By Alexa Kane
Round Table Editor in Chief

At Middletown High School a noticeable change has taken place this year. Students will no longer be required to be members of clubs.

Now, it is optional for students to do clubs during the school day. Clubs are held during the last 45 minutes during each of the four periods of the day. Teachers can choose to be an advisor of a club during their planning period.

The decision was made by MHS principal, Jay Berno, during the summer of 2009. After he observed the system in place while he was principal of Tuscarora High School, he decided that MHS could benefit from the same system.

“I believe to administratively require professional teachers to sponsor club activities is not the best choice for our school,” said MHS principal Jay Berno. “Based on my observations last year many of our students would rather stay in class receiving good instruction and learning.”

Some teachers decided that being an advisor of a club was too much work, but others decided that advising a club was something that they rather enjoyed.

Thomas Miller, advisor of the photojournalism club said, “I decided to be a club advisor because hosting a club allows the teacher to meet a new group of students and share in something that everyone enjoys.”

Participating in a club gives teachers a chance to take a break from
the traditional classroom setting and share their knowledge and interests with others because “ultimately teachers are here for students,” said Miller.

Many students like senior Katherine Nau, liked the mandatory club day that was in place last year better. Nau decided against doing clubs this year.

“If you do want to do a club you have to miss class, and I didn’t want to make up the work,” said Nau.

Berno said that it is “too early to tell” if the effects of optional club days are positive.

Even though some preferred the mandatory club day, it is clear why the change has occurred.