• Teaching Academy 1 (11,12) (Principal Permission)

    This class is for students attending the elementary schools as a pre-teaching experience. The criteria for successful completion of the class includes: All requirements listed for student aide position, three educational journal article critiques, exit interview with Principal of Parnall Elementary, keeping of weekly log and creation of a bulletin board.

    The objective of this class is to offer an experience similar to pre-teaching experiences offered at many colleges and universities. Students must apply for entry into this class and be accepted by the Parnall Elementary Principal.

    Teacher Academy 2 (12) (By interview only)

    This class is designed to give students a real-life experience of what working with young students will entail. Students will be required to maintain a critical reflection notebook, participate in class activities by assisting and leading the teacher and classroom students, attend required students development trainings.

    Prerequisite:
    Complete Teacher Academy 1 successfully
    Interview with Mrs. McAlpine and Mr. Buchler
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    Intro to Peer Connections (11, 12) (T1 Only)
     
    This course will help individuals make wise personal decisions while establishing wholesome attitudes toward other people. Discussions and units of study include exploring the different types of disabilities, effects of disabilities on the individual and family, and how communities work together to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.  Students will learn how to have healthier friendships and personal and professional relationships with their peers and adults.  As part of this course, students will work regularly with peers with disabilities but will also do in class assignments and projects.  This class is especially appropriate for anyone interested in the Human Services Career Pathway.  Students must maintain a 3 or higher in all Soft Skills Grades to continue with the course.  (Application Only).  *This course is first-trimester only and is a prerequisite for Peer Connections.
    Peer Connections (11, 12) (T2 and/or T3)

    Peer Connections is an elective class that connects Peer Connection mentor students (those from the general education classroom) and students from our mild and moderate cognitive impairment classrooms to participate in a one-on-one peer class setting.  The role of the Peer Connection student is to develop friendships and assist their peers when participating in the elective course curriculum.  The mentors will model proper classroom behavior and assist with communication, social interactions, reading, writing, and all hands-on activities.  Students must maintain a 3 or higher in all Soft Skills Grades to continue with the course.  (Application Only).  *Prerequisite:  Intro to Peer Connections.
     
    Peer Connections 2 (11, 12) (1-3 Trimesters)
     
    This class is designed to give students a real-life experience of working with students with disabilities.  Students will be required to maintain a critical reflection notebook, participate in class activities by assisting and leading the teacher and classroom students.  Students may be placed at NWHS or KMS in Adapted PE or may be placed in a classroom at Lyle Torrent Center.  Students must maintain a 3 or higher in all Soft Skills Grades to continue with the course.  (Application Only).  *Prerequisite:  Peer Connections.
     
    Senior Co-Op/Externship (12) (1-3 Trimesters)

    Senior Externship is a program during which students work in businesses to gain experience and receive training for their futures. Most externship students will not earn money while working, but will be able to prepare for further education or vocational placement while building a resume for future use. Externship programs are available for students in the following career pathway areas:

    - Arts and Communication
    - Business Management, Marketing and Technology
    - Natural Resources and Agriscience
    - Health Sciences (limited availability)
    - Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
    - Human Services


    RESPONSIBILITIES and Prerequisites:

    o    Admission into the externship program is based on approval of NWHS. Grades, attendance, and behavior of the applicant will be reviewed and a preadmission interview will take place.

    o    Resume with Career Objective reflective of Externship career pathway.
     

    o    Properly completed Application with 2 letters of recommendation.
     

    o    Successful interviews with both school and business.
     

    o    Externship is a one-year program and may not be terminated by the student until the end of his/her senior school year. If a student quits the job, for any reason, without permission of the coordinator, the student will receive a failure for the job and loss of credit. Students may be added second semester at the discretion of the coordinator and agreement of cooperating business.
     

    o    The student must be a senior in high school and is responsible for providing his/her own transportation, and possibly insurance depending on requirements of the business they are entering.
     

    o    SATISFACTORY GRADES AND ATTENDANCE IN ALL SUBJECTS/HOURS MUST BE MAINTAINED. Failure to do so will cause removal from externship.
     

    o    All students will attend appropriate externship activities. There may be a fee for some class or career placement materials depending on the program. The student is expected to pay for all necessary and reasonable expenses.
     

    o    Students will leave the school property immediately following their school day, unless given permission by an administrator. 
     

    o    In the event that the student is released from his/her job for cause, the student will not receive credit for Externship and will receive and "E" for the job grade.