Academic Decathlon
Advisor: Mr. Andrew Cottet
The Academic Decathlon Club is a group that welcomes all abilities and talents in the academic world and is a club dedicated to preparing and competing in the state and national Academic Decathlon which is an annual high school academic competition organized by the non-profit United States Academic Decathlon (USAD). The competition consists of seven objective multiple choice tests, two subjective performance events, and an essay.
Art in Action Club
Advisor: Mr. Jacob Brodsky
Art in Action is dedicated to improving our world. Through making and selling art for charity, raising awareness of the pressing issues that we face and by spreading the hope, joy and beauty that art can provide. Art in Action plans to make a difference. All are welcome. No “artistic ability” required.
Auditorium Tech Club
Advisor: Mr. Jordan Berger
Auditorium Tech Club is our school’s stage crew and a very important part of the musical production. As a crew, we run the technical theater aspects for concerts, drama shows and our spring musical. This includes sets, lighting, sound props and more. Stage crew is a great way for students to get involved in the school theater program while making new friends and learning new skills.
Better Mondays Club
Advisor: Ms. Anna Delaney
Creating a safe space for students struggling with their mental health, offering advice and reassurance. Students can take part in different activities and practice skills taught by peers or councilors.
Book Club
Advisor: Ms. Mary Panek
The mission of the Book Club is to spread and encourage the love of reading throughout our community and school.
Chess Club
Advisor: Mr. Jonathan Mangram
Chess Club allows you to play one another in chess. There are also chess lessons and get to teach people how to play chess who would like to learn.
Code Rams Club
Advisor: Mr. Mike Klemperer
Code Rams is a club focused on computer science. Weekly meetings include programming tutorials and smaller competitions along with working on theme-based projects that will involve all club members. Anyone who is interested and willing to learn and invest time is welcome. Throughout the year, club members prepare for various coding competitions with a focus on Code Quest, which is hosted by Lockheed Martin in April. We hope to inspire a passion for computer science-related topics and projects.
Cooking for a Cause
Advisor: Ms. Stephanie O’Rourke
Volunteer once a month to help people in need by making food for them from 2-7. In the club we plan where we volunteer, make food and hold fundraisers.
Cultural Connections (International Club)
Advisor: Mrs. Kristine Wisnieski
Students in Cultural Connections Club share a wide variety of activities with a common goal: to foster intercultural understanding in our school, community, and world. Some of our annual events include International Food Fairs, Holiday Celebrations, Cooking Classes, and Student-Led Cultural Presentations. In addition, we take various field trips throughout the year in order to promote opportunities to further develop an appreciation for cultural experiences. To help make these activities possible, the club has several fundraisers throughout the year. The club meets every other Wednesday during activity period. This active club welcomes new members.
DECA
Advisor: Mr. Samantha Guillaume
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. The four components of the organization’s Comprehensive Learning Program are that DECA integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition. DECA prepares the next generation to be academically prepared, community-oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.
Dialogue Circle
Advisory: Ms. Lua Lawrence
Dialogue circle is a series of facilitated discussions that provide a space to have honest conversations about hard topics including race, culture, equity and action.We learn from each other while sharing our experiences. Gain leadership development, communication skills, and action planning experience!
Drama Club
Advisor: Mr. Alan Zimmerman
The Drama Club encourages members to get involved in a variety of activities including reading from scripts, character analysis and improvisational work. Weekly meetings are held during the Activity Period except when we are in rehearsal for a major production. Bringing some much needed drama to JDHS.
Dungeons and Dragons Club
Advisor: Ms. Courtney Romeiser
A space to do D&D sessions or campaigns and share homemade characters and abilities.
Engineering Club
Advisor: Mr. Bill Sauve
To further enhance and develop interest in the Engineering Discipline.
Environmental Club
Advisor: Mrs. Samantha Sweeney
The mission of this club is to help make J-D and the surrounding area more environmentally friendly. The club accomplishes this through a variety of ways, such as volunteering in the community and setting up composting locally at the school.
eSports Club
Advisor: Mr. Bill Sauve
The JDHS eSports team participates in a competitive gaming league (PlayVs) taking part in a wide variety of games, including Rocket League, Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, and many others.
Film Club
Advisors: Mr. Joseph Dechick, Mr. Joseph Goldberg
A club that watches and discusses classic and high-quality movies.
French Club
Advisor: Lauren Ludovico
French Club is open to anyone who has an interest in French Culture and the French language. We meet once a month to celebrate francophone holidays, participate in cultural activities including listening to French music and learning about French food or history. French Club creates a community of students who enjoy being together and being open to different customs and styles. We also play games that motivate students to use and improve their speaking skills in French!
Friendship Bracelet Club
Advisor: Mrs. Nancy Raicht
This club is a good and welcoming place for students to come and make bracelets and chat with friends. This club is also a place to make new friends and form connections.
Gender & Sexuality Alliance Club
Advisor: Mrs. Melissa Moore
The Acceptance Coalition seeks to promote human dignity, equality, justice, and respect for all people at Jamesville-DeWitt, as well as globally. It is open to anyone in the high school who is concerned about social and economic oppressions (racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, etc.). The Acceptance Coalition acts as a support group for students and as an advocate for education and action.
Health Occupations Students of America
Advisor: Mr. Michael Keenan
HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation and recognition exclusively for students who have an interest in health professions.
History Club
Advisor: Ms. Anna Delaney
Creating interest in history and showing you can be creative in studying history your own way.
Hole in the Wall Club
Students will fundraise to send sick children to summer camp for free. We will also go on field trips to help the camps prepare for the kids to come.
In Achord
Advisor: Mr. Eric Toyama
In Achord is a vocal ensemble that performs music in the contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, and pop styles. Auditions are in September and the group rehearses weekly in the evening with performances throughout the year. It is an excellent experience for high level singers to work together and create memorable performing experiences!
Jamesville-Dewitt Model U.N. Club
Advisors: Mr. Jacob Brodsky, Mr. Jonathan Mangram
The Jamesville-DeWitt M.U.N. (Model U.N.) is a competitive academic club through which students learn about diplomacy, current events, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN members practice research, public speaking, critical thinking, and debate skills, while simultaneously improving teamwork and leadership skills. The JDMUN club participates in several Model United Nations conferences throughout the school year in order to hone our skills!
Jazz Ensemble
Advisor: Mr. Daniel Blumenthal
Jazz Ensemble is an extracurricular performing ensemble that learns about and performs music in the jazz, latin, blues, funk, and rock styles. The group will perform at several concerts and events throughout the year, including the annual outdoor “Jazz in the Plaza” event in the Spring. Rehearsals occur outside school hours. Enrollment in Concert Band or String Orchestra is a requirement of participation in Jazz Ensemble (exceptions will be made for students who do not play a Band or Orchestra instrument- i.e. Piano or Guitar).
JD Swifties
Advisor: Mr. Parker Noble
A positive environment where we listen to an amazing singer.
Jewish Food and Culture Club
Advisor: Mr. Michael Klemperer
A safe place that is inclusive to all. Our goal is to spread Jewish culture by introducing foods, movies and ideas.
Kente Club
Advisor: Mrs. Sabrina Scott
JDHS KENTE is a group of minority 4th year students that meet to understand and learn the significance of receiving a KENTE Stole. We learn that this stole commemorates not only the hurdle for the wearer that has made academic success and personal struggles throughout high school, but also honor the legacy of those who come before us. Students are pushed to have great grades, work community service and be the biggest driver of change. Ceremonies are held the first Saturday in June.
Key Club
Advisor: Mrs. Lisa Troubetaris
The Jamesville-Dewitt High School Key Club is an international service organization that has local chapters in high schools in 38 countries. The goals of Key Club include promoting leadership skills, volunteering time to help others and fundraising to benefit local, national and international organizations. Key Club is not affiliated with one specific non-profit or charitable organization, so we are able to respond to the needs presented by a variety of groups at any given time. Our main purpose is to make a positive impact in our school, community and beyond through service to others.
Knitting and Crocheting Club
Advisor: Ms. Connie Myers
This is a club to have a time and space after school for kids to knit and crochet or learn how to.
La Societe Honoraire De Francais (French National Honor Society)
Advisor: Mrs. Solace Amankwah
The Societe Honoraire de Francais is a national honor society sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. The aim of this organization is to stimulate interest in the study of French, to promote high standards of scholarship, to reward scholastic achievement and to create enthusiasm for and an understanding of Francophone culture and civilization. J-D students may apply for membership in the Societe Honoraire de Francais in their sophomore year. Interested students must meet academic requirements and submit an application. They are accepted into the local chapter as juniors and are inducted into the National Honor Society in the fall of their senior year. National members are inducted at a candlelight ceremony in October and are recognized at the Graduation by Their honor cords of blue, white and red. All national society members are eligible for a variety of awards and scholarships. Both national and local members participate in activities throughout the school year. The aim of these activities is either fundraising for charitable organizations or promoting international friendship through familiarity with the French-speaking world. We also recognize our mission to welcome and include international exchange students in our activities.
Math Team Club
Advisors: Mrs. Katie Byrd, Mrs. Diane Huyck
Math Team is a group of students who compete in a league sponsored by the Onondaga County Mathematics Teachers Association. Five meets are held each year between October and February with scores compiled for both individuals and teams. Approximately 60 teams representing 18 schools participate in this competition. At the end of the season, an all-county team is chosen to represent Onondaga County at a state meet. All students who like math are encouraged to join the team.
Media Production Club
Advisor: Mr. Bill Sauve
A student driven club for freelance videography/media production.
Mending Melodies
Advisor: Mr. Daniel Blumenthal
We do performances once every two months or so in the memory care unit at the Nottingham as a volunteer opportunity. We have already had 3 performances this year.
Mock Trial Club
Advisor: Ms. Anna Delaney
The Mock Trial Club starts its annual season shortly after Thanksgiving, with major activities usually dominating February and March. Budding lawyers should definitely join, but all students are guaranteed a good and an educational time. In competition against other Onondaga County Mock Trial groups, J-D team members seek each year to win the county finals and then to represent Onondaga County in the New York State competition. All participants in the Mock Trial competition portray either lawyers or witnesses in a scenario provided by the New State Bar Association.
Music: Musicals
Advisor: Mr. Jordan Berger
All J-D High School students are encouraged to audition for the musical, which is presented in February. It is a full-scale production with the show band accompanying. Personnel for stage crews, costumes, lights, tickets, programs, sets, etc., are needed as well as performers.
National Honor Society
Advisors: Mrs. Diane Ennis, Mrs. Kris Butler
National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes the students of J-D that have an exceptional record in both academics and in other school functions. Students are chosen by various criteria to be a member of NHS. As a club, NHS organizes tutoring services in schools throughout the district. They also organize community services, such as toy drives, work in soup kitchens, etc. Money earned in fundraisers is donated to local groups.
Outdoor Pursuits Club
Advisor: Mr. Mark McIntyre
The Outdoor Pursuits Club is a club promotes healthy outdoor activities (hiking, biking, canoeing, ice skating). We’re planning a different activity each month and open to all ideas. This is a great club for a chance to experience the outdoors.
Piano Club
Advisor: Mr. Daniel Blumenthal
Bring people of any skill level on the piano together, perform in front of each other, help each other to improve in all aspects of music. Providing participants with opportunities to perform outside of school.
Pit Orchestra
Advisor: Mr. Daniel Blumenthal
Pit Orchestra is an extracurricular ensemble that provides the accompaniment to the school’s annual Musical production. Rehearsals occur outside school hours. In the event that more students are interested in participating than we are able to accommodate, selection into Pit Orchestra will be determined based upon required instrumentation for the show, rehearsal availability, previous pit orchestra experience, seniority, and playing ability. Enrollment in Concert Band or String Orchestra is a requirement of participation in Pit Orchestra (exceptions will be made for students who do not play a Band or Orchestra instrument- i.e. Piano or Guitar).
Rambunctious: The JDHS Magazine for Art and Literature
Advisor: Ms. Connie Myers
Rambunctious is J-D’s literary magazine. It is a collection of poetry, artwork and fictional pieces by students. A copy is published at the end of each year, produced by Rambunctious staff and editorial board. An outlet for all creative souls, Rambunctious is a great experience for anyone interested in the literary life. Submitting work is another way to participate in Rambunctious, and any student may submit. All staff members attend Rambunctious meetings, at which they look over submissions and make editorial decisions. Illustrators, writers, computer experts…we want you! Publishing a literary magazine is exciting and rewarding, especially when it includes your own work.
Rampage
Advisor: Mrs. Kristin Gallivan
RAMPAGE, the student-run newspaper, welcomes any student interested in writing, editing, photographing, drawing or doing layout for publication. Staff meets weekly during an activity period/workshop to plan and create the monthly publication. People with good ideas and enthusiasm can develop their journalistic talents and have an active voice in our school community as part of the newspaper staff.
Ramfeed
Advisor: Mrs. Trinity Conner
Ramfeed focuses on bringing the news highlighting the important stories around J-D in a video format and bringing students and staff the important announcements on a daily basis.
Real Estate and Investors Club
Advisor: Mr. Will Hartley
A group of inquisitive students wanting to further their knowledge about the careers of investing and real estate.
Refugee Outreach
Advisor: Mrs. Amy Boettger
The Refugee Outreach club volunteers at the North Side Center. They tutor the refugees weekly as well as increase awareness of refugees and have a coat drive.
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)
Advisor: Mrs. Melissa Moore
The JDHS Chapter of SADD works to provide the best prevention and intervention tools possible to address issues of under-age drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, violence and other destructive decisions. Our club sponsors a variety of activities designed to inform and educate students about destructive decisions and promote healthy alternatives, such as SADD Week (multimedia presentation; coffee house), Middle School SADD Day and Lights On For Life Caravan.
Science Olympiad Team
Advisors: Mr. Mike Keenan, Mr. Larry Stroh
The Science Olympiad Team consists of 15 students of which not more than seven can be seniors. The team begins to form in mid-September. Students try out for the team by competing in school competitions for the various events. Events involve either a strong background in a specific area of science or may be more general. After the team is formed, students continue preparing for the regional competition held at LeMoyne College. If the team is successful, they will advance to the state competition at West Point Military Academy and possibly to the national competition. All students who like science are encouraged to try out for the team.
Sociedad Honoraria Hispanics (Spanish National Honor Society)
Advisor: Mrs. Linda Slade
SHH is an honor society sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. The purpose of the society is to promote the study of Spanish and to encourage a continued interest in Hispanic studies and culture. Eligible sophomores may apply in the spring for local membership in their junior year. Eligible juniors will be inducted in the fall of their senior year into the National Society. SHH members are eligible for travel and scholarship awards and will be honored at graduation.
Spanish Club
Advisor: Mrs. Linda Slade
The mission of Spanish Club is to celebrate and partake in the varied cultures of Spanish-speaking countries through music, food, dance and more. We use games, movies and guest speakers to improve our skills and to enrich our understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. All are welcome; you do not have to currently be enrolled in a Spanish class to be a member.
Student Government
Advisors: Ms. Meghan McGee, Mr. Andrew Cottet
The Student Government is an organization run by the elected student representatives of the executive board and the student council. Each of these bodies has representatives elected from each grade level. The representatives of the executive board and student council meet informally week to week with advisors and the administration and have formal student council meetings once a month to discuss and vote on issues pertinent to student life and climate at Jamesville-DeWitt High School. The Student Government sponsors many events such as dances, pep rallies, Homecoming and our annual J-D Day.
Super Smash Brothers Club
Advisor: Mrs. Samantha Sweeney
A welcoming community of students spending time together playing Super Smash Bros. All skill levels are welcome.
The Flock Club
Advisor: Mrs. Terri Eaton
Thinkstitute Tutoring Group
Advisor: Mrs. Terri Eaton
Their goal is to be a resource for students who are struggling in a specific subject, however, studying, test prep or organizational concerns could be addressed as well.
Technology Student Association, TSA
Advisor: Mr. Bill Sauve
Students engage in over 70 different STEM themed events at the state and national level. Topics include communication, leadership and tech.
Trading Card Game Club – TCG
Advisor: Mr. Yong Sul
We play a variety of trading card games including yugioh, Pokemon and Magic the Gathering. If people don’t know how to play, we are able to teach them.
UMOJA
Advisor: Ms. Sabrina Scott
Jamesville-DeWitt High School’s UMOJA Club endeavors to build unity among African-American students, others from culturally diverse backgrounds and the larger JDHS community. Programming is designed with the intention of increasing respect for self and others. In addition we hope to develop an understanding and appreciation for multiculturalism while promoting equality in our school community. Participation is open to all students.
Unified Friends Club
Advisor: Mrs. Samantha Guillaume
The JDHS Unified Friends Club is an inclusive club and sports team whose members include individuals with and without exceptionalities. The club’s goal is to build meaningful friendships through social inclusion in the school community by participating in club activities, training and sports. The club meets at least twice a month.
Yearbook
Advisors: Mr. Larry Stroh, Ms. Connie Myers
Development of the yearbook is a 12-month process. Staff members are selected on the basis of faculty recommendations and an application process. The group begins in the summer to plan the following year’s book. Throughout the school year, the various sections are put together: Seniors, Underclass, Music, Sports, Activities, Faculty and Opening. Business skills are used to sell books and gather ads. Students need solid computer knowledge and good writing abilities. They attend one or two conferences a year.
Youth Against Cancer
Advisor: Mrs. Lisa Troubetaris
The goal of this club is to raise money to donate to cancer organizations while spreading awareness through meetings and participation in local charitable events.