GFPS Virtual Academy
During the summer of 2012, GFPS will offer 16 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/GFPSVA2012 with payment taken to one of the secondary schools or mailed directly to GFPS Virtual Academy (all instructions are on the online form).
Course titles (below) are linked to their descriptions:
*All courses with sufficient enrollment will run; students who register for a course that doesn’t have sufficient enrollment may choose another course OR receive a full refund. Final course offerings will be announced at the registration deadline, June 8 (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).
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
Art Workshop 1 ($100) & Art Workshop 2 ($100)
This entry-level art course is open to all students. These courses can satisfy or partially satisfy the 1-credit Fine Arts graduation requirement.
Course Description:
The course(s) is/are an overview of 2-D and 3-D techniques based on the principles and elements of design using a variety of media. A portfolio will be kept. Students need access to a digital camera and will need to have access to some basic art materials.
Questions about Art Workshop 1 & 2 can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Jenn Pospisil (268-6510).
Course Information & Prerequisites:
This course is open to students entering their junior or senior year. 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.
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. This course is required for the Work Experience course.
Questions about Job Seekers can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Kelly Parsons (268-6245).
Health 1-2 ($100) & PE 1-2 ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites:
Health and PE 1-2 are two half-credit courses that are typically taken by freshmen on an every-other-day schedule (for instance Health on even numbered days and PE on odd numbered days). If a student takes one of the courses (Health OR PE) during the summer and not the other, 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.
Course Descriptions:
Health 1-2: Health includes introduction to health, safe living, personal health, relationships, non-communicable diseases, human body systems, substance abuse, nutrition and body image.
PE 1-2: Fitness and basic skills will be reinforced. Conditioning will be stressed. Student must be registered for an organized sport or fitness program overseen by a professional for the PE course; an organized strength training/fitness program must be overseen by a professional.
Additional information from Health 1-2 Teacher, Mrs. Amanda Ferderer (268-6219 or Amanda_ferderer [at] gfps [dot] k12 [dot] mt [dot] us):
Students enrolled in either health course 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). Also it is to be noted that students will be required to take a Mid Term exam in person (near the end of June) and a Final Exam in person (near the end of July).
Questions about PE 1-2 can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Katy Deffé (268-6656).
Health 3-4 ($100) & PE 3-4 ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites:
Health and PE 3-4 are two half-credit courses that are typically taken by sophomores on an every-other-day schedule (for instance Health on even numbered days and PE on odd numbered days). If a student takes one of the courses (Health OR PE) during the summer and not the other, 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 who has successfully completed HPE 1-2 may take these coursees.
Course Descriptions:
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.
PE 3-4: Fitness and basic skills will be reinforced. Conditioning will be stressed. Student must be registered for an organized sport or fitness program overseen by a professional for the PE course; an organized strength training/fitness program must be overseen by a professional.
Addition information from Health 3-4 Teacher, Mrs. Amanda Ferderer (268-6219 or Amanda_ferderer [at] gfps [dot] k12 [dot] mt [dot] us):
Students enrolled in either health course 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). Also it is to be noted that students will be required to take a Mid Term exam in person (near the end of June) and a Final Exam in person (near the end of July).
Questions about PE 3-4 can be directed to the teacher, Mrs. Katy Deffé (268-6656).
English 5 ($100) & English 6 ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites:
These courses are the two semesters of English typically taken during the junior year. Students entering grades 11-12 may take these courses.
Course Description:
This yearlong course offers work in critical viewing, listening, composition, literature, and speaking. Writing includes four- to five-paragraph compositions. Literature will include selections of fiction, drama, poetry, non-fiction and mythology.
Questions about English 5 & 6 can be directed to the teacher, TBA (phone).
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:
This course is 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 from English 7 & 8 Teacher, Mrs. Rene Cleveland (268-6231):
Call for more information if needed!
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.
Questions about Montana Government Studies can be directed to the teacher, TBA (phone).
U.S. History 1 ($100) & U.S. History 2 ($100)
Course Information & Prerequisites:
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 from the U.S. History teacher, Mr. Alex Rosenleaf (268-6237):
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 take online, 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 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.
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 from the Government teacher, Ms. Kathleen Galvin-Halcro (268-7663).
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.
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