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Students can enroll in elective courses until Sunday, Mar. 7

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CHELMSFORD, MA (Mar. 4, 2020) – The Chelmsford High School Business Education department, chaired by Dr. Marilyn Sweeney, is offering four new courses effective the 2021-22 academic year, Dr. Sweeney announced this week.

Consistent with its mission to best prepare its students for the workforce, pre- and post-college, the Business Education department is offering Microsoft Office Certification, Business Ethics, E-Commerce Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

“The Business Department chose these four courses to reflect the work environment yet maintain several pathways for students to choose the one that interests them most,” said Dr. Sweeney. “All businesses must market their products and services and now that has opened opportunities in e-commerce, while other students want to start their own business, thus Entrepreneurship would give them those skills.”

Andrew Shupe, a 20-year educator at CHS, will teach both E-Commerce Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and will significantly integrate the student-managed Lions Locker bookstore – both the physical and forthcoming online store – as part of the coursework. Thomas Sousa, an educator in different areas of CHS for 31 years, will instruct Microsoft Office Certification and Business Ethics.

“Andy Shupe and Tom Sousa work closely with students in choosing their courses to see students gain the necessary skills for DECA competition, college next steps, and eventual integration into the workplace fields of their choice,” Dr. Sweeney noted.

CHS students have until Sunday, March 7 to select their elective courses.

Students who enroll in each of the four new courses will automatically be eligible for membership in Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), spearheaded by Mr. Sousa, where students compete in business related activities statewide, nationwide and internationally.

Additionally, Mr. Sousa’s Business Ethics class is the latest CHS course to earn dual enrollment status with Middlesex Community College.

E-Commerce Marketing will replace the Retail Marketing course but maintain several of its core principles. “We decided to transition from Retail Marketing to bring the focus to e-commerce marketing,” said Mr. Shupe. “The focus is to help students understand brick and mortar businesses and how to market a product digitally.”

Mr. Shupe noted that the Lions Locker store will play a critical role in the course. He expects the physical store’s hours and inventory will expand as more students return to school while the online store is expected to open by the start of the 2021-22 school year.

“It’s the students who will be running the online store,” he said. “The idea behind (E-Commerce Marketing) is not to talk about running a business, but to actually run a business.”

The Entrepreneurship course will replace Design and Production but maintain the theme of innovation: the planning, the steps and use of equipment available to succeed in running a business. “Entrepreneurship will enable students to take a comprehensive look at the ‘how’ they’re going to run a business with as many authentic opportunities we can present them,” Mr. Shupe said. “We hope to incorporate local businesses to be a part of the coursework.”

Adding Microsoft Office Certification to the CHS curriculum was a natural fit, Mr. Sousa said, noting that students will gain invaluable experience with core programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Database Analysis. “Businesses use Microsoft products,” he said. “They want incoming employees who have those skills.”

Students enrolled in Business Ethics will examine the many ways businesses and organizations use ethics to make key decisions. “Students will gain an understanding of the ethical and legal decisions that businesses have to face,” Mr. Sousa said.

To find out more about all of the Business Education elective courses, visit our High School Business Curriculum page.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential.  This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students.  For more information, please visit www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us.