Big changes took place at the semester change last week at Days Creek Charter School. For the second semester, there has some new classes to the schedule. Some of the new classes being a books on film class, welding, apprenticeship, and home economics. With these new classes they can help students gain everyday life skills, new experiences and ideas.
One of the New classes of this semester is Books on film. In this class taught by teacher Mr. McCallum, students are challenged to read a book, watch the film version then relate and compare the differences between the two.
Currently the class is reading the graphic novel “Persepolis” (a San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles TImes best seller) and then watch the movie of that same story line.
Many argue that books are always better than movies. This class gives an opportunity to look deeper into these reasonings and opinions.
The Home Economics class is being taught by Mrs. Rickards. Future plans and ideas for the class consist of cooking after getting student food handlers cards, budgeting, groceries and home maintenance.
Some of the students have the idea to possibly bring child care to the class with the fake babies. There are around 9 students in the class, mostly girls and sadly only one boy. Although it has not been a huge turnout, Home Economics will be a great chance for the students to learn very useful life skills.
Mr. Agee is teaching welding and he seems to be very excited. “He’s looking forward to offering welding at our school. It will provide useful skills to students upon graduation.” Mr. Agee said. The students are looking forward to learning these skills. “It’s inspiring and uplifting,” Junior Justin Osborne said. “It’s a very fun skill to use in our world and a fun hobby. There are different types of welding which is, TiG, MiG, Stick, and Gas.” Senior Ian Harding said.
Mr. Giles is teaching two apprenticeship classes where students work learn a trade through Roseburg Forest Products.
“The class is really excited,” Mr. Giles said. “We’re lucky to get a partnership with Roseburg Forest Products. We’re excited about bringing a trade school to Days Creek.”
Apprenticeship students have already taken a field trip to the RFP plant in Riddle.
The only subtraction was Freshman Focus, previously taught by Giles.
“It’s tough for some kids because its time they use for homework,” freshman Anna Surgeon said about losing the class. “But for a lot of kids who already have good grades, it won’t make a difference.”
The semester change also saw the departure of long term substitute David Brown, who was filling in after Paul Dancer resigned. The classes taught by Brown and Dancer in the first semester have been absorbed by different math teachers.
