Integrated Algebra 1 (Michael J. Coffey)

A continuation of fall term’s Integrated Algebra 1, continuing to use the Numerimurgy system so that everyone can be working at the right level of challenge.  (Newcomers or students below level 19 of Numerimurgy should consider taking this course rather than IA2, but either can work if there are scheduling conflicts.)

This class will cover all four of areas of skills and concepts of pre-college mathematics with an emphasis on algebra, but also drawing from number systems, measurement, and geometric thinking.  The course has a lot of ideas about relationships between numbers, and learning the special language of math.  That includes things like:

  • learning how to convert real-world problems and situations into mathematical descriptions of what’s going on, like using an equation to describe the relationship between two things that influence each other such as price of a product and how many get sold
  • looking at different ways of representing and manipulating numbers, even when you don’t know specifically what number you’re working with (variables, exponents, roots)
  • new functions and equations–and what can be done with them
  • graphing and estimation skills
  • some techniques for analyzing and comparing different data sets
  • practice thinking in specific ways in order to solve problems (rather than guessing or experimenting)

We will discuss in class what your math goals are.  However, keep in mind that most high school math classes meet 5 days a week and we will only meet for 2 days each week.  If your academic goals are to learn the equivalent of a public high school’s amount of math, you will have to do a significant amount of work on your own.

Will happen in one of the two Monday/Tuesday morning slots.

Integrated Algebra 2 (Michael J. Coffey)

A continuation of fall term’s Integrated Algebra 2, continuing to use the Numerimurgy system so that everyone can be working at the right level of challenge.  (Experienced students at or above level 19 of Numerimurgy should consider taking this course rather than IA1, but either can work if there are scheduling conflicts.)

This class will cover all four of areas of skills and concepts of pre-college mathematics with an emphasis on algebra, but also drawing from number systems, measurement, and geometric thinking.  The course has a lot of ideas about relationships between numbers, and learning the special language of math.  That includes things like:

  • learning how to convert real-world problems and situations into mathematical descriptions of what’s going on, like using an equation to describe the relationship between two things that influence each other such as price of a product and how many get sold
  • looking at different ways of representing and manipulating numbers, even when you don’t know specifically what number you’re working with (variables, exponents, roots)
  • new functions and equations–and what can be done with them
  • graphing and estimation skills
  • some techniques for analyzing and comparing different data sets
  • practice thinking in specific ways in order to solve problems (rather than guessing or experimenting)

We will discuss in class what your math goals are.  However, keep in mind that most high school math classes meet 5 days a week and we will only meet for 2 days each week.  If your academic goals are to learn the equivalent of a public high school’s amount of math, you will have to do a significant amount of work on your own.

Will happen in one of the two Monday/Tuesday morning slots.

Old Time Radio (Dan Gillmore)

After the printing press, radio was the next great revelation of communication. One of radio’s best uses was sharing stories, presented by actors and talented producers of sound and editing.
In this class we will occasionally read a source text before class, and in class we will create art while we listen to a performance from the golden age of radio. Written/and or digital copies of each story will be provided to the students to read before each class.

Twilight Zone (Dan Gillmore)

We will watch a selection of episodes from the classic anthology series from 1959 and beyond, followed by a conversation about the themes and deeper meanings behind each episode. The show often features stories that fall into genre categories such as sci-fi, western, and horror.

Play Production (Maggie)

Are you interested in putting on a play this fall? Sign up and we’ll plan a production based on who’s interested. To be performed on stage this year.

BeatCraft (Brandon Bermudez)

This class is focused on learning and applying music theory ideas, including reading and writing, analysis, and production. Students in this class will get a better understanding of how harmony, rhythm, and melody work together to create songs. This term’s iteration of this class will have a heavier focus on rhythm. Open to all grades. Computer and headphones required. Some homework will be required.

Third Unnamed Band (Brandon Bermudez)

This was a request from Ollie to start a new, beginner-friendly performance band. If you’ve spoken with Ollie about this project, please sign up!

Basaso (Brandon Bermudez)

Intermediate performance band.

If you’re not currently in this band and are interested in joining, please talk to Brandon before signing up.

Casual Ghost Party (Brandon Bermudez)

Advanced performance band.

 

Closed band.

Yearbook (final drafting!) (Sieglinde)

The yearbook theme this year is Y2K y’all!

If you’ve been on the Yearbook Team these past two terms, welcome back! If you’re interested in joining, it’s not too late, but please talk with Sieglinde before signing up. We seek motivated students who want to spend time on Canva working on layout, photos, content, etc, and continue to pull it all together into a book that can last your lifetime.

Songwriting! (McKenzie Burkard)

Whether you’re completely new to songwriting or it’s been your passion for years (or if you’re anywhere in between), this class is for you! We’ll explore reasons for songwriting, approaches/styles, key terms, techniques, and have plenty of opportunities to write + share! This will be a great opportunity to build a songwriting community and connect through music and collaboration. As someone who started songwriting in middle school, I have used this practice throughout my life and I’m passionate about the reflective, creative, and fun nature of crafting songs. I’m excited to pass on some of my own approaches and learn with and from you all about other ways of lyric creation! In this class, understanding that there is no one way to learn or teach songwriting, we’ll all work to find our songwriting fit – discovering our writing motivations and interests along the way

 

About the instructor: I've been an administrative intern at PSCS since the start of Winter Term this school year! I'm an English major (Education minor) in my third year at UW and songwriting is a huge passion of mine :)

POKER! Texas Hold ‘Em (Ori) (Ori)

POKER! Texas Hold ‘Em- is a class where students will learn what Texas Hold ‘Em is, and how to play it, and then use those skills during class where we will hold games of Texas Hold ‘Em. This class will never involve betting with real money.

Why I want to teach this class

I see Texas Hold ‘Em as a part of PSCS history. Elizabeth taught me how during a flex, and I have taught flexes about Poker before. I want to pass on this small, fun part of the school to my fellow students. This class will be an elective.

College Explorations 8th, 9th, 10th grades (Val and ASam)

What’s college all about? Is there a difference between college and university? What’s a bachelor’s degree? A master’s degree? A PhD? What the heck does that all mean? What does it mean for your future? Do you even need to go to college?

 

We’ll explore what college can do for you, how you go about trying to figure out which college you might choose, and how you might set yourself up to be a good candidate. Applying to college is a lot of work! Laying the groundwork to do it well takes years. We want to spend Spring Term beginning to understand what you need to think about as you decide what you’ll do after PSCS.

BME- The Black Music Experience MS/HS (TSam)

Describing the African-American influence on American music in all of its glory and variety is an intimidating—if not impossible—task. African American influences are so fundamental to American music that there would be no American music without them. People of African descent were among the earliest non-indigenous settlers of what would become the United States, and the rich African musical heritage that they carried with them was part of the foundation of a new American musical culture that mixed African traditions with those of Europe and the Americas. Their work songs, dance tunes, and religious music—and the syncopated, swung, remixed, rocked, and rapped music of their descendants—would become the lingua franca of American music, eventually influencing Americans of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. The music of African Americans is one of the most poetic and inescapable examples of the importance of the African American experience to the cultural heritage of all Americans, regardless of race or origin.” – Steven Lewis (Music historian)

In this class, we will be exploring the black experience through the lens of music. We will spend time in more popular genres, but also take time to explore lesser-known styles including the blues, jazz, gospel, and African and Caribbean music genres.

Requirements & Materials- Students will need to have their own headphones, a Spotify account, and the ability to download and listen to music files.

New Kid Graphic Novel Read Through (MS/HS) (elizabeth ortega)

We will read the book together and engage in rich discussion about how to envision and build the world you want to see. The premise of the book is VERY RELATED to our PSCS world. It highlights and centers the experience of BIPOC students attending a private school and the complexities and specific challenges that that experience can be.

“Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?”

Jerry Craft, the author is a New York Times bestselling author-illustrator who has worked on numerous picture books, graphic novels, and middle grade novels, including the Newbery award-winning graphic novel.

It covers identity, privilege, power dynamics, overt and covert racism and the inner turmoil of being a student of color in a mostly white space.

I can’t wait to teach this class and SPECIAL THANK YOU to MAKO for recommending this graphic novel series to me which inspired this class.

Girl, Woman, Other (hannah)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo “follows the lives of twelve very different people in Britain, predominantly female and Black. Aged 19 to 93, they span a variety of cultural backgrounds, sexualities, classes, and occupations as they tell the stories of themselves, their families, friends and lovers, across the country and through the years” (from Evaristo’s website). It is written in a hybrid poetry-prose style that illuminates themes of modern womanhood and intergenerational histories. 

In 2019, the year it was published, this book crushed many bestselling lists and, more importantly, was on the favorite-books-of-the-year lists of Barack Obama and Roxane Gay. It also won the Booker Prize. 

In this class, we will read, analyze, discuss, and write about this stunning book. It will be really fun. Take this class if you wanna learn how to read with purpose and write with power and engage with an excellent narrative.

Soccer and Kick It (hannah and elizabeth)

MORE SOCCER AT YESLER WE LOVE IT

MS Washington State History (hannah)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

How did Washington’s unique location and natural resources influence its development, demographics, and interactions between people and environment? In this class, we will trace our beautiful state’s history through time. Students will examine the struggles to control territory in the Pacific Northwest, including the conflicts and treaties surrounding indigenous sovereignty. We will look at how Washington became an agricultural and technological center of industry. Students will practice skills of historical analysis to examine the interconnected strands of history, culture, geography, government, and economics. 

We will be using curriculum from the UW Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest and Department of History; Washington State Historical Society; and the text Washington’s History; The People, Land, and Events of the Far Northwest by Harry Ritter 

Geometry (Scobie)

You know who you are for this year-long class, and I appreciate you! Please prioritize and sticker it appropriately to avoid conflicts, or be ready to make significant personal compromises to stay in it, should you choose not to sticker it to fit your full commitment to the year-long experience.

Recess! (hannah)

MORE RECESS. We will continue to play together, practicing the skills of communication, negotiation, coordination, collaboration, and more. Some of this term will be spent playing outside, too. More spikeball! More frisbee! Kickball? Slackline??? Come to recess class and find out.

Danny Woo Community Garden (hannah)

Come join us as we plant, pull weeds, feed chickens, enhance the infrastructure, sort the compost, and care for our local community garden.

HS Washington State History (hannah)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

How did Washington’s unique location and natural resources influence its development, demographics, and interactions between people and environment? In this class, we will trace our beautiful state’s history through time. Students will examine the struggles to control territory in the Pacific Northwest, including the conflicts and treaties surrounding indigenous sovereignty. We will look at how Washington became an agricultural and technological center of industry. Students will practice skills of historical analysis to examine the interconnected strands of history, culture, geography, government, and economics. 

We will be using curriculum from the UW Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest and Department of History; Washington State Historical Society; and the text Washington’s History; The People, Land, and Events of the Far Northwest by Harry Ritter 

Life Skillzz (Ollie)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

Do you want to improve your life skillzz to a point where you are prepared to be self-sufficient while living on your own (or with others!)? Well this is the class for you!

I’m teaching class this because my mom was taught these things at a super young age and now I know a lot of life skills and hacks. I want to pass the knowledge that I am grateful to have on to other students. 

In this class we’re going to learn how to sew, do laundry, cook HEALTHY meals and how to eat what your body wants you to eat. We will learn to do taxes, how to track our wellbeing in a positive and organized way, how to use nails and screws, weird life hacks that you obviously need but didn’t know, and how to have fun while doing household chores!

If you are a high schooler (junior, senior) please consider taking this class, seeing as you are closer to going out and living on your own. The things I am teaching in this class are important skills that you will need to know and if you already understand the basics, it’s always good to know more. Ultimately, this class is a high school only class but if you are a middle schooler, come talk to me!

This will be a mostly onsite class but there will present multiple opportunities to learn outside the classroom.

It is not solely going to be me teaching home ec. There will be guest teachers – deeply rooted past community members, fellow students, and current teachers!

This will be a minimal to no homework class but there will still be high expectations.

Duolingo (Valerie)

Break down communication barriers by learning a world language. Which communities do YOU want to interact with a little more? Choose a language in the free Duolingo app, work at your own pace to earn your language credit, and report your weekly progress to Val!

Sex Ed and Health (Year long) (MS) (elizabeth ortega)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

We will work to create a space where you can learn relevant information about sexual and relational health. Talking about sex and our bodies openly and honestly can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. It can also be enlightening, informative, and exciting!

This class will be a place to build confidence and friendly curiosity, rather than shame and judgment. Cultivating a relationship with one’s sexuality and body is a journey – and it’s better if you feel informed and aware along the way.

We will utilize the book: You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things by Cory Silverberg

“Racially and ethnically diverse, inclusive of cross-disability experience, this is a book for every kind of young person and every kind of family…You Know, Sex is the first thoroughly modern sex ed book for every body navigating puberty and adolescence, essential for kids, everyone who knows a kid, and anyone who has ever been a kid.”

Please reach out if you have any questions about the content of this class!

Hindi Language & South Asian Culture (Wasfee Vazir)

Did you know that Hindi is the third most spoken language in the world? It is amongst the fastest growing languages spoken in America and around the world. 

Through this fun and interactive course, students will learn conversational Hindi. South Asian music, art, dance, and theatre will serve as a backdrop for this course ensuring high energy.  

Salient topics:  

  • Learn to write your name and age: Introduction to written Hindi using the Devanagari script. Students will be introduced to the alphabet and numbers in Hindi with the goal that they are able to write their names and age in Hindi! 
  • Tour South Asian cultures: Immersive walkthrough of the various festivals, holidays, and cultural etiquette specific to the South Asian culture. 
  • Welcome Spring! Use this period of transition from winter into Spring to learn about expressing the surroundings in this season. 

Course Experience: 

  • Use of arts and craft: South Asian art and craft themed activities including Warli Art, Indian block printing, clay pottery art and Rangoli designs allowing students to express words, characters, phrases, or simple sentences in Hindi. 
  • Theater and drama: We will also work on a Spring celebration play for the students to participate and speak in Hindi language while learning about the Spring festival of colors from South Asia called Holi.
  • Dance and Music: There will also be a Bollywood dance workshop to experience how this language is used in Indian cinema now famous around the world. Contextual relevance: We leverage books in Hindi written by South Asian authors – many of them based in the US. Some of these will also have English transliterated Hindi to give the student’s independence to read in Hindi using English script.
  • Digital learning support: The course will also utilize interactive apps in Hindi like Shoonya Kids and Duolingo to facilitate continuous learning for children at different levels of proficiency. 

This course will enable PSCS students to reach novice level proficiency across communications,  culture, connections, comparisons and communities.

The Poet X (hannah)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo is about a girl’s discovery of slam poetry “as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world.” The main character, Xiomara Batista, feels unheard and unable to hide in her home of Harlem. “But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers…So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent” (from Acevedo’s website).

A National Book Award winner, this novel – written in poetry rather than prose – examines themes of religion, sexuality, immigration, and culture. In this class, we will read, discuss, analyze, and write about the book, including writing poems of our own.

Diverse Voices & Yummy Things (MS/HS) (elizabeth ortega)

Each class one of you will provide either a yummy treat or a yummy beverage for everyone to share and we will create a sign up!

We listen/watch and discuss.

Whiteness/straightness/cis-ness/patriarchal-ness etc. in media is the norm; this is an opportunity to approach important topics from different viewpoints and perspectives. 

No homework, just come ready to contribute to discussions each day or write a small reflection on the content and eat yummy things and THINK and PONDER and FEEL and PROCESS.

Civics (MS/HS) (TSam)

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask why you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy

Civics is a class for students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for active participation in a democratic society. Also, it will allow participants to become informed citizens in regard to the principal purpose and function of their local, state, and federal government. In addition, the origins of the American political system are addressed, as are the roles, rights, and responsibilities of United States citizens.

Taking Care of Me (MS/HS) (elizabeth ortega)

We will continue our self care learning by practicing and trying on different students self care practices and practicing together.

We will come together to take care of our hearts, bodies, and spirits, and get to know each other and ourselves a little better. We will meditate, listen, breathe, make art together, go outside, write, stretch, play games and create a little sanctuary space in school for an hour. We will continue to honor each students “self-care day” and learn from each other’s ideas of self care.

This class is for you if you enjoyed the last terms and would like another round and it’s open to new students.

Beginner-ish Yoga – (Meta)

Learn some simple yoga poses and stretches, along with breathing exercises to go along with the poses, and general ones to calm your body. Chill class, do what you can! I’m not the most skilled so I’ll be learning along with y’all.

The New Sound of PSCS (Aaliyah)

new band alert !!

if you know you know if you don’t you don’t this is the newest original band at pscs:saluting_face:
punk pop/grunge/indie/rnb/pop band or whatever we decide to make it. name tbd<3

invite only (sorry my loves)

Mr. Gingolds Musical School For Music – (Charlie)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

Do you go to PSCS? Are you looking to get into the music scene? Whether you’re a proficient musician, or have never touched an instrument, one thing is for certain: This class will make you better at music.

Mr. Gingolds Musical School For Music will teach you all the necessities of becoming the next greatest musician- Music theory, Rhythm, An instrument of you choosing, Coordination with a band, and even some performance tactics.

You may say to yourself… “Hmmm, I don’t know Charlie, that sounds complicated and hard, I don’t think I’m good enough to learn at your amazing music school for music…” You are not meant to be perfect, nobody is. The point of this class and learn more about music, and have some fun. Any skill level is welcome. Come and learn at Mr. Gingolds Musical School For Music.

Writing 101 (hannah)

In this class, we will practice the foundations of writing: how to craft a strong variety of sentences and paragraphs; correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; parts of speech; detailed word choices, etc. This class will be composed of mini-lessons, writing prompts, and editing sessions. It is open to all – I will adjust the lessons based on what kind of practice students need and where yall are at. This can also be a space to receive help on writing assignments for other classes.

Philosophy (hannah)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

MORE PHILOSOPHY. This term will focus on morals and ethics; logic and reasoning; and more epistemology. 

Fearless English (Scobie)

How I Make My Hypnosis Recordings - Start to Finish | Giovanni Lordi
This is the class where each week, you write something you’re genuinely excited to read aloud to your classmates, mostly fiction, but sometimes other kinds of work.

If you’re still feeling it, extend the winter term into Spring, If you’ve heard great things, and are feeling brave about trying a few rounds of Fearless, come on in!

  • There is always work outside of class because we use class for reading your pieces aloud. You get your pieces written between classes!
  • This class is FIRE, people, based on the idea that you should only bother writing what you’re super-pumped to share. When you do this the way it’s meant to be done, it feels like being in the best writing class there ever was.

Sculpting to the Bone (Scobie)

This sculpture class, part of Scobie’s “Art School” curriculum, will change your brain’s ability to see and understand what you see, whether you want to be an artist or not. You’ll use clay to make a real sculpture* of a real thing, in this case a Pleistocene Bison’s leg bone. You’ll  do some drawings to study the bone, and then  begin adding clay to an armature to make a scaled copy of this complex, organic form.

Each day of class, two days per week, will be a quiet, coached studio session of focused work on your sculpture, requiring standing and walking and drawing and measuring and observing.

You’ll finish the class with a new ability to see and understand all the shapes around you.

*(Note: These sculptures will be photographed at the end of the class, then recycled; they are learning tools, not something to keep.)

Watercolor Write and Send (MS/HS) (elizabeth ortega)

In this class we will either and/or watercolor and write postcards and cards to loved ones through the magical world of the post service, snail mail as they say.

You will bring your art supplies, watercolor, materials, and collect postcards and cards, or make them yourself and practice sending pieces of love in the mail.

We will slow down, listen to music and enjoy the company of writing, creating, stamping and sending. I can’t wait!

 

 

Sex Ed and Health (Year long) (HS) (elizabeth ortega)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

This is a continuation from fall term and will continue all year. So, let’s continue to have some fun! There’s much more to cover and have a good time learning about. Please come on down for more, this is a year long class.

Relationships, with ourselves and others, our sexuality and our gender journeys are life long paths we build and build. Talking about sex, relationships and our bodies openly and honestly can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. It can also be enlightening, informative, and pretty exciting! I will do my best to include a wide variety of genders, sexualities, experiences, and perspectives and focus on the real world and real life experiences throughout this class and always, you as the students help mold that process.

I will be utilizing the curriculum, Beyond the Basics, 3rd edition created byAction Canada for Sexual Health and Rights and supplement with S.E.X., second edition: The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties by Heather Corinna as well as various educational media pieces and articles.

If you haven’t been in this class all year, come talk to me. I’d still love for you to take it!

Afro Indigenous History (cont) HS (TSam)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

 

  • American History

The first intersectional history of the Black and Native American struggle for freedom in our country also reframes our understanding of who was Indigenous in early America.

Beginning with pre-Revolutionary America and moving into the movement for Black lives and contemporary Indigenous activism, Afro-Indigenous historian Kyle T. Mays argues that the foundations of the US are rooted in anti-blackness and settler colonialism and that these parallel oppressions continue into the present. He explores how Black and Indigenous peoples have always resisted and struggled for freedom, sometimes together, and sometimes apart. Whether to end African enslavement and Indigenous removal or eradicate capitalism and colonialism, Mays shows how the fervor of Black and Indigenous peoples’ calls for justice have consistently sought to uproot white supremacy.

Mays uses a wide array of historical activists and pop culture icons, “sacred” texts, and foundational texts like the Declaration of Independence and Democracy in America. He covers the civil rights movement and freedom struggles of the 1960s and 1970s and explores current debates around the use of Native American imagery and the cultural appropriation of Black culture. Mays compels us to rethink both our history as well as contemporary debates and to imagine the powerful possibilities of Afro-Indigenous solidarity.

Leadership (HS) (elizabeth ortega)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

My continued intention is to support folks in facilitation development, holding accountability and trying on leading more all community and small group things.

Figuring out what projects folks want to work on and commit to and supporting, guiding and mentoring a group of students into deepening their self trust, integrity and leadership skills that goes to serve the community at large.

Vamos!

Linguistic Anthropology HS (TSam)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

 

Linguistic anthropology is a branch of anthropology that studies the role of language in the social lives of individuals and communities. Linguistic anthropology explores how language shapes communication. Language plays a huge role in social identity, group membership, and establishing cultural beliefs and ideologies.

In this class, we will explore the history of language and its importance in the past to the modern world.  Students will engage in the exploration of various languages in audible & written form while exercising and decoding information in a research-based environment.

Super Smash Cadens: Class Edition 2 (Caden)

Are you currently an actor in the best movie ever made? If so, this is your lucky day! you’re a part of Super Smash Cadens: Movie Edition! We’ll be finishing up all the final scenes of the movie. If you’d like to join and help, please talk to Caden! Oh, and one last thing, remember to play Super Smash Cadens!

Cinema – HS (year long) (TSam)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

The film industry has been a constant element that was created to express the ideas of others. Through film, we can see deep ideas from people whose expressions can capture moments from the past looking into the future. While it’s hard to see every film that has ever been made, we can center ourselves around so many elements of several movies and experience a connection that surpasses both time and space. In the class, we will participate in watching films from a large number of different styles and use those moments to expand our knowledge of these amazing selections of work. There will be in-class discussions along with essay writing (group project) to help us convey our thoughts and stretch our thinking.

Mature Themes: Words and images can be inappropriate for some students.

Scientific Research & Skills (TSam)

The subject of Science is constantly changing as we seek to learn more. For this class, we will take an academic approach to science by reading, analyzing data, and researching the most talked about topics that are capturing the attention of this global community. You will also have the chance to tackle subjects that you’re interested in while developing your research skills and advancing your ability to present your findings

Podcast/AV (TSam)

Podcasting has now become one of the coolest ways to acquire information in the present, digital age. While traveling, exercising, or relaxing; your average person is usually tuned into their favorite show. Recently, the popularity of podcasts took to new heights with the deep interest in shows like True Crime, and other mystery-based, story-led programs. Whether you’re into listening to podcasts or always wanted to create your own, this is the class for you.

Also, this class will double as a space for our new starting Audio/Visual Club! The purpose of this club is to help create a new culture around filming our school events while keeping our audio (and other video effects) in great working order. This club will be a starting point for a permanent need in our community. We will learn/enhance our skills in camera work, audio sourcing, mixing, and making sure lighting and other visual needs are being met on a high level.

Shop Life (Scobie)

If you like making things, fixing things,  and  being competent with tools, you should always take as much Shop Life as you can possibly get your hands on! Here’s what we’ll be doing:

  1. Learning about tools and the skills to use them effectively and safely.
  2. Working on improving, organizing, stocking, and cleaning our ever-developing shop.
  3. Contributing to the school and our larger community with fixes, furniture, and projects.
  4. Completing projects that result in gifts you can give to yourself or others.

Chess Club (hannah)

Chess is an ancient game of strategy and patience. It’s challenging and fun. In this class, we will play chess together! We will learn some strategies and eventually play each other, tournament style. This class is open to all – those who have played chess for years, those who will be playing for the first time, and everyone in between! Come try the game that has captivated and puzzled players for centuries.

EMC – Electronic Music Collective (DJ Edition) l (TSam)

Djing has become one of the most skillful musical forms of expression over the last 50 years. Through its early days in New York, MCs and DJs have been able to successfully keep so much music alive, while constantly evolving to make space for other styles and genres to emerge. In today’s current era, making music has become more accessible due to the use of laptops, iPads, and even cell phones. The only question that remains is what can a person do versus what has not been done yet.

In this class, I show you the basics of how to effectively mix songs and create new ones. There will be moments of exploration and collaboration. Also, expect to learn various techniques, sampling, sound engineering, song curation, music history, and uncommon genre exploration.

Required materials: You need to have a computer that can run specific music software (TBD) and be able to successfully download music files (repeatedly) from the internet. Also, you must have your own headphones.