As of next year, Sonoma Valley High plans to terminate elective classes such as Newspaper, Drama, AP Computer Science, and some Woodshop and Food periods. This is devastating news for students who have already selected classes for next year. Foods and Culinary arts teacher, Mr. Beard, claims that one of his food periods is being cut because he can only teach up to 5 classes. The new schedule heavily affects the currently minimal elective options available to students at SVHS.
Extracurriculars are significantly important for both A-G requirements and college applications. Having a variety of choices is necessary for academic success. Removing elective classes such as Drama can limit exposure to the arts, resulting in a decline in students’ interest in arts programs and fewer students aspiring toward artistic career paths. Mr. Jacobs AP computer science class will also be removed due to limited applicants. This restricts students’ experience in the growing world of computers and technology. The ramifications of the elimination of such classes could be detrimental. Mr. Jacobs claims “things can be managed better”.
Sonoma High has produced great writers through the newspaper elective class. Terminating these classes will inhibit journalistic opportunities for students and discourage passionate writers from aspiring to pursue journalism as a career. The Dragon’s Tale has produced numerous successful journalists such as Gaye LeBaron and Sofia Jeremias. Gaye LeBaron wrote over 8,000 columns for the Press Democrat until 2001. And Sofia Jeremias has been writing for the Deseret Magazine constructing articles based on Western issues. Without the experience from the Sonoma High Newspaper elective, these impressive writers might have never thought to pursue journalism.
The administration claims the cuts to various elective programs are due to a lack of enrollment. However, the decrease in admission for electives results from the early enrollment in January, especially for underclassmen who may not be aware of the elective variety and benefits. As a result of early enrollment, students were unaware of the options for electives and academic classes, resulting in the lack of adequate sign-ups for essential creative courses.
