Holdrum Middle School ~~ Student Activities

Audio/Visual

All grade levels will have the opportunity to work with various audio/visual technologies. Students will assist with equipment at school functions, assemblies and special programs. Students will also be in charge of the distribution and set-up of a.v. equipment in the classrooms.

Baseball

Holdrum School offers a baseball program for boys of all grades. This competitive team participates against teams from northern Bergen County. Tryouts for this team are dependent upon the weather and physicals but usually begin in April. The season runs until June. Games are held after school usually three days per week.

Basketball

Holdrum School offers a girls and boys basketball program for all grades. These teams participate in a competitive league with schools from northern Bergen County. Signups for these teams are usually at the end of October, with tryouts taking place in November. Any student who wishes to try out must complete all physical and medical forms prior to tryouts. Our season runs from November to the end of February. The teams usually practice 3 times a week in the pre-season. Once the season begins, players can expect 2 to 3 games a week with some practices. If basketball is your game or you want it to be, then try out for the Holdrum basketball teams.

Book and Bagel Club

Book and Bagel Club consists of 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders who enjoy reading. A book is chosen once a month by the members of the club. Students have time to read the book and meet one morning to have bagels, juice, and book discussions. Anyone can join throughout the year!!

Bowling League

Open to all 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders and runs from January through April between the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. In the past, Tuesdays have been bowling days, but that could change and is dependent upon Montvale Lanes and availability. The cost is approximately $65.00 which covers 11 weeks of bowling (2 games per week) and a pizza party at the end. Awards are also presented to the top teams and individuals. We will have a general interest meeting the first week in December. All students must have a physical to participate. See Mr. Fencik for any questions that you may have.

Costume Committee

The Costume Committee is a fun and exciting way to be a part of the Holdrum musical. This club starts up in March and lasts until May. Meetings are held after school until approximately 4:30. This club is open to all grades!!

Creative Writing

Creative Writing Club is a great opportunity for budding authors to share their writing. Our group works on different forms of writing with a focus on poetry and descriptive narratives. This club is open to all students with an interest in writing. See Mrs. Franz if you have any questions.

Drama Club

The Drama Club is open to all Holdrum students. We meet once a week on Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 (sometimes 5:00). There are no auditions. All students receive a part in the program that we present in December. We work on building a public speaking voice/manner and opening our imaginations. The spring musical is separate from Drama Club.

French Club

Would you like to experience building the Eiffel Tower out of wood, or taste a crepe or Vichy? Then you are invited to join the “Cercle francais”, French Club. We meet every other Monday at 8:25 throughout the year. In addition to the cultural themes covered in the curriculum, we celebrate French holidays, food, art and music. So, allez, viens et a bientot!

Golf Club

The Golf Club is open to all 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students, who show an interest in golf and have a skilled golf swing during their physical education unit. The student must have the necessary permission and health forms, their own set of golf clubs and carry bag (no pull-carts). Proper golf attire is mandatory. No jeans, cut-off shorts, tank-tops, or t-shirts will be accepted. Sneakers may be worn instead of golf shoes. All golfing will take place at Rockleigh Golf Course with students being responsible for their own transportation. The golf season is normally the last two weeks in May and the first two weeks in June. The Bergen County Middle School Golf Tournament is held in mid-June and will be attended by the best six golfers.

Holdrum Hawk’s Cheerleaders

Students in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades are encouraged to try out for the Holdrum Cheerleading squad. Tryouts will start in mid November. Once chosen, the cheerleaders will cheer for both the girls and boys home basketball games.

Holdrum’s Spring Musical

Students in the 6^th, 7^th & 8^th grade who are musically inclined and can dance and act should audition for the school musical production. Auditions are usually held at the end of January.

Instrumental Music: 6^th Grade Band, 7^th & 8^th Grade Band and Jazz Band

6^th Grade Band ~~ This ensemble is open to all 6^th grade students who wish to play an instrument. This band gives two evening concerts a year as well as other scheduled performances. They rehearse once a week before school.

7^th and 8^th Grade Band ~~~ This ensemble is designed for all interested 7^th and 8^th grade instrumentalists. The music performed is more appropriate to their ability level. The group performs at two evening concerts a year. They also participate at the PVHS Band Day as well as the Bergen County Teen Arts Festival. Rehearsals are once a week before school.

Jazz Band ~~~ This group is open to members of the bands, but requires an audition. They will learn the styles of Jazz and their performance practices. There are two evening concerts a year. They also participate in the Bergen County Teen Arts Festival and other performances throughout the school year. They rehearse once a week after school.

Intramurals

Intramurals is usually held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings starting at 8:15 am. There are 4 sessions. (2 for the 6^th grade and 2 for the 7 & 8th grade). Activities might be basketball, soccer, volleyball or perhaps wiffleball. An athletic examination is required for intramurals.

Jr. Lead

Jr. Lead consists of 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders chosen by their 5^th grade teachers. Jr. Lead is a student organization that promotes non-smoking and drug and alcohol resistance activities throughout the year. They must be active every year to stay in the group.

Jump Start

This program affords Holdrum Middle School students the opportunity to become better organized to meet daily classroom expectations. Grades 6 and 7 are invited to attend AM sessions to help them get organized, review for upcoming tests and/or use the school technology including computers and printers for assignments.

Knitting Club

This club comes together where the students learn the basic stitches to create scarves. There is also an intermediate group who knit anything from blankets to sweaters. The group also knits blanket squares for Warm Up America.

Literary and Art Magazine (Expressions)

Expressions, the Holdrum Middle School Literary and Art Magazine, is open to all sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. We meet once a week during the spring to select, edit, and illustrate literature for the magazine, which is published in June. Students may become involved as writers, artists, editors, or web page designers. All are welcome to join, but must be willing to commit to attending meetings.

National Jr. Honor Society

The National Junior Honor Society recognizes student achievement in the academic, citizenship, service and leadership realms. Students who seek membership in the Holdrum Middle School National Junior Honor Society must meet specific criteria in the core academic subject areas to be considered as candidates for selection. Membership will occur in the 7^th and 8^th grade.

Newspaper ~ The Hawk’s Eye

The perfect opportunity for budding journalists to practice their skills is to become a member of the Hawk Eye staff, our school newspaper. We need writers, interviewers, artists and computer techs from all grade levels.

Peer Helpers

Peer Helpers is a group of 8^th graders who are selected by their academics, ability to speak in front of their peers and demonstrate a sense of caring and responsibility. They are trained in the spring and can be seen around the school at various activities including 6^th grade orientation, back to school night, graduation, visits to the 5^th graders at the elementary schools and volunteering their time as tutors to their peers throughout the school year.

Peer Mediators

Consist of 7^th and 8^th grade students who are selected by having the ability to be a good listener, get along well with others and be willing to mediate their peers. A student can be referred to peer mediation by faculty, staff and the mediators themselves. This program has proven to be very successful in our school.

Robotics

This academic team accepts a limited number of students in the fall to compete in our state competition. The team designs and programs a robot out of Legos and develops a research based presentation to solve a given problem. The team meets three days a week during the fall. The robotics club also holds an intramural-type program after school in the spring for a few weeks to become familiar with the software and techniques. This club is looking for eager, hardworking individuals that can work well together. This club is open to all grade levels.

Science Club

The science club is open to all 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students. The club meets twice a month in the morning and occasionally after school for bigger projects. Some of our projects include, but are not limited to planting bulbs, adopting a panda, building model rockets, tagging butterflies and our annual DDR competition. We look forward to seeing all interested scientists.

Set Design

This activity serves as a complement to the elective class. Students design and build scenery and props for the spring musical. It is a wonderful experience for children who like being challenged to work creatively and cooperatively.

Soccer

Holdrum sponsors soccer teams open to 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade girls and boys. Tryouts for the team are held during the second or third week of school and are usually held for two or three days. The soccer season consists of approximately 11 or 12 games, as well as weekly practices that are held at the Holdrum field. Games usually begin at 4:00 for both home and away games, and end by 5:15. Practices begin at 3:30 and go until 5 or 5:30. Any students interested in trying out for the soccer teams are highly encouraged to do so. Middle School is a great time to get involved in school sports and other extracurricular activities. We look forward to seeing you at Holdrum.

Softball

Holdrum offers a softball program to girls in grades 6, 7 and 8. We play a 12 to14 game schedule, playing 2 to 3 games a week. Tryouts begin in late March and the season runs to the end of May. Practices in the pre-season are 3 times a week and 1 to 2 times a week during the season.

Spanish Club

The Spanish club will meet periodically throughout the year. Club members will partake in activities that reflect the cultural components covered in the curriculum. Some suggested activities include: preparing food, watching Spanish movies, flamenco dancing, and studies of some relevant artists and writers.

Spring Track

Spring track is a great sport in which any student can participate and rise to his or her personal best! All are welcome to join. There are no try-outs; all you need to do is attend all practices. The season generally runs from April 1 through May. Events include sprints, distance races, long jump, high jump, and shot put. Benefits include increased endurance, the encouragement of fitness as a healthy lifestyle, a jump-start for high school competition, and all around fun!

Student Council

Holdrum School Student Council is a representative government for the students. The council consists of a school president, class presidents, secretaries and treasurers at all grade levels. Elections are held in September for sixth grade and June for upper classmen. The Student Council is an integral part of Holdrum School. We are involved in many fundraisers, community events and service projects. If you want to be a leader this is a great place to begin.

Vocal Music: Concert Choir and Select Choir

Concert Choir is one of two vocal music ensembles here at Holdrum. This group is open to any student in 6^th, 7^th, or 8^th grade who is interested in joining! We rehearse on Wednesday and Friday mornings before school, from 8:10 to 8:50 AM. The Concert Choir has at least two annual performances, in the winter and the spring. In the past, we have traveled to perform in such music festivals as Teen Arts and Music In The Parks, as well as to the elementary schools to expose the younger children to our choral program.

Select Choir is our other vocal ensemble. Interested students for this choir must be in Concert Choir to be eligible to audition, as this is an auditioned ensemble. The Select Choir rehearses on Wednesday afternoons from 3:20 to 5:00 p.m., and students have the opportunity to learn more advanced repertoire and vocal techniques. The Select Choir performs at the Winter and Spring Concerts and has traveled to the elementary schools, the Teen Arts Festival, and to local community organizations to perform. Any questions about our choral program are encouraged and should be directed to Ms. Hampson, Director of both the Concert Choir and Select Choir.

Volleyball

Girls will learn the basics, such as bumping, setting and serving through assorted drills. Volleyball is open for tryouts to all 6^th through 8^th grade girls and runs through the months of September and October. This season we have 10 games against local schools in the area. Several of our past Lady Hawks play on one level or the other at Pascack Valley High School and have been quite successful. Many girls who start out with us as a 6^th grader go to camps/clinics to improve their skills and then go on to high school volleyball and have a successful 4 year career.

Wrestling

Wrestling is a very demanding sport. Our team does not practice the wrestling that you see on T.V. We learn a variation of the wrestling that is in the Olympics. We have ten matches during the year, five at home and five away. Wrestlers are matched up against those on the other team that are close to the same age, weight, and ability. This means you will NOT see an eighth grader wrestling a sixth grader. There are no tryouts or cuts on the team, so any student that is willing to work hard can wrestle this year.

Yearbook

The yearbook club is open to all 8th graders interested in designing and putting together the layout for yearbook. The club meets most mornings starting at 8:15.