Nine new classes are being offered at South this year. From new opportunities to earn P.E. credits to three new art electives, there’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to planning courses for the 2020-2021 school year.
Techniques of Relaxation, a P.E. class, is a course taught by Mr. Stanley which provides students with a new way to earn their required P.E. credits. The focus of the class is teaching mindfulness and taking care of your body. The curriculum utilizes a mix of yoga, meditation and breathing techniques to accomplish this.
“There’s so much more to being active and being physically healthy than being able to chase a ball really fast,” Stanley said.
Ms. Jacobsen is teaching three new classes this year. Paper Arts-Origami, Mixed Media and Calligraphy. She is bringing these electives to South inspired by the courses offered at other high schools .
“McKay High School has Mixed Media, so I thought we should bring it to South, that’d be amazing. Then for Calligraphy there’s a planned course statement for Calligraphy and Sprague has Calligraphy so I thought, ‘You know what, why can’t South have Calligraphy.’” Jacobsen said.
Though Calligraphy and Mixed Media are starting next semester, Paper Arts-Origami began this semester. Students at South have already been able to appreciate the classes’ artwork, as dozens of paper cranes were placed in the courtyard as a celebration of National Peace Day on September 21st. “I decided since Peace Day was today I really want to fold cranes since cranes are a symbol of peace in Japan and origami comes from Japan.” Ms. Jacobsen said.
Some of the other classes new to South this year include Heritage Spanish IV, which provides an opportunity to native Spanish speakers who haven’t had formal instruction to refine their reading and writing skills. Health Services I is another new course which introduces students to the different job opportunities in the healthcare field. Finally, Net Sports is a P.E. course which focuses on the strategy and rules of Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, Pickleball and Table Tennis.
