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Canandaigua City School District

One Community, Transforming Lives

Business

Business

A smiling man holds a fluffy, light-brown dog in front of a grey, mottled background.

Business Education Lead Teacher

Mr. Steve Schlegel

Business classes are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world. Courses reflect the knowledge and skills that our students need for success in college and careers since they will be competing in the global economy. Our department goal is to prepare students for the challenges of college business curriculum, employment in business, and provide instruction which can be applied to personal use. We recognize the critical need for developing 21st century skills and that today’s students are digital learners. All of our classes incorporate the tools to enable them to become truly media literate as they function in an online collaborative, research-based environment – researching, analyzing, synthesizing, critiquing, evaluating and creating new knowledge! Some opportunities that are offered as extensions to the classroom include: working in the student store which includes marketing and management experience; Cooperative Work Study internships, membership in a new technology club (SWAT), W!SE Financial Literacy Certification, membership in Future Business Leaders of America; and Business Honor Society.

Middle School

Business Course Selections and Course Descriptions

  • 6th Grade Computer Skills is a ten-week class taught every other day for one semester. Computer curriculum includes basic Window operations, keyboarding skills, word processing, spreadsheets, graphing, and internet usage. Students also learn effective techniques for being a positive digital citizen.

    Students will learn and/or review typing skills, making sure students are using homerow and good technique. Focus is also on using Microsoft Word and Excel accurately and efficiently. Basic window operations, effective techniques for being a good digital citizen and internet literacy skills are also stressed.

High School

Business Course Selections and Course Descriptions

*College credit bearing courses

A 5-Unit bypass in Business courses can be used in lieu of a foreign language requirement for the Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation.

    • Foundations of Marketing
      • One Semester course

        This course is designed to build the foundational knowledge about marketing. Major areas that will be covered: Basic understanding of marketing concepts (Marketing mix) History of Marketing, Market Segmentation (Target markets, demographics), Advertising/Promotion (Logos, commercials, branding), and Applying concepts to real life projects. This course is “hands on” and project driven. Each student will gain national membership in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) with the mission statement of  “preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

    • Digital Marketing
      • Spring semester

        Prerequisite-Foundations of marketing prerequisite or teacher approval

        This one semester class will start off by reviewing key concepts learned in Foundations of Marketing such as the marketing mix, target market, market research, and promotional mix. We will then explore the social media and digital side of marketing and what strategies and tactics are used in the modern world of advertising and how advertising has impacted society. We will then apply those skills to real life projects through the CA Creative Alliance.

    • Gemini - Principles of Financial Accounting *
      • Full Year 1 unit Grades 11-12
        FLCC 4 Credit Hours - Cost $28

        Accounting is the language of business! Emphasis is on analyzing, summarizing, reporting, and interpreting financial information. The basic concepts, procedures, business documents, and financial statements are included as they relate to the accounting cycle. Simulations give students practical experience in completing the accounting cycle. This course is recommended for students with an interest in a math-related career or students pursuing a business major in college.

    • Gemini - Personal Money Management *
      • Possible 3 college credits from FLCC
        Cost: $21
        Full Year 1 unit Grades 11-12

        Gemini Personal Money Management deals with management of personal finances over the life cycle of the individual consumer. Topics covered include establishment of personal financial objectives, budgeting, use of credit, property, liability and life insurance, major purchases such as housing, transportation and education; taxes, savings, investments, and retirement and estate planning.

    • Career Math
      • Full Year 1 unit Grades 11-12

        This course is designed to teach students how to use math in their everyday life and in their careers. Topics covered include Gross Pay, Net Pay, Banking, Loans, Credit Cards, Investments, and Insurance. Students can use this course as their third year of Math.

    • Career and Financial Management
      • Half Year ½ unit Grades 10-12

        CFM curriculum framework is divided into “Career Management” and “Financial Management” modules. Career and Financial Management will give you the knowledge you need to live on your own. Several important topics such as time management and budgeting, banking and checking accounts, online security and identity theft, credit cards, renting versus buying a house, investing, and tax preparation will be studied. Career Exploration and “job-getting” skills are also covered. The computer simulation “Virtual Business Personal Finance” is used to replicate living on your own and the decisions that must be made to succeed. This class is strongly recommended opposite Health in the sophomore year and students in grades 11-12 where some of the topics are relevant to their current life.

    • Gemini - Introduction to Business *
      • Possible 3 college credits from FLCC
        Cost: $21
        Half Year ½ unit Grades 11-12

        This course is recommended for students planning to study business in college. It will provide students with an introduction to such business factors as ownership, e-commerce, dynamics of business, organizational structures, production, marketing, finance, government regulations business ethics and current topics. It is possible to take this course for no college credit on a tuition-free basis.

    • Gemini - College Studies Strategies *
      • Possible 3 college credits from FLCC
        Cost: $21
        Half Year ½ unit Grades 9-12

        This course will teach you learning theories and the strategies necessary for college success. Topics include note taking, memory development, textbook reading, test taking; current research techniques, goal setting, and time and stress management. The course objective is for students to become independent learners who will succeed in college. It is possible to take this course for no college credit on a tuition-free basis.

    • Business Law
      • Full Year 1 unit Grades 10-12

        This course emphasizes the relationship of business law to an individual’s personal life, as well as occupational life. It is a general information course not limited to business students. The student receives an opportunity to study criminal, civil procedures, the law of contracts, bailments, fraud, rights of a minor, employment law, renting and owning property, probate law, insurance and the laws of commercial paper.

    • Gemini - Dynamics of Leadership*
      • Possible 3 college credits from FLCC
        Cost: $21
        Half Year ½ unit Grades 11-12

        This course is a management course designed for the student to reflect and self-discover. Through the study of proven leadership theories and their practical applications, the student will: develop their own leadership style, focus their values and beliefs, develop their communication and interpersonal skills, and enhance their decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Students will be encouraged to embrace and develop a leadership style best suited to their individual personalities, attributes, and temperament.

    • Business Entrepreneurship
      • Half Year ½ unit Grades 10-12

        The Entrepreneurship course is designed to introduce students to the world of small business ownership and management. This course builds students' skills in the knowledge of types of business ownership, legal issues, business finance/start-up costs, business trends, site selection, marketing, pricing strategies and the development of a business plan on the students' product/service of choice. In addition, students will complete a computer simulation called Virtual Business, which will allow them to experience what is like to operate a business in which they will realistically perform duties in areas such as product planning, financing, human resources, marketing/advertising, selling, and management of product(s).

    • Gemini - Introduction to Web Page Development*
      • Possible 3 college credits through FLCC
        Cost: $21
        Half Year ½ unit Grades 10-12

        This course is an introduction to the design and development of basic web pages. Students will learn how to design and create web pages that are in compliance with currently accepted standards. Students will learn how to use HTML markup and formatting languages to create and customize Web pages. Web authoring tools will be introduced for the creation of Web pages, the manipulation of images and the creation of basic multimedia elements. Simple text editors, Web page converters and Web page editors will be employed to demonstrate their advantages and disadvantages in developing Web pages. Multiple browsers will be examined to demonstrate the differences in Web pages as they are rendered. Students will also learn how to evaluate and select services for publishing Websites.

    • Gemini - Core Word, Core Excel, PowerPoint*
      • Possible 3 college credits through FLCC
        Cost: $21
        Half Year ½ unit Grades 10-12

        This course is designed to acquaint students with basic business activities and how businesses use computers. Windows-based software will be used to solve applications in word processing, spreadsheets, database, desktop publishing, and graphing. Students learn how to develop computer generated presentations, brochures, and many other applications that can be used in all other classes. It is possible to take this course for no college credit on a tuition-free basis.

    • General Education Work Experience Program
      • The General Education Work Experience Program is a work-based learning option for non-CTE students, age 16 and above. The program consists of 150-600 hours of paid, supervised work experience, supported by the equivalent of at least one classroom period per week of related instruction. Students typically earn ½ to 2 units of high school credit. This program must be registered with the New York State Education Department; it may be coordinated by any teacher or guidance counselor certified at the secondary level who possesses an extension as Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Awareness.
    • DECA
      • DECA, Distributive Education Clubs of America, is incorporated into the Foundations of Marketing curriculum. DECA is an international program that helps prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA activities are often project-based and problem-based, integrating DECA into the classroom enables members to further develop 21st-century skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity, as well as higher-order thinking skills.