William Tennent Hosts Course Selection Night

Thursday evening, the William Tennent High School parking lot teemed with cars, trucks and vans. It was icy cold outside (about 20 degrees) as students in grades 8-11 accompanied their parents into the school gymnasium for Course Selection night. 

 A Roomful of Opportunity

In the gymnasium, tables were lined with materials (e.g. pamphlets, flyers, textbooks) students browsed and reviewed to learn more about their required courses and electives.  The choices were broad and varied:  art, family and Family and Consumer Science (F.A.C.S), business, computer, information technology, social studies, music, world languages, etc.  Most eighth grade courses were required; eighth graders got to choose one elective. At the senior levels students could pick at least two electives. 

 Senior Yosief Woldegebriel shared this advice for students who are in the process of selecting courses, “Think about what you want to do in the future.”  As for Yosief, he has decided to major in Accounting at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa.  The fact that he enjoys working with numbers, coupled with the success his older relatives have had in the field, influenced his decision.

 Teacher Lindsay Hessler stood next to the F.A.C.S. display.  She shared that students gain workplace readiness abilities (resource, time management, team building) in F.A.C.S.  The course also helps students to develop skills and attributes necessary to succeed in the business world, at home and in the community, such as communication skills and a healthy self-esteem.

Students looking to have lots of fun while they develop their culinary skills signed up for the gourmet cooking portion of F.A.C.S.

 Appreciation for Art

William Tennent’s student talent was on display at the Art table, where one of the fine arts instructors, Kristen King, greeted students and parents.  Ms. King shared that all of the artwork on display had been created by students in grades nine through 12.  Checking out the artwork alone was worth the trip to Course Selection.

 It’s no wonder that several students expressed their interest in taking art.  Cora, an eighth grader, said that she wanted to register for art because she, “loves arts and crafts.”  She also said that she, “wants to work as a photographer” after she graduates from high school. 

Gavin, also in the eighth grade, noted that he also was interested in art. When asked how he planned to use the course post high school, he candidly shared that he, “hasn’t thought that far ahead yet”–a young man who values living in the present moment.

 Looking to the Future

Tenth grade student, Gisele, “wants to be a lawyer.”  To achieve her goal, over the next few years, she is signing up for social studies, AP, history, creative writing and four years of Spanish.  Her friend, Mike, said he wants to take forensics or sociology and psychology. 

When asked why those particular courses, Mike said he likes science.  When it came to sociology, the reason was a slam dunk; Mike’s favorite instructor teaches sociology.  After he graduates from high school, Mike plans to become a science or social studies teacher.

 Final course selections will be uploaded by students via the Internet using the school district’s Skyward Student Portal.  Many of the students (and their parents) know courses that they take during their high school years will influence how well prepared they will be to succeed in college, start their own firm or gain employment at a public or private company. 

It was a night well spent.