Clubs

Advisor: Mr. Barnett

A non-competitive environment to learn and pay a variety of sport and games.

Advisor: Mr. Ericson

Talk about deaf culture and teach people how to sign ASL

Advisor: Mr. Barnett

Give students the opportunity to engage in physical activity after school.

Bike Club Advisor: Jason Engelhardt

Bike club meets some Fridays after school to talk about bikes, plan bike rides, sometimes ride as a group from school, and sometimes hold events related to biking (and unicycling).  Meetings in school at room 220. Google classroom code 2q4jwqq  for updates and info.
 

Advisor: Mrs. DaSilva

To inspire a new generation of readers and increase literacy rates.

Boys Council Advisor: Justin Zeigler

A group for young men to connect and talk about issues around being a young man. Meets Mondays after school in the career center.

Brighter Beginnings is a club that helps spread awareness and support new families who don’t have access to basic necessities. We work with The New Haven Diaper Bank to organize fundraisers and participate in volunteer work. We meet on Thursdays in room 333 after school and the Google Classroom code is r2i6ppj. New members are always welcome!

Advisor: Brian Gouin
 

Chemistry Club Advisor:  Mr. Werman

Demonstrate, educate and support the advancements that chemistry has made on society.

Choices Advisor:  Mrs. Balletto

Students go to Polson Middle School during the school day and speak to the eighth grade health classes about making good choices, and present that it is possible to be an active high school student and not use substances.

Clay Club Advisor: Mr. Sommer

Enjoy refining their Clay skills in Wheel Throwing and hand building

Climate Change Club Advisor: Mr. Bizier

Spread awareness about climate change, promote local actions to combat it, including local lobbying and personal action

College Opportunities Advisor: Mr. Curran

Help students prepare for their college admissions. Connect students to opportunities (scholarships/resume-builders which will help them build their applications)

Debate Advisor: Everett Rutan

The club meets Wednesdays from 2-3PM in the Library classroom.  
The school is a member of the Connecticut Debate Association (CDA), with detailed information at http://ctdebate.org .  The league hosts monthly tournaments leading to a State Championship tournament.  

DHHS Animal Rescue Advisor: Ms. Konopka

To raise money and shed light on the animals in need in our shelters

DHHS Live Advisor: Luke Arsenault

The DHHS Live broadcast club works to facilitate the NFHS website in recording and broadcasting sports and dramatic events.

Dog and Animal Welfare Group Advisor: Joelle Corretti

DAWG members work to bring awareness to animal welfare issues and to support shelters and rescue groups in need.

DAWG meets every other Wednesday in room 339

Advisor: David Brine

The Dungeons and Dragons Club is a group meant to organize and play campaigns designed by students. Create and play your character, like a Barbarian Goliath, or Elfish Sorceror, amongst other combinations. Roll for initiative! The Club meets on varying days depending on attendance and Game Masters. See Mr. Brine in room 238 for a list of campaigns, dates, and GMs. 

Advisor: Mia Corvino

EMBRACE members work to promote discussion, raise awareness, and promote action against stereotypical and discriminatory remarks and actions that target one's race or ethnic background.

Diversity Club meets every Wednesday from 2:05-2:45 in room 329

Advisor: Ron Soja

ENCORE is a contemporary acapella group that meets Tuesdays after school. It is audition based

Advisor: Elisa Brako

The Eco Club is a student-led organization that promotes civic engagement for environmental causes at school, locally and beyond. We are continually involved in initiatives that include decreasing our school carbon footprint/plastic use, creating habitats and food sources for native pollinators, Bauer Park and coastal trash collection, and animal welfare and rehabilitation, to name a few.

Eco Club meets Mondays in room 226 and our Classroom code is iaffifu
 

Excel Club Advisor: Mr. Pelletier

Advisor: Mrs. Merkle

Spread awareness

Advisor: Mr. Kaeser

The Daniel Hand Fish Club will serve to educate people on how to be environmentally friendly so we can keep our waters clean and our fish healthy and educate on proper fishing techniques, safety and regulations.

Advisor: John Gage

The Tiger Flag Squad is the auxiliary visual component of the Tiger Marching Band. The Flag Squad performs with the band at football games, parades, and on band trips.

In addition to a one week band camp in August, the squad practices Wednesday nights in the fall at DHHS.

Advisor: Mary Merkle

French Club is a student led group focused upon the French language, francophone culture, music and more. We combine service projects with fun cultural activities.

French Club meets weekly on Fridays in Room 246 at 2:05P. Info is available on GClassroom. Gclassroom code is kjz4psb.

Advisor: Elisa Brako

GAINS  stands for Girls Advancing in STEM. We host presentations by women in various fields of science (biotechnology, veterinary medicine, nursing, engineering, and ecology to name a few) who share their stories of what they do and how they got there. We also meet for STEM socials, tours of local science labs and businesses, science outreach at Polson School, and fun science activities. Our goal is to help girls explore possible career paths in science, network with female scientists and high school students, and just celebrate what makes science fun.

GAINS meets every Wednesday from 2-3pm in room 226. Join us on Google Classroom (code is vzidt6x)

Advisor: Ms. Stone      

To relieve some of the stress of school we will play fun games

Advisor: Erin Corbett

GASP (Gender and Sexualities Program) strives to be a supportive environment for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

GASP meets on Fridays after school in room 333

Advisor: Melissa Balletto

Girls United provides a safe environment to talk about current events, issues that girls face daily.

Advisor: David Buller

Girls Who Code is a club for all girls or non-binary students who want to learn about computer programming, which is also known as coding. We will work on different coding projects each week, and will also take time learn about female mentors and role models in the technology fields, and to socialize.

Meetings times are to be determined, and the club hasn’t officially begun for the 2021-22 school year.

Advisor: Taralyn Bulyk

Giving Bach is a student-run club for students who are interested in learning to play music with other students for an audience that may not have the opportunity to access live music.  We have performed at nursing homes as well as events through Scranton Library, including the first ever String Instrument Petting Zoo.  

Giving Bach meets Tuesdays in the Music wing.

Advisors: Kelly Smith, Mark Harris

Writers, Editors, Artists, Photographers welcome!

Hand Print will meet Mondays & Thursdays in Room 340.  Class Code: 5bymh6w 

Advisor: Joy Grabow, Clare Stone

Theatre Arts

Hands on Stage is an ALL INCLUSIVE theatre arts program. All students who want to explore their inner creativity - on stage and off - are welcome, encouraged and guaranteed to get a chance to participate! We offer a Fall Play, a Spring Musical and a Student Directed play each year. Being in a show is exciting. It builds confidence, nurtures creativity, and fosters friendships that will last a lifetime!

HandMade Advisor: Mr. Kiefer

Introduce and explore the FabLab further as well as encouraging and supporting projects, the utilization of the FabLab, and learning new skills

Advisor: Mia Corvino

Habitat for Humanity works closely with Raise the Roof, Madison's local chapter, by helping to build homes along with the Greater New Haven Habitat organization.  The club plans and runs fundraisers to help raise money for Habitat homes, helps with Gala of the Stars Dance competition, participates in Build on the Green and many other amazing projects and activities!  

Advisor: Melissa Balletto

This program matches K-3rd graders with highly-motivated, well qualified high school students to provide guidance and positive role modeling. Each high school mentor has to complete a mentor training before participating in the program. Jeffrey students are referred by staff at Jeffrey school.

Humane Club Advisor:  Ms. Casais

Advocates for animals in shelters as well as educate our community about adopting and not shopping

Interact Club Advisor: Mr. Brine

To bring together young people of high school age to develop leadership skills and discover the power of service above self. Meets Thursdays bi-weekly or monthly-Room 238

Advisor: Mr. Glasser

Create a group of receptive members who come together to create a safe place where students can share their problems regarding race, religion, disabilities, etc.

Jesus Club Advisor: Ms. Butcher

Share the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone.  Meets Tuesdays 2-2:30 in room 240

Jewish Student Union Advisor: Mr. Sommer

Educate students and teachers about the anti-semitism and Jewish Life

Advisor: David Brine

Latin Club promotes the language and culture of the Romans, exploring these through events, and preparing for Latin Day, the annual trip to Holiday Hill to celebrate their Latin experience.

Latin Club typically meets in Room 238 on Mondays starting on October 25, 2021, 2:00-3:00 p.m.   

Make A Wish Club Advisor: Mr. Morrison

Advisors: Mr. Hajus, Ms. Konopka

JV Math team is for freshmen and sophomores.  We compete with other Connecticut schools at 4 math meets between Sept and Dec.  The team is open to anyone in grades 9 and 10.  We practice twice a week and we have lots of fun.

Advisors: Mr. Hajus, Ms. Konopka

Varsity math team is for all students grades 9-12.  We compete at 6 math meets between Sept. and Dec.  We practice twice a week and we have lots of fun!

Advisor: Justin Kaeser

The Magic the Gathering club is a group designed by students to play and learn the game of Magic the Gathering. We welcome players from all levels of expertise. Come and enjoy us is exciting 1v1 and 2v2 games. The Club meets on varying days depending on attendance.

See Mr. Kaeser in room 222 if you have questions and/or want to join.

Marine Science Advisor: Mr. Docker

Learn how to make the oceans a better place for all marine life. Field trips to Mystic Aquarium, Hammonasset, Meigs Point Nature Center and so much more.

Meditation Club Advisor: Mr. Barnett

Mental health issues have become a prominent issue.  We create a space to enforce body/mind connection 

Advisor: Tom Quirk

We attend several MUN Conferences each year, in which students debate, form committees and resolutions, and have the opportunity to meet and compete with other schools.

The Model UN Club meets after school on Thursdays in Room 308.

Advisor: David Tommaso

The Money Club covers all topics related to money and finance like investing and investing strategies, economic theories, and stock market performance.  

The Money Club typically meets every Thursday in room 114.

Motorsports Advisor: Mr. Arsenault

The Motorsports Club aims to provide students with an opportunity to discuss all things automotive, while also engaging in STEM and expanding on what we learn in CTE

One Love Advisor: Ms. Fiondella

Promote healthy relationships and teach students the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Advisor: Melissa Balletto

This program trains students to be resources to their fellow peers. The 11 week training focuses on self-awareness, communication skills, crisis intervention, and knowledge of available resources. Following the training, monthly “Alumni” meetings are held with all members.

Photography Club Advisor: Mr. Sommer

Club Advisor: Ms. Butcher 

Our club is open to anyone who wants to learn how to play piano as well as students who have previous experience. We rehearse to perform at local senior centers and other locations to give back to our community. Anyone who is interested should not hesitate to pop in anytime to a meeting.

Meeting Time/Location: 2:00-2:30 p.m. on Thursdays in Room 240

Ping Pong Club Advisor: Mr. Engelhardt

Help educate our peers in not just a game but the art of Ping Pong

Advisor: Bryan Amenta

Robotics Competition Team Meets in Room 122 Wednesdays and Thursdays 2-3pm. All are Welcome.

Advisor: Mr. Zeigler

Roots is a student-led group that empowers youth to grow, strengthen, and support one another and their community. By welcoming all students, Roots enables members to advocate, lead, and engage in important issues through creating a caring and positive culture.

SAVE Promise Advisor: Ms. Browne

Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.) promise is a Sandy Hook Promise initiative that encourages students to keep their friends, themselves,schools and communities safe.

Advisor: Julie Johnson

Smiles for Smilow was started by a former student in order to raise funds to purchase gifts for teen cancer patients receiving treatment at Yale's Smilow Cancer Hospital.  Unlike many organizations that collect toys for younger children, this group focuses on teens, who are often forgotten in the toy drives.  The club's Google Classroom join code is yszlygq.  

The club meets on Mondays in room 310, but not every week.  Join the Google Classroom for updates and information.

Advisors: Mrs. Sayin, Mr. Engelhardt

Have students use math in activities, puzzles, games etc. outside our written curriculum, host fun activities throughout the year for all students regardless of their math level.

Advisor: Sasha Gauley

Activities include: watching Spanish movies, making arts and crafts, tasting Spanish foods, learning about holidays and traditions, playing board games, puzzles, engaging in community service, etc. Everyone is welcome! 

Spanish Club meets every Friday in Room 239 from 2:00-2:30pm. 

Advisor: Mr. Sherer

Stage Crew is the technical side of Hands on Stage theatre productions (and other shows throughout the school year). Crew members design and build sets, props, costumes(some), and learn/design lighting and sound. The Crew then runs the production for performances which are open to the public.

Student Athlete Mental Health Advisor: Ms. Leckey

Provide a safe space for Athletes to talk about mental and physical health.  To provide tools and resources to be a successful student-athlete

Advisor: Peter Nye

Student Council is a volunteer student leadership group.  Historically Student Council has taken input across the student body to run events and fundraisers campus wide.  Annual traditions include the Pep Rallies and Homecoming.  

Meetings are every Wednesday afternoon at 2:05 in room 303.

Advisor: Ms. Tobin

Tiger Tutors members work at Polson to assist middle school students with academics (homework, etc.). Meetings will be held as needed at DHHS. Tutoring will tentatively start mid-Fall. 

Advisor: Mr. Brine

Provide a safe space for transgender people and allies, and to work on making the everyday lives of transgender students at Hand easier.

Advisor: Vicky Fetchel

The Uganda Club works together on fundraiser projects and ideas to help children in Uganda.

The club meets every other week on Thursdays.

Advisor: Mrs. Rubino

As a sponsored UNICEF organization our mission is to use our voice to advocate, educate, fundraise and build community around various topics that affect youth across our world.

Women in Business Club Advisor: Ms. Ciampi

Inspire, empower and educate others about the world of business and the changing role of women

Advisors: Julie Johnson, Josh Young

We design, create, and distribute the annual yearbook, which captures the students, faculty, and more at Daniel Hand.

The Yearbook Club meets after school every Wednesday in room 328.

YOLO Advisors: Mr. Gage, Ms. Simos

To have fun and try things we wouldn't usually do and to have fun in a safe way.

Yuni Med Advisor: Ms. Rubino

Helping youth and family in underserved communities get access to equal medical care