Students are strongly encouraged to participate in school co-curricular and extra curricular activities. These programs are geared toward developing character, leadership and encouraging community service. They can help him develop his talents, focus his interests, make school more fun and rewarding and are certainly looked upon favorably by colleges. You can participate in Tzedaka projects, Chesed activities, teams, clubs, publications and other activities.

The Student Council plays an integral role in enriching student life. Class representatives will assist in planning activities to address the needs of the student body and serve as liaisons to the Administration.

Requirements for Student Council Candidacy:

• President: must have at least an 85 average.
• Other positions: must have at least an 80 average.
• Appropriate behavior and attendance records.

Club Period takes place each Thursday and is an opportunity for students to find an area of interest outside the classroom. Club options include: Debating Team, Mock Trial, Chess, Art, School Newspaper, Torah Publication, Cooking, Drama and more. Students can also join the school choir and band, Current Events League, and the Yeshiva League Model Congress.

Sports opportunities include Basketball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf and Softball teams. Tryouts are held early fall. Intramural sports will be conducted both during and after the school day.

Educational Trips and Shabbatonim are scheduled at various times during the year. These are planned with an eye toward enriching school curriculum, expanding experiential horizons and building achdut, with sensitivity towards budgetary concerns.

DRS Yeshiva is proud of our student publications including the DRS Reporter, our school newspaper, Devarim Hayotzim min HaLev, our weekly Torah publication, The DRS Wildcat, our weekly sports update, “Drachim” Pathways, our senior yearbook, Reflections, our literary magazine and Ole, our Spanish Journal. The school can exercise reasonable restrictions on student publications that are produced and sponsored by the school, including the school newspaper. The Administration or faculty advisor will review all publications to ensure that they are consistent with the rules for responsible journalism and the School’s education mission. In addition, students may not distribute literature or flyers on school grounds and in school buildings without the prior consent of the Administration who may regulate the time, manner, place and duration of such distribution. The Administration may also regulate the content of literature to be distributed to avoid interference with the educational mission of the school or for other reasons based on the Administration’s educational judgment.

HONOR SOCIETY

Juniors and Seniors with a cumulative average of 90 or more are invited to apply for membership to the Achdut Chapter of the National Honor Society. Applicants must submit an essay describing their leadership qualities and service to DRS and the community, and must receive faculty approbation in the area of character. Achdut members have extensive service and tutoring requirements, and elect their own officers annually. Inductions are held each Fall at an evening ceremony. Mrs. Hefter serves as Faculty Advisor. Membership is reviewed on an ongoing basis and is dependent on satisfactory maintenance of all of the above criteria.

DRIVER’S EDUCATION

A Driver’s Education course is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters, registration permitting, and meets after school hours. There is a fee for the course. Detailed information regarding requirements, hours, and fees will be distributed in early September.

SCIENCE and SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM

DRS students may do science lab research during the summer months at a special program at the Stony Brook or other labs or hospitals, where available. Dr. Peck, our Science Research Director, will work with the students to coordinate and present their research to the appropriate competitions that are available. Students interested in Social Science research (anthropology, sociology, psychology, etc.) should see Mr. Schmugar for further information.

SALUTE TO ISRAEL PARADE

The creation of the State of Israel is one of the seminal events in Jewish History. Recognizing the significance of the State and its national institutions, we seek to instill in our students an attachment to the State of Israel and its people as well as a sense of responsibility for their welfare.

The Yeshiva is proud to march in the annual Salute To Israel Parade. Since we so strongly identify with the State of Israel and are committed to participating in the parade we require student attendance on Sunday, June 1, 2008. Individual medical problems or concerns must be cleared with the Administration in advance of the parade.

Basketball, Varsity and Junior Varsity: The Yeshiva’s Varsity & Junior Varsity teams have been tremendously successful the past couple of years in the yeshiva league.  The Varsity is for Juniors and Seniors and the JV is for Freshmen and Sophomores.  Team spirit, midot, basketball skills and hard work are stressed.

Hockey, Varsity and Junior Varsity: The Yeshiva fields Varsity (for Seniors and Juniors) and Junior Varsity (for Sophomores and Freshmen) teams which will also compete in the M.Y.H.S.H.L.  The teams have been very successful, winning the league Championship five times in the Yeshiva’s ten year history.

Softball, Varsity and Junior Varsity: In the spring the school competes in the Yeshiva Softball League. DRS has won a championship and has been a dominant team for the past couple of years.

Tennis:  There is a tennis team that competes in the spring. This team is open to all students.  Practices are held in Oceanside, New York.

Soccer:  Our indoor Soccer team is open to all grades, and competes in the spring.

Chess:  We field a chess team which competes in the Yeshiva Chess League. Many students hone their skills and learn new strategies on this team. We also have a chess club for students to practice strategy.

Debate:  As part of this team, students will develop research, speaking, argumentation and rebuttal skills. We host our own Interscholastic Tournament as well.  The team has earned many 1st  place awards over the years.

Mock Trial:  The School competes as part of the New York State Mock Trial Competition. Students learn basic courtroom procedure and the proper technique to formulate a legal argument. Over the past number of years we have won some very impressive bouts in a field of over 60 competitors.
 
Torah Bowl:  DRS is part of the Yeshiva Torah Bowl League. Through self study and guidance of the team coach, members of the team develop a proficiency in Chumash and Rashi.
 
College Bowl:  This team competes with other yeshivas throughout the year, testing general knowledge. This team is open to all grades.
 
Model Congress:  We take part in the model congress which tries to recreate the workings of congress. This is accomplished with students getting the right to advocate for and pass legislation.

Model UN:  Yeshiva University hosts this program which is an attempt to recreate the workings of the United Nations as it affects the general assembly and the Security Council. The objective is to try to pass resolutions that your country advocates for.