GUIDANCE
HANDBOOK
(2010-11)
Table
of contents
Table of
Contents.........................................................2
General
Information.................................................... 3-5
Schedule
Changes……………………………………… 4
Graduation
Requirements........................................... 5
Agriculture...................................................................
6
Business.......................................................................
7-8
Family and Consumer
Science (Home Ec).................
9-10
Fine
Arts.......................................................................11-12
Foreign
Language......................................................... 13
Language
Arts...............................................................14-15
Mathematics..................................................................16-17
Physical Education,
Health, Driver Education........... 18-19
Science...........................................................................20
Social
Studies................................................................ 21
Post-Secondary School
Information................................26
GENERAL
INFORMATION
TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
This guidance handbook is
a guide to courses offered at
In an effort to increase parent participation in the registration process,
students are requested to discuss their course and career decisions with their
parents. Students are also asked to obtain parental approval of the
course requests for next year before returning them to the Guidance Office.
Parents who wish to become more actively involved in their student’s
educational program are urged to contact the Guidance Office to schedule an
appointment.
PRE-REGISTRATION PARTICULARS
The following procedures
will be in effect for the registration of students:
- Students
should speak with their counselor, parents, teachers, and friends, and
prepare for registration in a serious and sincere manner. Eighth
grade students attending Valmeyer Junior High
will meet with Mrs. Karsten during second semester of their 8th
grade year and will complete their pre-registration during this
time. An evening meeting will be held for parents of eighth grade
students from the junior high to help parents become more informed about
the high school curriculum.
- Sometime
during 3rd quarter, each high school student will have an
individual conference with the guidance counselor to plan the next year’s
schedule.
- After
all students have had their individual conference with the counselor, they
will be given a form to fill out with their class requests for the
following year. This form will need to be signed by the student and
the parents and returned to the guidance office. Because of possible
schedule conflicts, not all requests may be granted and alternate classes
may be assigned. Priority will be given to required classes.
4. Students will receive their schedule for the
following year before they leave for summer break. The counselor will
schedule two days in late July/early August for schedule changes. ALL
STUDENTS should be prepared to BEGIN CLASSES on the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
Students who cannot attend these scheduled days for changes should call the
Guidance Office and arrange a time to complete registration.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
A change of a student’s
schedule is time consuming and complicated. Teachers are employed,
textbooks ordered, and rooms assigned on the basis of the number of students
requesting various courses. Therefore, very few schedule changes will be
made at the summer registration. If schedule changes are necessary during
the year, the procedure is as follows:
1.
Discuss the proposed change with your counselor, your teacher and your parents.
2. Students
may add a class during the first 5 days of the semester if there is room in the
class and prerequisites have been met. After the 5th day of
classes, no changes may be made.
3.
Any class dropped after the 5th day will result in an F
for the course and will appear on the student’s transcript.
4.
All schedule changes require parental approval.
STUDENT DAILY SCHEDULE
1. A student may have no more than 1 full study hall, along with ˝ study hall for those in either Band/Chorus.
2. Students may be
excused from physical education under the following guidelines:
I.
Juniors and seniors may be excused from P.E. under the following
circumstances:
A. Involvement in interscholastic
sports
a.
Fall Sports (Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer & Volleyball) can be excused from
P.E. 1st quarter.
b.
Winter Sports (Basketball & Cheerleading) can be excused from P.E. 2nd
& 3rd quarter.
c.
Spring Sports (Baseball & Softball) can be excused during 4th
quarter.
·
Please Note: Credit is not given for those
quarters that a student chooses to opt out of P.E. This could affect
overall GPA for those vying for Valedictorian/Salutatorian.
II.
Students may be excused from physical education to take a course
which they and the Principal agree will help in the preparation for
post-secondary education.
III.
Students who are in jeopardy of not graduating on schedule may
elect to take an academic class in place of physical education.
IV.
Students may be excused from physical education for medical
reasons. A written statement from a doctor is required. This
statement, which must state the length of time of the medical excuse, will
first be shown to the teacher involved and then turned in to the Guidance
Office. The physical education teacher in conference with the student
will determine if the student will be assigned to a study hall or be given
supplemental activity in the class. If sufficient class is missed to
cause a loss of credit, that credit will have to be earned with other class
work.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Number of credits needed for graduation:
24
Note: Although number of credits earned to date may be sufficient
for graduation, students must meet certain graduation requirements regardless
of credits earned.
Also, remember that these are graduation requirements, not college
requirements. Every college has its own requirements. See the
guidance counselor for detailed information.
Classes required for
graduation:
4 credits of English
3 credits of Social Studies (U.S. History, Geography, Intro to
S.S., & Government are required plus either Economics or Contemporary
History)
3 credits of Math including Algebra I or IA & IB.
2 credits in Science
Resource Management (4 years of Ag. will satisfy this or passing
the Consumer Ed. Proficiency Exam)
Driver’s Education/Career Awareness
Health
Keyboarding
1 credit from Music, Art, Foreign Language, Vocational, or
Humanities
P.E. each year (exemption only by counselor or principal)
EARLY
GRADUATION
Any student who has
successfully fulfilled all the requirements for graduation will be allowed to
graduate early.
The guidance counselor
must be notified in writing no later than the eleventh day of attendance during
the semester in which the student will be graduating. If the student is
under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the notification. Students who choose
early graduation may participate in the end of the year ceremony if they attend
practices. It should be clearly understood that students who graduate at
mid-term will be considered graduates and will not participate in student
activities.
CORRESPONDENCE CREDIT
Students may have up to
one credit accepted from an accredited correspondence school. All costs
related to the course will be the responsibility of the student. Any
student taking a correspondence course to graduate must complete the work so
that the school receives a copy of the student’s grade ten school days prior to
the scheduled graduation ceremony. Valmeyer
High School uses the University of Missouri Extension or American School for
correspondence courses. See the guidance counselor to register.
Final approval must be granted by the principal.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
AGRICULTURE
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Intro. to the
Agriculture Industry |
9-12 |
None |
Yr. |
1 |
|
Agriculture Science Ag. Mechanics
& Technology |
10-12 11-12 |
Introduction to Ag. Industry Intro. To Ag.
& Ag. Science |
Yr. Yr. |
1 1 |
|
Agriculture Business Management Horticulture |
12 11-12 |
Intro. To Ag., Ag. Science, Ag. Bus.
Mgt. None |
Yr. Yr. |
1 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY
This course is designed for students in their first year of
Agriculture. The course covers computer literacy, FFA, Parliamentary
Procedure, record books, and surveying the livestock, aquaculture, and crop
industries.
AGRICULTURE SCIENCE
This course is for students in their second year of
Agriculture. It covers fertilizers, Parliamentary Procedure, water
quality, Forestry, nutrition, arc welding, gas welding, aquaculture, crop
judging, and genetics.
AG MECHANICS & TECHNOLOGY
This course is designed for students in their third or fourth year
of Agriculture. The course covers Parliamentary Procedure, land use,
greenhouse production, electricity, and using microcomputers.
AGRICULTURE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
This course is designed for seniors in their third or fourth year
of Agriculture. The course covers the planning of the program of
activities, computer literacy, land use, record keeping, small engines, concrete, using credit, electricity and using insurance. This course will be offered for dual credit
at
HORTICULTURE
This course is designed for Juniors or
Seniors and will be offered for dual credit at
BUSINESS
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Keyboarding & Formatting Information Processing I Computer Applications I Computer Applications II Accounting I Accounting II Information
Processing II & Document Production |
9-12 9-12 10-12 10-12 10-12 11-12 10-12 |
None Keyboarding & Formatting Keyboarding & Formatting Keyboarding & Formatting None None Keyboarding
& Formatting |
Sem. Sem. Sem. Sem. Yr. Yr. Yr. |
.5 .5 .5 .5 1 1 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEYBOARDING & FORMATTING – (First Semester course – Grades 9-12)
Develops basic keying skill
techniques for operation of automated equipment.
Emphasis is on proper touch-keying technique for developing speed and
accuracy. Proofreading and formatting skills for business and
personal use document production is emphasized. Some of the units of
instruction include basic word processing activities, formatting letters,
envelopes, memorandums, reports (standard and MLA with references & Works
Cited), and simple and complex tables. Students are instructed with the
proper use of the computer numeric keypad. Workplace skills, Internet Web
Search activities, as well as communication skills are taught and integrated
throughout the entire course. An exit requirement is to key at least 25
wpm on 3-minute straight copy within the required error limit.
INFORMATION PROCESSING I
– (Second Semester course) (prerequisite Keyboarding & Formatting – Grades
9-12)
Refines and enhances skills in keyboarding and information
processing. Emphasis is on developing more speed and accuracy.
Units include formatting arranged and unarranged copies of various styles of
memos, letters, outlines, reports, tables, and other forms. Intensive
drills in the computer numeric keypad, and
Internet Web Search activities, as well as communication skills are
integrated throughout the entire course. All activities are more advanced
from those introduced in Keyboarding & Formatting. Students complete
a unit in PowerPoint, as well as a Simulation workplace packet the final nine
weeks to assess skill development. A final unit involves job preparation, keying and composing resumes, reference
lists, application letters and forms, and post-interview follow-up
letters. An exit requirement is to key at least 35 wpm on 5-minute
straight copy within the required error limit.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS I & II
– (Prerequisite: Keyboarding & Formatting. Semester courses for
Grades 10-12, need not be taken in succession)
Orientation course designed to develop awareness and understanding
of various types of application software and equipment for both business and
personal use. Units of instruction include Microsoft’s Word and Excel for the first semester, and Access, PowerPoint,
Outlook, Publisher, and FrontPage for the second semester. Students apply
problem solving skills to hands-on, real-life situations as they explore
introductory topics related to computer concepts and operating systems,
progressing to mastery level.
ACCOUNTING I & II – (Grades 10-12; must be
taken in succession)
Accounting I is a skill development
course which familiarizes students with how to maintain financial records for
various types of businesses in marketing and management areas. The year
course includes instruction for keeping financial records, summarizing them for
interpretation, and analyzing them for decision making. Personal
financial accounting for consumer decision-making is also emphasized.
Computer applications are integrated in each chapter throughout the course and
Simulation workplace sets are used to assess skill development.
Accounting II is the second-year course
designed to prepare students who are interested in careers in accounting or
other areas of business management. Units of instruction are designed to
be more comprehensive than Accounting I, including managerial, financial,
corporate, and cost accounting. Computer applications are
integrated in each chapter throughout the course and Simulation workplace sets
are used to assess skill development.
INFORMATION PROCESSING II & DOCUMENT PRODUCTION
-- (Prerequisite:
Keyboarding and Formatting -- Grades 10-12 )
Students develop and enhance their skills with application
software to produce various publications, including a monthly school newspaper,
the school yearbook, and various other documents such as newsletters,
brochures, informational flyers, music and sports programs, and menus. One unit
involves presentation software with PowerPoint. Also introduced is Pagemaker and Josten’s Yeartech, in addition to
instruction on scanners and digital photography used in preparing pages for the
school yearbook. Typography, photography, and proper layout and design of
publications is emphasized in this course.
Students will apply proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, and proofreading
practices to all documents and publications. Accuracy will be emphasized
and workplace skills as well as communication skills will be taught and
integrated throughout this course.
FAMILY
& CONSUMER SCIENCE
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Family & Consumer Sciences I Family & Consumer Sciences II Foods I Foods II Resource Management Career Awareness |
9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12 11-12 9-10 |
None None None None None Taken after
Driver’s Education |
Sem. Sem. Sem. Sem. Sem. Qtr. |
.5 .5 .5 .5 .5 .25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAMILY
& CONSUMER SCIENCES I (not currently offered)
Family & Consumer Sciences I&II are designed to introduce
students to 4 major areas of Family & Consumer Sciences: foods, clothing
& textiles, parenting & child development, and interior design. Family
& Consumer Sciences I will concentrate on foods. Students will learn
basic cooking terms and techniques as well as kitchen safety and
sanitation. Quick meals using conventional and microwave cookery will be
taught. Emphasis will be placed on nutrition and healthy
lifestyles. The course will provide lab experience in the following food
groups: milk, cheese, eggs, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and quick breads.
FAMILY
& CONSUMER SCIENCES II (not currently offered)
Family & Consumer Sciences I & II are designed to
introduce students to 4 major areas of Family & Consumer Sciences: foods,
clothing & textiles, parenting & child development, and interior
design. Students will learn about fibers and weaves and make a simple
garment. The course will teach principles of laundering clothes, rules of
etiquette, making garnishes and preparing appetizers. Child development,
house designs and building plans, furniture placement, conflict resolution,
family issues, and the importance of good choices will be discussed.
Homemade ice cream will be made in the spring. It is recommended that
students have previous credit in Family & Consumer Sciences I.
FOODS
I
Foods I will teach concepts such as cleaning the kitchen, basic
kitchen principles, and colonial & regional
FOODS
II
Foods II will teach professional cake decorating as well as the
preparation of meats, poultry, and fish. Appetizers will also be
introduced and culminate with a hands on lab. The course will conclude with
foreign foods. Students will prepare foods from Latin America, Europe,
the Mediterranean,
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
Resource Management is designed to teach economic systems,
decisions, advertising, technology, fraud, rights & responsibilities of
consumers, taxes, credit, budgets, investments, and insurance. Special
focus on banking, writing checks, and reconciling accounts is also included in
the class.
CAREER
AWARENESS
Career awareness is designed to help students explore themselves
and various work opportunities that would fit their personalities, interests,
and skill abilities. Personality tests are connected to career
possibilities. Students will experience job-shadowing a person who has
the career of their interest. A college project helps students find the
cost and requirements of post-high school training and helps students know what
high school courses are needed to prepare for college. Students will also
consider ethics in the workplace and think about how they will implement those
ethics themselves.
FINE
ARTS
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Art I Art II Art III Art IV Mixed Chorus Band Music Appreciation Intro. To Theater
Arts |
9-12 10-12 11-12 12 9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12 |
None Art I Art II Art III None None None None |
Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Sem. Sem. |
1 1 1 1 1 1 .5 .5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ART I
The first semester of this course covers basic principles of
drawing and design. The second semester of the course places an emphasis on
color theory, paiting, sculpture and ceramics.
A wide variety of materials are used and the course in a general exposure to
visual art.
ART II
This course is an intermediate art class which builds from Art I
and offers more advanced media techniques. There is an emphasis on idea
development and creative problem solving.
ART III
This course is a structured independent study course.
Students are given a quarterly syllabus which offers a mixture of
teacher-developed and student-developed art assignments which they must
complete on a quarterly basis.
ART IV
This is an independent study course for senior art students
only. Students develop and produce art pieces on an independent
basis. This course is primarily for the serious art student who is
considering majoring in the Art field in college. There are five required
quality pieces which must be submitted each quarter for evaluation and grading.
MIXED CHORUS
Enrollment in High School Chorus is open to all students who
love to sing and wish to join. Emphasis is placed on a variety of choral
literature ranging from Madrigals to 21st century popular music. The
class meets 2 or 3 times per week in an alternate schedule with High School
Band. The chorus members form the nucleus of the cast and crew for the
production of the all-school musical. They participate in a variety of
contests, concerts and community performances. Attendance at required
concerts and contests is essential and a part of the grade in the class.
BAND
High school band offers students the opportunity to perform music
from
many musical periods and genres. Students are exposed to music history,
music theory, and performance practice applicable to music being
rehearsed. The high school band performs formal concerts each semester,
at selected home athletic events, music contests, local parades, and
other venues. Band students also have the opportunity to play in
additional groups such as jazz band and the musical pit orchestra.
MUSIC APPRECIATION
Music appreciation is a non-performance music class that focuses
on helping students to become educated consumers of music. In this class we
learn how to listen to and appreciate music on a higher level by learning the
elements of music and music history. We start the course with music students
already listen to and then expand into less familiar topics. We also study how
music connects with other subjects.
INTRODUCTION TO THEATER ARTS
Theater Arts is an introduction to all of the elements of theater
production and theater history. The class is interactive and students are
able to experience not only acting, but also some directing and production
techniques. A field trip is taken each semester and a final project is
required.
FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III Spanish IV |
9-12 10-12 11-12 12 |
None Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III |
Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. |
1 1 1 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPANISH I
This is an introductory course to learning how to speak, write, listen,
and read in Spanish. Although speaking is an emphasis in the class, there is a
lot of grammar that will be introduced. We will start off with learning basics.
For example, we will learn how to greet people, how to say our ages, and how to
say what we like or dislike. As the year progresses, we will start to learn how
to express ourselves in the past, present, and future. Likewise, the history
and culture of several differing Spanish countries will be introduced.
SPANISH II
This course is a continuation of Spanish I. From the start
we will do a quick review of what was last covered in the previous year. Then,
we will move on to a more in depth study of Spanish grammar and culture.
This class is primarily taught in Spanish; however, in the beginning, students
are allowed to speak in English. By the end of
the year, students should be able to speak, write, listen, and read in Spanish
with a limited degree. If you were to visit a Spanish speaking country, you
should be able to survive.
SPANISH III
This course starts off with a huge review of what was learned from
the previous years. After reviewing, we start off by learning to express our
emotions, fears, and doubts. We will begin to move from “survival Spanish” to
“conversational Spanish.” In this way, we will be able to actually share ideas
and life experiences. Moreover, through reading and research, we will continue
to learn about other cultures and their customs. Also, in this year, students
have the privilege of teaching Spanish to the 2nd graders.
SPANISH IV
This course has a quick review of past grammar, but then jumps
into compound verb tenses. Spanish IV is an exciting class in which we will
really focus on culture, speaking, reading, and writing. Conversation is
the key. The class will be taught in Spanish and students will be expected to
speak only in Spanish as well.
LANGUAGE
ARTS
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
English I English II Speech English III English IV English IV
College Prep H |
9 10 11 11 12 12 |
None English I English II English II English III (C or better in English III) |
Yr. Yr. Sem. Sem. Yr. Yr. |
1 1 .5 .5 1 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENGLISH I
Learning to write better, more developed sentences will be a major
focus in this class. We will review the parts of speech and develop ways of
including all of them in sentences. This knowledge will then be used when
working on various writing assignments throughout the school year, especially
when writing about the short stories that were read in class. We will also
learn the process of writing a research paper, keeping the emphasis on learning
how to avoid plagiarizing someone else’s work. Exposure to other types of
literature will also be provided through the reading of mythological stories, The
Odyssey, novel(s), and William Shakespeare’s writings.
ENGLISH II
Provides a variety of opportunities whereby students can become
proficient in reading, writing, and listening. Writing assignments are
intended to further develop the skills and ideas encouraged in reading.
The form can vary from short, in-class writings to focused portfolios.
Students will be able to comprehend a variety of literary genres.
Grammar, vocabulary, and spelling skills are intrinsically reviewed and
reinforced, so students may feel comfortable expressing themselves.
SPEECH
This course will survey the various aspects of communication with
an emphasis on developing public speaking skills. Students will learn the
basic elements of the communication process and the role each of these elements
play in communication effectiveness. Students will also develop their
skills in speech preparation and performance competency as they prepare a
variety of speeches.
ENGLISH III
Designed to prepare students for
college entrance exams. There is a strong focus on
writing and literature, with an emphasis on proper grammar and
vocabulary. Students will receive preparation for the Prairie State
Achievement Exam in writing and reading. They will also learn how to
effectively write for standardized testing.
COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH IV (Honors) 1ST SEMESTER
Prepares students for college-level
writing courses. This course is designed for students who can readily
identify the parts of speech and sentence structure and who are ready to apply
this knowledge to essay writing. The students will also learn the writing
process – prewriting, drafting, revision, proofreading, and publishing – as
they increase their ability to write well. It will also help students to
broaden, deepen, and clarify their own thinking and require then to formulate
and express these ideas in an organized and concrete form.
COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH IV (Honors) 2ND SEMESTER
Prepares the
college-bound student for an understanding of American and British Literature. A wide variety of authors and themes are explored
throughout the semester. The chosen novels and selections are used to
examine American and British Literature from a historical and chronological
perspective. Students will complete various writing assignments with a
focus on literary analysis.
ENGLISH IV
This course will focus on a
review of grammar and vocabulary. In
addition, students will read a variety of short stories and novels of both
American and British origin. Students
will also compose a research paper. The
course will also prepare students for the modern-day working environment and
provide instruction and practice in English using business-related topics as
its content base. Includes a review of English grammar
and its applications to practical writing format inherent in varied business
settings. Writing assignments focus on business letters, resumes,
cover letters and expository writing. Students will also learn
interviewing skills as well as work place ethics.
MATHEMATICS
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Essentials of Math Algebra IB Algebra I Informal Geometry Algebra II Geometry Trigonometry (Honors) Calculus
(Honors) |
9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12 10-12 11-12 12 |
IEP None None Algebra I (or IA/B) Algebra I (or IA/B) Algebra II Geometry Trigonometry H |
Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. |
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ESSENTIALS OF MATH (IEP students only)
This course is designed to cover basic arithmetic, graphs,
measurements, proportions, percents, word problems, problem-solving, basic
geometry, area, volume, and exposure to Pre-Algebra concepts.
ALGEBRA IA & ALGEBRA IB
See description of Algebra I. IA covers
the first half of Algebra I in one year. Algebra IB covers the second
half of Algebra I in one year. This course is designed for students to
complete Algebra I over a two-year period and cover the material at a slower
pace.
INFORMAL
GEOMETRY
This course is the study of informal geometric concepts with
emphasis on terminology, exploration, activities, and practical
applications. Prerequisite is a passing
grade in Algebra I or a passing grade in Algebra IB.
ALGEBRA I
This course is designed for a foundation in the basic concepts and
skills of Algebra. Emphasis is on signed numbers, positive and negative
exponents, linear equations, volume, surface areas, and word problems.
ALGEBRA II
This course provides practice in topics of Algebra I along with
practice in middle level Algebra. Emphasis is placed on similar
triangles, quadratic equations, polar and rectangular coordinates, and right
triangle trigonometry.
GEOMETRY
In this course, principles of logical reasoning are introduced
before students develop deductive reasoning skills by writing to-column
proofs. Real-life applications illustrate geometric concepts.
Algebra concepts and skills are interwoven with the Geometry.
Trigonometry, ratios, area, volume, and similarity are also covered.
TRIGONOMETRY (Honors)
Practice in the fundamental skills of Algebra, Geometry and
Trigonometry, Logarithms, exponentials, and the graphing of sinusoids.
Heavy emphasis is placed on trigonometric equations and identities. Other
topics include matrices, conic sections, arithmetic and geometric series, and
roots of polynomial equations.
CALCULUS (Honors)
This course is designed for prospective math majors and students
interested in engineering, physics, business, or life sciences. The
course reviews previous math courses and emphasizes limits, continuity,
derivatives, differential, integrals, and related topics.
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION/HEALTH/DRIVERS ED.
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Physical Education Athletic Physical Education Health Driver’s Education |
9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12 |
None None None See course description |
Yr. Yr. Sem. Qtr. |
1 1 .5 .25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
This course is designed to continue to give students the
opportunity to gain personal fitness skills and knowledge through an enriched
Physical Education program. Students will be empowered to make choices, meet
challenges and develop positive behaviors in fitness, wellness and movement
activity for a lifetime. Emphasis is placed on students developing a
personalized fitness program for a healthy life-style through various sport and
fitness activities.
ATHLETIC PHYSICAL EDUCATION
This course is designed to develop power, strength, speed and
agility through intense weightlifting exercises and plyometric
drills. Students will form a foundation
for improving their physical and mental strength, as well as their speed and
agility, in an athletic setting. Furthermore,
students will meet and exceed challenges in the class through teamwork and
positive motivation from other students.
Students that give as much effort as they can will see a positive
increase in their overall health. In
addition, athletes will see an encouraging change in their strength, speed, and
agility, which will give the athlete and abundant amount of confidence in their
respective sport.
HEALTH
High school health education provides the basis for continued
methods of developing knowledge, concepts, skills, behaviors, and attitudes
related to student health and well-being. This course includes the major
content areas in a planned, sequential, comprehensive health education
curriculum as expressed in the Illinois State School Code: (1) Human
Growth and Development; (2) Mental and Emotional Health; (3) Community and
Environmental Health; (4) Nutrition; (5) Human Sexuality; (6)
Relationships; (7) Alcohol and Other Drugs Education; (8) Adult, Child,
and Infant CPR; and (9) Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
Students are provided with opportunities to explore the effect of
health behaviors on an individual’s quality of life. This course assists
students in understanding that health is a lifetime commitment by analyzing
individual risk factors and health decisions that promote health and prevent
disease. Students are also encouraged to assume individual responsibility for
becoming competent health consumers. A variety of instructional strategies,
including technology, are used to further develop health literacy.
DRIVER’S EDUCATION
This course is designed to give each student an opportunity to
learn classroom information that can be applied to the actual driving
process. Emphasis is placed on signs, traffic signals, laws, social
approval, map reading, perception, alcohol, fatigue, car insurance, and vehicle
insurance.
SCIENCE
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Earth Science Biology Chemistry Anatomy & Physiology (Honors) Physics (Honors) |
9-12 9-12 10-12 10-12 10-12 |
None None Biology |
Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. Yr. |
1 1 1 1 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EARTH SCIENCE
This course is the study of astronomy, meteorology, oceanography
and geology. Topics include characteristics of the solar system; history
of astronomy and space exploration; the atmosphere and weather patterns;
Earth’s composition, structure and types of landforms; topography; the physical
characteristics of the ocean, composition, movement and floor.
BIOLOGY
Biology is the study of living things. Emphasis is placed on
the scientific method including lab procedures, use of microscope, basic
chemistry, structure and function of cells, genetics, animal behavior, ecology
and biomes, and plan and animal classification.
The anatomy of three species is introduced through the dissection of a
worm, a frog, and a fetal pig.
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (Honors)
Anatomy and Physiology is the study of human body structural
design and function of the body systems. Emphasis is placed on body
orientation, basic chemistry, structure and function of cells and tissues,
skeletal system, muscular system, digestive system with minor emphasis on
respiratory system, circulatory system, urinary system, reproductive system,
and endocrine system. Cat dissection accompanies each system study.
A small unit uses human anatomy for forensic entomology study.
CHEMISTRY
This course focuses on the study of the properties of matter,
chemical reactions, nuclear reactions, structure of atoms and molecules.
Emphasis placed on atomic structure, electron configurations, and
classification of chemical reactions, molecular shape, the mole, stoichiometry and heat in chemical reactions.
PHYSICS (Honors)
This course looks at the science of the relationship between
matter and energy. Emphasis is placed on linear and projectile motion,
laws of motion, momentum, energy, rotational mechanics, gravitational
interactions, electrostatics, and electric field and potential.
SOCIAL
STUDIES
|
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Introduction to Social Science Geography World History American History Government Contemporary History (Honors) Economics |
9-10 9-10 9-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 |
None None None None None B or higher in U.S. History (or instructor’s approval) None |
Sem. Sem. Sem. Yr. Sem. Sem. Sem. |
.5 .5 .5 1 .5 .5 .5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SCIENCE
This class takes an introductory look at the wide variety of
curriculum in the social studies field. The class focuses on the basics
of the following classes-economics, sociology, history, geography, government,
and psychology. Social studies skills such as map reading, understanding
charts and graphs, interpreting political cartoons and critical thinking will
be emphasized. Recommended for Freshman.
GEOGRAPHY
The 5 geographic themes of location, place, human-environment
interactions, movement and regions are emphasized. Students examine news
events from a geographic perspective. They study the physical and
cultural aspects of regions in both the
WORLD HISTORY (not currently offered)
The course begins with prehistoric man from approximately 2
million B.C. up through 1500 A.D. (Renaissance
Reformation). The semester features study guides, skits, maps,
games and applicable technology for support.
This course is recommended for underclassmen.
AMERICAN HISTORY
A year long course that will take an
overview of the events that have occurred since 1861.
Major emphasis will be placed on the Civil War, The 2nd
Industrial Revolution, the Age of Imperialism, World War I, Depression Era and
World War II. Recommended for Juniors.
GOVERNMENT
Government is an in-depth class where students will learn about
the formation of
CONTEMPORARY HISTORY (Honors)
A one-semester course that looks at
some of the major events that have transpired since 1945.
Major areas of concentration will include the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the
Civil Rights Movement, the Reagan years, the Persian Gulf War, and the rise of
Extremism. Recommended for Juniors and Seniors.
(A “B” average or higher is required in American History as a prerequisite for
this course, unless given permission by instructor).
ECONOMICS
Economics is the study of the choices and decisions people make
about how to use the world’s resources. Students will make economic and
business related decisions through a variety of activities which include
developing a stock portfolio. Recommended for Juniors
and Seniors.
Course |
Open to: |
Prerequisite |
Length |
Credit |
|
Auto Body I & II Auto Mechanics I & II Child Care I & II Computer Graphics & Web Page Design I & II Electronics I & II Health Occupations I & II Law Enforcement I & II Welding I & II Heating & Air Conditioning Repair & Installation Optional Education Program (Full Time) |
11-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 11-12 10-12 |
None None None None None None None None None Recommendation and at least 16 years old |
Yr Yr Yr Yr. Yr Yr Yr Yr Yr |
3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 |
AUTO BODY I & II
In the auto body program,
students will learn the use of hand tools, painting, basic beginning
straightening procedures, removing and replacing trim, welding, safe work
practices, how to work as a team and other employability skills. Advanced
students will be doing frame straightening, overall paint jobs, welding,
sectioning of frames and structural components. In general, students will
be exposed to all the skills required to become an auto body technician.
AUTO MECHANICS I & II
This course provides experiences related to maintenance, repair and servicing
of a variety of transportation and maintenance equipment. Planned
learning activities will allow students to become knowledgeable of fundamental
principles and methods, and to develop technical skills related to auto
mechanics and gasoline engine repair. Instruction will include safety
principles and practices; combustion engine principles; maintaining, servicing
and repairing different types of transportation and maintenance vehicles.
The latest automotive training equipment is complimented with modern teaching
methods and a competency based curriculum. Desirable work attitudes and
patterns are stressed.
CHILD CARE I & II
Child care is designed to
train students to work as aides in preschools and day care centers. The
students will study principles of childcare and learn how to plan
developmentally appropriate activities. An overview of other careers in
childcare will also be provided. Practical experience is in the on-site
preschool, which meets three (3) days a week. Students planning to
advance in childcare careers will need to continue their education at a
community college or a four-year university.
With instructor permission, highly motivated juniors may return during their senior year as Child Care II students. In addition to more instruction in childcare principles, they will assume additional responsibilities such as planning and leading the activities in the on-site lab.
COMPUTER GRAPHICS & WEB PAGE DESIGN I & II
The Computer
Graphics & Web Page Design class covers business applications using several
graphic and Web creation programs. Students will be using a Windows XP
Professional environment and studying computer graphics, animation, HTML programming,
desktop publishing, advertising, photo editing, illustration, and Web page
design.
The second-year course covers advanced Web page creation, advanced computer programming for Web pages, weekly publications, and possible Web page construction with a business partner. Internships may also be available.
The computer lab is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software applications including color laser printing, personal computers, flat screen graphic monitors, and a continuous Internet connection through a T1 line.
A tentative agreement with
ELECTRONICS I & II
Students learn basic current and alternating current circuitry;
discrete semiconductors; transistor theory; how to work with linear and digital
integrated circuits; use of volt ohmmeters, oscilloscopes, frequency counters,
and specialized test equipment; and troubleshooting of all types of electronic
circuits, using technical references. They also study computer circuits,
which include basic logic gates, shift registers, counters, decoders, A/D and
D/A converters, and learn to program microprocessors. Every opportunity
is taken to allow the student, when ready, to repair electronic equipment such
as microwave ovens, VCR's, etc. A unit on residential wiring includes
basic home security systems and how they function.
This is currently a dual credit course through
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS I & II
This class is offered to students who have an interest in entering
the health occupations field. The class will combine various learning
techniques such as those of observation, participation, visitation, and
exploration. The content of the course shall include combined classroom
experiences and supervised clinical learning experiences in designated
long-term care facilities and other health agencies.
The course will expose students to a survey of the many different
careers in the health fields, basic medical knowledge, and a concentration of
study in the area of health-care aide. During the course of study, the
student will actually work in a long-term care facility under the supervision
of the teacher and other nursing personnel.
This is currently a dual credit course through
HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING REPAIR & INSTALLATION (NEW FOR 2009-10)
This
course will explore opportunities in sheet metal, HVAC equipment design,
installation, repair and estimating.
Students will develop skills in the practical welding, soldering and
brazing of copper, aluminum and steel tubing.
They will receive an introduction to residential air conditioning and
heating controls. They will also study
the repair of single unit portable air conditioners with an emphasis on
checking the compressor and air circulator.
Students
will also receive instruction in basic refrigeration theory and component
application as well as refrigerant recovery and recycling processes. They will learn the processes involved in the
installation, maintenance, and repair of various heating systems.
LAW
ENFORCEMENT I & II
This is an introductory course, preparing students to enter the
field of law enforcement or any related area. Students will be introduced
to patrolling techniques, field operating observations and perceptions,
communicating with the public, radio communications, reporting, and records.
Instructions will also include questioning procedures, legal
rights, routine police procedures, crime investigations, pursuit and
arrest. Students will study search and custody procedures as well as
police demonstrations, tours, and local shadowing.
This is currently a dual credit
course through Southwestern
Illinois College
WELDING
I & II
This program is designed for students who are planning a career in
industrial or production welding, farm machinery repairs, or private business.
Students will be exposed to expert training in a variety of welding processes,
equipment, materials, techniques, welding positions and trade terms. The
student will gain extensive hands-on experience and knowledge and learn
employer-employee relationships in preparation for the job market. The
program teaches a student skills in the following areas: shielded metal
arc (stick) of mild steel and stainless steel; gas metal arc (mig) of mild steel and aluminum; gas tungsten arc (tig) of mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum; flux core
arc (dual and self shield) of mild steel; plasma cutting and welding; and
oxy-acetylene hand and automatic cutting. The air-carbon arc gouger is
also used regularly.
First-year students concentrate on flat, horizontal, 45 degree,
vertical and overhead fillets on plate and pipe. Second-year students
work with bevel plates in the flat, horizontal, 45-degree vertical and overhead
positions with all the processes. Stainless steel and aluminum welding
skills are also gained with the mig and tig processes.
Each year BACC students compete and score very well in the state
written and welding Vocational Industrial Club of America (VICA) skills
competition. The instructor and students are also involved in the St.
Louis American Welding Society (AWS) sectional activities.
This is currently a dual
credit course through
OPTIONAL
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Students who are 16 years of age or older who are experiencing academic
difficulties at VHS may apply to attend
PREPARING FOR
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
The courses you take in high school can have a marked impact on your chances
for success in life after high school. Colleges and universities in
recent years have put increasing emphasis on the “core curriculum” for students
pursuing a “college prep” type course of study. These courses include
math, English, social studies, science, and foreign language and other
electives.
Vocational and technical schools, in an effort to have their students better
prepared to do the course work in their schools, are also recommending a “core
curriculum”. This “tech prep” curriculum includes math and science
courses beyond regular graduation requirements in addition to traditional
vocational classes. Some “tech prep” programs will actually grant college
credit for a high school course in order to further encourage students to take
some of these more challenging classes.
COLLEGE PREP
The Illinois State Board of Higher Education, following this trend, has
established minimum course requirements for all state universities and
colleges. The requirements listed below are the ones implemented by all
public two and four year colleges in
4
English (Emphasizing written and oral communication and literature)
3
Social Studies (Emphasizing history and government)
3
Mathematics (Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus)
3
Science (Must be laboratory sciences)
2
Electives in Foreign Language, Music, Drama, Vocational Class or
Art
Some universities will
excuse students from their foreign language requirements when they have 3 or 4
years of high school foreign language. Some universities also have fine
art requirements and additional math requirements.
1
Visual or Performing Arts (Many colleges in
neighboring states are now requiring one credit of band, chorus, art, art
appreciation or drama).
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO MAKE SURE THEY
HAVE TAKEN THE APPROPRIATE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES REQUIRED BY THEIR