Click Here to meet your 2024-2025 Straus Middle School Teachers!
Welcome to Maverick Art!
For Beginners we explore a wide variety of 2D and 3D art mediums with emphasis on Elements of Art. For our Intermediate and Advanced art classes we focus on Principles of Art. High School Art 1 is a beginning class that uses the Elements and Principles and prepares the students for Art 2 in High School. Studio Art is an advanced art high school class where artists can explore their creativity and master their skills.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a year-long program that prepares students for success in high school, college, and career readiness. The AVID Elective Class focuses on techniques to help support students’ academic success throughout their educational career.
The AVID classroom is a family environment made up of like-minded students that empower each other and where leadership skills are enhanced. Students will learn organization and time management skills with the use of a daily planner, and learn to take focused notes. They will also learn to maintain quality classwork and grades, and learn techniques to collaborate effectively with their peers.
We expect our AVID students to take the most difficult schedule they can handle with at least one advanced course. The AVID Elective Class supports students academically with in-class tutorials twice a week.
Many Straus staff members, in all academic areas, have received training through the AVID Summer Institute. While AVID requires individual determination, our staff is here to help all AVID students achieve at their highest level.
Please contact Mrs. Young for information regarding the AVID application process on our campus.
"If you can't figure out your PURPOSE, then figure out your PASSION. For your PASSION will lead you straight to your PURPOSE! "
Welcome all, right where you are supposed to be! Members of the Mav Choir are challenged with learning the "language of music" through song. In choir, you will be introduced to music literacy, learn musicianship, and gain an overall better understanding of how music influences the world around us. The world is our stage! Performances are held both on and off campus, and although we respect the traditions of concert singing, at times there will be some modern flare added to the show. Speaking for myself, my passion led me straight to my purpose... initiating the culture of excellence at Straus as the Choir Director. It is my sincere honor to collaborate with learners of all ages as they discover their voices. Choir is where your voice matters.
Public Business Services
This course is for 7th and 8th graders and is a lab and project based course that students will participate in experiences that model real world industries. The goal of this course is to create a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers in Business, Industry and Public Service. Career and Technical Education clusters addressed include Agriculture, Business/Finance, Culinary, Education, Fashion, Health, Science, and Marketing.
Principles of Human Services
This course is for 8th graders only and allows students an opportunity to earn high school credit. Students assess the relationship between health and wellness and personal and professional achievement. Students evaluate the effects of crisis, stress, on individuals and the family and recognize appropriate responses and management strategies. Students identify the basic needs of children as well as caregiver guidelines that promote safe and healthy child development. Students plan & create meals according to dietary guidelines. Students participate in lab experiences in education & training, cosmetology, fashion design, and interior design.
Join Yearbook/Journalism as a 7th or 8th grader to have fun learning how to create the Straus Middle School Yearbook, write news stories, take quality photos, edit photos, work with others, and more! Being a part of one of the most important jobs here at Jefferson requires motivation and dedication to capture the memories of middle school and create the yearbook for our students.
What to expect:
- Photography
- Editing
- Interviewing
- Writing
- Teamwork
- Attend after and before school events
Any 7th or 8th grader can join yearbook/journalism. As an 8th grader, you can still join if you didn't join in 7th grade.
Join if you have an interest in photography, journalism, editing, and teamwork.
We end the year with a celebration for all of YOUR hard work!
For more information please call: 210-398-2550
Also, check us out on...
Facebook - NISD Straus Band
Twitter - @NISDStrausBand
More information on our Dance course coming soon! #TeamStraus
More information on our Orchestra course coming soon! #TeamStraus
More information on our STEM course coming soon! #TeamStraus
Beginning Theatre
Beginning Theatre is an introductory theatre course designed for the student to experience the basic elements of drama. No previous theatre or drama experience is required. Beginning acting and technical theatre techniques will be explored along with the basic skills needed to create a theatrical performance that will be performed for the public. 6-8th grade.
Intermediate Theatre
Intermediate Theatre is a more in-depth study of theatre where students continue to build upon skills learned in Beginning Theatre. Students are introduced to additional skills that are necessary to become a theatre artist. Dramatic structure, acting, and technical elements are expanded in both production and scene studies. Students will also perform a play for the public to demonstrate the skills learned in class. Prerequisite: Beginning Theatre. 7-8th grade.
Advanced Theatre
Advanced Theatre is an advanced theatre class that requires students to enhance skills learned in Beginning and Intermediate through analysis of theatrical concepts and practices. Students engage in research, creative thinking, problem solving, and improvisation that is transferred to collaborative production to which is performed for the public. Prerequisite: Intermediate Theatre. 8th grade.
The Straus Theatre Twitter handle is @StrausTheatre and the Instagram handle is @NISDStrausTheatre
