Be the beacon of hope in education 

for those who have courage to lose sight of the shore.

Responsible for Self Accountable to others

Class Description

CHOICES is one of the alternative learning programs provided by Scottsbluff High School. This opportunity is available for all 10th through 12th grade students, pending application, interviews, and acceptance. 

The program consists of two teachers, a student LeaderBoard, and the students. Through the program with rigor and relevance, students engage in a wide variety of college and career-ready experiences. One of our goals is to decrease that "exposure gap" and subsequently, increase the likelihood of adult success. 

Experiences include an annual Intensive designed to build relationships and culture, teacher and peer accountability through CREW, a close-knit core, in-school career development coursework, college and business visits locally and in surrounding states, and community outreach. 

Students must participate in at least 10 hours volunteer service in the community per year of attendance, participate in two job shadows, complete 60 hours in at least one internship or work-study, and maintain eligibility in the continual pursuit of a high school diploma.  Students are held accountable to meet expectations regarding attendance, academics, and actions.  

To enroll, students must apply, interview, participate in a CHOICES activity, and be accepted into the program. Students may submit their own names or be nominated by an administrator, teacher, counselor, friend, or parent. New student applications are accepted throughout the year for enrollment each August.  Enrollment in CHOICES maintains a student’s Scottsbluff High School status for activities, sports, dances, as well as graduation and an SHS diploma. 

If interested, students should contact their SHS counselor Mrs. Sue Herdt at sherdt@sbps.net.  You, too, can make a difference.

COURSE SYLLABUS:

Course Syllabus for … 

CHOICES Community Outreach 2026-27

Teacher:  Mrs. Sue Herdt, Room 131

sherdt@sbps.net

Welcome

I am so excited to have this opportunity to teach CHOICES’ students in a course that highlights our key tenets, especially those of individual development, college & career readiness, community involvement, and service learning.  I look forward to working together as we develop and demonstrate how we hope the world to be. We get to focus every day on how to become better and how to make the world a better place.  I just know it’s going to be a great year!

Expectations

Within the first few days, we will discuss what we expect of each other, actually.  I do, however, have a few non-negotiables:  primarily respect, responsibility, and readiness.  So many things fall under these categories. 

Respect for self, others, and property.  This includes behavior, language, identity, effort, ideas, and more.  We treat ourselves and each other – and others we encounter along the way – with respect.

Responsibility:  responsible for self and accountable to others;  to take care of yourself and be there for others.  This includes time management and effective notification of all parties involved in your actions.  Your behavior = your responsibility.  

Readiness with your materials (chromebook, notebook, pen/pencil, completed work) and your whole self (attendance, notes, organization, presence, willingness, participation). This will also include appropriate attire for each event/trip, necessary materials, and proper communication.

There will be a contract detailing expectations for members, staff, and family to sign.

I intend to create an environment where you feel safe and comfortable enough to learn and grow; to stumble, fall, and get back up to try again; to ask questions and search for answers; to express yourself; to find your voice.  In that, I expect you to be decent human beings to yourself and to each other; that way we can trust and be trusted.  Everyone gets to become the best version of themselves, and we can be very successful . . . together.   

As proof of willingness, all CHOICES students sign a contract to acknowledge and accept the terms of membership.

Curriculum

This is a required class for all CHOICES’ students because it is where we learn, practice, and prepare all that we believe is important:  you and your place in the world. We will be reading, writing, speaking, and listening in basically every way possible to hone our communication skills with ourselves, with each other, and with our fellow global citizens.  College & career readiness will also be a chief goal.  So, too, will we increase our awareness of the community in which we live, locally and globally.  This course is also where we will emphasize service learning from a giving, altruistic nature.  Paying back those who have given so much and paying it forward to continue the trend. We will be in the classroom and the high school building, and we will also venture out to institutions, businesses, and industries within the community.  There will be many projects and fieldtrips.  Students will write thank-you notes and reflections from each opportunit for experiential learning.  Please note:  you will always have the opportunity to prepare for what you are about to experience:  we will practice, provide information, have Q & A sessions, role play, and double check, BUT you must be engaged, alert, and attentive.  You must listen well. We will visit Infinite Campus and take an active role in our own education. We will have celebrations and cram sessions.  I want you to be able to see the relevance in what you experience because of this class, so you can apply these skills to life today and tomorrow.  I teach students . . . not just subjects.

NOTE:  A portion of this class will be set aside for Crew activities and interactions.    

Crew

Everything in Crew is geared toward understanding, ownership, and improvement.  We seek to become better to ourselves, with each other, and out in the world.  We realize this is not necessarily an easy or rapid task.  We’re in this together!  We will work through all sorts of topics and issues particular to this group, to these individuals.  We will read and journal; we will set goals and devise plans to realize our dreams.  We will think and do and be.  We will help each other.  We will voice our thoughts and listen to those of others with the intent to understand, not necessarily to persuade or agree.  Crew becomes a “family”.   I want you to be able to see the relevance in what you experience because of this class, so you can apply these skills to life today and tomorrow.  I teach students . . . not just subjects.  

Truth

You are always expected to be honest.  We would rather see your genuine self than any fake masks you choose to wear for others.  We are all bound by confidentiality, as well.   I would rather see your best efforts, so we can learn your truth about what you know and can do, and we can grow together.  False representation cheats all involved out of valuable relationships.  Hence, confidentiality is expected and maintained.  

“Family”

Crew is unique and although the dynamics will be changing since we are always fluctuating that roster, it is my hope that we get to know each other -- not just as teacher and student, but simply as human beings. Thus, your investment in CHOICES is personal not financial.  I believe respect is both mutual and necessary, and I value the trust placed in me by you and your family.  I believe in your greatness -- even if you haven’t found it yet.  I am here and available for you.  “I got you.”  Actually, “we got each other.”

Materials  (Please notify me privately if you cannot acquire these items for yourself.)

-- chromebook (charged daily)

-- one college-ruled spiral notebook for class notes

-- class folder to keep handouts and returned papers

-- writing utensils (black/blue pen and pencil)

-- An actual planner will be provided for you because it is one of the best tools to help you stay organized.  I know there is more to you than just being a CHOICES student, so this strategy will be taught and implemented to guide you to efficiently and effectively balance the roles in your life.

– appropriate clothing for events – students will need nice clothes.*  Everyone will be expected to have ready & available:  nice pants (not jeans), a nice collared shirt (no words), dark socks, nice shoes/boots or clean tennis shoes, closed-toed/closed-heeled; also black pants/jeans and a plain black shirt.  We will acquire CHOICES hoodies and polos for all members.  Students “pay” for these items through volunteering for concessions, either at school or at the Midwest, and to serve at events.  Details of what to wear and what to bring will be specified and communicated for each separate instance:  camping, dinner theatre (formalwear), and tour clothes. This is not to be an added family expense; we do the best we can to borrow, to thrift, and to use our resources, like finding formalwear for FREE through our PROMise, which is now housed in the basement of the Elks.  

Hours

Every student must accrue at least 10 hours of volunteer service per semester.  This is time spent doing something outside of the regular school day:  working concessions, picking up trash, serving events, helping at the Midwest, etc.  These hours may not be doubled with any other organization, like AFJROTC, HOSA, or Probation.  CHOICES will provide opportunities to earn at least 80 hours throughout the year; however, students must sign up, show up, dress appropriately, and put in the work.  Individuals may also make arrangements outside of CHOICES for volunteer work that will need to be verified; for example, Panhandle Humane Society, neighborhood snow shoveling/mowing, trash cleanup, etc.

These wardrobe requirements are in place to prepare students for a wide variety of occasions, not to create a financial burden.  Literally, we find ways to provide.  The hoodies and polos are paid for by our CHOICES budget, and students earn these through participation in service projects.  Formal wear is also provided free of charge through PROMise, so students will have to schedule and attend appointments to find the perfect garments.  We also thrift or borrow if purchases need to be made.

General clothing requirements:  nice slacks, usually black pants; clean (closed toed & closed heeled) shoes; a nice shirt; dark socks; CHOICES polo & hoodie; a belt if needed; formalwear (evening gown or suit & tie) with appropriate footwear.

Missing/Late Work

I realize you are required to attend, but I intend to create a classroom environment where you will want to be.  I can guarantee that if you are absent you will miss something, and you will be missed.  If something is not in on time, I will issue you an “M” in the Infinite Campus gradebook, so you are alerted.  Due to the primarily project-basis of this particular course, meeting deadlines along the way will be a priority because so many steps must be accomplished to reach an effective final project.  Plus, everyone has a role to fill, so you doing your part helps the whole group be successful. As a professional, I believe it is my responsibility to grade your submissions and provide helpful feedback in a timely manner.  So, if it does not interfere with the completion of a project or others’ deadlines, late work will be accepted until the end of the quarter.  Truly, after the assigned week has passed, you will not receive full credit for the daily work as it loses the timeliness of purposeful feedback.  I do, however, expect you to do all that is assigned; you get to do these things to help you learn, practice, master, and apply some very important lifeskills.  

Assessments/Credits

Assessments are 70% of your total grade, so, yes, they matter.  These “tests” may be literally a written exam, and other forms of assessment -- like speeches, projects, final drafts, skill demonstrations, etc -- will also be used.   An assessment for this class might include an interaction with an elder in the community, an interview with a human resource director of a local company, or an interview with an employee of your choice.   I do expect your best effort, and I will give you mine, as well.  

You must re-take assessments where you score below a 60%, and you may retake (or correct) passed assessments in an attempt to raise your score.  However, you must take the initiative to come and talk to me about this.  It’s your education, so you are in charge of scheduling re-teaching and re-taking as needed.  I will gladly help you understand the concepts to do well on the assessments.  Life is busy, of course, so we’ll need to plan a time that works for both of us, which may involve the Media Center or even Saturday School.  NOTE:  You can retake assessments until the end of the assigned quarter.

The other 30% of your grade is acquired through classroom participation, practice, daily assignments, and discussion.  I hope you’re all in!

The grading scale will be the same as all SHS classes:  A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, and F=0-59%.  

For each passing semester, you earn 5 credits, and successful completion of this class is required for CHOICES enrollment and participation.

To acquire full credit, students must also participate in at least 2 job shadows of a full shift each and one 60-hour internship, along with accruing a minimum of 10 volunteer service hours each year.    

Attendance/Tardy Policy 

We will follow the SHS policy that governs all high school students.  It is your responsibility, of course, to come to class and to report on time.  You are first given the opportunity to take care of business.  If the evidence shows you cannot and you have multiple offenses, I will then reach out to your parents/guardians for assistance.  Please be in your seat, phone in the caddy, and ready to learn when class starts.   Please note that this year, a student may have only 10 No Contact absences before they fail the course and lose credit. Due to our experiential learning opportunities where we travel, we expect all CHOICES students in full attendance the day of and the day after an event.  Furthermore, students are expected to attend all CHOICES events and trips; extenuating circumstances will be considered by teachers and administrators.

PED

Every classroom is a Red Zone, so there is to be no cell phone (or Smart Watch) use during the class period.  Phones and other PEDs are to be placed in an assigned slot at the beginning of each class period.  This gives you 45 minutes in each class to really engage in the experiences at hand; you get to be completely present!  PEDs are returned to the owners at the end of each class period.  Your cooperation is both expected and appreciated.  Remember that only school-provided electronic devices are permitted in the building.

Chromebooks

Let’s hear it for technology!  (I know you have been born into it, and I am grateful you are willing to help me continue upping my game.)  We will be using them often in class -- but not always.  Chromebooks can be both an attraction and a distraction.  I will help you manage both. Chromebooks should be turned off and closed unless I have provided specific instructions for use.  You are expected to come to school every day with a completely charged Chromebook.  Knowing this, you need to plan and set aside time and a location to plug it in every night.  (I don’t have enough outlets or electricity for everyone to plug in in the classroom.) 

Restroom/Drinks

Because you are human, I realize there are basic bodily needs that require your attention.  I expect you to know what yours are and respond accordingly and appropriately in the educational setting.  You may have a water bottle with a closed lid with you in the room.  You are to use the facilities as you pass from class to class, but if an emergency arises, I expect you to communicate that privately to me, so you can take care of things. 

New this year is the e-Hall pass.  You will be trained on this new system, but here’s the scoop:  1. You will complete the form online on your chromebook to request the pass to go to a specific location.  You may not go at all in the first 5 minutes of class.  

2. I then can approve or deny, again on your chromebook.  If it is all good, you go and take care of business in an efficient manner.  

3. You get 4 of these passes a day total in all classes.

4. Only one person out of the room at a time, like usual.

I do believe we can all handle ourselves with maturity and respect for others; you can do so without creating an interruption.  Please know, you will be missing something when you are gone, so hurry back and return to business.  

Plagiarism

You are always expected to do your own work.  I would rather see your best efforts, so I can learn the truth about what you know and can do, and we can grow together.  And, yes, there are times when you’ll be quoting someone else or referencing another person’s ideas; I will help you use proper citation methods, so you can give the credit where it belongs.  

Plagiarism is theft of ideas and words and claiming them as your own.  It is not only unethical; it is illegal, and there are serious consequences here and in college, as well.  This cheating includes papers, assessments, assignments, and even test/assignment answers:  the one who provides the answers and the one who submits them as their own are equally guilty.  This cheating includes googling answers (without specific instruction to do so), papers, assessments, assignments, and even test/assignment answers:  the one who provides the answers and the one who submits them as their own are equally guilty of cheating.  At the first offense, you will be required to re-do the work, perhaps with different parameters, for half credit.  The second offense is usually a zero, and the third offense is likely to be an F for the course.  (There’s just no need, really.  Talk to me.  I can work with you through your academic concerns to make decisions you’re proud of.)

Please see Scottsbluff Public Schools Board Policy 6288 regarding AI.

Communication

The students will create group chats so they can quickly reach out to everyone.  We will also have google classroom and student/parent square.  A generalized calendar will also be posted.

Staff & students will best communicate through parent/student square.

Us

Each class is unique.  It is my hope that we get to know each other -- not just as teacher and student, but simply as human beings.  I believe respect is mutual, and I value the trust placed in me by you and your family.The nature of this class helps us tap into our giving nature, so it does require a commitment from you, to each other, and to the program.  I’m all in; I do not expect you to do anything I am not also willing to do.  I will be working right beside you.  I believe in your greatness -- even if you haven’t found it yet.  I am here and available for you with regard to Community Outreach (of course!) but, more importantly, about life.  I got you. 

Google Classroom Information

6th period:  https://classroom.google.com/c/ODcyMTIyOTM4Mjkz?cjc=tcuns2hu

7th period:  https://classroom.google.com/c/ODcyMTIyMDMxNTgz?cjc=fdvykdsc

Parent Google Classroom Information

If a parent would like to receive a summary from Google Classroom, then please email sherdt@sbps.net. The parent will then receive an email to accept the invitation.