This Message Center is organized and operated by David Vitale High School Program of Studies - Course Proposals:

High School program additions were discussed for the 2009-10 school year.  Specific course proposals include Analysis in Film in English/Language Arts, Digital Imaging in Technology Education, and Blueprint for Financial Prosperity in Business Education. 

Analysis in Film would be an elective available to juniors and seniors that links facets of communication that include writing, speaking, critiquing, and elements of story telling through film study.  The films are commonly known American made classics from directors such Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles.  Fair Use policy covers the legality of showing films that have a link to a specific curriculum. 

Digital Imaging would introduce concepts and techniques for projects related to digital media, such as websites and certain print projects, including the WHS yearbook.  Video and still imaging are included in the curriculum. 

Blueprint for Financial Prosperity would cover savings and investing, credit and debt, insurance, and general financial responsibility.  A culminating project incorporates a simulated real life circumstance involving community businesses that work with students to develop a greater awareness about financial responsibility.  This simulation is the Get R.E.A.L. project scheduled to take place in the spring and fall of each school year. 

These courses will appear in the 2009-10 WHS course book that will be distributed to the full Board of Education at its January meeting.  The Board will vote to approve the additions at that time.  Feedback from the committee was positive. 

Future Course Proposals and Revisions:

The committee also reviewed a revised copy of the process the district uses to propose new courses.  Administrators are reviewing the changes and will adopt a process that more clearly reflects the full scope and impact of new courses on the general program of studies as well as teaching and learning. 

posted December 9, 2008 « back to Message Center home

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