TOLEDO—From politics to the pocketbook, few issues seem as current in today’s landscape as the environment.

As a part of the ongoing effort to “go green,” a new environmental science class is being offered this year at St. Francis de Sales High School.

Students will study different aspects of the environment, while being exposed to the current debates on policies relating to the earth and its environment. Working as stewards of the environment is a part of the Christian lifestyle that St. Francis values so highly.

Going beyond the classroom, the Knights’ Campus Ministry and Service Program regularly organize opportunities for students to engage in social justice and service to the world. This includes the new Freshman Christian Service project (starting this year) giving students an early appreciation for the impact their talents can have upon the world around them.

Passionate about fostering student interest and growth, St. Francis offered surveys to students to better meet their needs. As a result, several new classes have been added to the curriculum.

The history department now offers sports history and military history classes. The computer science program is starting a game design class as well as a course in computer animation, giving students an opportunity to combine creativity and computers while gaining exposure to an ever-growing field.

St. Francis de Sales High School continues to be on the cutting edge of technology this year with the addition of six SmartBoards in the classrooms. These interactive whiteboards help teachers energize presentations and motivate students. They give students a more in-depth exposure to the kind of technology that is fast becoming a part of everyday life.

The Knights have long boasted a nationally-recognized teaching staff, offering 21 Advanced Placement (AP) courses over all subject areas with a student enrollment in AP classes of more than 450. The AP Program continues to be very successful with more than 80 percent of enrolled students in chemistry, calculus, world history and computer science doing well enough to earn college credit.

There will be several new staff members walking the halls this year including Gary Miesle, an experienced Toledo attorney, who will be teaching criminal justice; Alexis Fortner, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University, teaching graphic design, computer applications and yearbook; and Father Michael Brown will be teaching New Testament.

In addition, several alumni are returning to St. Francis to join the staff. Mr. Michael Kantner, an MBA from Findlay College, is teaching physical science; and John Murnen is teaching environmental science and chemistry.

The school will also see a new principal, as Eric J. Smola returns to St. Francis, with a Master in Education degree from the University of Toledo.