What is X-treme Week?

If you follow our school on social media, you may have seen various posts about X-treme Week. I [Carrie Beth Tigges, Assistant Principal & Guidance Counselor] wanted to take a moment to explain what it is and how it is organized.  

Since the 2010-11 school year, we have offered X-treme Week in the week between the end of the 3rd quarter and beginning of the 4th quarter. The concept began with a teacher who experienced something like this as a student and wanted us to consider the idea for TFCA. There are a series of steps we have followed to develop the week.

• We survey all MS/HS students with a variety of topics we feel we can adequately

lead/provide.

Kentucky Adventures class at Red River Gorge

• Teachers each develop one or two courses based on the results of the initial survey.

• Students are given an opportunity to rate the listings and rank their top five preferences.

• Each teacher then fully develops a course with a basic description of what students will do, how much the course will cost and what the culminating product will be (presentation, art pieces, paper, etc.).

• A catalog of courses including details regarding payment plans and registration is provided to students.

• Students preferences are ranked in order of the date they return their registration.

• Students are placed in courses with preference being given to Seniors down to 6th graders.

• Students may pay in full for the course or make payments over four months.

During the actual week, students participate in a variety of activities and educational opportunities. Some of the courses we have offered in the past include:  CERT/First Aid/CPR training, Mission X (local missions),  Pastry Basics, Cultural Cooking, Fashion, Think Greek, Forensic Science, Animal Science, Missions 101, Specialty Art classes, “Man” week with a focus on small engine repair, hunting, fishing and outdoor activities, History of Film, Strategy Week, Kentucky Adventure Week, Backpacking/Survival Skills, The Amazing Race (Kentucky History), Archaeology Dig, Military/Criminal Justice, as well as trips to Washington, DC, Williamsburg, Kentucky, Boston, MA, and Honduras. 

Animal Science class visits Frankfort Veterinary Clinic

While Elementary students do not participate in X-treme Week trips, we try to include them by doing fun activities at school, with a "Drop Everything And..." theme each day. For instance, this year Monday we "dropped everything" to Pray, Tuesday we danced, Wednesday we moved (exercised), and Thursday we read.

When asked what they were most looking forward to this year, an overwhelming number said X-treme Week. This week is high interest, hands on, and really allows students to build relationships with faculty. We continue to build on the classes we've developed. It is our hope to further add AP prep, more service opportunities, and fine arts opportunities.

Click here to see photos from X-treme Week 2014! You can also follow the hashtag #TFCAXtreme2014 on Facebook and Twitter for more shared content!

Carrie Beth Tigges

Assistant Principal and Guidance Counselor