Coordinator: Ms. Portal

The After-School Academy is an academic support program for students looking for a place to work on homework, or get some extra help.  Ms. Portal coordinates the After-School Academy, which runs 4 days a week (Monday - Thursday).   Students have access to the late bus for transportation home.  ASA will take place in room 2111.

Advisors:  Mrs. deRito and Ms. Letendre

Do you like to work with people? Are you interested in Math, Science or Computers? Are you artistic, mechanical or have a lot of spirit? Maybe FIRST is for you! Berlin FIRST builds robots designed by the team, then competes at Regional and National Competitions. The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, multinational competition that teams professionals and young people to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is a life-changing, career-molding experience—and a lot of fun. New members are always welcome, and building occurs at night or on weekends at McGee Middle School. No prior experience needed! 

The Berlin Helping Berlin Fund (BHB) is a special purpose fund to provide assistance to members of the Berlin High School community in accordance with the fund guidelines. This fund receives support through fund raisers held at the Berlin High School each year. Additional gifts from the Berlin High School community will be added only if the monies are restricted to this purpose. 

The purpose of the BHB fund is to provide assistance to Berlin High School community members who are facing a financial need and are suffering hardships beyond their control and to supplement services that may be needed.

The following are broad examples of, but not limited to, covered items/areas:

• Utility payment/rent or mortgage assistance

• School related activity funding when a need is provided

• Severe illness or injury

• Fire or other disaster

The funds will be distributed by using gift cards, bills paid directly by the Fund, donations of items, etc. No cash/checks will be distributed directly to the recipient at any time. 

Advisors: Mr. Arnold and Mr. Hanna
The Bike Club is a combination of students and teachers that go on weekly bike rides. Don’t think you are too strong or too weak! Everyone is welcome and will be able to ride with the group. Road rides are every Wednesday after school. Members have a good time and get to travel to different places around Berlin (such as the New Britain Reservoir, Wadsworth Falls, Castle Craig, and others). We have also participated in the Discover Hartford Tour, the Hub on Wheels which is BikeBoston and we will conquer the 5 Boro Bike Tour through New York City again! Mountain biking destinations include Bicentennial Park, Castle Craig and Lamentation Mountain. This year there is an Urban Mountain Bike Race in Hartford! See Mr. Hanna or Mr. Arnold for a parent permission slip. If you don’t have a bike, we will provide one for you. BHS Ridin’ Redcoats …Take your training wheels off!

This club will allow students to learn game play while collaborating with team players to problem solve and meet objectives. This club will provide an organized and healthy environment for competitive game play.

Chess Club gives students an opportunity to play friendly games of chess against their peers in a low-stress environment, as well as learning new strategies to improve their own game. Students of all levels are welcome!

Advisor: Mr. Boyle

The BHS Music & Theatre Arts Department presents annual theatrical productions that include the Cabaret & Choral Revue, fall play, and spring musical. These are large-scale community events where students of all backgrounds can come together to showcase their many talents. We welcome students who are interested in performing, playing in the pit orchestra, or joining the build and design crew.

Advisor: Mr. Boyle

Berlin High School's Gay-Straight Alliance club is a safe place for all students. This is a student-lead club dedicated to promoting awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in gender and sexual orientations. All students are welcome at any time. Activities include the Day of Silence, attending the True Colors conference and sponsoring educational and social programs for Berlin High School students, faculty, and staff. Meetings are after school on alternating Mondays in room 2122.

Advisor: Mrs. Wilkosz

Habitat for Humanity aims to eliminate poverty and homelessness both locally and globally. As a member of the Berlin High School Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, you will educate others on issues of poverty, raise funds and advocate to help those in need, and build houses in areas locally, nationally, and potentially internationally. We welcome anyone who wants to help others and strengthen communities.

School Advisors: Ms. Carrasquilo and Ms. Joslyn
Rotary Advisors: Dr. Michele Imossi

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for students. BHS Interact Club is sponsored through the New Britain-Berlin and Kensington-Berlin Rotary clubs. Interactors complete multiple community service projects throughout the year. They partner with the Salvation Army, Hungerford, and CCARC on many of their events. Interacts also fundraise to help contribute to causes they feel passionate about. In the past, they have donated to Feed My Starving Children, Guatemala Clean Water Project, Make-A-Wish, Support Our Troops, CT Humane Society, and various others. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships and learn the importance of developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work, and advancing international understanding and goodwill. Interactors also have the opportunity to attend the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Conference at Springfield College (Sophomore year), attend the World-Affairs Seminar in Wisconsin (Junior year), or participate in the Rotary Summer Foreign Exchange program. Rotary also offers scholarships to eligible Interact seniors.

Advisors: Ms. Jones, Mrs. Rice & Mrs.Joslyn

The school newspaper is published monthly to keep students informed of school news, sports, community news, and more. Students are encouraged to pitch article ideas and to submit articles to the newspaper at any time throughout the year. New members are always welcome. Meetings are held in the media center weekly after school.

Advisor: Ms. Galasso

The BHS Student Art League is an inclusive club for all students who have a passion for art. No experience is required! This club is student-driven and fun! Come with your ideas. We do activities in-house as well as community art activities within the building.

Advisors: Mrs. Adams and Mr. Recore

Membership is open to all and attendance is required to remain in good standing. A high standard of ethical behavior is expected of class and Student Government Officers. Members are active with the Homecoming committee in addition to representation on school-wide committees, community service, funding several programs, and class representation of pertinent issues, among other responsibilities. Student Government meets mostly after school once every week/every other week, with more frequent meetings when events are close by.

Coaches: Mr. Cruz and  Ms. Sznaj

Unified Sports members are always looking for partners to work with special education athletes. Open to all students throughout the school year. Practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-4:00 in the B-gym.

Advisor  Mrs. Cormier and Mr. Boyle 

Unified theater dissolves typical barriers between youth through transformative, school-based performing arts programming. In Unified Theater, young people with and without disabilities, of all backgrounds, come together as equals to put on a production. The production is entirely organized, written, and directed by the students themselves. The concept is simple: Let teens lead, let creativity rule, and put the SPOTLIGHT on Ability. The performance takes place in early spring.

Advisors: Ms. Letourneau and Ms. Pach

Unity Teams are school-based teams of student leaders committed to the mission of creating a safe, welcoming culture in schools. Unity Team members and Student Ambassadors promote a positive school climate for all. Through student-designed and student-led projects, Unity Teams help schools bring attention to and deal with bullying, teasing, harassment, and the use of degrading language. Student Ambassadors welcome new students to BHS, provide tours to community members, and seize opportunities to make sure every student at BHS develops a sense of belonging.

Advisor: Ms. Patel

The Upbeat Leadership Program is a school and community-based character development and leadership training program whose goal is to encourage the youth of Berlin to develop sound decision making skills and to provide opportunities for positive community involvement and service. Peer leaders attend biweekly meetings and, working under the direction of a Senior Peer Leader, meet in small groups called houses to plan and implement community service projects. A variety of speakers, programs, and activities are conducted at the meetings, which are held every other Monday from 5:30-6:30. New members can see Ms. Patel in rm 2403 

Upbeat Website

Advisors: Mrs. Glass and Ms. Portal

The Writing Center is a place where students of all skill levels can seek help with any type of writing assignment. Trained student tutors offer assistance in any stage of the writing process across all subjects. Students may attend a tutoring session during a study hall or after school. Register for an appointment by visiting the BHS website, or drop by the Center. New tutors are recruited annually by teacher recommendation.

Advisor: Ms. Dudis

The purpose of the yearbook is to compile and publish material that serves as a record of the activities of students at BHS as a tribute to the senior class. Meetings are held after school.