Fair Grove High School Starts New Classes

This school year, Fair Grove High School has multiple new classes that students can take, each a different subject and credit. 

Most of the class choices were brought up by the teacher that wished to teach that class. The new classes are Music Technology with Natalie Palomo, SBE (Social Business Enterprise) with Cayse Overstreet, and Ag Leadership with Cole Johnston. Mr. Johnston was not available for comment.

Music Tech. is a new class that focuses on teaching kids how to write music with technology. “This class will teach all the students involved how to mix beats, write original music, create soundtracks, and most of the basics related to music productions. This is a practical art credit,” stated Natalie Palomo. 

The teachers that have a new class wanted to teach a new class related to the rest of the courses they teach. “I wanted to teach a class that was pretty different from the other things I teach, and wanted to offer a music class that anyone could take, no matter what musical background they have. I also think music technology is a pretty relevant topic today, as pretty much all of the music we consume is consumed digitally. This gives students an inside look to that realm,” Palomo added.

Getting kids to take this new class is always a challenge. In past years this hour would have been music theory, history, or appreciation. “I needed a 3rd hour class that wasn’t a band class, so I just asked if I could try something different this year. The school was in agreement that something like this was more marketable than music theory or music appreciation, and would probably garner some interest in kids that I don’t necessarily have in band already,” Palomo commented.

Another new class is SBE with Cayse Overstreet. “Students in this class get hands-on experience in starting and operating a business. School-based enterprises prepare students for the transition from school to work or college. For many students, they provide the first work experience; for others, they provide an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills,” stated Overstreet.

This class is an intro to business and marketing, the class is a hands on project that creates actual merchandise to sell and market. “The first year, students are literally creating our school store from the ground up. They are simultaneously creating a business plan while implementing that plan. They are ordering, promoting and then selling products to sell.  We also have various other classes such as Advanced Art, Graphic Design, Marketing and Music Tech. incorporating their skills into our school store, from designing the logo to creating a marketing jingle,” commented Overstreet. 

The school was excited for this class due to the exposure, because this is normally a class for larger schools. Overstreet said, “I am excited about teaching this class because it is real-world and prepares students for their future career, regardless of what industry they choose to go into. This class is 100% student led. The students are the managers, graphic designers, marketers, etc. I am also excited to see students, staff, and community members wearing/purchasing products designed and selected by our very own students. My goal with this course is for students to take what they learn in this class and reinvest those skills back into their own future and into our community.”