This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Elwood Considers Curriculum Changes

Programs at Elwood Middle and Glenn High School would be maintained in 2012-2013 through a curriculum realignment; two percent tax levy would be met with minimal staff reductions.

At Thursday’s Board of Ed meeting, Elwood trustees and the public were given a look at the district’s vision to have every student “Harvard-ready” while ensuring that the 2012-2013 budget falls within the state’s new two percent tax levy. Thanks to input from consultants, the district is proposing some innovative changes at the middle school and high school levels to maintain the level of services and options available to students while minimizing staff reductions.

Principal Hugh Gigante gave an overview of the proposals being considered for re-aligning the curriculum at Elwood Middle School, taking into account a reduction of an estimated 107 students over the next three years. The number of students requiring E.S.L. services, however, is expected to increase.

The proposals affecting sixth grade include: the elimination of zero period, leaving that time open for extra help and other services; moving Performing Music into the school day; integrating Library Media Skills, General Music and Computers across the curriculum; moving Art and Family and Consumer Science from seventh grade to sixth grade, increasing from ¼ credit each to ½ credit each; delaying accelerated math until seventh grade, giving students the chance to develop;  and adding a development class every other day in Math and English, with students placed according to skill strengths and weaknesses. Students could attend a second performing music during half their lunch period, and a separate orchestra section would need to be added. 

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Seventh and eighth grade would see the incorporation of a monitored organizational period every other day for those students not receiving Academic Intervention Services (A.I.S.). Students receiving AIS in more than one subject would receive those services in place of either Math Science Technology or Technology.  Performing Music would remain as an elective and take place during zero period but Modern Issues would be removed from the eighth grade curriculum.

If the middle school proposals are accepted, a total of 5.1 FTEs (Full Time Equivalent) teaching positions would be eliminated.

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Proposed changes to the curriculum at Glenn High School include: moving Health from ninth grade to tenth and above;  eliminating tenth grade elective options; making Science Research a club with an independent study program; offering more elective options to eleventh and twelfth graders; making CDOS an elective; and adding a Freshman Seminar for the development of organizational, learning, technology and social skills.

While 3.0 FTEs would be eliminated, the proposals would maintain music, art and elective programs along with advanced study, special needs, and BOCES options programs. PDFS of the proposals are attached to this article.

The possibility of an eight period school day was also discussed. Principal Vincent Mulieri said he didn’t recommend it because of the limits it imposes on elective options for all students, academic options for students with special needs, and options for some advanced study students. Class times also would need to become shorter or longer because of transportation requirements.

Superintendent Peter Scordo agreed, saying that once the switch is made to eight periods, it’s “mission impossible to go back to nine.”

Residents seemed responsive to the proposals. Several questions were raised about the organizational period. Resident Julia Fried asked if it was instructional. Scordo said he was working with Lorelei Stephens, head of the Elwood Teachers Alliance, to determine the role of the teacher within the confines of the contract, which stipulates that five periods be used for teaching during the day, with the sixth allotted for duties.

“The worst case scenario is that it’s used for a study hall,” Scordo said. He urged Board members to come to the Jan. 19 BOE prepared with some decisions so that the administration can continue refining the proposals, especially at the high school level.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?