New elective courses at VHHS

In January, students had the opportunity to enroll in four new courses in the career & technical education department and 12 new courses in the Arts Department. Courses will be taught in the 2015-2016 school year.

The new career & technical education courses will provide students with instruction in software development, Java programming, college accounting, and management principles. The classes are targeted toward students who plan to pursue degrees in business, accounting, computer science, and technology, said Department Chair Deana Goodwine.

The new career and technical offerings join with the Arts Department, which recently received approval of a dozen new courses in visual and performing arts.

VHHS arts teachers led design and creation of the new classes, some of which carry unique titles like “The Perfect Portrait” and “Let’s Get Crafty.” The idea is to teach art concepts in a more practical setting.

“We think these classes will appeal to a lot of kids,” Arts Department Chair Faith Lenhart said. “They’ll make projects like you see on Pinterest and teach art fundamentals and creative problem solving at the same time.”

Lenhart, who works directly with performing arts students, said elective classes like the new ones being offered this fall provide students with incentive to attend school every day.

“Attendance in my classes is almost always 100 percent,” she said. “These courses give them something to hold onto and be a part of. It gives them a sense of ownership and pride in what they do.”

-Submitted by Vestavia Hills City Schools