Gateways to Health

         Program Overview          Volunteer Placement Sites

This program provides opportunities for first-hand experience in a variety of health care settings.  Students are urged to begin their volunteer experience in their freshman year to ensure completion of the 100 hours necessary to apply for the internship year.

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH – Grade 9 – Full Year – 1 Credit
This course is an introduction to the basic components of safety, nutrition, physical and mental health, interpersonal dynamics, ethics, professional career tracks.  Skill in communication, basics of research, computer literacy, and leadership will be developed.  This course fulfills the New York State requirement for a health course.
        PREREQUISITE:  None

ADVANCED HEALTH AND CAREERS - Grade 10 – Full Year – 1 Elective Credit
This course is a continuation of the Introduction to Health course with emphasis placed on more in-depth study of the body systems using internet based research along with traditional research.  It will also include an exploration of the vast array of careers available in the health care delivery system.  In addition to traditional roles such as physician, nurse, physical therapist, etc., functions and qualifications of other traditional careers as well as non-traditional careers are studied.
        PREREQUISITE:  A grade of 80 or above in Introduction to Health
                                            A grade of 80 or above in Biology and a comparable grade
                                             in the Living Environment examination
                                            Approval of 9th year Introduction to Health teacher

MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS – Grade 11 – Full Year – 1 Elective Credit
A continuation of the Gateways Program.  Using information from Introduction to Health and Biology, selected health problems are examined.  Along with examining current health problems, students will also explore the impact of culture and ethics on decision-making in health care.  Basic assessment measures, such as blood pressures, will be addressed.  Accompanying this course is the Internship experience that must be applied for.
    PREREQUISITES:  Progressive improvement in the cumulative grade point average
                                        with a minimum of 80.
                                        A grade of at least 80 in Advanced Health and Careers.
                                        Completion and documentation of 100 hours of volunteer work.
                                        Good attendance record.
                                        Parental/guardian approval.
                                        Working papers.
                                        Completion of required health forms for clinical agencies
                                        Recommendation of the Guidance Department and the Assistant
                                        Principal for Student Life.
                                        Approval of the Gateways Department Chairperson.

CURRENT ISSUES AND ETHICS IN HEALTH CARE – Grade 12 – Full Year – 1 Elective Credit 
A continuation of the Gateways Program with a further examination of the more complex ethical issues in health care.  Results of recent research, controversial issues in health insurance, care, and professional practice will also be studied.
           PREREQUISITES:  A progressively increasing cumulative grade point average.
                                               Successful completion of the previous Gateways courses
                                               and Internship.
                                                Recommendation of the Guidance Department and the
                                                Assistant Principal for Student Life.
                                                Approval of the Gateways Department Chairperson.

Accompanying this course is the fieldwork experience in a variety of settings in the health care system.  This section of the course is OPTIONAL.  Students who wish to remain in school rather than take part in the Friday fieldwork component may do so.  However, there will be a field trip each semester to various health care facilities or conferences.