Service & Elective Courses

Service to the community is a value here at Aragon High School.  Courses in this section are led by teachers from a variety of departments.

Journalism (8th period)
Semester Course (2 .5 credits per semester)
Student Selection: Application process
Students who are selected as newspaper staff members contribute to the publication of the student newspaper, The Outlook. Staff members are expected to publish articles every month. Students may apply to work as a staff writer, initially specializing in news, features, or sports, or as a photographer or graphic artist. Staff members are enrolled in an 8th period class and are expected to make themselves available for training sessions and periodic coaching from the faculty adviser and student editors. Appointments to most staff positions are made during the early part of the fall semester and the default expectation is that students will enroll in both fall and spring semesters as staff members. Students may enroll in this course more than once.

Journalism Advanced
Grades 10-12
UC/CSU - G Elective approved course
Student Selection: Application and interview process
Journalism Advanced students are the leaders and editors of Aragon’s monthly student publication, The Outlook. In this interdisciplinary course, students develop writing, research, technology, design, and leadership skills primarily through the direct experience of producing the publication. Students retain editorial control of the publication as framed by law and policies designed to ensure ethical journalism. The editors lead teams of student staff members in consultation with the faculty adviser. Student positions include editor-in-chief, news editor, features editor, sports editor, photography editor, arts and graphics editor, technology editor, and business manager. Journalism Advanced meets during a regular school period as well as after school and in the evenings as needed. Students may enroll in this course more than once.

Leadership
Prerequisite: Application needed to enroll
This course is designed for students interested in developing leadership skills and in supporting an effective student government program. It is required of students who are student body officers, class presidents, and appointed student body commissioners. Students will use leadership skills and interact both in classroom assignments/activities and in the organization and production of activities/events benefiting the school and the greater San Mateo County community. Students will promote a culture of involvement, school spirit, and mutual respect among all Aragon students. Students will experience personal growth and the development and/or refinement of leadership skills in the following areas: communication; team building; self-esteem; problem solving and decision making; goal setting; event planning; conflict resolution; creative thinking; time management; community service; advertising/marketing; finance/accounting; and government procedures.

Leadership - Link Crew
Grades 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Application needed to enroll
The Link Crew course is designed for students who are interested in building their leadership skills surrounding school climate and culture. Link Crew welcomes all upperclassmen as leaders (no leadership experience necessary), and is responsible for ensuring that the transition to our school is easy for all and that all new students feel comfortable and connected throughout their time at Aragon. The purpose of the Link Crew class is to maximize the benefits of the extracurricular Link Crew Program by working to create and oversee events that help to increase the sense of community and connectedness throughout the school. Link Crew carries out their mission by hosting activities that celebrate and motivate new students academically, engage them socially, and celebrate our community (students and staffulty) as a whole. Leaders in the class can expect to develop leadership skills such as communication, goal setting, event planning, advertising, business/finance, time management, creativity, problem solving, and beyond.

Leadership - Renaissance
Prerequisite: Application needed to enroll
The goal of the Renaissance Leadership class is to teach students the philosophies and strategies of the Renaissance System. Students will study leadership, character, communication and organizational skills to enhance their efforts in developing a school climate “Renaissance” at Aragon High School. Throughout this year, we will build upon the AHS Renaissance Program and learn valuable leadership lessons during the process. We will learn to change lives and impact futures in a positive way! We will also provide a wide range of new activities for students and staffulty (staff and faculty) to celebrate excellence, achievement and improvement. These events will provide campus connectivity, unity and foster positive relations among our student body, the staffulty and our partners outside of school.

School Community Service (SCS)
Semester Course 
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: 2.0 grade point average and good attendance. Recommendation by counselor and/or Assistant Principal is required.
This program has been designed to match the skills of students with the needs of Aragon’s teachers and staff. Duties with teachers include: serving as mentors and/or tutors for other students, completing errands, making copies, and any duties pertaining to the subject that is being taught. Students earn 5 credits per semester or may receive silver sword credits for their services. Only 1 community service period is allowed per semester, unless approved by the Principal.

Service Commission
Semester Course - 2.5 Credits per semester
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Application required.
The Aragon Service Commission values the traits of integrity, responsibility, initiative, respect, and kindness. Service Members work concessions & sell tickets at sports games, tutor peers in academics, guide families and members of the community around Aragon High School, and spend one day a week at lunch assisting with monitoring parking and other campus operations. Our members personally interact with our community and promote inclusivity and community. While we do not meet for a daily class period, full participation in assigned events and responsibilities is required. Commitment to the core values of the program provides students with class credit and a letter grade. Service Commission allows members to have an impact on student services, community events, a smoothly-running campus, and advocacy for Aragon.

Teacher Aide (TA)
Semester Course
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: 2.0 grade point average and good attendance is required. Recommendation by counselor and teacher of instruction is required.
Students are placed in a classroom where they report to a teacher. Teacher Aides will improve their capability to interact with adults in a work situation, develop a proper attitude of cooperation and conscientious in performing assigned tasks. The student will learn to follow directions with accuracy and to exercise good judgment while managing assigned tasks independently. Duties with teachers include completing errands, making copies, and any duties pertaining to the subject that is being taught. Office duties include, delivering summons to classrooms for counselors, answering phones, filing paperwork, assisting with mailings, and any other requests pertaining to the office in which you are working.

Yearbook (8th period)
Semester Course (2.5 credits per semester)
Student Selection: Application process
Staff members contribute to the publication of the school yearbook, El Tesoro. Students apply in September to be selected as yearbook staff members for the school year. Students are selected for one staff: business, copy, photography, or sports. Members of the yearbook staff do not take a regular class, but are registered in an 8th period and complete assignments on their own time. Staff members need flexible schedules, initiative, creativity, and the desire to help produce an outstanding yearbook. Students may enroll in this class more than once.

Publications (Yearbook Advanced)
Grade 12
UC/CSU - G Elective approved course
Student Selection: Application and interview process
Students Editors in the Publications course produce El Tesoro, the award-winning Aragon yearbook, which is published in May. Students take on roles of editor-in-chief, copy editor, layout editor, photography editor, and business editor. Students are enrolled in a regular school period, which allows all editors to meet regularly regarding planning, developing, and publishing the yearbook. Editors are required to put in time before and after school and occasionally on weekends and are expected to communicate regularly with their staff members.