaluate candidates on the other characteristics for membership. These characteristics are as follows:
- Character: Candidates are patient and honest in their dealings with others. Their thinking is independent but not stubborn. They participate in class activities and are willing to listen to the ideas of others.
- Leadership: Candidates willingly volunteer to participate in class projects and outside activities. They are willing to lead others with reasonable maturity and understanding without being overbearing.
- Citizenship: Candidates accept responsibilities and privileges intelligently and maturely. They respect the rules of the school and the rights of their fellow students. Fellow students and faculty members generally hold them in high regard.
- Service: Candidates are unselfish and willing to help others.
Students who have achieved the initial grade point average are encouraged to submit an essay outlining their qualifications to the faculty advisors. The
Faculty Council reviews the essays along with the Faculty character rating sheets for potential membership. Individual teacher ratings are confidential and will not be shared with parents. Unless a technical error has been made, the Faculty Council’s decision is final.
The induction ceremony is held each spring. For further information, contact the guidance office.
 Student Government
This is an important part of the Van Wyck Community. It has proven to be one of several organizations promoting the importance of responsibility.
The offices include: President, Secretary and Treasurer.
In recent years, elected student representatives who have occupied these seats have been called upon to participate in numerous decisions and policy-making processes affecting all areas of school life including active participation in community service. Students who have a sincere interest in working for their classmates and exhibit good citizenship and leadership qualities are urged to attend an orientation meeting which will be held at the beginning of the school year. During the meeting, they will learn about responsibilities associated with each office of the student government and the procedures for placing their names in nomination.
For more details contact the advisor, Ms. Tann.
 Webmaster/Computer Club
The purpose of this club is to give its members an elementary overview of basic programming language and computer literacy. Advanced members will also design, update, and revise the school’s web page. Some experience is helpful but not mandatory. The club meets approximately once every 2 weeks in the computer lab. The club is open to all students in grades 6, 7, and 8, though enrollment is limited. Members will be selected on a first-come first-served basis.
For more details see the Web Club page.
See the club's Lesson Plans.
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Student Life 
