Changes have been made to some of the courses available to students for the 2013-2014 school year.
One of these is the removal of the Animation and Game Design and Authoring for Web classes from the business department.
The classes were removed in order to simplify the Computer Graphics track to increase the quality of classes. Business teacher Mark Chipman said that the change is for the better.
“[The administration] felt, and we agreed, that we as teachers were teaching too many classes, and we were being stretched too thin,” Chipman said. “[There was a] need to simplify our current pathways in the business and technology cluster in an effort to focus on quality over quantity.”
Some students, such as sophomore Brooke Drescher, are upset about this change.
“I want to be an animator so the fact that our school doesn’t offer an animation course is kind of a bummer,” Drescher said.
However, Drescher sees a bright side to the removal of the course.
“I guess it’s good [that the class will be removed] because then I can fill in my schedule with different courses,” Drescher said.
Another big change to the courses offered next year is the replacement of Algebra I and Algebra/Geometry Essentials with Integrated Math I in order to introduce the Common Core standards to the math department. The purpose of Common Core is to integrate skills like reading, communicating and writing into all courses.
“It’s [going to be] more interactive, discussion-based and student-centered,” math teacher Jessica DeWild said. “It’ll be interesting. I think it’s the step in the right direction. There will be a learning curve for both students, parents and teachers.”
There have also been several changes that impact fine arts courses. The art department added Advanced Drawing and Advanced Painting to provide more opportunities to take art courses. The music department removed Jazz Techniques and Applied Instrumental Music due to low enrollment numbers, but History of Rock and Roll was added as a follow-up to Music Appreciation.
The art department has also added the class Stagecraft, in which the students will work on sets that will be used for the school plays and musicals.
“They’ve had [Stagecraft] at De Soto High School for years and I taught it there before I came here,” drama teacher Jon Copeland said. “I’m excited, I like tech theatre. I think it’s creative, but it’s creative in a different way [than acting]. When you act [out] a scene, after you feel good about how you did, but with tech crew you can physically see the good work you’ve done. They learn about set design, light, sound and prop design.”
Sophomore Aislynn Quinn signed up for the class and hopes that it will be on her schedule next year.
“It sounds like fun and it will give me more experience with stage crew,” Quinn said. “I’m super excited for this class; I really hope I get it.”
Junior Ashlyn Moll is also looking forward to the class.
“I think it’s going to be a really good class,” Moll said. “You get to go behind the scenes of how the theater works, while the other drama classes we have are only about acting.”
Several new classes were also added to the human services department. Foundations to Childhood Development was removed, but Teaching as a Career, Career and Life Planning and Career and Community Connections are now available in the department.
Other changes to the courses offered include the removal of Honors Economics and Strength and Conditioning II and III. All three of the classes were removed because of low enrollment numbers. Also, ACT Test and College Preparation was added.
High school curriculum coordinator Kelly Wessel said that these courses are going to be good additions for the school.
“While there are a couple courses that are no longer being offered … there are also a lot of new courses,” Wessel said. “The new courses will help prepare students to be college and career ready.”
