New electives have arrived to Freedom High School this 2015-2016 school year. “We didn’t offer enough choices to provide interest,” explains Matt Smith (APC) of the new additions. In fact Smith confirmed there will be even more additions to the elective pool next year.

These are the new electives and the teachers who teach them

• AP Capstone Seminar:                                                  Mrs. Lewandowski
• Aerobics:                                                                         Ms. Castlemare
• Musical Theater :                                                           Mr. Poole
• Barbering :                                                                      Ms. Munchalfun
• Stage Craft/Technical Theater:                                  Ms. Scalera

According to the CollegeBoard website, “AP Capstone Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives.” The course teaches students to analyze multiple sources and be able to develop personal perspectives in essays and presentations.

New to the Physical Education/Sport elective category is Aerobics. This class was designed to introduce and provide opportunities for students to develop basic and intermediate skills in a variety of exercising activities.

Students enrolled in the Musical Theater course learn about the works of actors/singers/dancers and use their gained knowledge to develop as performers. Students will prepare and present as soloists as well as members of small groups and larger ensembles. An audition is required for this class.

The most talked about new elective is Barbering. This technical course is designed to provide competency-based knowledge, theory and hands-on fundamentals associated with the barber industry. The program provides both a simulated and real environment that enables students to develop manipulative and technical skills.

“We need people behind the scenes as well as the front,” said Ms. Scalera, regarding Stage Craft/Technical Theater. The program is project-based and allows students to learn every aspect of the course and find out what they’re best at. Students in this course will develop skills used by theater technicians and craftspeople, learn the process of creating a theatrical production as it goes from page to stage and learn how to use theatrical tools and materials responsibly and in accordance with industry safety guidelines.