CLUBS

Girls United

Girls United at DHHS with MYFS strives to instill a supportive and empowering environment for girls at Hand and further expand this momentum through outreach in our larger community to spread the idea of girls supporting girls and support womens’ struggles within society. Join us for opportunities such as mentoring girls at Polson on the transition to high school, fundraising for local womens’ shelters, organizing an International Women’s Day celebration at Hand, and designing workshops for groups of girls at the Madison Arts Barn aiming to provide them with the tools they need to live happily and confidently. Reach out to Katy Beiner and Callie Richard with any questions:)

• Instagram handle @dhhs.girlsunited

• google classroom code: b4zuxgk

Presidents: Katy Beiner (kroseb2004@gmail.com), Callie Richard (callierichard27@gmail.com)

Advisor: Melissa Balletto, MYFS (ballettom@madisonct.org)

Meetings: School year 2020-2021 zoom meetings 2:30-3:30 pm on Thursdays until further notice

ROOTS

Roots is a student led group that empowers youth to grow, strengthen, and support one another and their community. By welcoming all students, Roots enables members to advocate, lead, and engage in important issues through creating a caring and positive culture.

For more information on how to get involved please contact Melissa Balletto at ballettom@madisonct.org

Boys Council Lunch Group

Boys council provides boys with a space to learn and practice skills that will help them in school, sports, and home life. These skills contribute to their development into respected young males within their school and community. Topics covered include healthy competition, active listening, boys and their emotions, technology and media portrayals of men, and more. Lessons are adapted from One Circle Foundation’s Boys Council program

For more information on how to get involved please contact Derek Cornwell at cornwelld@madisonct.org

French Club

We are DHHS French Club. We meet every Friday at 2:00 in room 229. We do all things French, including food, art, language, culture, trips, volunteering, and holidays. To join, either contact one of us or simply show up on Friday.

• Instagram handle @frenchclub.dhhs

• Presidentds: Sophie Glassman (glassmansophie@gmail.com), Maia Minto (aiamm1121@gmail.com)

• Advisor: Madame Merkle

Money Club

Each week, Money Club finds fun ways to improve the financial literacy of Daniel Hand's students. We learn about different economic concepts through a variety of activities. Through presentations, videos, games, and guest speakers, we aim to provide members with a knowledge base they can rely on later in life. To get involved, go to room 114 after school on Fridays or reach out to a club leader.

• instagram handle @moneyclubofficial

• Presidents: Sean Burke (burkeseand@gmail.com), Neo Lin (lin.neo@madisonps.org)

• David Tommaso (Advisor): tommasod@madison.k12.ct.us,

Meeting Schedule: Every Friday from 2:00-2:30, December-June

GAINS

GAINS is the Daniel Hand offshoot of a national network for girls advancing in STEM, with guest speakers who showcase their unique stem career/education, and also activities for further exploration into particular areas of science. To get involved, come to the meetings Wednesdays at 2 pm in Mrs. Brako's room (226).

• instagram handle @gains_hand

• google classroom code: vzidt6x

• Presidents: Kylie Minniti (kylieminniti@comcast.net), Jane Merkle-Scotland

Smiles for Smilow

We are a club that focuses on fundraising to help bring joy to the lives of teen and preteen patients at the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. We aim to help make the struggle with life threatening diseases a little easier for the preteen and teen population by providing gifts and activities which help to bring smiles to the patients during their hospital stay. To get involved, attend our weekly meetings and join our group chat to stay updated on upcoming fundraisers and events.

• Instagram handle @dhhssmiles4smilow

• google classroom code: yszlygq

• Presidents: Anna Homan (annahoman1@gmail.com), Lucia Balzano (balzanolucia@gmail.com)

• Advisor: Julie Johnson (johnsonj@madison.k12.ct.us)

• Meetings are Mondays in room 310 or virtual

Save the Sound

At Save the Sound, we organize beach cleanups and other events to ensure the protection of the Long Island Sound, as well as fundraisers and events with profits going towards Save the Sound. To get involved, join us at our next meeting.

• instagram handle @savethesound_dhhs

• Leaders: Meg Stefanowski (stefmegan3@gmail.com), Ally Gabrynowicz (gabrynowicz.ally@madisonps.org)

• Advisor: Mrs. O'Neil (o'neilk@madison.k12.ct.us)

Meeting schedules to come:)

Unity Club

Unity Club is a place where all are welcome. We focus on incorporating all forms of diversity and individuality into our club and promoting equality, kindness, and inclusivity. We are the student branch of the Madison Diversity and Inclusion Committee and we work to make the school environment a happier and healthier one by working to unify the student body.

• instagram handle @unityclubdhhs

• Presidents: Jake Daignault (jake.daignault@aol.com), Anna Cohen (annacohen1216@gmail.com), Olivia Henkel (oliviahenkel10@gmail.com)

• Advisor: John-Michael Parker

• Meetings are Tuesdays after school in the library classroom

Encore

Encore is a select a cappella group at Daniel Hand meaning every sound we make is not backed up by an instrument, but only our voices. In Encore, we perform all over the town, whether that be the first day of school for teachers or caroling through downtown and Daniel Hand classrooms. You’ll always see us in our traditional Red and Black outfits!

• Director: Ronald Soja (sojar@madison.k12.ct.us)

• President: Jack White (jackmitchellwhite@gmail.com)

Schedule

Encore is audition based with auditions normally taking place at the end of the school years. (However, due to Covid-19, auditions have yet to take place and more information will be available soon on how to join the group.) We rehearse every Tuesday after school from 2-3 with occasional night time rehearsals before big performances.

Yearbook Club

Looking to broaden your horizons? Yearbook Club requires a variety of interests including photography, journalism, and graphic design. With so many diverse options, anyone can find their place here. You can help capture your favorite memories that you’ll be able to look back on for years. Yearbook will be run virtually this year; however, we will still meet on Wednesdays. Yearbook Club is flexible, so don’t worry if you have a sport or another club that conflicts. No matter what, all contributions big or small still make a significant impact on the yearbook. Feel free to email us for more information!

• Advisors: Mrs. Johnson (johnsonj@madison.k12.ct.us), Mr. Young (youngj@madison.k12.ct.us)

• Editor-in-Chief: Esha Bajwa (ekbajwa@outlook.com)