GFPS Virtual Academy
During the summer of 2013, GFPS will offer a number of courses*, open to students entering 8th through 12th grades. All courses are 1/2 credit and cost $100. All registrations will be done online at http://tinyurl.com/GFPSVA-2013 with payment taken to the GFHS or CMR Finance Office or mailed directly to GFPS Virtual Academy (all instructions are on the online form).
Although there is no sliding scale or GFPS scholarships for Virtual Academy since it is mainly self-supporting, Montana AGATE (Association for Gifted and Talented Education) does offer scholarships for students to engage in academic pursuits during the summer. Their scholarship deadline is March 1, 2013. An application can be located at www.mtagate.org/scholarships.html
Course titles (below) are linked to their descriptions:
*All courses with sufficient enrollment will run; students who register for a course that does not have sufficient enrollment may choose another course OR receive a full refund. Final course offerings will be announced at the registration deadline, June 7 (or as the registration process progresses – see below).
**Courses marked with a double asterisk currently HAVE sufficient enrollment and WILL run. Courses that have a strike-through are full and are no longer taking enrollments. If you would like to get on a waiting list in case of a drop, please call Susan Quinn (268-6104).
Business Department Courses
Course Information & Prerequisites: During the summer, this course is open to all students. Financial Tech Skills is a graduation requirement.
Course Description: This course unites technology (Windows, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Publisher, Internet navigation) with financial management (budgeting, investing, insurance, banking, credit, payroll, W4, taxes, saving, math, loans and interest) in a real world format. Financial Tech Skill equips students with important skills they will need when entering the workforce.
Questions about Financial Tech Skills can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Kelly Parsons (268-6245).
Course Information & Prerequisites: This course is for juniors and seniors who have already taken Financial Tech Skills. This course is required for the Work Experience course.
Course Description: This course will include a job career search, developing a portfolio, developing skills to secure and keep a job, and reviewing laws and legal issues.
Questions about Job Seekers can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Kelly Parsons (268-6245).
Course Information & Prerequisites: Job Seekers must be taken in advance of or concurrently with Work Experience. Students must work a minimum of 15 paid hours per week.
Course Description: “Learn & Earn” Earn school credit while working outside of school.
Questions about Work Experience can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Kelly Parsons (268-6245).
Course Information & Prerequisites: None
Course Description: This course is intended to introduce employees to the various components of marketing (getting products and services from producers to consumers). Subject matter includes the economic importance of marketing, a study of consumer motivation, marketing trends, product planning and research, and careers in marketing.
Questions about Marketing can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Kelly Parsons (268-6245).
Health Enhancement Department Courses
Health 1-2 ($100) and Health 3-4 ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites: Health 1-2 is a half-credit course that is typically taken by freshmen; Health 3-4 is a half-credit course that is typically taken by sophomores. Both classes are on an every-other-day schedule with PE 1-2 or PE 3-4 (for instance Health on even numbered days and PE on odd numbered days). If a student takes one of the courses (but not the other) during the summer, he or she will be scheduled into an every-other-day study hall for the entire year to complete the course he or she didn't take during the summer. Some students like this option for extra study time, but it will not "free up" a period for the student to take something else like an additional elective. These two half-credits together comprise one of the HPE graduation requirements. Any student many take these courses.
Students in either health class will be required to take the district assessment posttest. The post test will be administered at the same time as their final exam in person (near the end of July). Also it is to be noted that students will be required to take a midterm exam in person (near the end of June).
Although PE 1-2 and PE 3-4 are not offered through GFPS Virtual Academy, they ARE offered through Montana Digital Academy (MTDA) for free. Contact a secondary school counselor to register for MTDA PE.
Course Descriptions:
Health 1-2 includes introduction to health, safe living, personal health, relationships, non-communicable diseases, human body systems, substance abuse, nutrition, and body image.
Health 3-4 emphasizes healthy choices; decision-making skills, stress and loss, body systems (respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, reproductive), mental health, social health, physical health, human development, character traits, violence prevention, STD’s/HIV and communicable diseases.
Additional information can be obtained from Health Teacher, Mrs. Amanda Ferderer (268-6219 or amanda_ferderer [at] gfps [dot] k12 [dot] mt [dot] us):
English Department Courses
English 7 ($100) & English 8 ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites: These courses are the two semesters of English typically taken during the senior year. Students entering grade 12 may take these courses.
Course Description: These courses are designed to allow students to earn a full credit for English 7-8 during the short summer session. The course must still meet all curriculum standards, even though it is slightly abbreviated. Students should be prepared to logon and participate consistently. Students will complete a senior level research paper; read at least two complete literary works; discuss Native American topics through various media; participate in threaded discussions, write at least one literary essay, and complete a resume unit. Students will have to meet with the instructor at least once at the end of the course to complete the district assessments which will be used as a final exam for the course. Texts used for this course will include Wit, a play by Margaret Edson; Animal Farm, and Night. Students wishing to start on the novels ahead of time should visit with Mrs. Cleveland in order to get assignment specifics.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting English 7 & 8 Teacher, Mrs. Rene Cleveland (268-6231):
Social Studies Department Courses
Montana Government Studies ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites: This course is open to any student; it is a graduation requirement that is typically taken during the sophomore year.
Course Description: This course will cover the history of Montana and its government. Focus will be on tribal government and to the tribes as provided by the Constitution, treaties, and federal laws. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to take two assessments in person.
Questions about Montana Government Studies can be answered by MGS teacher, Brian Greenwell (268-6234 or brian_greenwell [at] gfps [dot] k12 [dot] mt [dot] us).
U.S. History 1 ($100) & U.S. History 2 ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites: U.S. History is a two-semester course, typically taken during the junior year. Both semesters are required for graduation. Students may choose to take either both semesters or just one semester during Summer Virtual Academy. This course is open to students entering grades 10-12.
US History Online students are expected to possess strong reading skills, self-discipline, the ability to work mostly independently on tasks with occasional guidance, and a willingness to write. In addition to assignments and reading guides students will complete online, there will be time-limited exams for each unit (Semester 1 has six (6) units, Semester 2 has five (5)), and a final, proctored exam in person at the conclusion of each semester's work. Students will also complete a research project for each semester which will include a presentation component completed either through submission of a digital video file or in-person.
Course Description: This course covers events in American history beginning with Colonial America and moving through the 19th Century through the 1990s. Major topics will include the French and Indian War, the Revolution, the Constitution, Western Expansion and Slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Western Expansion, Industrialization and Imperialism and the Progressive Era, civil rights, the World Wars, Vietnam the Cold War and Watergate.
Additional information may be obtained from the U.S. History teacher, Mr. Alex Rosenleaf (268-6237 or alex_rosenleaf [at] gfps [dot] k12 [dot] mt [dot] us).
Course Information & Prerequisites: Government is a one-semester course, typically taken during the senior year. There is no prerequisite. It is open to students entering grades 11 and 12. Students need to be self-disciplined and have regular access to a computer and the internet and demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of Moodle and how to work within Moodle when they meet with the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students will submit their work, except for the final exam, back to the instructor through Moodle. Students will complete six (6) units which encompass reading, writing short essays (2 – 3 paragraphs), assessments, and a proctored District Assessment in person as the final at the conclusion of all of the course work.
Course Description: This course provides a study of American government including the political process, national government, comparative political systems, and state and local governments.
Additional information may be obtained from the Government teacher, Ms. Kathleen Galvin-Halcro (268-7663 or kathleen_galvin-halcro [at] gfps [dot] k12 [dot] mt [dot] us).
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