Greater Commonwealth Virtual School Offers Over 20 Extracurricular Clubs

GREENFIELD — The Greater Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS) is pleased to share a few of the many opportunities that GCVS students have to participate in extracurricular clubs, such as the Junior News Crew and Anime Club. 

Education at GCVS extends beyond the classroom and traditional academics as the school offers over 20 different clubs that students can participate in to build friendships and feed their interests in a variety of subjects.

“School is often about so much more than what happens in a Math or Science classroom. At GCVS we have over 20 extracurricular clubs formed each year, all based on students’ choices,” said Director of Instructional Technology Kyle Taylor. “We have opportunities like the National Honor Society and team eSports. Using an app called InScribe, we offer students a virtual cafeteria to have conversations with peers. We also host Lunch Bunch meetings with classmates, using a much more interactive platform called InSpace. These apps allow us to be cutting-edge in terms of offering social opportunities to our students.”

Junior News Crew

The Junior News Crew was formed in 2019 at the request of two sixth-grade students who wanted to create a club to document the school. The Junior News Crew meets weekly and creates monthly newspapers produced by students in sixth to eighth grade.

Since its creation, the club has released 36 monthly newspapers all about GCVS, and has had over 50 students involved in reporting, designing and publishing the papers, with students stepping up to take on various leadership roles within the club to build leadership skills as well. All club decisions are made by a group vote of club members.

“The ultimate goal for the JNC has always been for middle school students to have fun, collaborate with their peers, and produce fun, exciting newspapers that their classmates will want to read in their spare time,” said JNC Advisor Matthew Paquette. “The JNC is an opportunity for students to showcase their unique skills, talents, and drive to go above and beyond not just in the classroom but outside as well.”

Anime Club

The Anime Club exists at both the High School and Middle School levels, with each group meeting weekly to watch and discuss Anime cartoons and to share recommendations for new shows and visual novels — also known as manga. 

Students discuss plots, plot development, and their favorite shows and characters, all while forming bonds with each other over shared interests.

“Anime Club is a stress-free, relaxing environment where students can get to know other students,” said advisor Neil Hitchen. “We try to give students a place to come to hang out and enjoy the subject together. The club is about community, and bonding with people who share similar interests.”

“I like the Anime Club because it gives me something interesting to do after school,” said seventh-grader Sophie Pradhan, of Braintree. “I love to watch good anime and talk about it with other students who share my interest.”

Gay Straight Alliance

The Gay Straight Alliance exists at both the High School and Middle School levels, and has existed for about five years, with about 20 students taking part in that time. The club meets monthly to share personal stories, create art, share music, and have meaningful conversations as a safe and supportive group. 

The goal of the GSA is to provide students with a safe, supportive environment where people can show up as their authentic selves, enjoy each others’ company and make new friends while learning queer language and history, and celebrating one other. 

Club members all contribute to setting guidelines for the club that ensure everyone’s voice is heard and that all participants feel supported. The club also discusses any topic that members want to discuss or works to answer any questions that club members have.

National Geographic Club

The National Geographic Club is an elementary-level club that helps students explore the earth sciences and STEM topics, as well as animals. Many of the club’s activities are focused on games, movies, and other activities available via the National Geographic website.

Club members learn about everything from animals to dinosaurs, earth science and geography, all while bonding and having fun together. 

“All of the kids share interests and it helps them to build relationships even outside of their grades and classes,” said advisor Neil Hitchen. “There’s no passing other students in the hallways at GCVS, but our students can still go to club meetings and meet kids from different classes, locations and ages. It’s great to see all the kids mix together and meet new people.”

“I like the National Geographic Club because we get to learn about animals and play fun games,” said fifth-grader Zaniyah T.

Additional GCVS Club Offerings:

Club offerings at the elementary level also include:

• Disney Club
• Arts & Crafts Club

Club offerings at the middle school level also include:

• Scratch Club (Coding)
• Comic Book Club
• Hobby Hub Club

Club offerings at the middle/high school level include:

• Hebrew Alphabet and Language Club
• Latin Club
• Book Club
• Chess Club

Club offerings at the High School level include:

• Creative Writing Club
• Yearbook Club
• Dungeons and Dragons Club
• National Honor Society
• Photography Club
• Art Club