POMARIA — Pomaria-Garmany Elementary School has begun implementing Club Days for the first time this year to help engage students in extracurricular activities that they want to pursue.

Club Days are held every other Friday, and Principal Lindsey Folk said there was a debate between whether to hold Club Day during or after school.

“We opted to do clubs during school because we felt like if we offered them after school, then it would eliminate some students from being able to participate because of transportation. We wanted all of our students to have the opportunity, so we have Club Day every other Friday from 1:30-2:40,” Folk said.

Currently there are 11 clubs that include coding, sports, Lego robotics, Nifty Fifty, a club sponsored by a teacher who is giving students the opportunity to explore the 50 states, Art club, Musical Theatre, Dance Club, Math Olympiad, a school newspaper ran by students with an Ad club combination, Girls with Pearls, and Board Game Club.

“The kids really look forward to it,” Folk said. “It’s giving them ways to tap into interests that maybe they wouldn’t have the opportunity for. We don’t offer it for our younger students right now, so our third, fourth and fifth graders are the only students who participate in clubs.”

At the beginning of the school year, the classes pick one club and that is their club for the year.

“The reason why we did that specifically is because the Musical Theatre Club is putting together a production of Annie, and that’s something that they will need the whole year to prepare for,” she said.

In the future, Folk hopes to add more clubs based on student interest and what kinds of suggestions are received.

“These clubs were selected by the sponsors. The teachers were going to be leading the clubs and be the sponsors, so we wanted them to have an input,” Folk said. “Over the summer, they started thinking of clubs that would be in the interest of the students, because they know their students best. We also wanted them to have an invested interest in it as well.”

Folk said they are looking forward to the end of the year projects.

“The Art Club will have an overall art project displayed in the building. The Lego Robotics Club is making their own robots and operating them with IPads, which is really neat and interesting,” Folk said. “The kids really love it and it’s a great way to use the technological resources that we have that have been provided by our district. We’re also looking forward to the Annie production at the end of the year, too. Overall, we’re just really excited about where they’re going and how well the kids are responding to it.”

Board Game Club is just one of the many clubs that Pomaria-Garmany has to offer students.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Board-Game-Club.jpgBoard Game Club is just one of the many clubs that Pomaria-Garmany has to offer students. Courtesy photos

Dance Club is a fun way to get up and be active.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Dance-Club.jpgDance Club is a fun way to get up and be active. Courtesy photos

What’s a girl without her pearls? Girls in Pearls is the perfect club for girls who love pink and pearls.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Girls-in-Pearls.jpgWhat’s a girl without her pearls? Girls in Pearls is the perfect club for girls who love pink and pearls. Courtesy photos

Math Olympiad Club is the perfect club for the student who loves solving math problems.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Math-Olympiad.jpgMath Olympiad Club is the perfect club for the student who loves solving math problems. Courtesy photos

Musical Theatre Club is going to be putting together a production of Annie as their end of the year project.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Musical-Theatre.jpgMusical Theatre Club is going to be putting together a production of Annie as their end of the year project. Courtesy photos

Sports Club will definitely get you up and moving, participating in different sports with classmates.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Sports-Club.jpgSports Club will definitely get you up and moving, participating in different sports with classmates. Courtesy photos

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.