Student Clubs and Organizations
The ESMS Student Council
Two Student Council Representatives are elected from each homeroom during the beginning weeks of the school year. The Council meets weekly during the lunch period under the supervision of our principal, Mr. Getz. Members of The Student Council discuss issues affecting student life at ESMS and raise money for student initiatives and activities. They also promote philanthropic efforts on behalf of neighborhood organizations and accompany Mr. Getz to meetings in which student representatives are invited to participate.
Model U.N.
Model U.N. is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate students about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy, and the agenda of the real United Nations. Students role play in a simulated session of the U.N.
A faculty member leads our ESMS chapter of this worldwide organization, open to 7th and 8th graders only. Applicants are often screened, based on an essay and short interview. Model U.N. meets twice weekly from 3:40-4:40pm, beginning in September and continuing until mid-spring. Participating students must attend both days. The Model U.N. program culminates in the Model U.N. International Conference, comprising thousands of students.
The Debate Team
The ESMS Debate Team competes against other middle schools, perfecting their oratory and argumentative skills. The team meets twice weekly after school to prepare their cases. More information is available in our After-School catalog.
The ESMS Debate team typically advances to the final rounds of the New York City Urban Debate League Championship, in addition to bringing home numerous individual awards.
Go, Tigers!
The Chess Team
The ESMS Chess Team is open to all chess enthusiasts, whether you're a beginner or a chess master. Our team hone their skills weekly, after school, with matches to be announced with other middle school students around the city. Our chess players have earned trophies at several recent NYC and New York State tournaments. We're proud of our Tigers!
Manhattan Student Leadership Council
The Manhattan Student Leadership Council (MSLC), a body founded by Principal Getz and comprised of student representatives from middle schools across D2 , meets monthly to discuss and work with elected officials on issues of import to City students. Publicly presenting their findings and advocacy to elected bodies & officials (the city council, the borough president, community boards and so on) the MSLC gives council members a forum to shine as leaders and advocates for their peers. Our kids have been true leaders on the MSLC - first with the GSA legislation and most recently on mental health issues. They're an amazing bunch!
ESMS Cheerleading Squad
Get in the Tiger spirit by cheering for our ESMS Boys and Girls Basketball teams! Tryouts are held in mid-November. Check the school calendar for exact dates and information.
Cheerleaders practice weekly from 3:40-5:45, beginning in November and continuing through basketball season. The full schedule will be posted on the website calendar as soon as it is available.
For more information, please contact our Parent Coordinator Beth Servetar (esms.bethservetar@gmail.com).
Student Newspaper
A student-created newspaper designed to share news and happenings at East Side Middle School through the student lens.
Second Edition (Feb 2019)
First Edition (Dec 2018)
Lego Robotics Team
ESMS students utilize engineering, computer, and teamwork skills to design and build LEGO robots that perform real tasks. Our team competes against other middle schools in citywide LEGO competitions. The Lego Robotics Team meets weekly after school.
ESMS Lego Robotics Team Advances to The City Championship
GSA
Formerly known as the Gay-Straight Alliance, this student organization is now the Genders & Sexualities Alliance. The club promotes tolerance, fairness and inclusion for all ESMS students. Meetings are guided by a faculty advisor and provide a forum for open discussion among students to form a safe and supportive community.
The GSA meets weekly during lunch with Mr. Forigua in Room 323. All are welcome.
The Green Team
The student Green Team, under the supervision of the ESMS Technology Consultant Sven Vilim, explores avenues for the school to support the environment locally and globally. In addition to other initiatives, the Green Team sponsors a recycling program at ESMS and they plant and maintain the gardens at the front and back entrances to the school. The Green Team meets weekly during lunch. For more information, please email Sven (sven@esmsnyc.net).
The Poetry Club
The next Keats, Frost or Dickinson may be perfecting their craft at ESMS! Under the supervision of Principal David Getz, student poets lead and inspire each other as they create new works. The club meets weekly at 8:00am. Please contact Mr. Getz for more information.
Here is a look at the 2016 ESMS Literary Magazine published by this club.
The Rocket Club
Students with an interest in science and engineering are welcome to join our club! We meet weekly in Mr. Getz's office. Activities include the planning and supervision of The ESMS Egg Drop Competitions, in which ESMS students endeavor to design and build a contraption that will safely protect an egg when dropped from the roof of the school.
Musical Theatre
Students audition for, rehearse and perform an annual ESMS Musical. Performances are staged for parents, friends and community members as well as an all-school performance for the entire student body and staff.
The Drama Club
Participants in the Drama Club rehearse selections from Shakespeare and other classic playwrights, as well as works by contemporary dramatists. Students' artistic study will culminate in a performance at our ESMS Arts Showcase in the spring.
Girls Leadership Organization (GLO)
Girls Leadership Organization (GLO) gives us space to learn about ourselves as future leaders of the world. Through discussions and activities, we look at how women are viewed by our peers, community, and the world at large, and we work to help one another discover our strengths.
Cooking Club
Students learn recipes for traditional and international cuisine and enjoy the foods they prepare together.
Reading Buddies
ESMS students volunteer weekly, during their lunch period, to read to elementary-school age children at PS 527, next door to our school.
Student Book Club
Students who love to read gather after school, weekly, to explore various genres by a wide range of authors.
Skype Kenya
Lori McDermott leads this group of ESMS students as they develop friendships with students at our sister school, The Red Rose School in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Students meet in Mr. Getz's office at 8:00am twice a week, connecting with their friends 7000 miles away via the Internet. The Skype Kenya Club provides an exchange of ideas and information as well as a cultural connection through songs and poetry. Each ESMS student is assigned one or more pen pals to email during the year.
The ESMS Student Council and the Skype Kenya Moms (an offshoot of the student program) raise money to fund scholarships for our friends in Kenya to attend high school. They also collect and send soccer equipment to Kibera.
