Clubs

Middle Level Clubs

The Middle Level club program allows students to explore their various interests and express their budding talents. Offerings for 2007-08 include:

Campus Ministry Club

One or two elected representatives from each homeroom meet regularly to plan chapel prayer services, liturgies, retreats and other opportunities for worship as a community. These students are leaders of all campus ministry programs in the Middle Level and serve as a liaison between Campus Ministry and Advisories.

Eighth Grade Slide Show & Multimedia Club

Open to seventh and eighth grade students with interest in digital imagery, sound, movies and/or video.  While learning about hardware and software applications at NDP, students will develop expertise to share with their classmates and teachers to advance the Middle Level learning experience.

Geography Bee

Using games and the Internet, students prepare for the National Geographic Geography Bee. Students who go on to participate in this competition are eligible for scholarships at the state and national level, and the competition is televised on ESPN!

Junior Stars (Student Technology Advisers) & Robotics Club

The goal of the Junior STArs and Robotics Club is to bring students together to explore the use of technology.  Students do not have to have technical expertise ? they will receive training ? but must have an interest in computers and the ability to work with a team, with classmates and teachers.  Junior STArs/Robotics members will be involved in the following areas and activities: Technical support during the school year for both hardware (laptop carts, laptops and printer) and software; exploration of and possible competition in Robotics.

Junior Theatre Club

This club learns the technical and performing aspects of the theatre. Activities include providing technical support (props, scenery, programs) support for the Middle Level Musical and Performing Arts Drama classes; learning audition skills, characterization, and vocal skills; and participating in Odyssey of the Mind theatre problem-solving activities.

Service Club

A junior version of the Upper Level Environmental Awareness Club, this club addresses how Middle Level students can be good stewards of the planets and responsible community citizens.

Service Through Art

Students "give back" to different types of communities using art as the vehicle.  This student-directed club works on art activities that aid or nurture other people, including creating Books of Hope for the orphanages in Uganda, Bowls for the Hungry and centerpieces for area nursing homes.

Spelling Bee

Using games and the Internet, students prepare for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Students who go on to participate in this competition are eligible for scholarships at the state and national level, and the competition is televised on ESPN!

Stay Fit

Stay Fit explores various techniques and practices that encourage healthy lifestyle choices and physical fitness.

Student Government/Spirit Club

Elected students serve as liaison between Student Government and Advisories and assist the President and Vice President in planning school events and raising school spirit.

True Blue Review - Middle Level Newspaper

The Middle Level newspaper reports on news, editorials, sports events, and poetry pertaining to students in grades six through eight. Students also assist in producing the publication using Publisher and distributing of finished product.

Writing Children’s Books

Students look at popular children's books, discuss what makes them so appealing, and then write some of their own. These books are later shared with the young children who visit NDP through various service programs.

Writing Workshop

Students work on creative writing projects, such as plays, poems and short stories, and publish their works.

Upper Level Clubs

Cheerleading

This squad of enthusiastic girls raises the spirit of the NDP's basketball team and their fans. The cheering season runs early October through early March, but cheerleaders often participate in other activities such as the annual Talent Show, outside competitions and a summer training camp.

Club Umoja

Club Umoja is an NDP student-run group dedicated to working with youth in Baltimore’s inner city.  Students meet weekly for tutoring and after-school care sessions, as well as hold monthly holiday-theme parties for youngsters.

Cultural Awareness Club

The Cultural Awareness Club promotes diversity within the NDP community through a variety of activities.  The club holds quarterly cultural dinners; such past dinners celebrated the Syrian, Puerto Rican, Indian and Italian cultures.  The club also attends local and national conferences which promote diversity awareness and develop leadership skills.  In addition the CAC plans and sponsors a school-wide diversity-related assembly in February.

Drama Club

The Drama Club allows members to explore elements of theatre and drama performance.  Club activities include attending local live theatrical performances and assisting with the theatre productions of the school.  NDP is a member of the International Thespian Society.

Environmental Club

The Environmental Club promotes awareness of environmental issues, encourages stewardship with the school community and provides service opportunities relating to the environment.  Most recently the club was involved in devising solutions to reduce paper use throughout the school community.

French Club

The purpose of French Club is to celebrate and share a taste of French culture with all students. Members of the organization will have opportunities to explore the customs of French speaking countries around the world through various events such as the French Week in November, la Fête des Rois and Mardi Gras. Other club activities include French films, games, music and food.

Habitat for Humanity

NDP community members volunteer weekend hours to renovate row homes in Baltimore City.  Fund raising activities are held with local schools.  This group is affiliated with Youth United.

Japanese Club

The Japanese Club enables those students with an interests in the Far East to immerse themselves in the culture of Japan.

Maryland Math League

Students meet six times a year to participate in state-run, timed math competitions. 

Mock Trial

The Mock Trial Team investigates and presents legal cases and competes against other area schools in mock judicial events.  In recent years, NDP’s Mock Trial Team has garnered top honors inn state competition.

People for Animal Welfare (PAW)

PAW advocates animal rights and includes NDP students and teachers who want to make a difference in the lives of innocent animals. Each December PAW sponsors a drive to collect blankets and towels for Animal Rescue.

Production Technology Crew

The Production Technology Crew provides lighting and sound support for school activities, such as assemblies, plays, concerts, Gym Meet and other special presentations.  Meeting weekly, the crew will receive special instruction in the technical support of live performances; lighting and sound support as applied to performances; and care and organization of equipment.

Reach for the Stars

Sponsored by the Science Department, this club exposes students to the science of astronomy through day and night observations, celestial map study and special projects with the Maryland Science Center.

Speech and Debate

Competing in the Baltimore Catholic Forensics League, the Speech and Debate Club instills confidence and heightens the self-esteem of all those who participate. Students compete in duo interpretations, dramatic interpretation, extemporaneous speaking, original oratory and debate. NDP's most successful competitors have participated in the national forensics tournament.

Spanish Club

The Spanish Club works to explore, promote and appreciate the Spanish language and culture.  Activities associated with this club include an annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Stars and & Robotics

The Student Technology Advisors (STArs) and Robotics Club are open to students who have an interest in computers, the ability to problem solve, and the ability to communicate and work collaboratively and professionally with people including faculty, staff and peers.   Students receive training and participate in Help Desk Technical Support (Hardware and Software Troubleshooting) and Robotics (Building Autonomous Robots and Botball Team Competition). Students who participate actively will be eligible for induction as STArs and to join the staff for summer laptop camps.  They also may continue to participate as STArs and in Robotics during their years at NDP. 

Students Against Destructive Decisions

SADD seeks to raise awareness about a number of issues affecting young people, but especially that of dire consequences of drinking and driving. SADD also sponsors educational programs, such as on the importance of wearing seat belts and AIDS Awareness.

Students for Environmental Action (SEA)

SEA works to raise awareness of how our actions directly affect the Earth's many diverse environments. Past club activities included an education program about endangered sea turtles for fourth graders at Villa Cresta Elementary School.

VIVA Club

Open to juniors and seniors, VIVA Club focuses on solidarity with Spanish speaking communities locally and abroad.

Youth in Government

Sponsored by the social studies department, Youth in Government is an extra-curricular activity opened to all students interested in learning more about our participatory democracy. The program includes an annual trip to Annapolis for a mock legislative session involving students throughout Maryland.