(RECORD PHOTO/JOHN ALLEN)

MADISON – Electives, college requirements and career hopes will fill conversations during the curriculum fair at Bob Jones High School on March 21.

“Students, parents and community members can meet with counselors, gain orientation information and explore various curricular choices at Bob Jones,” assistant principal Dr. Julie Finley said. In its eighth year, the fair will be held in the cafeteria from 5 to 7 p.m.

The exposition will run the gamut from “challenging core to high-interest electives, to performance-based arts, to the relevant experiences in the career technology academies of engineering, fashion, health science, biomed, culinary and building science,” Finley said.

Teachers will explain advanced-placement and dual-enrollment opportunities.

Finley and principal Robby Parker expect a record turnout. The event will feature colorful displays, brochures and demos. Teachers can draw attention to their innovative approaches. Counselors will advise students about optimum paths for post-secondary goals.

“As parents, we need to help our students identify personal strengths,” Finley said. Standardized testing can reveal aptitude to steer course selection and show areas for challenge or support.

Elective classes are the easiest paths to excel. “However, when we guide students to consider their strengths, we’re guiding them down a pathway toward success,” Finley said.

Jeremy Raper, lead teacher in the Engineering for Tomorrow (E4T) Academy, said the fair “is a great time to talk to both students and parents and answer questions about our program.” Teachers will tell students what to expect and about academic-related competitions, like rocketry and robotics, Raper said.

The fair offers “a prime chance for parents to see all elective options,” Lesa Clough said. Clough chairs the world language department. Also, parents can better understand how electives can support a student’s future goals.

“Parents are always surprised to learn that our world language courses extend to fifth- and sixth-levels. Community service opportunities exist in our foreign language clubs linked to our courses,” Clough said.

For more information, call 256-772-2547.