The students of Monte Vista in the 2014-2015 school year should not only look forward to a new school year, but also the chance to take new classes that will be offered at the school next year. Three of the new classes include: Philosophy, Biotechnology Accelerated and Research, and Journalism 1-4.

Mrs. Bellini: Journalism 1-4

Year Long, 9th through 12th graders

Can you give us a brief description of your new classes?

Bellini: It’s really only one new class, for freshmen and sophomores only (Journalism 1).The idea is that there will be 4 levels (Journalism 1, 2, 3, 4) so that when you apply to college, it will show that you were in different levels for different years which is better than taking the same class over and over.

What’s different about your new that students won’t find in any other class?

Bellini: What’s different about this class than others, is that the class is student driven. Kids can choose to write about what they’re interested in. They also have a chance to work on their writing skills, photography skills, and even sales skills. Studies have even proven that kids who are involved in a journalism program at their school have a greater chance of scoring higher on the SAT’s and ACT’s and having a higher GPA in college.

Why should students sign up and take your class?

Bellini: They should sign up if they’re interested in journalism, and because it looks good to colleges that are looking for 4 consecutive years of a class.

Did you propose this class? If so, why did you want to teach it?

Bellini: The new classes will help increase the amount of material we have to work with and increase the number of kids in Journalism. It will also help improve the paper and website.

Mrs. Perruso: Philosophy

Fall Semester Only, 11th and 12th graders

Can you give us a brief description of your new class?

Perruso: This course will introduce students to the key people, movements, and methods of philosophy from ancient times to the present. We will examine the fundamental problems with which philosophers have grappled, as well as the various approaches and arguments they have used. It won’t necessarily be about political philosophy, but more on questions such as “What is justice, fairness, or beauty?”

What’s different about your class that students won’t find in any other class?

Perruso: Students will have to use logic to figure out certain texts of famous philosophers that we will read in class. We will be able to express our understanding of the texts and write about it, while defending our positions.

What students would be interested in this class?

Perruso: This course will appeal to a broad variety of students. Those who leave English or History saying, ‘Why? Why did this happen, why do people do this?’ will find the class interesting.  It will also appeal to students who are involved in math and science, because the logic applied there is similar to the logic applied in philosophy.

Did you propose this class? If so, why did you want to teach it?

Perruso: I taught philosophy for many years before Monte Vista and found that it successfully appeals to a wide variety of students. I found that it can be entertaining, as Socrates and Plato are very funny writers. I taught philosophy at the middle school level, and figures if 11 year olds can enjoy philosophy, high schoolers can too.

Mrs. Bandrowski: Biotechnology Accelerated and Research

Year Long, 11th and 12th graders

Can you give us a brief description of your new class?

Bandrowski: Biotech is a class that I started teaching 13 years ago. It is a a biology and genetic class that is “ramped” up. There are over 18 “hands on” labs that students will be able to participate in. The class prepares you for lab sciences in college, teaches you certain lab skills and allows you to apply labs and genetics to the real world.

What’s different about your class that students won’t find in any other class?

Bandrowski: After taking the class, students will be very prepared for college level sciences. It helps students prepare for college as well as getting certain science based internships. “Biotech helped my get an internship at a UC Berkeley lab after my high school senior year,” said Don G. who is a biotech major at UC Davis. “I knew all the concepts that the lab was using and the doctor told me I was working and thinking on a Junior or Senior biology undergrad level. I could do so much in this lab with the stuff I learned in my Biotech class.” Students will also get the opportunity to do their own “Independent Research” for a biological research project.

Why should students sign up and take your class?

Bandrowski: Students who take this class will be very prepared for certain science classes in college. The class prepares students with lab skills since the class is 40% labs. Instead of lab books, students will create lab posters (like what college level scientists use) that describe the lab that they have completed. Having the ability to do the same kind of work that college level scientists are doing is something that students who take this class should be proud of. Students who want to sign up for this class must meet the requirements, which include a year of Biology and a year of Chemistry. The class is an advanced class, but is UC and CSU approved, and students get an A&G lab credit course on their transcripts.

Did you propose this class? If so, why did you want to teach it?

Bandrowski: This class hasn’t been offered at Monte Vista for a few years now. I got asked to pick it up again after the class was not offered for a couple years.

The new classes that will be offered next year are sure to spark the interest of many students. Each class will be filled with something that has never been offered at Monte Vista before. Students who are looking to be adventurous and who want to try something new should most definitely consider signing up for one of these classes.