New possible electives to be added in ’15-’16 year

Next year, aspiring writers and engineers may be given the opportunity to take additional electives that cater to their specific interests.

Among the many proposed classes is Creative Writing, an elective offered by the English department.

If it gets enough signups, it will be “a practical workshop class designed to develop writing voice through an examination and application of a variety of creative writing genres,” according to the course description. All students who have completed English 9 or English 9 MAP are eligible for it.

“We know, just from being teachers in the English department, that students like to read short stories, [that] some of them are into screenwriting,” English Department head Natasha Ritchie said. “We wanted to have a class that would be more flexible and open to that. [Creative Writing] would be more inclusive than previous classes like poetry only.”

The course will resemble a writing workshop in the first semester. Students will be instructed to read samples of different genres, such as short fiction or personal narratives, and write their own. In second semester, students will have more freedom and flexibility for to specialize in what they want to do, Ritchie said.

For any of the proposed classes to be finalized, a minimum of 25 students need to express interest by registering for it during course selections in the spring, assistant principal Brian Safine said.

Besides Creative Writing, other potential electives include American Sign Language, which would be taught by a West Valley College teacher on the SHS campus. The West Valley course would be open to both SHS and West Valley students. The semester-long class, targeted at juniors and seniors, would count for World Language credit.

The math and science departments have also proposed Strategic Geometry/Biology Support for freshmen and sophomores who are also a part of Individualized Academic Support (IAS) classes, according to guidance counselor Alinna Satake.

Another potential course, Introduction to Programming and Web Development, aims to teach students how “to think more like programmers,” Satake said. The class will cover computing languages more accessible than Java, such as HTML, but would not be strictly computer science, as the course will concentrate on concepts and web development.

Based on the responses from a survey of Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus students, the math department may offer college preparatory Calculus for those who do not wish to take either of the AP calculus courses. The course will be slower-paced than AP Calculus AB and students would not have to prepare for the exam in May.

“Some students might not feel comfortable taking the AP level class, so I think having a ‘regular’ [Calculus] class as an option is a good choice,” sophomore Jessy Liu said.

In the engineering department, Digital Electronics may be a subsequent elective to Principles of Engineering. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible, with the only prerequisite being a B+ or higher in geometry.

According to the course description, “the class explores the world of binary numbers and arithmetic and basic logic elements to implement complex logic functions.” Students will design and build circuits, display the internal behavior of sequential logic systems and build small robots.

Various other courses include Art 4 Honors, proposed by art teacher Diana Vanry, intended to reward advanced art students who have already completed Art 3 with honors credit. Modular Guitar Study, suggested by music teacher Anthony Lanzino, would cover the basics of guitar. Weight Training for Athletes, proposed by athletic director Tim Lugo, would give non-football athletes a chance to keep up with their fitness during their off-season.

Media Design and Production (for freshmen), taught by a teacher Media Arts Program, would resemble a multimedia class, and Senior Media Lab may be offered to seniors in MAP. It would be especially valuable to those need additional time to work on their final portfolio projects.