Clubs

Bridging the generational gap between students and veterans. Form connections with the men and women who served, and give a helping hand to show our appreciation for those who served.

Advisor: Mr. Gage

Learn the science/physics of aeronautics and the history and present developments.

Advisor:  Ms. Opramolla 

Raise awareness for people who have been diagnosed with arthritis and raise money for the Arthritis Foundation

Advisor:  Ms. Gauley

Provides students with the tools to cope with their stress through art. Includes coloring, crocheting, or any other art activities that students suggest. Meetings Tuesdays 2-2:45.

Advisor:  Ms. Simos

Talk about Deaf culture, learn ASL signs, play games, attend ASL events, and raise awareness about Deaf culture to the school community

Advisor:  Ms. Ericson

We bake and then sell the baked goods to support underprivileged mothers.

Advisor: Ms. Collins

The bike club is a chance for two wheel enthusiasts to share their passion for cycling. Club meetings typically occur on Fridays and club activities are determined by member interest. The bike club hosts bike rides both on trail and road, has a shop talk about maintenance, and discusses racing.

Advisor:   Mr. Engelhardt

Every other week, we visit Jeffrey and meet with young readers to further their love of reading. Our goal is to inspire a new generation of readers and increase literacy rates.

Advisor:  Ms. DaSilva

To encourage students to read and talk about books with peers.

Advisor: Ms. Tobin

Boys Council provides boys with a space to learn and practice skills that will help them in school, sports, and home life. These skills contribute to their development into respected young males within their school and community. Topics covered include healthy competition, active listening, boys and their emotions, technology, and media portrayal of males, and more. Lessons adapted from One Circle Foundation’s, Boy’s Council Program

Advisor:   Mr. Hughes-MYFS

Organizes charitable Drives to help those in need in New Haven County.

Advisor: Mr. Gouin

Students explore topics related to China and Chinese culture and society. The meetings are fun and filled with laughter

Advisor:  Mr. Curran

High School students provide answers to 8th graders questions regarding high school. This is done once per trimester to each 8th grade health class

Advisor:  Ms. Balletto-MYFS

Students are invited to come after school on Mondays to work on refining their Clay skills in Wheel Throwing and Handbuilding. All skill levels and abilities are welcome! Emphasis on community outreach through Soup to Bowls fundraisers, holiday craft fair participation, and collaborating with other clubs. Classroom Code: yvfg6tg

Advisor:  Ms. Raynold

Spread awareness about climate change and to promote local actions.

Advisor: Mr. Bizier

The Debate Team is a member of the Connecticut Debate Association, which is an activity approved by the Connecticut Association of Schools, the same body that regulates competitive athletics in the State. The CDA holds monthly tournaments attracting 30+ schools and 250+ debaters, leading to a State Finals championship tournament at the end of March. These tournaments are all full-day Saturday events. The Team meets weekly, currently Wednesdays after school, to discuss current topics, learn how to structure persuasive arguments, and practice public speaking. While students are welcome to participate in these meetings without attending tournaments, one can learn to debate only by competing against others. Note that in addition to competing in CDA, interested debaters who develop the necessary skill level may have the opportunity to debate at tournaments sponsored by Yale and elsewhere. Information about the CDA can be found at their website, http://ctdebate.org Information about the Debate Team please contact Everett Rutan.

Advisor:  Mr. Rutan

Promotes awareness of animal welfare issues and collects donations to support local animal shelters and rescue organizations

Advisor:  Ms. Tobin

Students lead and play in campaigns set in the universe of Dungeons and Dragons. There are several campaigns and locations through the school

Advisor:  Mr. Brine

Raise awareness in order to take action against stereotypical and discriminatory remarks we face within our community. We do this by cultivating a safe space where we share and celebrate each other's differences, life experiences, and discuss solutions for confronting the challenges we encounter.

Advisor:   Mr. Garcia

ENCORE is an auditioned acapella group that sings contemporary music and performs at various locations across the shoreline

Advisor:  Mr. Soja

Explore principles of engineering through practical application in the form of competitions and hands on practice.

Advisor:  Ms. Britchi

Promoting initiatives to improve the sustainability goals of DHHS and the local community

Advisor:  Ms. Brako

A club dedicated to improving the school, community, and country through community service

Advisor:  Mr. Pelletier

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

Advisor: Mr. Gage

Bonjour! French Club welcomes all students of any language to meetings on Fridays after school (2-2:30pm) to do crafts, learn about French and francophone food and culture, play games, listen to special speakers on interesting topics and make new friends.

Advisor:  Ms. Merkle

For girls interested in STEM careers, activities and experiments

Advisor:  Ms. Brako

Provides a forum for confidential conversations about issues faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community

Advisor:   Ms. Corbett

Provides a safe environment for conversations regarding issues that girls face daily

Advisor:  Ms. Balletto-MYFS

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 to learn about female mentors and role models in the technology fields, and to socialize. No programming experience is necessary! Meetings times are to be determined, and the club hasn’t officially begun for the 2024-25 school year.

Advisor: Mr. Buller

Performance-based club who performs seasonal music as a form of community outreach. Meetings consist primarily of student-run rehearsals.

Advisor:  Ms. Bulyk

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:  Ms. DaSilva

The Hand Print is the school newspaper. We report on items of interest to the Daniel Hand community. We publish in print and on the Internet at https://danielhand.highschool.news/

Advisors: Ms. Smith, Mr. Harris

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

Advisor:  Mr. Kiefer

Students participate in various school theater productions throughout the year.

Advisor:   Ms. Grabow

"Discover the importance of giving back by joining The Helping Hands club where we collect and provide essential everyday items to the less fortunate members of our community.
This club is a great opportunity to gain community service hours!
Meets in room 211 from 2-2:30 weekly"

Advisor:  Ms. Leviness

Matches K-3rd graders with highly-motivated, well qualified high school students to provide guidance and positive role modeling. High School mentors must complete a mentor training program before participating.

Advisor:  Ms. Balletto-MYFS

A safe and educational environment to discuss/debate world issues

Advisor: Mr. Nye

Under the guidance of the Rotary Club of Madison, Interact Club seeks to promote volunteerism and philanthropy in Madison and beyond. Students in Interact are mobilized to help other clubs and those in need.

Advisor:  Mr. Brine

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

Advisor:  Ms. Butcher

Educate students and teachers about anti-semitism and Jewish Life

Advisor:  Mr. Sommer

Students in Latin Club gather to celebrate and promote the culture of the Romans, playing games and trivia. The club works toward the annual Latin Day field trip at Holiday Hill through projects. Meets on Mondays in Rm. 238

Advisor: Mr. Brine

Come learn and play the famous card game Magic the Gathering. We play all types of games such as 1v1, 2v2, free for all, and draft.

Advisor: TBD

The Make-A-Wish Club at Daniel Hand High School is a student group that supports the Connecticut Make-A-Wish Foundation through organizing various fundraisers. One of the club’s primary activities is participating in Raffles for Wishes, a nonprofit program where Madison youth purchase raffle tickets for the chance to join a varsity team for a special game. In the 2023-2024 school year, the club raised $3,000, which they donated during a visit to the Make-A-Wish headquarters in Trumbull.

Advisor: Mr. Morrison

We meet in room 330 on Wednesday from 2-2:30

Advisor:  Mr. Docker

Math Team is a student lead competitive mathematics group. Daniel Hand participates in the Greater Middlesex County Math League which comprises nine schools, including two private schools. The team meets weekly for practices which are led by the co-captains of the team and competitions are held afterschool on Thursdays throughout the school year. Competitions consist of five individual rounds and a team round. Daniel Hand fields teams to compete at both the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels.

Advisors:   Mr. Hajus, Ms. Konopka

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

Advisor:  Mr. Quirk

Students learn from each other about a variety of topics, such as investing, stocks, and other economic theories. They also participate in a stock market simulation and other fun investing games.

Advisor:   Mr. Tommaso

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

Advisor:   Mr. Arsenault

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

Advisor:   Ms. Fiondella 

Trains students to be resources to their fellow peers. 11 week training focuses on self-awareness, communication skills, crisis intervention,and knowledge of available resources

Advisor:  Ms. Balletto-MYFS

Practice piano playing skills and perform at nursing homes around the shoreline.

Advisor:   Ms. Butcher

Bring students together in a friendly and competitive environment while learning and improving skills that promote life-long activity.

Advisor:  Mr. Barnett

This is a new club dedicated to combating hunger in the local area. Students will participate in various food-related activities, including volunteering at a local food pantry or soup kitchen, organizing food and can drives, and fundraising to support organizations that are focused on reducing hunger.

Advisor: Ms. Collins

Robotics Team 1695 uses the VEX robotics platform to play “High Stakes”. The game is played on a 12’x12’ square field with two alliances – one red and one blue – composed of two teams each, in matches consisting of a fifteen-second autonomous period, followed by a one-minute and forty-five second driver-controlled period. The team at HAND has 6 robots and over 40 students competing once a month throughout the school year.

Advisor:  Mr. Amenta

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 by creating a caring and positive culture.

Advisor:  Mr. Zeigler-MYFS

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. Meets in room 242 Monday after school classroom code sk4rr5z

Advisor:  Ms. Browne

Bring awareness to domestic violence and raise funds/donations to DV shelters here in CT-Mondays 2 pm

Advisor:  Ms. Butcher

Students do fundraisers to promote girls education worldwide.

Advisor: Ms. Casais

Smiles for Smilow Club raises funds to provide comfort items to teens receiveing treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital.

Advisor:  Ms. Johnson 

Spanish Club welcomes all students interested in the language and culture of Spanish speaking countries. Members have fun throughout the year with bulletin board creations, arts and crafts projects, food, music, community service, and more!

Advisor: Ms. Gauley

The Sports Photography club is geared towards photography enthusiasts who are looking to sharpen their skills in action and sports photography. Students will have access to a professional camera and zoom lens as well as field pass to athletic events. The club meets on Thursdays afterschool in the Mac Lab (room 510) where we will use Adobe Photoshop to edit, retouch and create graphic design layouts. Participants are encouraged to sign up to photograph as many athletic events as possible to develop their skills and cover the games for the school and boosters.

Advisor:  Ms.Raynold

Explore all aspects of being a stage hand by participating in school theater productions

Advisor:   Mr. Sherer

The Daniel Hand Student Council is a volunteer service organization which represents and serves the needs of Daniel Hand students and local charities by coordinating student activities and fundraisers.

Advisor:   Mr. Nye

A community where people of all grades can socialize and have fun. Mondays 2- 2:30

Advisor:  Mr. Gouin

To raise money for Cancer Prevention Centers by holding fundraisers related to golf, eg.,hosting a charity golf tournament.

Advisor:  Mr. Warhola

Hand students are dedicated to helping Polson students feel well prepared and confident inside the classroom by helping with homework/projects, and leading educational games and activities.

Advisor:  Ms. Tobin

A club that supports and advocates for students of the Transgender Community. All walks of life are welcome. See Mr. Brine for details.

Advisor:  Mr. Brine

Affiliated with the International United Nations organization for the well-being of children around the world. Fundraising and educational events to support global children's rights.

Advisor:  Ms. Rubino

This club captures all of the people and events at Daniel Hand and creates the annual yearbook.

Advisors: Ms. Johnson, Mr. Young

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

Advisor:  Ms. Ciampi