New Courses Could Join Yorkville High School Slate

High school students could have some new courses available to them if the recent proposals get the nod from the board members.

Members of the district’s Applied Learning and Technology Committee were given an overview of the proposed classes Monday. They include Introduction to Philosophy, Journalism and Publication Production, 21st Century Reading and Writing, and honors German classes.

“The courses we’re presenting we feel will provide our students with opportunities that will enhance our existing curriculum,” said principal Ron Kiesewetter.

The philosophy class, proposed by English teacher Nathan Schroll, who would also like to teach the class, is being suggested as a junior/senior level elective in the English department.

If approved, Yorkville High School be only one of a handful of schools in the area to offer the course, including Lake Forest, Lyons Township, Naperville North and Waubonsie Valley. Schroll said research shows a students who take a high school philosophy class fare better on college testing.

“I’m making that faith leap that if we start doing it and making it an established program, students can use those skills to benefit their testing,” he said.

“I think it’s a fabulous idea,” Board Member Robert Brenart said.

YHS English teacher Katherine Calder is proposing the Journalism and Publication Production class for sophomores, juniors and seniors.

The course would address the history of journalistic writing, media law, traditional news stories, as well as writing editorials and feature stories, and editing writing for publication. The course would include production of school publications such as the newspaper and yearbook.

A journalism major in college, Calder is currently the advisor for the high school newspaper.

“I’m interested in creating a class for students who are curious about journalistic writing styles,” she said. “It’s a course that hopefully will appeal to a lot of students.”

The 21st Century Reading and Writing class, proposed by English teacher Jamie Rominski and geared toward seniors, would have students reading contemporary novels and periodicals, as well as writing for the real world situations including business, social, and personal contexts.

Board member Peter Athens questioned whether the course would make more sense as two separate entities.

“I’m a little concerned if it’s only one semester and we’re talking about reading adult contemporary books and better business writing if we’re biting off more than we can chew?” he said. “If there’s a way to hone in on just the business portion or the American novel portion, I might feel more comfortable with that.”

Kiesewetter said a more in-depth overview of what the semester would entail can be given to board members.

Further discussion on the proposed courses will be held at the next board meeting, slated for 7 p.m. Monday. The agenda and related materials will be posted on Board Docs.