Santa Maria barbecue, crime investigation, and jewelry making are just a sample of the classes St. Joseph High School students took their first week back at school. Also offered were poetry writing, the benefits of juicing, and jam-band classes.
Those classes were just some of the ones offered during a weeklong session known as the Mini-Course Intercession that started on Jan. 6. Students enroll in three 90-minute classes each day during the modified schedule. Mini courses were offered for the fourth year running, and gave students a chance to explore interests outside the realm of traditional academic subjects.
A press release sent out by the high school said it’s something that also gives teachers and community members—including St. Joe’s alumni—an opportunity to share their interests and hobbies with the student body. Classes also included studying the Spanish Civil War through film, self-defense, photography, and intro to astronomy. Each student receives .75 credits for the intercession and is required to sign up for at least one academic course in addition to any two non-academic classes. Freshmen were required to sign up for a mandatory sex respect class.
One of the most popular classes taught during the intercession is BBQ 101, according to the press release. Students are instructed in the art of Santa Maria barbecuing from chefs around the valley.
“This intercession provides students with a wide variety of educational experiences,” St. Joseph High Principal Joanne Poloni said in the release. “Students and teachers alike look forward to this week all year and the excitement of the week sets a great tone for the second semester.”
This article appears in Jan 16-23, 2014.