Middle school, by design, is a stepping stone—a pathway from one stage of childhood development to another, linking elementary school and high school. Extracurricular clubs throughout Valley Central School District (VCSD), particularly at the middle school level, play an important role in connecting students with their school community. These clubs foster engagement with school activities, instill a sense of belonging, and cultivate pride by giving students some autonomy in shaping their environment.
VCSD offers a variety of before- and after-school clubs that nourish all areas of the whole child—intellectually, academically, personally, socially, physically, emotionally, and ethically. Participation in these activities exposes students to various interests, helps them make important social connections, and provides opportunities to develop leadership and other essential skills.
Students are encouraged to join clubs at any point during the school year. While some clubs may have specific requirements such as a certain grade point average, prerequisites, or tryouts, information is always readily available in Google Classroom or on the District website. Students are also encouraged to bring a friend when joining a new club, as this can make the experience less intimidating.
These clubs support not only the New York State Education Department’s outline of middle education but also Valley Central’s five-year strategic plan priorities: Elevating Student Success and Engagement and Community Belonging and VC Pride.
Strategic Plan Priority 1: Elevating Student Success & Engagement
Research from the National Center for Education Statistics suggests that participation in extracurricular activities increases students’ sense of engagement or attachment to their school, thereby decreasing the likelihood of school failure and dropping out.
The Education Policy Institute indicates that attending extracurricular clubs during secondary school is associated with positive outcomes in early adulthood, including higher levels of education progression, employment, and sports participation. Therefore, Valley Central School District prioritizes getting students involved in clubs to set them up for future success.
One of the standout clubs at Valley Central Middle School is the Student Government Association (SGA). According to SGA Advisor Kathryn Vecchio, “The SGA is designed to foster leadership skills, encourage school spirit, and teach democratic principles among students. As a student-run organization, SGA allows students to express concerns and take a stand on important issues. SGA members strive to lead by example in academics, extracurricular activities, community service, school spirit, student events, and student-teacher relations. The SGA meets at least twice a month and has participated in various activities such as food drives, Teacher Appreciation Week, and school spirit events.”
Strategic Plan Priority 2: Community Belonging & VC Pride
Valley Central School District also prioritizes developing a strong sense of community where students feel a sense of belonging. Finding commonality with classmates builds connection. Not only are students invited to explore their interests through clubs, but they are also encouraged to speak with an adult to advocate for the creation of new ones if they have interests not currently represented by existing clubs. Many clubs at VCSD also center around the completion of service projects, both in and outside of school, which fosters students’ pride in their community.
The following are sentiments expressed by VCMS students:
- “Math Club allowed me to make a friend that I probably wouldn’t have ever gotten close to, and now we are best friends. I want to come to school so I don’t miss the club.”
- “I’ve met new people and it’s fun to do things for the school.”
- “My personal favorite project that I have partaken in is sewing tissue box covers for the Beautification and Development Team. It has not only taught me some of the basics of sewing but has also greatly increased my attention span and encouraged me to multitask and be more productive.”
- “Being in multiple clubs has definitely caused me to enjoy school more as I look forward to going to them.”
- “Being part of a club helps me to understand more of what happens behind the scenes of school.”
VCSD continues to look forward to seeing its students grow and thrive through their participation in these enriching activities.