Electives
Art
H.S. Art Course Description/Class Summary:
High School Art is a semester course, designed to encourage creativity while learning new techniques for all grades 9-12 and multi-ability . This year you will learn to intelligently think and speak about art. You will also learn how to create art from concept to finished project with various art mediums building upon last year’s skills. Please see below for a concise outline of the course.
Business
- Accounting I
- Business Law
- Career Research
- Computer Applications
- Entrepreneurship
- Industry 4.0 / Career Readiness
- Keyboarding
- Personal Finance
- Web Page Design
Accounting I
Course Description:
This course integrates basic math skills with accounting theory and practices as established by the AICPA. They will also learn the accounting cycle for a proprietorship and corporation. This is accomplished by journalizing transactions, posting to a ledger, completing adjustments on an eight-column worksheet, creating financial statements, and finally the closing entries. Some emphasis is also placed on using special journals and learning to complete payroll transactions.
Business Law
Course Description:
This course allows students to explore their government, how laws are formed. Both criminal law and civil law are explored including real cases for both. An emphasis, however, is placed on business law, and specifically contract law as the course continues into the second semester.
Career Research
Course Description:
This course places emphasis on career research based on student interest. The research includes the following topics about the career(s): description, duties/responsibilities, educational requirements, skills/abilities, availability/longevity, experience/licensure, and income potential. Once students have selected careers of interest to them, research will continue of post-secondary schools that provide programs for each student’s career choice with emphasis placed on cost and location of the program. Finally, there will be preparation of budgets based on “real” jobs for each student’s career choice.
Computer Applications
Course Description:
This course places emphasis on practical business and personal computer applications. Several important topics include: Formatting and keying personal-business letters, MLA reports, and tables. Other topics are creating spreadsheet documents, slide presentations, and learning vital computer terminology. The course emphasizes the use of MS Office products–Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Entrepreneurship
Course Description:
This course places an emphasis on owning and operating a business based on student interest. Students will learn about industry categories, types of ownership, marketing, financial goals, staffing, and the law surrounding business ownership. Students will also create a thorough business plan for a business in which they have an interest and aptitude.
Industry 4.0 / Career Readiness
Course Description:
This course places an emphasis on two main components: the discovery of new industry technologies; and the creation of professional business/career documents. In the first nine weeks of the course, students will research topics such as but not limited to: Coding, augmented reality, machine language, cobots, AI, IOT, cloud computing, M2M, autonomous robots, etc. During the second nine weeks, students will learn about the process and documents required to get a job–cover letter, resume, job application, and thank you letter. Students will also learn appropriate interviewing techniques, dress, and workplace etiquette.This course incorporates components of the PA STEELS Standards and the PA Career Education and Work (CEW) Standards (2024).
Keyboarding
Course Description:
This course places emphasis on the learning and use of the qwerty keyboard by touch. Improving speed and accuracy of keyboard operations is also encouraged. Additionally, knowledge of creating basic documents like lists and common flyers used for advertising or to post information are emphasized, as well as proofreading documents.
Personal Finance
Course Description:
This course places emphasis on practical business and personal “real world” applications. Several important topics include: Job payment methods, taxes, banking, investments, spending wisely, insurances, owning & renting property, owning & leasing vehicles, and business analysis. Another aspect of the class is differentiating between useful information as opposed to nonessential data in word problems. Gaining proficiency in using a calculator and refining basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages) is also emphasized.
Web Page Design
Course Description:
This course emphasizes the importance of websites in business and personal use. The main focus of the course is on proper design, development, and creation of web pages and web sites, while keeping the specific user of these sites in mind. Both hypertext markup language (HTML) and web development software like Dreamweaver will be used in the course. Additionally, discussion of terminology and implementation of essential elements of web pages are core components of the course.
Music/Chorus/Band
Ensemble
Course Description/Class Summary:
Ensemble is an elective course open to students in grades 9-12 with a prerequisite of at least one year in middle or high school chorus. Students in ensemble gain experience singing in a smaller group setting. It is designed to develop many musical skills including singing and performing, music reading skills and an understanding of interpretation and expression of music. Other skills such as leadership, organization and responsibility will also be utilized as a part of rehearsal. A variety of musical styles will be explored throughout the course using the performance music and pertinent performances online. The course includes two graded public performances – one in semester I and one in semester II.
Chorus
Course Description/Class Summary:
Chorus is an elective course open to students in grades 9-12. It is designed to develop many musical skills including singing and performing, music reading skills and an understanding of interpretation and expression of music. Other skills such as leadership, organization and responsibility will also be utilized as a part of rehearsal. A variety of musical styles will be explored throughout the course using the performance music and pertinent performances online. The course includes two graded public performances – one in semester I and one in semester II.
Band
Course Description:
Band is an elective course for students in grades 9-12. It is designed to develop skills including playing instruments and performing, music reading skills and an understanding of interpretation and expression of music. Other skills such as leadership, organization and responsibility will be utilized as a part of rehearsal. A variety of musical styles will be explored throughout the course using the performance music and pertinent performances online. The course includes two graded public performances – one in semester I and one in semester II.
Driver's Ed
Course Description:
In this course, students are provided with the knowledge and skills to enable them to become safe and informed drivers. This course will also provide students with opportunities to build their understanding and confidence in driving and in interacting in different driving environments. The motor vehicle laws of Pennsylvania will be explained and assessed.
Current Events
Course Description:
In Current Events, students will analyze: the news stories from Shanksville Stonycreek School District, Shanksville PA, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, The United States, The World, The Galaxy, and The Universe. While doing so students will participate in various activities, projects, and discussions pertaining to Current Events. They will recognize connections between present and past. They will understand how the past affects the future. This course includes the PA Academic Standards for History, Civics and Government, and Geography.
Elective War
Course Description:
In the Elective War course, students will analyze: events that led to war, important events, important countries, important individuals, important battles, the peace agreement, total casualties, and the effects of war. While doing so students will participate in various activities, projects, and discussion pertaining to the War. They will recognize connections between the present and the past. This course includes PA Academic Standards for History. Please see below for a concise outline of the course.
Personal Fitness
9th-12th Grade Course Description:
Personal fitness improves your brain health, helps manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improves your ability to do everyday activities. Students will set goals and work towards these goals in a competitive environement pushing each other to do their very best. This class is for any student who wants to improve their overall health and fitness. Levels can range from beginner to advanced based on years of participation in the class. The weight training program is an 8-week program. At the end of the 8-week program students will complete testing and chart their improvements and record their progress. This is an elective class that meets every day for the entire school year.