Animation

10th-12th Grades

This course is broken into two semester-long units: Digital Cartooning in the Fall, and Digital Game Design and Programming in the Spring. All work will be done on computers, and after a series of exercises and tutorials, will get the opportunity to create their own original cartoons and video games. Most lessons are in a video format, stored on the classroom server, so all students can learn at their own pace, and review lessons as many times as they like. This is a highly technical art form, so students are strongly encouraged to complete Computers for College and Careers and Geometry prior to enrolling.

Desktop Publishing Multimedia

10th-12th Graders

A year long course that teaches students how to develop graphic design publications for print. Students will learn to use Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop to create print publications. That includes: Flyers, Advertisements, Newsletters, Logos, Magazine Ads, and Magazine Covers. Students will also be exposed to career resources while completing career related assignments. Students will also gain better organization, communication, and problem solving skills through completion of course requirements. Students interested in careers in business, marketing, or advertisement could benefit from this course. Students will also utilize Google Docs for collaborative purposes. An emphasis on project base learning will run through the entire course.

Stagecraft

Stagecraft is a course that handles all the technical and managerial aspects of putting on all productions in the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Students get a wide exposure to a variety of technical skills in all areas of the theatre: lighting, sound, set, costume, makeup, and stage management. As part of their curriculum each semester, students are also required to crew at least one VAPA production, and to work in at least one area of design as a specialty.

Career Technical Education

Course Offerings

Business Department

Computers for College and Careers (9th-10th)

This is our recommended course for incoming 9th graders.

A year long course designed to provide students with a foundation in computer skills, study habits, time management, research methodology, career and college exploration, and orientation to the performance expectations of college and careers. Students will learn to use the Microsoft Office Suite. That includes Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher. Many activities will also utilize using the Internet in wide variety of scenarios to create good online techniques and habits. Students will also learn and use Google Drive to help support them in their other courses. That includes Google Documents, Google Sheets and Google Slides. Students will also be exposed to career resources while completing career related assignments. Students will also gain better organization, communication, and problem-solving skills through completion of course requirements. Students will also create Résumés, Cover Letters and be exposed to the process of attaining a part-time job. All students could benefit from this course. An emphasis on project-based learning will run through the entire course.

Desktop Publishing/Multimedia (10th, 11th & 12th)

Business Management (10th-12th Graders)

This highly interactive course walks students through the foundations of personal financial proficiency. Topics include financial responsibility and decision making, planning and money management, credit and debt, risk management and insurance, saving and investing, and personal income. Students will create and follow a budget, understand and be able to use services offered through banks and credit unions, be able to read financial documents related to the workplace, such as paycheck stubs, and understand the impact of financial decision making on their future. Students will also learn about careers in the banking and finance industry.

Entrepreneurship (10th-12th) Not offered currently

This competency-based course trains students in business planning, management, marketing and basic financial concepts while learning how to organize and operate a small business. Students will understand the elements of a business plan and its effect on the success of a small business. Students will demonstrate competency by preparing, describing, and presenting a basic business plan. This course includes both classroom instruction and computer laboratory activities. Students will also learn and utilize QuickBooks for accounting purposes surrounding their business plans.

Business COOP: Work Experience (11th-12th Graders)

Students must get teacher approval to take this course and must be currently employed. This is a year long course that teaches students desirable work habits, attitudes and skills needed in real jobs, a strong understanding of work ethics, recognize and act appropriately in response to problem solving and the problem solving process, and develop effective customer service skills. Students have class once a week on Mondays and can schedule more work hours on Wednesday and Friday because we do not have class on those days. Weekly employment paperwork and assignments will be assigned. All students could benefit from this course.

Career Technical Education Teachers

Business

Bao Alderson: balderson@srcs.k12.ca.us

Catherine Paine: cpaine@srcs.k12.ca.us

Green Construction

Zeke Gifford: zgifford@srcs.k12.ca.us

Video Production/Animation

Chris Schloemp: cschloemp@srcs.k12.ca.us

Video Production

10th-12 Graders

Video Production is a project based course which introduces students to the basic principles of visual communication. Working both singly and in groups, students create a wide range of video projects, including profiles, public service announcements, commercials, news features, music videos, etc. Reliance on the professional workflow of preproduction, production, and postproduction is emphasized, with intensive experiences in planning and storyboarding, shooting, and editing. Students gain experience with camcorders, lighting and sound equipment, a variety of support devices, and pro level software, including Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. Through the creation of video projects, students develop their skills, experience, and knowledge as these relate to excellence in visual communication and working with others.

Green Construction

Intro. to Green Construction

Recommended for incoming 9th Graders

This course will combine hands-on activities such as woodworking, metalworking, framing, site work and landscaping with math and visualization skills such as drawing and modeling.

The goal is to give students a realistic view of what a career in the trades or a profession like architecture or engineering might look like. Early in the semester we will look at the hierarchy of construction, explore the various professions and trades and take part in activities that teach skills necessary for jobs within those fields. We will look at pay scales and requirements for pursuing a career in design, manufacturing or construction. Through projects, we will gain basic thinking and hands-on skills that are applicable to those jobs.

There will be an emphasis on developing safe efficient work habits. Good habits can last a life time. By the end of the year, students will be able to identify, understand and be able to safely operate each tool and piece of equipment in the shop. We will start by gaining proficiency with hand tools before moving on to machinery. We will also prioritize using recycled materials when ever possible. By the holiday break, students will be able to identify materials, know how to sort and re-use materials or where to take them for re-use or proper disposal. The Montgomery shop is a place where other people on campus come to borrow tools, get things fixed and get help building projects. Green Construction students take great pride in helping their peers with mechanical issues as well as building stage sets or furniture for other departments. We want to pursue these kind of authentic projects and even reach out into the community in the future.

Advanced Green Construction

Prerequisite: A passing grade in both semesters of Intro to Green Construction, or an A or B in one semester of Intro to Green Construction.

Students in Advanced Green Construction will explore the siting, design, construction operation and maintenance of green buildings, and other structures like roads. With these factors in mind students will design and build some small green buildings that we intend to sell in order to fund our consumable costs. With the goal of creating small, off-grid structures, Advanced Green Construction students be introduced to both passive solar as well as photovoltaic solar power. Skills attained in the introductory class will allow advanced students to work more independently and have the freedom to choose their own projects as time permits. More emphasis will be put on group work, oral presentations and visual communication including an introduction to Computer Aided Drafting ( C.A.D.)

Instruction