Student Activities

Interested in joining a student activity?

Attend the Virtual Activities Fair on September 17th!

Join us at 1:00 pm in Mr. Logue's Zoom Room

https://palcscommunity.zoom.us/j/693785669

Get in touch with the staff advisor today!

Contact info is listed under each activity.

The American Sign Language (ASL) Club will teach anyone who wants to learn how to sign on a basic level as well as some basic conversational phrases. We will also touch on some deaf culture and deaf awareness. Everyone is welcome to join the club, whether you have none, some, or a lot of previous ASL experiences

For more information, please contact

Ms. Boyce, aboyce@palcs.org

Ms. Francisco, afrancisco@palcs.org

Mx. Matchett, amatchett@palcs.org

Anime Group exists for students with an interest in all forms of anime to meet and share their interests. During group meetings, students will show, discuss and promote anime in a group setting. The Anime Group will also focus on identifying messages behind various anime as well as broadening their understanding of the culture anime arises from.

For more information, please contact

Mr. Currie, zcurrie@palcs.org

Book Club is a community of PALCS students who read and meet virtually once a month to discuss books from a wide variety of authors, styles and genres.

Please view the Flyer for more information

For more information please contact:

Ms. Walsh, jwalsh3@palcs.org

The Breathing and Meditation Club will explore various breathing techniques to center ourselves and release stresses. After we practice focusing on our breath and do a few light stretches, we will sit in a guided meditation as a group. This club is an introduction to breathwork and meditation. No experience is needed to pop into zoom and follow along. There is also no pressure to keep up with the instruction - do what feels right for you. The goal is to feel a sense of calm and mindfulness after participating.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Rosle, krosle@palcs.org

PALCS is offering a platform for students to write, share, discuss, and critique their work in an informal group setting. Our goals are for you to gain ideas for your creative pieces from your peers and also from a few of our English teachers. You can also bring forth anything you are working on either for school, a creative portfolio, or for just your own personal use and allow the group to review or help improve your work. In addition the faculty advisors will help initiate ideas to create stories, poems, characters, and other exercises to help get you writing. Students will also have the opportunity to submit creative work for a biannual literary magazine which is published for the students and families of PALCS.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Pettit, tpettit@palcs.org

Mrs. Propato, gpropato@palcs.org

Ms. Walsh, jwalsh3@palcs.org

Ms. Bauer, hbauer@palcs.org

PALCS's EnglishFest is a virtual book club and reading competition where students read pre-selected books and meet monthly on Zoom to discuss them and participate in some virtual games. In May, participants can attend a live field trip to the festival event at LaRoche University in Pittsburgh, where we will compete against other participating schools in reading-based games. The highlight? A special appearance by one of the featured authors! Even if you can’t attend the live event in May, PALCS will host a virtual celebration for all members, so please sign up and have some fun with reading and competing this year!

For more information or a list of this year's books, click here or contact Ms. Lewis at hlewis3@palcs.org.

Purpose: to encourage & foster the study of the French language and culture

The Société Honoraire de Français (The French National Honor Society) is an organization whose intent is to recognize high school students in the United States who have maintained excellent grades in at least three semesters of French language courses; this is done by induction into the organization.

Qualifications: Three full semesters of High School French with a grade of A- or better; a minimum 3.0 GPA in all other coursework (excluding French grades); completion of at least one full semester at SJHS (transfer students).

Proposed Meeting Time:

• Meetings at least once a month at a time chosen each year to accommodate schedules

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Crisafio, jcrisafio@palcs.org or by phone at extension 1261

The mission of FBLA is to “inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.” Students will be exposed to Career Exploration, College Preparation, Academic Competitions, Community Service, Scholarships and Travel while being a member of the largest career student business organization in the world.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Gould, tgould@palcs.org

Students will be invited to cooperate to share completion tips for games, game reviews, gaming news, and much more. Students will also investigate issues within the gaming community and develop a better understanding of both positive and negative trends in gaming. There are also opportunities to participate in live game playing.

Fore more information, contact:

Mr. Paffas, bpaffas@palcs.org

A Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a student-run group which provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end homophobia and transphobia.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Steines, esteines@palcs.org

Mr. Paffas, bpaffas@palcs.org

Sponsored by Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) and as part of a national initiative, the goal of the Global Scholars Program is to help cultivate globally minded students while preparing students for personal and professional success in our increasingly international society.

Click to view more details on PALCS Global Scholars Program

For more information, please contact:

Senora Toncini, mtoncini@palcs.org

Have you ever had the urge to travel abroad? If so, the extended trips program is the place to be! The PALCS Extended Trips Program is pleased to announce our travel abroad travel program with Mrs. Intelicato and other PALCS teachers. This unique program allows students to explore a new country and culture, make international friends, and learn about yourself and the world around you. We travel to amazing destinations across the world so get ready!

International Travel Destinations

Here are some of our up and coming destinations.

• 2024-2025, Best of the British Isles
• 2025-2026, The Galapagos Islands
• 2026-2027, The Capitals of Scandinavia
• 2027-2028, Eastern Europe

Become a global citizen today!

For more information, please contact

Ms. Intelicato, eintelicato@palcs.org

I Play - Sports Club is a hybrid club/information center for anyone that has questions or is interested in learning more about participating in athletics in their home district. This Resource center is also a place for PALCS student athletes to meet and discuss their experiences.

For more information, please contact

Mr. Bonfadini: jbonfadini@palcs.org

Whether you are curious about why people behave the way they do, myths in psychology, or how our brain works, this club offers a chance to explore and discuss human behavior and apply psychology to real-life situations. Plus, it's a great way to sharpen your critical thinking skills and make new friends who share your interests. Come unlock the secrets of the brain with us!

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Kaplan: jkaplan@palcs.org

If you're a student who loves movies, joining a film club could be the perfect way for you to explore and expand your passion for cinema. One of the great things about film club is that it offers a space for you to come together and share your thoughts and opinions on movies. This can be especially valuable for students who are studying film or who are interested in pursuing a career in the film industry. By joining the film club, you'll be able to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion and who can offer valuable insights and feedback on your work.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Foster: dfoster@palcs.org

The Marine Science Club focuses on exploring marine organisms and biomes, fundraising for endangered species, and readying students for career opportunities in Marine Science! The MSC meets to analyze and discuss various current events in marine science, as well as discover the endless unique aspects of marine biomes. Meetings are collaborative and will occur once monthly, with the hopes of also participating in virtual and live field trips.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Intelicato: eintelicato@palcs.org

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is a club that helps students in the western world learn about Islam and helps students understand and cope with how to be practicing Muslims as well as being active members of their society. The MSA is a way for Muslim students to learn about Islamic history, culture, beliefs, etc. and how all of these things can mix together with cultural norms of the United States.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Harrigan, sharrigan@palcs.org

Student lead: Rukayah Muhammed rmuhammed@stu.palcsmail.org

or complete interest survey

The PALCS Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) is for all students in grades 10-12 who have a cumulative 3.5 GPA and can demonstrate leadership, service, and character. The chapter exists to increase academic scholarship, and to build connections with various communities through community service. Membership is based on an application process. The application will be available in January in the PALCSchool Lobby, and will be due in early February. Applicants will also interview with teachers as part of the application process. If accepted, students will attend an induction ceremony in March or April to formally become a member of NHS. Once inducted into NHS, we have monthly meetings run by student leadership. Students organize local community service events across the state throughout the year.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. VanHassent, dvanhassent@palcs.org

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These five pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1929. Five main purposes have guided chapters of NJHS from the beginning: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; to encourage responsible citizenship; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools.

For more information about applying, please contact Mr. Gerstle at dgerstle@palcs.org

“Outdoor Adventure Club” is a student led club that focuses on all things outdoors that are full of adventure, including camping, hiking, state park activities, all types of water sports, scuba diving, snorkeling, and many more, including close to home adventures, even in your own backyard! We will also talk about ways you can record your outdoor adventures, including journaling, drawing, taking photos, recording videos, and the different technologies for keeping a record of all you have done! All of these activities will have an emphasis on fun, skill, with safety and protecting the environment in mind! Life is a great adventure! Get out there and make exciting memories!

For more information, please contact

Ms. Preedy, mpreedy@palcs.org

Ms. Giampietro, mgiampietro@palcs.org

PALCS Student Government is run by the officers and grade-level representatives who are elected by the student body. We work to strengthen the relationships between our students, teachers, and administrators through collaboration, school activities, and service projects. We would love for you to join our team!

For more information, please contact

Mrs. DeJoseph, edejoseph@palcs.org

Pre-Health Club serves students who have an interest in the healthcare field. We aim to prepare students for post-secondary education, raise awareness of current topics in healthcare, and form connections between scientifically oriented individuals. During each club meeting, we will analyze, discuss, and review healthcare-related content. Come join Pre-Health Club if you are interested in a profession in the medical or healthcare field!

For more information, please contact

Dr. Laureys klaureys@palcs.org

Project Proclamation! A Bible study activity where students have the opportunity to study the Bible and discuss their faith.

For more information, please contact

Ms. De Zelaya, adezelaya@palcs.org

Purpose: to encourage & foster the study of the Spanish language and culture

The purpose of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (The Hispanic National Honor Society, known as the Spanish Honor Society at PALCS) is to recognize high achievement in Spanish and Portuguese by students of secondary schools in the United States and to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies. For our school, we focus on study in Spanish.

Qualifications: Three full semesters of High School Spanish with a grade average of A- or better; a minimum 3.0 GPA in all other coursework (excluding Spanish grades).

Proposed Meeting Time:

• Meetings at least once a month at a time chosen each year to accommodate schedules

For more information contact:

Ms. Abreu, labreu@palcs.org

If you enjoying stitching (crocheting or knitting) and want to work on your WIPs (works in progress) while chatting with your peers, this club is for you!

We will get together every other Monday at lunch to socialize while we work on our WIPs. Students may also choose to crochet squares to donate to Project Chemo Crochet.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Steines, esteines@palcs.org

Ms. Guerriero, mguerriero@palcs.org

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Berman, aberman@palcs.org

The Stock Market Game will introduce you to investing through a simulation of the stock market! You will be given $100,000 virtual dollars to invest in order to try to make your money grow using an online platform. You will compete against other teams here at PALCS and across the state for prizes! Each week, we will meet to learn a little bit about investing, look into what is currently happening in the stock market, and determine what stocks to invest in!

Meeting Time: Tuesdays at 9:50 in Mr. DiCicco's Zoom Room: https://PALCScommunity.zoom.us/my/dicicco

For more information, please contact:

Mr. DiCicco, rdicicco@palcs.org