School Committee Approves New Courses

To anyone in attendance at Monday night's School Committee meeting, it was obvious that the  embodies 21st century education. The future is now and it's thriving at the high school under the leadership of Principal Jon Bernard.

Bernard, three students and several faculty members presented new programs they are either participating in or crafting as they explore how much a mind can grow given the right conditions and resources.

As mentioned in his remarks to the committee Bernard has added 43 new courses since his appointment as principal in 2003.

"It's about giving students as broad an education as we can," Bernard explained. "The courses proposed here tonight can all be done with the same number of teachers we have now. We don't need any additional funds from the operating budget. We are redistributing the students among the teachers. Some students have interests in course work beyond what we have traditionally offered."

The committee voted five in favor none opposed to incorporating classes such as advanced dramatic literature and advanced calculus into the curriculum.

The entire committee also approved Bernard's suggestion to change the curriculum requirement to include a course from new electives that will help seniors as they think through what colleges offer them in their areas of interest.

Changes to the curriculum will be in effect for the 2012-2013 school year. 

Other additions, classes and teaching methods 

Social studies Teacher Peter Kane demonstrated how he and his students are exploring the use of iPads in building a knowledge of world history and the skills to interpret the past. He was one of five teachers to receive 30 iPads from a grant Kane had written. 

Superintendent Kathleen Willis and School Committee members were quick to see the possibilities students have to be completely engaged in what they are learning. The results Kane demonstrated on his iPad demonstrated a level of knowledge that exceeded usual expectations.

News from Guidance and Special Education

Director of Pupil Services Patrica Bullard explained a new course called Transitional Planning will help students with special needs make post-secondary plans. As mandated by law, schools must help students with disabilities identify their needs for independent life skills and further education and training.

Director of Guidance Mike Rosa presented Naviance, a website adopted by the high school that helps parents and students find colleges of interest to them.

With the programs "Family Connection" and eDocs" students and parents can create accounts allowing them to access admission information, applications and financial aid. 

New Directions in Health and Life-long Fitness

Health Education and Physical Education Curriculum Specialist Claudia Brown demonstrated special classes through video led by visiting instructors from the community. Zumba, martial arts and broga, a yoga class for boys, informed viewers about the potential for health and movement when we expand the possibilities.

"Through community partnerships we can design 21st century fitness," said Brown. "In grades nine and 10 we have been using pedometers to track how much we move. We monitor heart rates and have learned a lot about heart health. Students have been coaching each other and all will be CPR certified at the end of the semester."

"We are moving away from gym classes that involve climbing ropes and other traditional classes that left many uninvolved," said Brown. "But we all can learn to have healthy lifestyles."

Student participation

One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentations given by three students who attended an MIT program called SPLASH in November. Freshmen Jake O'Connell and Nick Phillps, and junior Kyle Hastings took specially designed classes taught by the college's students to interested secondary students.

Their excitement was easily perceived as they spoke of classes such as how to build a supercomputer, solve a crossword puzzle in one minute and design an android application.

"SPLASH let us get our feet wet," said Hastings. "We got to take five classes and go anywhere on campus for two days. It was well worth the $30.00 it cost to enroll."