Shannon Forest Introduces 9th-12th Grade Silva-MESTER!
Most colleges incorporate the “mini-mester” program as an intensive learning experience into their course curriculum. As a college preparatory school, it is our goal to equip our students for the rigors ahead. The goal of Silva-MESTER is to enrich students’ experiences, broaden their interests and potentially point them in a direction of a future occupation.
For more information on this exciting, new program log on to the link below:
SFCS Silva-MESTER Course Catalogue
Plan Ahead for a European Silva-mester in 2013!
Shannon Forest rising 9th - 11th Grade students can start planning now for a 12-day, 2013 Silva-mester trip to Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France. The trip will include a tour of the Neuschwanstein Castle, a visit to a concentration camp, a stop in the town of the famous Romeo and Juliet, a climb to the top of the Eiffel tower, and much more. The benefits to signing up early include $100 off the total cost, if you sign up before the end of February. In addition, there will be smaller monthly payments and a longer time period to raise funds for the trip. Contact Elizabeth Tate,
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, for additional information or to sign up for the trip.
Silva-mester SUCCESS!
For the first-time in Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) history, students in 9th through 12th Grades experienced Silva-mester, a ten-day program that ran from January 4, through January 18. This mini-mester of exploration provided an exciting change of pace from the normal academic schedule. Students were able to select two elective courses from a variety of special interest areas.
Opportunities of study included a self-defense course for women, sewing, tennis instruction, gourmet cooking classes, courses in preparing for life after high school, music exploration, improvisational theatre and even a travel abroad program that took students to France and Italy.
The self defense class was taught by SFCS President Bob Collins. “I think that this course was important to teach because it gave ladies self-confidence that they can handle themselves in a potentially dangerous situation,” said Collins. Sophomore Elizabeth Ellis chose self defense because she thought it would be fun and active. Physical activity was also the emphasis of Salem Ernie’s tennis instruction. “Playing tournaments was my favorite,” said SFCS junior Sunny Stogner.
Teacher Ryan Godsey brought the world of culinary arts to the students who selected “G-Licious Gourmet.” Students cooked a variety of meals including chili, burgers, chicken parmesan and hosted their own version of the cooking game show “Chopped.” Junior Eli Wilson said, “It was really fun to learn how to cook things that I can make at my own house.” Growth and creativity was apparent in all of the students who experienced this class.
A peek in to the fast-paced area of broadcast media was offered by SFCS teacher Jessi Cain. Students were exposed to the various modes of broadcasting by creating their own radio and television broadcasts. Guest speakers included WYFF meteorologist Keisha Kirkland and Rob Dempsey, a DJ from HIS Radio.
The “mini-mester” is widely incorporated in many college curriculums. It is designed to help enrich the students’ learning experiences, broaden their interests and possibly point them in a direction of a future occupation. Not only did students earn .25 credits for each class completed during the Silva-mester sessions, they enjoyed stretching their creativity, going global with new experiences and gaining new knowledge to apply in the future.
- Emily Pyhala, Contributing Writer/Journalism student (Grade 12)
Bonjour from the Silva-mester European Travel Group!
Yesterday we had a wonderful tour of the city and went to Versailles. Here we are in front of the golden gates of the palace.
When we got back into the city, we took a river tour on the Seine, and got a panoramic view if the city at sunset. After dinner we went up the Eiffel tower, where some of us went to the top, others enjoyed some hot chocolate and the view, and others went ice skating on the first level of the tower. This morning we're headed out to Nice on the TGV...Europe's fastest train.
Au revoir!
Ciao! Welcome from Florence,Our group in front of the Florence markets. Notice the statue of the hog in the background...