Clubs and Activities

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES 2025-2026

Teachers and students are encouraged to organize clubs and activities, which are educationally and socially appropriate. New clubs wishing to organize must receive prior approval from the building administrator and the Board of Education.

• ANIME CLUB - Advisor:  Daniel Tobin - Thursdays 2:30-3:30 Grades 6-12

The Anime Club gives students the opportunity to talk about their favorite anime with like-minded students, to draw anime characters, make Japanese lanterns, and make up their own anime stories.

• ART CLUB - Advisors: Marie Kriner(HS) Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 and Alexis Joannides (MS) Thursdays 2:30-3:30

As an alternative to a competitive after school activity, art club allows students to further their art abilities and to be a part of the larger school community. Students use the skills they have in creating art to increase the aesthetic of our working environment while increasing their skill in painting. Art club’s hands-on experience also helps students who are seeking to enroll in college for the visual arts.

• BOOK CLUB - Advisor: Lisa Edwards- Thursdays 2:30-3:30

The high school book club is a stress-free place for readers! Members can read and talk about any books they choose- whether it's something they just started or a favorite they read years ago.  Students are also welcome to come and simply listen.  SOmetimes we read a book together, but no one is obligated to do anything except love books.

• BIBLE CLUB - Advisor: Sean Cunningham - Tuesdays 2:30-3:30 (Grades 6-12)

The Bible Club is a student-led group where middle and high school students can explore faith, build friendships, and grow together in a welcoming environment. Each week, students read Scripture, share a short devotional, and have open discussions about how faith connects to everyday life. There’s also time for prayer and encouragement as everyone learns from one another. All students are welcome—whether you’ve read the Bible for years or are just curious to learn more—come join us for meaningful conversations and community. 

• BUILDERS CLUB - Advisor: TBD

The Mission of the Builders Club, as an extension and affiliate of Kiwanis International, is to provide a middle school community service organization with the following goals:
a. To provide opportunities for working together in service to school and community.
b. To develop leadership potential.
c. To foster the development of strong moral character.
d. To encourage loyalty to school, community and nation.

• CODING AND GAMING CLUB - Advisor: John Olive - Tuesdays-2:30-3:30pm Grades 6-12

Coding Club is for students who are interested in learning more about computers and writing computer code. It is also a place where students who are interested in computers and programming can meet to share their interest and knowledge with other students who have those same interests.

• COOKING CLUB - Advisor: Crisseda Besson - Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm (MS/HS Alternating Weeks)

Interested students meet every week with their advisor to create healthful and culturally diverse culinary delights to share with club members. Students work in a cooperative environment, planning and discussing food creations that help to enrich and unify the club members. Guest ‘chefs’ and special assignments help make this club a great experience for students in grades 7-12.

• DRAMA CLUB (SCHOOL PLAY) - Advisor: CRachel Scali - Monday-Thursday 2:30-4:00pm

Each year, members of the Drama Club present a production for the school and the community. As a result of the time devoted to this experience, the students gain acting experience and insights into the complexity of producing a dramatic production. In addition to the acting, students also learn the technical aspects of the theater.
 

• JAZZ BAND - Advisor: Deb Hyseni - Thursdays- 2:30-3:30pm Grades 6-12

The Chester Jazz Ensemble is a performance-oriented ensemble specifically designed for the student interested in furthering his/her involvement in the music program. The primary goal and function of the Jazz Band is to introduce and provide basic knowledge to students of a wide array of jazz literature. The Jazz Band will perform in concert twice yearly.

• KEY CLUB - Advisor: Cassandra Langlitz-Tuesdays 2:30-3:15pm-Tuesdays on opposite weeks after school(other days as needed)

The Key Club is a community service organization affiliated with the Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis is an international organization; Key Club is sponsored by the Chester Kiwanis. Key Club members participate in community service projects (e.g., blood drives, food drives, fund raisers for charity) and provide opportunities for members to help others and develop initiative and leadership.

• MATH CLUB - Advisors: Alexis Mack

The Middle school Math Club is a program to foster a love for mathematics, enhance problem-solving skills and provide a collaborative environment for students who enjoy math.

• MEDICAL CLUB - Advisor: Christine Sisco - Mondays 2:30-3:30pm (HS Students)

For high school students interested in exploring careers and topics in the medical and health sciences. The Medical Club is a great way to learn, connect, and discover future opportunities in healthcare and science. 

• MOCK TRIAL - Advisor: TBD

The members of this club participate in a county-wide competition involving a simulated trial that is judged by local and county legal professionals.

• MULTICULTURAL CLUB -Advisor: Charlotte Pietropaolo - Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm Grades 8-12

Foreign Language / Multicultural Club is a club that promotes the cultural diversity existing in our school and community. Students will learn about other cultures including their ways of life, traditions, history, holidays, and languages. If you are interested in sharing your cultural heritage and learning about others, the Multicultural Club is for you!

• National Honor Society (NHS)-Advisor: Tyra Busigo-Wednesdays  2:30-330pm (1-2 times a month)
• National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)- Advisor: Alexis Mack- 2:30-3:30pm (1-2- times a month)

The National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes high school students for their excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character through a variety of activities and programs. NHS chapters encourage students to participate in community service projects, develop leadership skills through school activities, and maintain high academic standards.

• ODYSSEY OF THE MIND (OM) - Advisor
  • Director- Mary Kate Boesch
  • Primary Division- Alissa Florentino and Jana Circosta
  • Division 1- Victoria Brink and Audra Cutler
  • Division 2- Jennifer O'Leary

A creative problem solving competition that challenges students to think outside the box, work collaboratively, and develop innovative solutions to various challenges. Through this program, students enhance their creativity, teamwork, and diverse problem-solving skills while preparing for competitions at the regional, state, and world levels.

Members regularly meet to plan and develop creative solutions, working together toward their shared goals. Final acceptance into the program is determined by a selection committee, which considers academic potential, achievement, teacher recommendations, and nominations from peers, self, or parents.

For further information on OM, contact:
Mrs. Mary Kate Boesch, Elementary School Principal
2 Herbert Drive
Chester, NY 10918
(845) 469-2178

• SAGA-GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE - Advisor: Lisa Edwards - Tuesdays 2:30-3:30pm (HS Only)
  
  Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) is a club open to all High School aged students. The club aims to promote dignity for all students and aims to create a safe space and support system for all students within the LGBTQ spectrum. The club will work throughout the year to create an atmosphere of inclusion, respect and tolerance for all students.
   
• STEP DANCE CLUB - Advisor: Liz DePaolis - Tuesdays 2:30-3:30pm Grades 7-12
  
  Stepping or step-dancing is a form of percussive dance and has had a long tradition in African and Black culture. In stepping, the body is used to make sounds through clapping, stomping and spoken word. Modern day stepping also uses elements of tap dancing, break dancing, gymnastics and Afro-Caribbean dance.
   
• STUDENT COUNCIL - Advisors: Rebecca Davis (HS) and Elizabeth DePaolis (MS) Wednesday- Every other week- 2:30-3:30pm

The Student Council has a highly active role. Its purpose is not to govern the students but to serve as a liaison between the student body and the administration. It is a forum for problems or questions arising from either the students or the administration. Students can assume much of the responsibility for organizing high school activities.

The Student Council’s principal purposes are as follows:
● To unify student activities under one control and promote the general activities of the school
● To aid in the internal administration of the school
● To teach the student the values of working in a democracy
● To recommend scheduling for extracurricular activities
● To coordinate a student guide system
● To promote communications between the student body and the school staff 
● To promote interest in all school activities

• VARSITY CLUB - Advisor: Rolando Aguilar - Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm and as needed

Those students who participate in any varsity sport and remain in good academic standing are eligible for the Varsity Club. This organization promotes Chester athletics throughout the District and County.

• WEIGHT ROOM- Advisor:
  • Sean Cunningham- Fall - Wednesdays/Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm Grades 6-12
  • Ryan Stover- Winter and Spring - Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm Grades 6-12

Chester Academy Intramurals, as an outgrowth of the physical education curriculum, will provide an opportunity for sixth grade students to participate in competitive sport and recreational activities in a safe and professionally supervised environment regardless of their performance skill level or physical ability. Intramurals will provide students with activities that will encourage active and healthy choices as part of their leisure time.

• YEARBOOK -Advisor: Jennifer Burretto - Tuesdays once a month 2:30-3:30pm or more as needed 

The members of the student body work throughout the year to publish an annual yearbook. Attempts are made to provide coverage for all of the activities and classes in the school. Members of the yearbook staff gain valuable experience as a result of their efforts to produce the yearbook.

• YOUTH-IN-GOVERNMENT - Advisor: John Maggi - Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm

This organization is open to Middle/Senior High School students who wish to gain a better understanding of American politics by actually taking part in a two-party political campaign on the local and county level. The People’s Party and the Citizens’ Party hold conventions, wage a lively campaign, and hold mock elections for local, State, County, and national offices. The Social Studies Department provides advisors for the project.