Grade 6

This course helps students identify the correlation between physical, mental and social health with the goal of applying this knowledge to develop a plan to strive for personal wellness.

Units/Topics: health and wellness, safety, violence prevention, nutrition/fitness/diseases

Grade 7

This course is designed to assist students in developing interpersonal skills, as well as self-management and resistance strategies, with the objective being to enhance positive personal relationships and promote personal health and wellness.

Units/Topics: stress management, communication skills, mental wellness, substance abuse/drug awareness, environmental health and sun safety, sexual health/family living

Bridges (grade 8 only)

This elective class provides support students may need in order to be successful in school. This course will provide students with skills associated with organization, relationships and self-improvement. Students will set their own personal goals and reflect on progress throughout the year.  There is an opportunity to participate in a mentoring program with the GCHS Peer Leaders. 
 
Sixth- and seventh-grade health students have the unique opportunity to experience Safety Bus and Food Bus lessons taught by our GC staff (Nutrition and Transportation). We also invite community members to present to our classes (fire department for a safety lesson and NAMI for a mental health lesson).

The Middle School Health teachers are also co-advisors of the after-school club (PASA-Peers Against Substance Abuse). 

Health is a course that explores the relationship between physical, mental and social health. This course is a graduation requirement and is typically taken during sophomore year.  

Units/Topics: wellness, risk reduction, nutrition, improving self-esteem and mental wellness, communication and safety. Students will also learn about drug prevention and Sexual Health.    

Advanced Health

Students enrolled in Advanced Topics in Health will explore and discuss health-related topics. Topics will include: Healthy meal planning, life-long exercise, personal health issues, and drug prevention. Students can also expect a field experience promoting health and wellness. Plan on increasing your knowledge of health, gaining a new level of wellness and developing intrapersonal skills.

First Aid

This course teaches first aid skills a person needs to know to act as the first link in the emergency medical system. The focus of this course is to prepare the individual to respond correctly to everyday emergencies. Students will learn First Aid and CPR skills. Those who successfully complete the course may receive several American Red Cross certifications (Responding to Emergency and/or Community First Aid; and/or CPR/AED for Professional Rescue). A field trip to a local ambulance and fire department may be included. Students will talk with professionals, tour the facilities, participate in hands-on activities as well as explore potential career opportunities.

Life and Death

This dual-credit course is designed to help students learn to cope with life’s experiences. Topics include: understanding self and others (minimizing stress, assertiveness skills, time management, relationships, and life goals).  We also cover: attitudes about death, talking to children about death - the do’s and don’ts; medical ethics; terminal illness -guidelines for coping; suicide - the symptoms and do’s and don’ts; funerals - what to say and do, and the grief process - what to expect in self and others. 

Peer Leadership 1 and 2

Peer Leadership is a program designed to help students build leadership skills for personal and professional growth. Students will learn how to take an idea, put it into a proposal, and implement it into reality. They will learn how to be Peer Helpers in assisting others with difficult situations. This activity-oriented course will train students in topics such as self-esteem, communication skills, and group dynamics. Activities Peer Leaders may become involved in include school enhancement projects, elementary school volunteer work, group presentations or other community enhancement projects. Students will be required to complete 75 hours of services and are expected to be role models and follow an ethics contract.  

Foundations of Health

This course focuses on personal responsibility for your health and how lifestyle factors and choices reflect personal well-being. More specifically, topics include nutrition, physical activity, communication skills, drug abuse, managing stress, and disease. This dual-credit class is the pre-requisite of many health science majors, including nursing.