JanTerm 2008 Overview

Introduction

JanTerm is an innovative curriculum feature in its third year at Monte Vista Christian School.  Modeled after the college January Term concept, JanTerm is designed to increase learning opportunities for students.  Students are given 40 to 50 new classes to choose from each year above and beyond the normal high school curriculum; they also have the unique opportunity to literally travel around the world through a variety of educational and mission trips.  In addition, as juniors and seniors, Monte Vista Christian students have the rare opportunity to experience first hand a profession through an Internship before deciding on a college or major.  JanTerm truly means opportunities for Monte Vista Christian School students. 

Schedule

The MVC school year is divided so that the first semester is over before JanTerm week begins, January 7.  The second semester will commence on January 14.  The JanTerm day is divided into two sessions, and one course is taken in each session. 

The morning session is 8:15 am - 11:30am

Lunch is 11:35 am - 12:05 pm on campus

The afternoon session is 12:10- 3:10 pm

The long class periods make it possible to offer courses that ordinarily could not be held during a shorter class time.  Morning classes tend to be academic in nature with regular homework and preparation required outside of class.  Afternoon classes generally are practical in nature and usually involve hands-on participation.  Students need to check course descriptions carefully to be familiar with individual class expectations.  A variety of educational and mission trips are offered each year.  Each trip is individually scheduled to accommodate its particular purpose.  All trips fall into the JanTerm time frame.

Internships, which are available for juniors and seniors only, are usually scheduled for full days, depending on the work environment.  Typically, one-third of the student body will spend JanTerm off campus on internships or trips.  Please note--early release will not be scheduled during JanTerm Week.

Credits

All courses and trips will earn academic credit.  As a graduation requirement, each student is required to earn one full JanTerm credit per year.  One full credit is earned by attending one of the following JanTerm experiences: Two one-half day classes, one full day class, one school sponsored trip, or one full day approved internship.  JanTerm courses will not count toward fulfilling Non-JanTerm graduation requirements. 

Conflicts

Because we recognize that JanTerm experiences potentially cause a conflict with a sport or other school activity/involvement, we have established the following JanTerm athletic policy:  Students involved in J.V. level activities may miss part of the season due to a JanTerm experience without losing their places on the rosters.  It needs to be understood, however, that students missing part of the season will need to earn their way back into their prior positions.  Because of the level of commitment expected at the varsity level, students will need to choose JanTerm experiences that do not conflict with sports, or not participate in varsity sports.  We will be careful to avoid back-to-back required trips by sports teams, to give students access to JanTerm opportunities, particularly internships.

Registration for Classes

Registration for JanTerm is handled in a systematic way with preference given to seniors, then juniors, then sophomores, then freshmen unless courses are limited to a specific grade level or other preference policies are explained. 

All students are expected to choose their first four preferences in case particular classes are full.  Students are reminded to seriously consider each of their choices because classes do fill up and many students end up in 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th choices.  Due dates for registration forms begin Friday, November 9, and are based on grade level. Check the registration form (located in the back of the JanTerm Curriculum Guide) carefully for your student’s registration due date.  Requests for class changes will not be accepted once the course selection sheet has been submitted.

Please be sure to thoroughly complete the course selection sheet including the student’s and parent’s signature.  It is also vital to complete the JanTerm Parental Permission Form, located on the back of the course selection sheet, if it is indicated as a course requirement.  Incomplete registration forms will be returned and priority will be lost. There is no advantage in turning forms in before the deadline.  Please take your time and make good choices.  After completion, please hand in all forms to the Student Services office.

Registration for Trips

Many of the trips are announced in the summer and early fall (through parent mailings and student announcements) and may require registration prior to the JanTerm class registration deadline. 

Registration for Internships

Parents and students are encouraged to be thinking about internship possibilities year round but particularly during the spring and summer.  This being the third year to offer JanTerm Internships, for all information, including how to sponsor an internship and how to participate, please refer to the Internship section of this curriculum guide. 

Contact Information

Monte Vista Christian School

2 School Way, Watsonville, CA  95076

831-722-8178, 831-722-6003 (fax), mvcs.org

JanTerm Personnel

Steve Sharp, Headmaster

831-722-8178, x105 SteveSharp@mvcs.org

Patty Gillig, JanTerm Coordinator 

831-722-8178 x 103 PatriciaGillig@mvcs.org