RANDOLPH — Randolph Central School’s Board of Education has approved memorandums of agreement between the district and teacher’s association to create three new extracurricular positions in the school.

The positions of Reading Club Advisor, Girls on the Run Advisor or advisors and Esports Coach are set to be filled for all three of their newly official respective clubs at the school.

“MOAs were approved for the Reading Club Advisor, Girls on the Run Advisor, and Esports Coach because these are all newly official extracurricular activities at the Randolph Central School District,” Superintendent Kaine Kelly said. “The nice thing about all three of these activities is that they are staff and student-driven.”

Randolph Central School’s Reading Club allows students to come together in an engaging way to read and discuss books, according to Kelly. He added that the club fosters a love for reading and also prepares students for competitions where they can answer questions about specific books and themes.

“These competitions test their comprehension, analytical skills, and ability to discuss and debate different aspects of the literature they’ve read,” Kelly said. “The club is a fantastic way for students to deepen their understanding of literature while also enjoying the camaraderie of a group setting.”

The Girls on the Run Club follows the national Girls on the Run program, which is dedicated to empowering young girls through a combination of running and life skills development. The program is for girls in grades three through eight, and Kelly said it incorporates physical activity with lessons that are meant to inspire participants to be joyful, healthy and confident.

“The curriculum covers important topics such as self-esteem, positive thinking, teamwork, and goal setting,” Kelly said. “Participants train for a celebratory 5K event, promoting fitness and a sense of achievement. The club provides a supportive environment where girls can develop essential skills for life while enjoying the benefits of physical activity.”

The school’s Esports program was born from the Gamers Club and has grown into a “popular and dynamic extracurricular activity”, Kelly said, adding that in the program students engage in competitive video gaming, where they develop and showcase their skills in a variety of popular games.

“Esports fosters teamwork, strategic thinking, and quick decision-making as students compete against peers from other schools and organizations,” Kelly said. “The program also emphasizes sportsmanship and ethical behavior in the digital realm. Additionally, participants have opportunities to learn about game design, streaming, and other aspects of the gaming industry, making it an enriching experience both inside and outside of the competitive arena.”

Kelly said all of the clubs were born out of student interest and the advisors who have created and run the programs — for multiple years in some cases — have been on a voluntary basis. The advisor and coaching positions are becoming official now, as the school has seen a high level of participation in all three programs.

“We know that these clubs will run well into the future and will have a positive impact on a large number of students even before we decide to formalize them as positions,” Kelly said.