BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
Mrs. Patsy Frost, Business Department Chair
School to Career Coordinator
Mrs. Maryann Ragno
Mrs. Mary Ann Hatzberger
Middle School Teacher
High School Teacher
WHY BUSINESS?
Business courses provide the skills necessary for success in school as well as a passport to success in the real world of work. Beginning in grade 6, students are introduced to the wide variety of options available to them through hands-on, project based learning opportunities in the Business Department. Every course in the department utilizes state-of-the-art technology to enhance the learning process. No matter what career a student may eventually enter, a working knowledge of the business world and the rle of technology in the global marketplace are essential. From introductory keyboarding to advanced computerized accounting to career exploration and job shadowing, the Business Department is a valuable resource to every student who wants to get a head start on his or her future.
Future
Business Leaders of America
VISION
The Vision of the Business Department is to prepare Scituate students for the global workforce through classroom and computer applications.
COURSE OFFERINGS
HIGH SCHOOL
BUSINESS MATH 9-12 This course is recommended as a business elective for students with an interest in business concepts and careers. This course provides reinforcement in basic computation skills through business applications. Emphasis is placed on the utilization of appropriate technology as it applies to business situations. Areas focused on include banking, budgeting, credit and borrowing, payroll, spreadsheet analysis using Excel, saving and i investing, taxes, and career exploration. A variety of business simulations will be used to teach and reinforce these areas in order to provide students with real world business situations and problem solving experience.
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS 9-12 Introduction to Business is a course designed to awaken student interest in our global market economy and instruct how this directly affects all aspects of their lives. Students, through a variety of learning activities, will increase their knowledge of business and be more adequately able to assume their roles as productive citizens and wise consumers. Participating students are exposed to a wide variety of business occupations and career opportunities and to other aspects of our business curriculum that will develop effective life-long work ethics. Portfolios which encompass resumes, cover letters, applications, and personal graphs will be created.
COMPUTER ASSISTED KEYBOARDING 9-12 Keyboarding is the act of inputting information. Because of the computer skills now required for both business and personal use, this course is recommended for all students. this course is designed to meet the needs of both the college bound and the business vocational student. It includes a complete presentation of the computer keyboard with emphasis placed on instruction keyboarding by the "touch method" and personal keyboarding formats. Each student progresses at their own rate, commensurate with his/her abilities and interests, and is offered an opportunity to both know success and be challenged. Instruction includes using a word processing program, compatible with the program used by the English Department to format reports, term papers, memorandum, business letters, and envelopes. Desktop publishing skills and creative writing activities will supplement the learning experience. Individualized instruction to meet the educational goals of the student will be utilized whenever possible. Priority scheduling will be given to upper class men.
BASIC ACCOUNTING 10-12 This course is designed to prepare business students for office related accounting occupations. It introduces the principles of double entry accounting, including the theory of debits and credits, the journalizing of business transactions, the use of accounts, and the completion of the accounting cycle, including a trial balance and preparation of the financial statements. Banking activities and payroll procedures are also included. A unit on income tax return preparation and computerized accounting principles and procedures helps the student gain confidence in the use and the understanding of computers for accounting applications.
COLLEGE ACCOUNTING I & II 11-12 College Accounting I & II are an intense preview to a college level accounting course. The content of the course covers the first semester's work in a college accounting course. Students seriously considering an accounting career, a career in business administration or management, should take this course. Successful completion of this course may allow the student to challenge the Accounting 101 college level course. Accounting is the "language of business", and knowledge of accounting concepts and principles is fundamental to our financial information system. This course includes all topics covered in Basic Accounting as well as analysis of financial statements, depreciation, bad debts, accruals, deferred charges and cash flow control. Tax laws and ethical values, as they refer to accounting principles, will be included. The course content includes traditional methods of presentation as well as current procedures and applications involving computer technology. In addition to the textbook materials, numerous software programs are implemented through the course, together with supplementary problems and materials from various college textbooks. This course is highly recommended for the college bound student who desires a foundation and introduction to accounting concepts.
COLLEGE COMPUTER SKILLS 9-12 This half year college bound computer application and skills course instructs students through hands-on state-of-the-art Windows environment technology using word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphic presentations, desktop publishing, and the Internet. This comprehensive course will fulfill the half year requirement of computer literacy for college bound students.
OFFICE TECHNOLOGY 11-12 This program incorporates an integration of the knowledge and skills gained in previous business courses. Instruction in current office procedures, with emphasis on electronic information processing and office etiquette, is accomplished in a simulated office environment whenever possible. Machine transcription, electronic mail and fax transmission, calculator and photocopying equipment techniques, telephone procedures and data entry skills are included in a computer based curriculum. Students are exposed to word processing, database and spreadsheet software programs. Employment preparation, including job application, interview and related skills are stressed. Students learn to assume responsibility, evaluate themselves periodically, and to develop the ability to understand and work with their peers in preparation for business positions. Prerequisite: teacher recommendation.
YOUTH AND THE LAW 10-12 This course prepares students to make the transition into the adult world of legal rights and responsibilities. Included in the course are discussions on the following topics: nature of law, criminal law, civil law, court procedures, juvenile law, mock trials, contracts, insurance, landlord tenant, employment law, and consumer law. Wherever feasible, class discussion will be based on cases which have actually been decided in the courts of our country.
WORD PROCESSING 9-12 This full year course is designed to introduce students to the WINDOWS NT AND MICROSOFT OFFICE through word processing concepts and desktop publishing. Students will gain valuable life-long skills in the computer area through composing and creating documents, formatting skills, language arts, and machine transcription. these skills enable students to be at the cutting edge of computer technology and to present themselves to the business world of employment. Portfolios which include resumes, cover letters, applications, and personal graphics cover sheets will be created.
PERSONAL FINANCE 9-12 This half year course prepares students to meet the real life challenges involved in personal money management. topics taught are credit, banking, checking, budgets, insurance, and investments. These topics will be enhanced with hands-on state-of-the-art Windows environment technology. This course will help prepare students for life-long learning skills about their personal finance.
INFORMATION PROCESSING 11-12 Students receive integrated hands-on experience in the use of WINDOWS NT USING MICROSOFT OFFICE, which includes instruction on the use of WORD, the word processing program; EXCEL, the spreadsheet program; ACCESS, the database program; and POWERPOINT, the graphics slide presentation program. DESKTOP PUBLISHING of documents will also be taught. Career exploration will be stressed through application assignments within various careers including: education, insurance, engineering, public relations, legal, medical, travel, television, construction, real estate, dental, landscaping, and several others. Each career segment will stress competence in using language arts. Portfolios for personal employment will be created.
CAREER PATHWAYS 11-12 this full year course provides an evolving, on-going process of a comprehensive program that facilitates a students' transition from school to career through a balanced presentation that adjusts to the changing workplace. This course will implement a student directed, hands-on learning model. The student will learn about careers by shadowing existing workers through volunteer work experience, mentoring, internships, and paid work experience, Through implementation of this skill based course, students will become acquainted with today's workplace and focused upon life-long learning
.