Practical Arts

ACCOUNTING I, II (Business & Technology Department)

BROADCAST JOURNALISM (The X Factor Channel)

Grade Level: 10, 11 & 12
Course: 1 Year
Credit: 1

Prerequisite: A professional interview with the teacher

An introduction to Broadcast Journalism writing, reporting, performance and ethics. This class is designed to lay a foundation for a student that entails the beginnings of practical knowledge on reporting, camera work, video production, editing/critiquing and advertising. Basic journalism technical writing skills and digital work will be practiced. Daily story meetings, editing peer work, interviewing Pius participants, working beets and writing stories will be a daily occurrence. Students will receive career field practice as: on-air talents, producers, editors, camera people and reporters. A dedicated sports department will produce video sporting events for online shows.

COMPUTER CONCEPTS (Business & Technology Department)

EDUCATION IN AMERICA

Grade Level:  12
Course:  1 Semester or 1 Year
Credit:  .5 or 1

Education in America is a practical course that involves bringing real life teaching experiences to seniors at St. Pius X High School. Students are assigned to one of our feeder grade schools where they will observe teachers in action.  They will also be available to help teachers with their day-to-day activities such as grading and lesson set-up and supervision.  As the year progresses the ultimate goal is to have the students assist and be a part of working with the students in the teacher mode. Working with small groups, teaching to objectives and working with other components of effective elements of lessons.

EDUCATION PRACTICUM

Grade Level: 11, 12
Course: 1 Semester or 1 Year
Credit: .5 or 1

This is our Peer Mentor program. The role of the Mentor is to work with a student who has special needs, attending one of their daily assigned class sessions.  Duties include helping the student get to class on time with their needed material, helping the student with note taking, and helping the student stay on task and stay organized. Mentors are monitored and given guidance and direction on a weekly basis by a member of the Counseling Department. Course work includes daily journaling and a weekly reflection. Mentors are also expected to attend training sessions in August and throughout the year, as needed.  Some involvement outside the classroom is also required. A student must apply to be a Peer Mentor. They are chosen and given final approval by the Counseling Department, Inclusive Education Teacher, and Administration.  

ONLINE NEWSPAPER  (The X Factor Online)

Grade Level: 10, 11 & 12
Course: 1 Year
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: A professional interview with the teacher

An introduction to online journalism writing, reporting and ethics. This class is designed to lay a foundation for students to give them practical knowledge on reporting, photography, web design, editing/critiquing and advertising. Basic journalism technical writing skills and digital work will be practiced. Weekly story meetings, editing peer work, interviewing Pius participants, working beets, taking photographs and writing stories will be a daily occurrence. Students will receive career field practice as: reporters, editors, photographers, advertisers and web designers.

PROGRAMMING (Business & Technology Department)

TEACHER/OFFICE/LIBRARY AIDE

Grade Level:  12
Course:  1 semester or 1 Year
Credit:  1/4 Credit per Semester
Prerequisite:  Teacher/Library/Office Personnel

Students apply for these aide positions.  Teacher aides assist a specific teacher with tasks requested.  Office aides work with personnel in the main office. Library aides work in the library assisting the librarian with requested tasks and cleaning the library tables and computer work stations.

TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN CONCEPTS I

Grade Level:  10, 11, 12
Course:  1 Year
Credit:  1 
Prerequisite: Art I

In this course, students will learn basic skills of Graphic Design using computer programs for photo 
manipulation and text design.  Students will observe and study a variety of advertisement layouts, product design, logos and more technological design concepts. Students will need to plan, create and produce free hand and on the computer original ideas.

TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN CONCEPTS II

Grade Level:  10, 11, 12
Course:  1 year
Credit:  1
Prerequisite: Art I & Tech Design I

This course will build on Tech Design Concepts I, but will broaden the scope to more design fields: 
architecture, furniture, product, etc.  Students will use both drawing and computer skills.

YEARBOOK

Grade Level:  9-12
Course: 1 year
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to teach the skills necessary to produce the school yearbook, providing study  and practice in gathering and analyzing information, interviewing, note taking and photography   In addition, students will study magazine journalism,  including layout and design techniques, writing and editing copy, headlines and picture captions;  furthermore, students will learn strategies of planning, marketing (ad sales) , distribution, proofing strategies,  and working independently with photographers.
Course Competencies:  applying basic principles of page design and layout, operating software, writing copy for captions and text, shooting select, and crop photographs for layout, and executing a publication strategy.
Classroom  Expectations:  attendance, including working after school and/or on weekends;  a positive attitude; adhering to behavior and school policy outlined in the handbook, mature behavior, respect for school property, confidentiality for yearbook content, meeting deadlines, selling ads, respect for the leadership roles of your peers, and a strong work ethic.

WEB DEVELOPMENT (Business & Technology Department)