High School Principal Paula Goodin and Elementary Principal Jack Smith both discussed the highlights of the schools' plans. Goodin told Superintendent Michael White and the board members that the high school plans to focus on the Rigor and Depth of Knowledge with curriculum, which begins with general knowledge of a subject area to eventually having students being able to identify specific answers to questions in all subject areas.
Goodin said that the school writing plan is to be implemented in all subject areas, so that students will learn that good writing skills are necessary not only in English classes but should be applied to all areas of learning, including mathematics and sciences.
Also to be emphasized are the integration of new technologies, including electronic “white boards,” which Goodin said have many of the school faculty members excited.
Goodin said that some specific goals include attempting to schedule any 10th grade English, mathematics or science block classes during fall semesters, so the students will have been exposed to the subject areas prior to ACT online prep program testing. Another consideration may be to revise humanities graduation requirements, to ensure that students have taken their humanities courses prior to the end of their junior years.
Other goals include providing field trip experiences in the areas of humanities, science and social studies and integrating individual learning plans into the practical living curriculum.
For the elementary schools, Smith said that goals are divided between professional development and curriculum. In the 2007-2008 school year, plans are being made to provide professional development training for certified staff in development of units of study and for all staff in the use of core content in regard to Rigor and Depth of Knowledge requirements, portfolio development, analysis of data and content area writing.
Curriculum is being redesigned to ensure that all students from kindergarten to sixth grade, receive instruction in the arts and humanities, Smith said. Reading material for grades four to six is being purchased to bring the schools in alignment with the SERA reading program currently in use at the primary level.
The elementary school day is being restructured to better use the time for academic success mathematics, while a mock test during each semester is scheduled to enable staff to identify students that may not be at the necessary performance levels. Additional support personnel will be used to work with identified students who are working below the proficiency level in mathematics and writing.
The elementary school wants to purchase new technologies to enhance classroom instruction in ll content and use CenterNet in all classrooms, Smith reported.
For the community, the elementary school hopes to use all community and other outside resources for academic experiences and to continually notify parents through various forms of communication, to encourage support of attendance and academic support programs.
In other business at Monday night's meeting, the following spring sports coaches were named: Ron and Elizabeth Gilley (tennis); Rheagan Redmond and Shari Knuckles (softball); JD Strange and Scott Jeffrey (baseball); and Michelle Goodin and Tuck Woolum (track).
Upcoming dates were approved for spring activities:
March 23-30: Spring break.
April 2: Grades 5-8 Extracurricular Banquet.
April 13 and 14: Miss Bell County Pageant
April 20: Prom
April 22-27: Senior Trip (New York)
April 23-May 4: CATS Testing
May 4: Grades 9-12 Extracurricular Banquet
May 6-8: Eighth Grade Trip (Frankfort/Cincinnati/King's Island)
Prior to the meeting, elementary school students entertained the board and parents in the high school gymnasium with selections from the musical show, “High School Musical.”
James-Clifton Spires is senior staff writer for the Daily News. His e-mail address is jcspires@middlesborodailynews.com.
Post a Comment
