Community High School Electives
Art Exploration
This course will introduce the students to a wide variety of art techniques.
- The elements of art,
- principles of design, and
- two and three-dimensional projects.
Projects will include paintings, printmaking techniques, and a variety of mixed media. Students will be introduced to various art historical periods and research and report on artists from diverse cultures. Students will also maintain an art journal that will include thoughts, ideas, sketches, notes from class lectures, and any photographs or art objects that interest the student.
Broadcast Communications
In Broadcast Communications, students learn the basic principles and practices of broadcasting. The course includes units on pre-production, production, and post-production. Students are involved in technical aspects of the broadcasting milieu, including studio design, writing for electronic media (commercial and public), microphone technique, public speaking, mass communication, interacting with recording software, broadcast console operation, and podcasting. Students must participate in the production of their online products and assist other students. Shows may air or be archived at a different website or through weekly broadcasts on our building's public address system. Students may also participate in class trips to observe professional broadcasting environments.
Coding
Coding studies different coding languages and concepts used to program websites, devices, robots, games, and more. The student learns three code languages: Java, HTML, and CSS. Students learn computer science principles required to understand how our society uses computer technology daily. The student will learn creative coding concepts to create programs that complete desired functions. Students will build and program video games, robots, and circuit boards throughout the year.
Computer Art
Students learn traditional art and design principles using drawing tablets and software to create digital art. Students have an opportunity to sample elements of other Community High School computer classes such as animation and assist with promotional materials for CHS Toy Drive and Pi Day events.
Drama
Drama class teaches the basic techniques of acting, working as an ensemble, and technical support skills. While working on stage productions, students learn more advanced acting and production skills. The theatre workshop is complete with modular furniture and theatre props, as well as a small stage to allow for scene rehearsals. Drama and Performing Arts classes perform in a full-stage production each year in the auditorium and several talent and variety shows.
Fitness Training
Community High School offers students the opportunity to participate in a Fitness Training class that is a more fitness oriented gym class that fulfills the state physical education requirement or elective requirement. This class allows students to gain confidence and improve all of the fitness components, as they exercise utilizing weights, treadmills, nautilus machines, workout programs and teacher expertise. The Psychology course at Community High School focuses on child development, the brain and behavior, sleep and dreams, sensation and perception, learning and memory, theories of personality, stress and health, and psychological disorders. In exploring these topics, students are involved in group discussions, experiments and projects. The class will view a variety of films relating to psychology. Students learn how to follow a syllabus.
Film Study
The Film Study curriculum at Community High School increases students' aesthetic awareness of film. The program focuses on exposing students to historical, social, and cultural influences that have generated artistic accomplishments in the film industry and continue to shape contemporary art.
Fine Art
Fine art introduces the student to a wide variety of art techniques, including the principles of color, elements of design, pattern, balance, composition, line, and form. Students express these techniques through two and three-dimensional projects, drawings, and paintings. The students work in 3D via paper mache, clay work, and other sculptural techniques. The Art Department allows students to display their work and participate in the annual art show.
Forensic Science
Forensic Science is the application of science to matters of the law. Principles of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science govern the interpretation of evidence from a crime scene. As computer programming and forensic laboratory techniques have become more accessible and reliable, their use in interpreting and analyzing crime scene evidence has increased. Society now expects science and technology to assist in crime solving. The primary goal of this course is to use forensic science as a vehicle for teaching science in a meaningful context and developing scientific literacy. Students are engaged in the learning process through inquiry-based tasks and authentic forensic laboratory techniques. These tasks develop students' observation, analytical and problem-solving skills and demonstrate science's nature.
Music
The music program at Community High School teaches the musician to play chords and melodies on guitar, bass, or piano. Basic music theory introduces students to the school's multi-track recording studio. The annual talent, music, and drama shows offer students performance opportunities. Students are also encouraged to participate in performing musical pieces at the Fashion Show. The Music Department is open to any student who wishes to practice or play with other students during lunch.
Photography
This course covers
- different lighting techniques,
- printing, and
- portfolio creation.
The student will study other photographers and their works and elements of art and design principles. Students take their photographs in and out of school for publication in their portfolios and the school yearbook.
Psychology
The Psychology course at Community High School focuses on child development, the brain and behavior, sleep and dreams, sensation and perception, learning and memory, personality theories, stress, health, and psychological disorders. In exploring these topics, students are involved in group discussions, experiments, and projects. The class will view various films and movies about psychology and issues. Students learn to follow a syllabus and look at behavior and society from different points of view, and they gain a better understanding of people in their lives. The ideas discussed are new and exciting. Topics are often about them and their view of the world.
School Service
School Service is designed to immerse students in basic maintenance and repair. Students will learn how to perform various maintenance tasks throughout the building while working with an experienced building and grounds supervisor. Students will also have the experience of shopping for and purchasing assorted materials to use for such repair and maintenance. Social skills will be developed while working on the school service team and students will establish marketable skills that will help them gain entry-level employment opportunities.
World Language
Students learn Spanish over three years. The first year of Spanish provides a solid basis for the four skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. This course aims to develop a facility to pronounce correctly and to converse in simple, helpful speech patterns with an introduction to idiomatic expressions.
The second year of Spanish continues the development of skills in speaking and understanding the Spanish language. Students gain more experience in reading comprehension and acquiring vocabulary as the basis for writing.
The third-year Spanish student continues the development of skills in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the Spanish language.
Yearbook Publishing
The Community High School yearbook, Wings, is a product of the efforts of the Yearbook class, students who take the photographs, and those who create the computer graphics. Wings aim to develop ideas, study typography, design page layouts, and manipulate photos and photography, showcased in the 108-page yearbook. This high-quality publication is anxiously awaited annually and treasured by students and faculty.
Yoga and Mindfulness
The Yoga and Mindfulness class is designed to introduce students, safely and accessibly, to the basic postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods of yoga to achieve more out of their day-to-day lives. Students will begin to experience the benefits of stretching, moving, and breathing freely as they learn to manage stress and anxiety in their lives through guided yoga postures and specific mindfulness practices. They will study how to focus attention on the current moments, build self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills and develop an ability to establish a calm, confident and mindful approach to their world.