Advanced Photography is for those students who have completed photo 1 or are presently in photo 1 to receive additional darkroom time and instruction on some advanced darkroom techniques.
Open to Algebra students for tutoring in Algebra, homework help, making up work, and enrichment.
In C105 during C, E, and F days, students come to get help for any type of algebra assignment or any assignment from a mathematics class here at the high school. Typically, students work on their math homework and students come in to also make up tests and quizzes missed from absences during this time to avoid missing class time and class activities.
Art Club gives art students the opportunity to have additional studio time during the week to work on present projects or catch up on past projects.
Held in the the A-gym. Students are able to play basketball during activity period. Open to all students.
Mr. Post overlooks this activity. Biology workshop is an activity that allows students who are interested in biology to share their passion. Students are encouraged to read some of the extra materials provided in the classroom such as science magazines and science articles from the internet. Students then have a chance to discuss the articles with like minded peers. This activity also provides an opportunity for students who are struggling in their biology class to receive extra help. So if biology is your passion this could be the activity for you. Also, if biology class is an area in which you struggle this activity period could be the extra help you need to be successful.
Open to Calculus students for tutoring in Calculus, homework help, making up work, and enrichment.
Chemistry Workshop is simply a time for chemistry students to have if they need extra help in this subject.
Mrs. Gower and Ms. Pessina are in charge of the Climbing Club at Pen Argyl HS. Climbing Club would be described as follows: Pen Argyl Area High School Climbing Club meets every Wednesday afternoon for 6-7 weeks in the fall and 6-7 weeks in the spring at North Summit Climbing Gym in Wind Gap. No prior experience necessary! Just come out to learn the basics of rock climbing and belaying. Wear comfortable clothing that isn’t too loose. You must arrange for your own transportation home but can ride Bus #2 to the gym after school. Each session, each week, costs $12 and if you want to rent shoes (not a necessity) that costs an additional $4. To join, all you need are completed permission slips. See Miss Pessina in Room C205 for these forms. Happy climbing!
Computer Applications Workshop
This activity is time for students who have computer apps to work on any projects they are missing or get extra help for the class. Students MUST have computer apps that semester
Computer Competition is an activity in which the students create projects and enter them into competitions. The competitions range from digital photography to web page design. Each year students have a chance to enter the annual high school computer fair. Details on this competition can be found at http://pacomputerfair.org . Please note: you do not have to be in the activity to compete.
Ms. Campbell advises the Drama Club. This activity meets on B, C, and D day in the auditorium. During the first semester this is when we rehearse for the holiday play. You must be involved in at least one of the days to be a part of the play. This year’s holiday play is Requiem for the Innkeeper, which will be performed at Plainfield Elementary School and at the high school on Senior Citizen’s Day.
During the second semester drama club is open only to those students who are in the spring play. The spring play will be Alice in Wonderland, which will be cast around Thanksgiving and performed March 5, 6 & 7.
DTAC is the Diversity, Tolerance, and Awareness Club. In this activity students discuss current issues that pertain to diversity in our society and school. Spirited debates often occur in DTAC. Students also explore strategies to increase tolerance and acceptance in our school and society at large.
English Workshop is designed to reinforce students’ English comprehension and help them master English skills. Students wishing to revise papers, improve study habits, or simply read works of literature are provided one-on-one tips from an English instructor. Students who have difficulty with concepts in English class (grammar, vocabulary, understanding texts) are encouraged to enroll in this workshop.
Envirothon is an activity in which students participate in a competition testing their knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, forestry, wildlife, soil & land use, and a yearly current event topic. Competitions are held in the spring at the county state and national level.
A physical education class aimed at seniors. Activities are weightlifting, running, and other activities focused on improving physical fitness.
Football is for in season football players only. Supervised by Mr. Hawk.
Future Business Leaders of America
FBLA provides innovative leadership programs to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship. Students will learn about the world of business and what is expected of them in the workplace. FBLA goals include:
* develop competent, aggressive business leadership
* strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work
* create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise
* encourage members in the development of individual projects which contribute to the home, business, and community
* develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism
* encourage and practice efficient money management
* encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty
* assist students in the establishment of occupational goals
* facilitate the transition from school to work You must be in 1 of the 2 letter days to be in FBLA. Also, you must pay dues of $25 per year (to the state and nationals) which is non-refundable. Finally, you must sign up 1 school year in advance. To find out more information about FBLA please go to www.pafbla.org
Open to geometry students for tutoring in Geometry, homework help, making up work, and enrichment.
An activity for German students to recieve help and make-up work.
Gifted Seminar gives the gifted students a time to share, discuss and work on contests, ideas, and review work.
Graduation Project, as part of the state requirement for graduation includes the creation of a 5-7 page paper and a 20 minute presentation. The presentation occurs on one of the two “presentation days” throughout the year in front of members of the district faculty. This is a pass or incomplete class.
Guitar club is for guitar players that want to relax and play their guitars in the morning, share music, and ideas. It is not instructional. And it is preferred that they have have their own guitar, and bring it every E day. Supervised by Mr. Hawk.
Hacky Sack Club is an activity in which students engage in vigorous physical activity that tests their flexibility, coordination and spatial awareness.
Mr. Drozic’s activity is aimed at trying various ways to improve students’ grades in their classes, as well as in their PSSA Tests, through re-instruction, practice and repetition of relevant curricular materials.
Mrs. Shank is in charge of the Journalism and Green Echo. Journalism is a class that publishes the Green Echo, the Pen Argyl High School newspaper. Students conduct interviews, take pictures, write articles, and create page layouts. The Green Echo is a monthly publication written by the students for the high school and the entire community. Any interested student wanting to contribute to the paper should talk to Mrs. Shank.
Ms. Pessina has Knitting & Crocheting Club A and C Days. You do not need to have any experience to join; all you have to do is bring $6 to the first meeting if you’d like me to buy your supplies for you. Or, you can buy your own supplies (knitting needles OR a crochet hook and any color of yarn that you want.) We learn different techniques throughout the semester.
Any student interested in science and would like to learn how to set up labs and make solutions would enjoy working with Mrs. Chromey as a laboratory technician.
Leo Club is a service based group that works in a variety of ways to help the community. We donate to different charities and volenteer at different organizations. Meets A-days to help support the community.
A literary magazine is a compilation of a school’s work (from that year) in regards to a topic chosen by the staff. This year, the topic is Obsessions and how people cope with them (or fail to). The students in this activity are required to interact with their peers by asking them to write for the magazine; create prompts that other students can respond to; design artwork to be shown in the magazine and on the back and front cover; fabricate the layout of the magazine; as well as proof read and type out articles. This activity can be a fun and interactive learning experience; not only that, it allows for all types of people to get involved from the process of brainstorming to the final product, the published copy due out In May of 2010. All students are encouraged to sign up for the activity, as long as you’re willing to be a part of a team in completing the literary magazine for this year.
Mr. Morgan runs the Maintenance Club. This club examines the school for things that need to be repaired. Also they will build things of need for the school.
Mock Trial is a National High School Competition based upon a simulated Court Case. Any student at all interested in the law, public speaking, or acting should consider joining. Each year, we prepare to present a case as if it were actually going to court. We compete against other schools from throughout the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.
The Orchestra is a performance based ensemble that emphasizes advancing musicianship and playing techniques of students. Orchestra students have the opportunity to perform both classic and contemporary music literature. The Orchestra performs in two concerts per year and rehearses two times per cycle during activity period. Orchestra is a graded class that meets during activity periods. Students also attend group lessons throughout the day. Anyone with previous orchestral string (violin, viola, cello, bass) or band instruction may join. Nicole Whitney
Mr. Post is the advisor of Peer Tutoring. Peer Tutoring is an activity that allows students to use their academic gifts and talents to assist their peers. In this activity each student has one or two "specialty" areas where he or she excels academically. Each student will then tutor individuals who require help in their area of expertise. Often times students find it easier to seek assistance from a peer rather than from a teacher. Also, since it is a different approach, students sometimes find help from a classmate to be more memorable than help from a teacher. If you are struggling in a class and looking for a new study technique, then this could be the key to your success. Come visit room A213 during activity and try getting help from a peer.
This class helps the twelfth graders prepare for their upcoming PSSA tests. We teach test taking skills and review literary terms.
The reading club activity provides an opportunity for students to read for school or for pleasure and to discuss what they have read. Sharing information about genres of books, specific titles, and stories often piques the interest of others, motivating them to expand their own reading experience.
Ms. Leer controls the Reading Olympics. The Reading Olympics is a team activity where students read various books from a list compiled by librarians, teachers, and reading specialists.
In March, our team will travel to Easton High School to compete against other schools. Last year, over 500 students took part, with 27 high school teams! The competition includes three rounds where each team is asked various questions about the books read. The winning team is determined by the number of correct answers at the end of the rounds.
Prizes in the past have included signed copies of Twilight, Lovely Bones, Crank, and Blood and Chocolate.
If interested, sign up for “E” day activity period in Ms. Lear’s room –C101.
*You do not need to be in the activity to take part in the contest.
Recycling Club is fairly new to the high school. The club started last year in hopes of saving trees, by recycling the paper that is used in school. Students are separated into groups and every “B-Day” the students go out to all rooms in the school to collect the recycling. Each room has its own paper recycling box and will eventually have a plastic recycling box. Students then empty the recycling for it to be picked up during the week. We remind everyone that newspaper and staples may not be placed in the boxes as they cannot be recycled with our white paper. We hope you consider this club in the future. GO GREEN!!!
Held in A-gym. Students are permitted to play basketball, study, or just relax with friends. Open to all students.
SADD is an activity that is based on students commitment to saying “No” not only to drugs and alcohol, but negative peer pressure as well. Our mission is “To provide students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.” Our organization participates in many events in the area with other local school such as the Healthy Living Expo, Poster and Film contests, and the Fun Fair. In addition, we decorate for Red Ribbon Week, write letters to the elementary students around the holidays, and participate in Senior Citizen’s Day.
Scholastic Scrimmage is a competitive team that competes against other schools in Jeopardy-style tournaments. There are two or three main tournaments per year. The longest running tournament is sponsored by PBS-39 and Air Products. These matches are televised by PBS. The more matches you win, the longer you stay in the tournament. There are also one –day tournaments at Northampton IU-20, which consists of a competition against schools from Monroe and Northampton county, and where the winner gets to go to Harrisburg and compete at the state level. The third tournament is a Jeopardy tournament in February at Phillipsburg High School and includes as many as 40 schools from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Anyone can try out for Scholastic Scrimmage. You do not have to be an expert in all subjects, but if you’re really good at recalling information from any subject, or like a challenge, it is a fun activity in which to participate.
Senior Class Officers are the elected President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Class of 2010. We discuss and plan events for the senior class throughout the year.
Mr. Meyers is the teacher that oversees the soccer club.
Spanish workshop is an activity in which students can sign up to receive additional help in the study of the Spanish language. Please note: Students who are not currently enrolled in a Spanish course may sign up for the Spanish workshop to be used as a study hall.
This class is open to all students in Mr. Pipech’s and Mrs. Frable’s Algebra A classes. Students can get help with homework and studying for tests and quizzes.
Mrs. Miller is the advisor of the Second Mile Club.The Second Mile Club was founded by Jerry Sandusky, of Penn State Football fame, to help children and communities of Pennsylvania. The Pen Argyl chapter is dedicated to helping our community and residents whenever possible. We assist at Senior Citizens Day and much more. Joining the Second Mile Club means you are willing to GO THE EXTRA MILE – that might mean baking for a fundraiser or volunteering to help out at a school function. We need students who are willing to take leadership roles and do whatever it takes to be of service to whomever needs assistance.
All students who are interested in walking can sign up for walking club. This club is ran on a first come first serve basis. All students are required to walk up at the track, unless it is raining. Yes we do walk when it is cold out, so bring your coats.
Activity aimed at introducing students to the benefits of weight lifting. Open to anyone who is interested in learning how to lift weights.
Yearbook is an activity where a team of students create a 176 page yearbook for the community, faculty, and student body. Students learn elements of good design as well as legal issues surrounding the yearbook. As a class, the theme is picked and various tasks are carried out to make each yearbook as unique as each of the classes.
To be in yearbook, you must be a junior or senior and a member of the yearbook class.
Mrs. Dotta controls the Yearbook activity. This activity entails all the making of the posters and announcements to the high school population regarding the dates, times, and deadlines of the yearbook fundraiser, both senior and underclass pictures, the ordering of the yearbook, the “Baby Picture” section of the yearbook, plus the general accounting of the funds for all yearbook bills and debts.