Arlington Catholic High School - Accept the Challenge

Arlington Catholic High School

Accept the Challenge

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Student Life: Clubs & Activities

In addition to the academic curriculum, Arlington Catholic offers many organizations, clubs and activities, which are an integral part of the school program. Students are encouraged to participate in these programs and to recognize the opportunity for social and personal development, which they foster. Certain clubs may be joined only in the first two months of school. See the club moderator for details.

We offer a wide array of clubs:

A WORLD of DIFFERENCE
The Anti-Defamation’s “A World of Difference” Institute was founded in Boston in 1985 as a comprehensive non-profit diversity-awareness education project. The Arlington Catholic organization will mobilize the student body to challenge all forms of bigotry and to promote a prejudice-free and inclusive school where each student is respected for his/her differences.

THE AC BAND
Session I: September through December
Session II: January through May

The AC Band is an award winning concert band. Our Band Program is offered to students who have a minimum of one year of lessons on their chosen instrument. Participation in our band program provides the opportunity to develop ensemble skills and build upon present musicianship skills. A variety of jazz, pop, and classical music are explored through performance. Students are advised to take private lessons to continue developing their technique and maintain their skills to contribute to the ensemble. Students will develop confidence, poise, self-discipline, leadership and teamwork skills. Please contact the Band Director to schedule an audition.

Band Members will serve and represent the school in concert and other performances. Performances include a Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, Pep Band, Festivals, Graduation, and special occasion performances.

Students that play the following instruments are encouraged to participate: flute, clarinet, oboe, trumpet, trombone, tuba, euphonium, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, and piano.

The program meets on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the music room at Arlington Catholic and Mondays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Elementary School for Session I and Session II. Band members may attend either or both rehearsal times. Instruments may be stored in lockers or kept in the music room.
Fee for Session I: $195.00
Fee for Session II: $247.00
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Charlotte Stone at cstoney_99@yahoo.com or call (339) 221-2332.

BOOK CLUB
Bibliophiles wanted! The Book Club is open to all students who enjoy reading for pleasure. The club meets monthly to discuss chosen books and will participate in book signings, author readings, etc. as these opportunities arise.

CHESS CLUB
The chess club meets weekly to learn more about the game of chess, to practice their technique, and to enjoy friendly competition. Both beginners and advanced players are welcome to join the club.

COMPUTER CLUB
The Computer Club welcomes all students with an interest in computers to explore programming, electronic gaming, robotics, and the Internet. Activities may include field trips to relevant venues.

DRAMA CLUB
The Arlington Catholic Drama Club is open to all students, and is designed to foster knowledge and appreciation of the theater through experience in performance, backstage work, and technical and artistic design. In the spring, the club sponsors a complete musical production. Students who audition for a role in the spring musical are asked to pay $10.00 dues.

FRENCH CLUB
Membership in the French Club is open to all Arlington Catholic students who study French. The Club sponsors French Day in New York City, the April vacation trips to Quebec City and Paris, a croissant party, Christmas celebration, and restaurant and museum trips. Through the French Club, students may also correspond with pen pals in France.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CLUB
The Amnesty International club addresses the issues of international and domestic human rights in light of Catholic Social Teaching. Students prepare displays for Black History Month, Women’s History Month and Holocaust Remembrance Month. The members of the club are committed to raising awareness of human rights violations around the world. The club sponsors films and discussions and educates the larger student body on various political, economic, environmental, religious, racial and gender issues. Students of all grade levels are invited to participate.

IMAGINARY GARDENS
Imaginary Gardens is one of the school’s literary magazines. Published twice a year and open to all students, it contains works of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction as well as student artwork.

IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Irish Historical Society is open to any students interested in Irish Culture and history. Members explore the culture and history of Ireland through field trips, guest speaker presentations, social events and philanthropic events.

KEY CLUB
The KEY (Kiwanis Educate Youth) Club is a service organization in the Arlington Catholic Community. Members participate in fundraisers for local charities, service projects such as tutoring elementary school students, by-weekly meetings and annual events such as district and international conventions.
In the KEY Club, students work together to see their ideas become activities that help the community. Because high school students direct the KEY Club on local, state and international levels, members challenge each other to lead in many capacities. This involvement prepares students with a sense of confidence in and responsibility for the future.

LITURGICAL CHOIR
An important component of nurturing the faith life of students is the form of worship we share in common. The Liturgical Choir at various times during the year learns music that enhances the school liturgies and prayer experiences as well as other celebrations. Their performance leads the assembly to fuller participation through the gift of music.

MATH TEAM
The Math Team is open to all students interested in math competition with other schools in the area. Competitions are held on the first Thursday of each month (October through April). There will also be a practice session each month.

MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Founded in 2002, the Model U.N. Club focuses on raising global awareness through debate, compromise, conflict resolution and negotiation. The Model U.N. team members engage in an interesting and enjoyable learning experience, and may have the opportunity to visit the United Nations in New York.
The club is open to students at all grade levels.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
The National Honor Society is an organization established to recognize and foster academic achievement while developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. These characteristics include scholarship, character, service and leadership.

Students are eligible for consideration for membership in the National Honor Society at the conclusion of the first semester of their junior year. In order to meet the scholarship requirement for membership, a student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 and at least B average in every subject (B- in each honors/AP course) in his/her freshman, sophomore, and first semester of their junior year. Academic qualification does not constitute automatic acceptance into the National Honor Society. Students must meet the national standards of character, leadership and service that are described in detail in the submission packet of materials that each academically qualified student receives.

In order to be considered by the Faculty Council* for admission, the student must submit the following items:
• The “Student Activity Information Form”
• A recommendation from a person outside the Arlington Catholic community
• A recommendation from a teacher at Arlington Catholic

In addition, the Faculty Council will solicit character information on each of the NHS candidates from the faculty in the specific areas of integrity, behavior, cooperation and ethics, and use this information in the acceptance process.

The Faculty Council consists of the advisor (chair and non-voting member), five faculty members, and the vice-principal (ex-officio and non-voting member).

Upon acceptance into the National Honor Society, the students must maintain all the NHS standards that were used as a basis for their acceptance, and must complete five school-based service hours in their junior year and thirty school-based service hours in their senior year. Students who do not maintain and/or comply with the standards may be given a probationary period to improve their status prior to dismissal. A student who is dismissed or who resigns from the National Honor society may never again become a member.

The dismissal procedure is as follows:

Members who fail to maintain the standards, which were the basis for their acceptance, shall be warned in writing and given a probationary period to correct the deficiency. The faculty advisor will inform the member and his/her parents in writing of the nature of the deficiency, the length of the probationary period, and the consequences of non-improvement. This notice must be signed by the parent(s) of the student, and returned to the advisor.

Obviously, a probationary period need not be given to a student who flagrantly violates a school rule (e.g. cheating, stealing, etc.), violates a civil law, or commits a felony If a member is dismissed, the member and his/her parents will be informed in writing and the student has the right to appeal to the principal.

SCIENCE CLUB
The Arlington Catholic Science Club is open to any student currently enrolled in a Science course. Students further their appreciation of science by participating in area field trips, as well as by providing the student body with “Science in the News” information through public address announcements or posters. Mole Day is also celebrated in October.

SPANISH CLUB
The Spanish Club, open to all students currently studying Spanish, introduces the members to Hispanic culture through field trips to museums and restaurants. Spanish Day in New York City is an annual event.

STUDENT SENATE
The Student Senate consists of twenty-five senators elected by their peers. To be eligible for candidacy, a student must:
• rank in the upper one half of his/her class
• maintain standards of Christian ideals and morals.

If a student, once in office, falls below these standards, he/she must report to the Senate President and request one marking period to meet these standards. Should he/she fail to do so, he/she will be removed from office.

The purpose of the Student Senate is as follows:
• to promote and encourage good citizenship
• to improve school spirit and morale
• to coordinate and assist in school functions and activities
• to improve and encourage student- faculty relations
• to provide an open forum for the faculty as well as the students
• to promote and defend school policies
• to promote the general welfare of the whole school

YEARBOOK
Students may apply for yearbook positions during the month of April of their junior year. The following staff positions are available:
• Biography Editor Art Editor
• Proof Editor Clubs/Candid’s Editor
• Sports Editor/Ad Editor

Meetings are held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the Art Room, every week from April through February of the following school year.

We also offer:
• Campus Ministry
• Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
• Cougar Chronicle(Student Newspaper)