Student Activities
Pierre LaRocco - Assistant Principal
pierre_larocco@sdst.org
215-233-6030 x2013
Dave Giordano - Administrative Assistant for Athletics & Activities
david_giordano@sdst.org
215-233-6030 x2030
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The Springfield A Cappella Club is a student run group. Students will get the opportunity to suggest songs, sing solos and duets, learn harmony, practicing their beat-boxing skills, and choreograph simple dance routines. This club hopes to bring in students who like to sing, but never get the chance to show their talents!
Advisor:
Mr. Lawson, tyler_lawson@sdst.org
The Academic Team is open to students who enjoy trivia, quiz, and/or mathematical problems that go beyond the daily school curriculum. The team meets weekly and participates regularly in both regional and virtual competitions.
Advisor:
Mr. Martin, kevin_martin@sdst.org
The Anime Club is a quaint, bona-fide extracurricular, where a wide variety of lovely, enjoyable students explore the dynamics of Anime & Comic Books.
Advisor:
Mr. Westray, eric_westray@sdst.org
Elected class council members meet regularly with other members of their class to discuss and plan events for fundraising and to increase school spirit. If you enjoy working with others, planning events, and are filled with Spartan Pride, then this is the activity for you!
Advisors:
9th Grade:
Mrs. Hogg, kathryn_hogg@sdst.org
10th Grade:
Mrs. Nelson, susan_nelson@sdst.org
11th Grade:
Mrs. Spoll, tami_spoll@sdst.org
Mrs. Cohen, jeannie_cohen@sdst.org
12th Grade:
Mrs. Lawler, barbara_lawler@sdst.org
Mrs. Sheahan, nadine_sheahan@sdst.org
Interact members improve the local community and foster international understanding of social issues through outreach programs, fundraising, and education.
Advisors: Ms. Barbone, elizabeth_barbone@sdst.org,
Ms. Santivasci, teresa_santivasci@sdst.org
The Jazz Band is an instrumental music group that prepares and studies jazz/big band literature. Members are selected by audition. Performances include several local high school competitive Jazz Festivals, the Springfield Township High School Winter Concert, the Springfield Township High School Festival of the Arts, and recruiting concerts around the district.
Advisor:
Mr. Gottesman, Chuck_Gottesman@sdst.org
Mixed Chorus is the largest singing group at Springfield Township High School and meets before school on Thursday and Friday mornings from 7:00AM to 7:55AM. The choir has performed a variety of vocal music, including popular music, Broadway show arrangements, and contemporary music from around the world. Students receive arts credit for participation in a full year.
Advisor: Mr. Puntel, andrew_puntel@sdst.org
The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is designed specifically for high school students in grades 9-12. In 1978, the National Art Education Association began the National Art Honor Society program to inspire and recognize students who have shown an outstanding ability and interest in art. The NAHS strives to aid members in attaining the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service, and to bring art education to the attention of the school and community.
At Springfield Township High School, our students have developed numerous ideas in which they service our local community and those around the world through creative ventures that only art can achieve. By joining NAHS, you will become part of a well-established group of students that care for others, love and appreciate art, and never stop imagining ways in which to better themselves and those around them.
Advisor:
Ms. Greenawalt, kristen_greenawalt@sdst.org
The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. NHS operates under the auspices of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. It was officially established in 1921 and its membership includes over 1,000 chapters. Membership in the National Honor Society is highly coveted and is a well-recognized standard of achievement by colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Springfield joined the National Honor Society in 2001. Previously, Springfield had a local honor society (Sigma Eta Sigma), whose membership was simply based on a student's achieving a GPA of 3.7 or higher by the end of his or her junior year. However, our students found that colleges placed a higher value on membership in the National Honor Society, placing our students at a disadvantage when competing with students from other schools for placement in exclusive programs of study. Accordingly, in an effort to win our talented students more of the recognition that they deserve, our high school successfully applied for membership in NHS.
The National Honor Society has four different criteria a student must meet in order to qualify for acceptance: scholarship, leadership, character, and service. These characteristics have been associated with membership in NHS since its beginning and are why membership in this organization has the prestige that it does. This means that a high GPA is not a guarantee of acceptance. Similarly, a student who is an outstanding leader but has not been at all involved in service to others (or vice versa) will also have great difficulty in joining. It is the hope of the Faculty Selection Committee and the administration that all the student applicants can qualify for acceptance. However, when standards are reduced to avoid conflict, programs and honors lose their value. Accordingly, students who qualify to apply need to understand that they must demonstrate that they are superior in all four categories in order to join the National Honor Society.
Advisor:
Mrs. Zehner, peggy_zehner@sdst.org
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The Cyber Spartan Robotics Team is challenged to design, build, program, and operate a robot to compete in FIRST Tech Challenge competitions. As part of the FIRST competitions, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team. Students from grades 9-12 meet weekly to prepare for the season throughout September and October with an intense building season starting in November. The team attends regional competitions from December to February to qualify for the regional competition in March and the Championships in April.
Advisor:
Ms. Whittaker, kathleen_whittaker@sdst.org
An integral part of our art and theater departments, the Set Design crew designs, builds, paints, and dismantles the sets for two major productions--the fall play and the spring musical--each year at Springfield Township High School.
Advisor: Mr. Kobasz, mark_kobasz@sdst.org
The mission of the Spartan Culture Committee is to insure a culture of understanding, empathy, and respect amongst all community members of Springfield Township High School. The committee meets weekly before school.
Advisor: Ms. Spoll, tami_spoll@sdst.org
The Spartan Pep Band is an instrumental group at Springfield Township High School. Its purpose is to generate enthusiasm and promote school spirit through music. Performances include all home Varsity football games, the Homecoming tailgate, and other spirit-related activities during the year.
Advisor:
Mr. Gottesman, chuck_gottesman@sdst.org
The performing arts department offers this prestigious singing group as an opportunity for male singers to inspire audiences and boost school spirit.
Advisor: Mr. Puntel, andrew_puntel@sdst.org
Spartan Steppers is a school step team for any student grade 9-12. We recognize that stepping is a cultural art form derived from African roots and heritage and therefore, we are dedicated to holding to those cultural traditions as well as leadership development, fellowship, and a commitment to school excellence. The Spartan Steppers use rhythms, beats, dances, various movements and chants to inspire and entertain our audiences. We perform at pep-rallies, events and activities throughout the school year. Spartan Steppers welcomes learners of all cultures and backgrounds are encourages them to S.T.E.P. from the Soul!
Advisor: Mrs. Robinson, marcia_robinson@sdst.org
The Spartan Sweethearts, an all-girl vocal ensemble, sings everything from pop to classical as well as accompanied and a cappella vocal arrangements. You need to be a member of Mixed Chorus to audition for the group.
Advisor: Mr. Puntel, andrew_puntel@sdst.org
Stage crew students work behind the scenes in our yearly Thespian productions. Students have opportunities to work as a backstage crew member, a tech crew member, or a house crew member. Students on the crews also gain points to join Thespian Troupe 1154.
Advisors:
Mr. Arner, david_arner@sdst.org
Mr. Meder, dan_meder@sdst.org
Ms. Vezzosi, anjelica_vezzosi@sdst.org
Strategic Game Club meets weekly to play board games and card games as well as the famous role playing game, Dungeons and Dragons. We also hold periodic “Epic Meetings” to play longer games such as Risk or Talisman as well as electronic games. The club also raises money for children’s hispitals with an annual 24-hour gaming event.
Advisor:
Mr. Arner, david_arner@sdst.org
The Student Council serves and represents the student body of Springfield Township High School before the faculty, staff, administration, Board of School Directors, and community of Springfield Township. The Student Council plans and runs many of the school-wide events throughout the year.
Advisors:
Ms. McDade, bridget_mcdade@sdst.org
Ms. Ulkloss, jamie_ulkloss@sdst.org
Students of Equity and Acceptance provides an alliance between all members of the community regardless of differences.
Advisor:
Ms. Delany, laura_delany@sdst.org
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The Book Club provides an opportunity for students to read, participate in and lead discussions on student-selected titles. We engage in passionate, in-depth conversations about literature with one another while enjoying food and friendship.
Advisor: Ms. Roberts, jenny_roberts@sdst.org
The Chronicle is the voice of the students of Springfield Township High School and provides them with a quality, thought-provoking, and responsible student publication that values the exchange of thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Because self-improvement is an ongoing task, our staff is committed to reflecting and assessing its impact as a publication in an attempt to achieve the highest journalistic standards.
Advisors:
Angela Lee, angela_lee@sdst.org and Jennifer McCaslin, jennifer_mccaslin@sdst.org
Issue two of The 2020-2021 Chronicle
Issue one of The 2020-2021 Chronicle
The Chronicle Winter 2020
Concert Choir prepares students for college and beyond by offering the opportunity to learn, practice, and perform a wide range of vocal music and mixed ensemble. The course emphasizes healthy singing techniques for many styles, including classical, Broadway, jazz, and pop. Students also study composition techniques and elements of music theory and history relevant to the group's performances. The choir performs at the Winter Concert, Festival of the Arts, Woodmere Chamber Concert, Senior Awards, and Commencement.
Advisor:
Mr. Puntel, andrew_puntel@sdst.org
The International Affairs Club will help students understand global issues and the relationship between countries. Students gain valuable skills by participating in different activities and conferences. Selected students will participate in the Model OAS conference where they will have the opportunity to engage in an active learning exercise by representing the diplomats and political officials of the member states of the OAS. At the conference, students must engage in diplomacy to get their resolutions passed. This activity will give them important skills of public speaking, listening, diplomacy and compromise, which ultimately broadens their horizons in international affairs.
Advisor: Mr. Manga, jean_manga@sdst.org
The Retina Yearbook is devoted to creating a visual and textual landscape that documents and represents the diverse interests, activities, and educational experiences of our vibrant learning community. The staff, a select group of students, is committed to developing and implementing sectional spreads in accordance with specific design trends in digital media and print publications. Real-world problem-solving and collaboration are cornerstones of our dedicated team.
Advisor:
Mr. Gershman, eric_gershman@sdst.org
Thespian Troupe 1154 is the drama club at Springfield Township high school. Affiliated with the International Thespian Society, the troupe produces two main stage performances each year, a play in the fall and a musical in the spring. The troupe is involved at the state level with the Pennsylvania Thespians as well. The students and faculty participate in an annual state conference in December and international festival in June.
Advisors:
Mrs. Thornton, marlene_thornton@sdst.org
Ms. Vezzosi, anjelica_vezzosi@sdst.org
Voices of Excellence (VOE) is a minority student leadership group at Springfield Township High School that focuses on building its members character through service.
Our mission is to promote academic excellence, develop organizational and leadership skills, and enhance emotional intelligence in all VOE members.
All VOE members value learning, have a strong work ethic, take academic risk, and strive to reach their highest level of potential.
http://voice-excellence.weebly.com/
Advisors:
Mr. Thompson, leonard_thompson@sdst.org
Ms. Moore, linda_moore@sdst.org
The Springfield Township High School World Language Club strives to provide all interested students the opportunity to explore international cultures, customs and celebrations. Experience international cuisine, customs, and culture with festivities such as Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, and Cinco de Mayo!
Advisors:
Mr. Manga, jean_manga@sdst.org
Mr. Martin, kevin_martin@sdst.org
Ms. Cohen, jeannie_cohen@sdst.org
Youth and Government debates current events every week and participates in a YMCA-sponsored model of state government for a weekend every spring in Harrisburg. Students can be lawmakers, lawyers, judges, or even the student governor. Great opportunities for leadership and looks wonderful on college applications!
Advisors:
Mrs. Zehner, peggy_zehner@sdst.org