BRPS STUDENT CLUBS
Connecting your common interests!
BE NICE. CLUB (HS)
Be nice. is more than a phrase. It's an Action Plan! Learn what it means to notice, invite,
challenge, and empower. Take the Pledge to be nice. in your community!
Meetings: Tuesdays during CAP Flex, sign up through the Responsive Schedule
Contact: Ms. Bridget Pyle at pyleb@brpsk12.org
BLACK RIVER THEATRE COMPANY (MS & HS)
BRTC is open to any 6th-12th grade student with an interest in theatre (on or off the stage). We put on a play in November, a musical in March, and another production in the spring. Come to a meeting to find out more about auditions or getting involved with a production crew (set design, art, makeup, props, costumes, PR, tech crew and stage crew)
Meetings: We have an irregular schedule, look for announcements/posters/social media posts about our meetings, crew work days, auditions and performances.
Contact Information:
Liz Ruiter, President ruitere@brpsk12.org
Seth Salazar, Middle School Representative salazars@brpsk12.org
Mrs. Rachel Andrews, Director andrewsr@brpsk12.org
CHESS CLUB (MS & HS)
Any middle or high school student of any skill level is welcome to join the BRPS Chess Club. Boards are provided and there is coaching and instruction for beginners.
Meetings: Thursdays from 3:00-4:15pm in Mr. Meyer's room, 129C
Contact: Mr. Nate Meyer, Math Teacher, at meyern@brpsk12.org
CREATIVE ARTS CLUB (MS & HS)
Any middle or high school student can bring any creative project they are working on! Rainbow loom, crochet, knitting, and coloring supplies will be available. Meetings are on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15pm. Contact Dr. Rice for more information at ricet@brpsk12.org.
DUTCH DANCE (MS & HS)
Dutch D begins on January 8 and ends after the Tulip Time festivities and parades are finished. A preliminary practice schedule is proposed as Mondays 3:15-4:30pm (HS) and 4:45-6:00pm (MS), and Fridays from 3:15-4:30pm (HS). in the Large Ensemble Room. Please reach out to Brooke Burlison for more information
Contact: Brooke Burlison at Brooke_Burlison@hotmail.com.
GAMETIME (MS & HS)
Any middle or high school student can join the GameTime Club. Meetings are on Tuesdays after school in Room 107. It's a club to learn and play a variety of board games, card games, and possibly video games. This is an opportunity for students to meet new friends or a meeting place to play games and relax!
Contact: Liz Donoghue, Art Teacher, for more information at donoghuel@brpsk12.org.
GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE (HS)
The GSA is a student-led club that provides a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students as well as their cisgender heterosexual allies. The GSA helps to build community and organize around issues impacting students and communities. The club is open to all students 8th-12th grade.
Meetings: Mondays from 3:15-4:15.
Contact: brpride@brpsk12.org
Ms. Becky Bierma at biermab@brpsk12.org
Mrs. Katie Chester at chesterk@brpsk12org
GREEN TEAM (MS & HS)
The Green Team has a mission to help make Black River Public School a more environmentally sustainable place. Our mission is to help reduce our school's carbon footprint by pushing for energy saving, recycling, and in our current initiative, composting. In the past, our group was able to reduce toxic waste by advocating for the use of compostable lunch trays instead of Styrofoam. We strive to seek out opportunities to help our student community become educated in ways to be eco-conscious and reduce their waste.
Meetings: Thursdays during CAP Flex, sign up through the Responsive Schedule
Contact: Dr. Greg Dykhouse at dykhouseg@brpsk12.org
FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION - TEAM 74 C.H.A.O.S. (HS)
We are a group of high school students from Black River and Holland Public who use teamwork as a strength to bring us together through challenges. We are composed of potential engineers, athletes, and the quiet kids from the back of the classroom who share a passion for creating opportunities for our future because it is about more than just robots.
The FRC season begins in January, the team is given a challenge and 6 weeks to complete the said challenge. We will design, build, and program a robot to meet this challenge in the competition arena. For more information, check out our website:
www.hollandchaos.com
Meetings: Weekdays from 6pm-9pm
Saturdays from 9am-3pm
Contact: Adam.Devereaux@worksighted.com
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE ROBOTICS TEAMS (MS)
Middle school FTC robotics is both a G-block class and an extracurricular activity! Students need to sign up for the semester. The FTC season begins in September. Students are given a challenge and they must work together to design, build, and program a robot to meet the challenge in competition.
Meeting: G Block
After school as needed to get ready for competition
Contact: Mr. Brett Bittrick at bittrickb@brpsk12.org
Mr. Todd Schwartz at schwartzt@brpsk12.org
HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEAM (HS)
This is a G Block class, students should sign up for the semester. High School students interested in exploring math topics and concepts and competing in math competitions are invited to sign up for this class.
Meetings: G Block
Contact: Mrs. Abby Hop at snaya@brpsk12.org
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH CLUB (MS)
Dr. Dyana Harrelson of Hope College leads middle school students who want to dive deeper into math and talk/learn about concepts that are not necessarily discussed at Black River through the normal curriculum.
Meeting: Mondays after school from 3:15-4:15
Thursdays during CAP & MS lunch for an hour, sign up through the Responsive Schedule
Contact: Mrs. Abby Hop at snaya@brpsk12.org
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (HS)
Students in HS with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are invited to apply for membership in the winter. NHS plans and implements community service events at Black River.
Meeting: Wednesdays during CAP Flex
Contact: Mrs. Becky Mousseau at mousseaur@brpsk12.org
POETRY CLUB (HS)
Would you like more contemporary poetry in your week? Sign up to join Black River's newest student-led club. to celebrate all things poetry. We will meet every other Monday during HS lunch in room 420. You don't need to bring anything except an open mind and an interest in poetry. Please contact Bridget Pyle at pyleb@brpsk12.org for more information.
ROLLER SKATING CLUB (MS & HS)
Students who enjoy roller skating or want to learn how to skate should contact the Roller Skating Club mentors. weekly meetings are Fridays from 3:15pm-4pm.
Contact: Mr. Colin Murphy, Math Teacher, at murphyc@brpsk12.org or Student Leader, Josie Mutschler, at mutschlerj@brpsk12.org.
RUNNING CLUB (MS & HS)
All middle and high school students are welcome - no experience necessary! We'll warm up, do a run, and play a short running-type game. The Running Club will meet on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:00pm in the Lyceum Building. Bring your shoes :-) Contact Mrs. Necia Ornée (orneen@brpsk12.org) , Ms. Haley Kalis (kalish@brpsk12.org), or Javier Lara with questions.
SAILING CLUB (MS & HS)
The Black River Sailing Team has two Michigan State Championships to their name. From returning racers to those who are newer to sailing, our high school team is the place to be in the Fall! Sailors in grades 7th-12th, are welcome to join the fun! If you have any questions before the season begins, please contact us!
Meetings: TBD
Contact:
Blair Nykamp- BR Parent Liaison, blairnykamp@gmail.com
Marie Mell Colville, MBJA Director, marie@mbja.org
Karen Rowe, BR Sailing Team faculty sponsor rowek@brpsk12.org
SKI CLUB (MS & HS)
Let it snow! Ski & Snowboard Club hits the slopes at Bittersweet Ski Resort every Wednesday in the winter, weather permitting. All students and families are welcome to come ski & snowboard. Students grade 6 and up are invited to ride the BR bus to Bittersweet, or can ride down with their family.
Ski club passes are available for all students age 7 and up and their families. Ski club passes can be used anytime according to the Bittersweet guidelines.
Meetings: Wednesdays in the winter, bus leaves BR at 3:45p, returns at 9:15p
Contact: Mr. Brett Bittrick at bittrickb@brpsk12.org
Mrs. Kerrie Esmeier at esmeierk@brpsk12.org
WYLDLIFE (MS YOUNG LIFE) (MS)
Open to all Middle School students.
Meetings: Thursdays during MS lunch in room 229
Bible Study on Friday mornings at 7:15 AM in room 229
Contact Mrs. Jeanne Kane at kanej@brpsk12.org for more information.
YOUNG LIFE (HS)
Open to all High School students.
Meetings: Tuesdays during Lunch in room 129C
Contact: Mr. Nate Meyer at meyern@brpsk12.org
YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT (HS)
YIG hosts bi-weekly meetings, Thursdays starting September 14. In MYIG, students will write bills and/or proposals, debate bills and/or proposals, and learn and practice Parliamentary procedure. This class will allow students to learn all aspects of YIG. Students may choose to learn about Model Judiciary Program (MJP), National Issues Forum (NIF), Lobbying, the Press Corp., or various aspects of the Michigan Legislative Process. The ultimate goal of the YIG Club is to attend the YIG Conference in the spring, but it is not mandatory.
Meetings: Thursday, bi-weekly in Room 319
Contact: Mr. Jake Stid at stidj@brpsk12.org or Ms. Chelsea Benoot at benootc@brpsk12.org