School clubs and electives have started up again at NYHS, offering new opportunities with teacher advisers eager to engage students in extracurricular and academic activities. Students can look forward to a fun and enriching experience, from the Mycology Club to the Practical Life Skills elective and more.

Clubs

Investment Analyst Club

For students interested in finance and the business world, the Investment Analyst Club is a must-join. Sophomore Levi Schiffman created the club to educate fellow students about the stock market, different types of investments, and the many different career paths available in the finance industry. “The goal is to guide those interested in a finance career, and to show that there’s no loss in learning about the stock market and how money really works,” Schiffman said. “It’s something everyone should know.” Schiffman plans to host visits from investment bankers and other industry professionals, providing firsthand insights into their journeys and experiences. 

Haftorah club

The Haftorah Club, founded by senior Noam Rosenfeld, delves into the deep meanings of Torah readings on Shabbat. Traditionally, a selection from Nevi’im (the books of the Prophets) is read after the Torah reading on Shabbat and holiday mornings; this portion is known as the Haftorah. Each Friday during lunch, the club brings students together to engage with the Haftorah of the week and holiday readings. Reading the Haftorah in both Hebrew and English, the club explores its significance and relevance to the Parashah (weekly Torah portion) as well as to modern life. “Many people don’t know what the Haftorah is, so this is a great way to learn and expand students’ understanding of what we read on Shabbat,” said Rosenfeld.

Mycology club

The Mycology Club at NYHS is a great example of student initiative and passion coming together to create a unique learning opportunity. It was created by the interest of several students, with junior Elizabeth Gabay taking the lead, along with the expertise of science teacher and student services coordinator Mr. Ben Legel. “I decided to help start Mycology club because I’ve always found mushrooms to be very foreign, so I really wanted to learn more about them,” said Gabay. The club has grown into a space dedicated to the study of fungi. “We’ve grown and harvested our own white oyster mushrooms,” said Legel. The club’s goals extend beyond the school walls. They actively reach out to universities and professors, establish connections and invite guest speakers to share their research. “The largest benefit is the fun of learning,” Legel said. “Everyone in the club is genuinely interested in mycology and fungi. We hope to hear from professors and graduate students about their research – it would be great to see what studying mycology at the university level looks like.”

Electives

Practical Life Skills

The Practical Life Skills elective, led by mathematics teacher Mrs. Melinda McCartney, helps students develop essential independence skills. “Some people may know how to cook, but have you figured out how much ingredients cost or how to create a budget? These are the finance and practical things that might seem obvious to adults but can be overwhelming for young people starting out,” said McCartney. Managing the practicalities of life after high school can be scary, from shopping and budgets to online scams and career planning, but by building on what students already know, the elective aims to give each student a head start in their adult life. 

Study Skills and Support

The Study Skills and Support elective is all about empowering students to thrive in school and beyond. This elective, led by learning support specialist Ms. Madison Holt, focuses on helping students develop their executive function skills, such as time management and organization systems, that are key to academic and lifelong success. Rather than a traditional classroom setting, this elective uses one-on-one mentoring for a part of every class adjusted to each student’s needs. Students can better manage their time with schoolwork and responsibilities by setting weekly goals and having dedicated time and space to work on any school materials. The goal is to provide a supportive environment where students feel comfortable discussing their skills and help them reach and recognize their strengths and accomplishments. “Ms. Holt is always there to help me with organizing school work and keeping me on track, I really do appreciate it,” said freshman Riley Wieghat.