Chess Club: Mr. Atoyan

Mr. Atoyan, science teacher, leads the chess club in Room 213 on Thursdays. each week, student opponents play to improve their skills and increase their rankings.

Debate Team: Mr. McElroy

Mr. McElroy, case manager, mentors the debate team. They meet on a weekly or biweekly basis in the computer lab or in the auditorium. Debates require some type of research and a little bit of general knowledge. The debates will be held in both individual and group styles. Typically, teams are given a specific topic to "debate." Each team will then be given a set amount of time to research and prepare. Students typically don't know their debate topics ahead of time. They are encouraged to read about current events and controversial issues to prepare for debates on their own time.

Drama Club: Mrs. McSwiggan

Mrs. McSwiggan, case manager, meets with the drama club o Thursdays in the auditorium. Try-outs will be held in December and rehearsals start in January from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. If enough students are interested, we will be doing Snow White this year as our production.

Ms. Smith, French teacher, leads the Francophiles once a month on Tuesdays in room 214. Students enjoy French food while learning about the French culture. They also play French games and watch the French version of movies.

Mock Trial: Ms. Dubis 

Mrs. Dubis, keyboarding teacher, is the mock trial coach. Weekly meetings are held in room 2. Students work as a team to prepare and argue legal cases against other junior high school teams. They take on the roles of lawyers and witnesses, and they perform in front of a real judge in an actual courtroom.  Trial competitions will begin in March.

Newspaper : Mrs. McSwiggan

The Gorton Gazette is published through the school year. any student who is interested in submitting stories for the newspaper is encouraged to do so. Teachers also submit class work with student permission. Mrs. McSwiggan, case manager, advises on Wednesday afternoons or during homeroom period in room 10.

Social Studies Club: Mrs. Theriault

Mrs. Theriault, social studies teacher, mentors this club on Tuesdays in room 111. It is open to all students. They typically work on philanthropic projects for the school and to benefit the "Wounded Warrior Project."

Student Council: Mrs. MacDonald & Mr. Stone

Mrs. MacDonald, English teacher, is the advisor and is supported by Mr. Stone, social studies teacher, and the social studies department. It consists of the elected President, Vice-President, Secretary, and the Treasurer along with homeroom representatives. The council meets every Wednesday afternoon in room Weekly meetings are held in room 2. Students work as a team to prepare and argue legal cases against other to discuss school issues, plan community service projects and fundraising. All students are welcome.

 Yearbook: Mr. McElroy

Mr. McElroy, case manager, heads the yearbook committee. Students are responsible for designing, creating, marketing, selling and distributing the 2011-2012 Gorton Yearbook. A great deal of work is expected to be completed independently (at home) for submission. Access to a computer is beneficial, but not required. Meetings will be held bi-weekly.