Students Explore Unique Courses in J-term

This year, the St. Richard’s Middle Division students once again eased their way back from Christmas Break with the J-term course offerings. Though J-term was shortened to three days this year, from January 3 to January 5, the classes available were diverse and rich in unique experiences for the students.

Students examine a replica of the Eli Lilly & Co. campus with Board of Trustees President Bob Marchesani 

Classes included a course focused on examining and creating comic books, a course studying the greatest classical music composers, a “CSI” course focused on the scientific and forensic techniques of crime solving and a French cooking course, among others.

For the second year in a row, the students in Grade 8 used the J-term as a crash course to prepare for this year’s musical, Mulan, Jr.

One new course this year was the “Careers Course,” taught by Mr. Strock, Mrs. Benson and Mr. Schalk. This course encouraged students to explore the opportunities available to them after school through life planning games and field trips to several local employers. Students were treated to tours and presentations by several professionals at Eli Lilly & Co. and at Rolls-Royce. They also got a taste of the non-profit sector with a visit to the Trinity Outreach Center.

St. Richard's students volunteer during a demonstratoin by the Rolls-Royce materials team

Another popular course this year was Mr. Smith and Mr. Lutton’s “Camera, Lights, Action!” class, which dissected successful advertising before give the students the freedom to make their own. Click here to see one of the videos created by the class!