SOUTHWICK – Southwick Regional School Principal Joseph Turmel presented a Program of Studies for the new 7-12 school this week.
Turmel told the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School Committee that the program was created collaboratively with all students in mind.
“In addition to the middle school courses, an adopted policy, new courses and changes to graduation requirements are part of the 2016-2017 Program of Studies,” he said.
One big change for the current freshman class is that the Speaking, Writing and Research course will no longer be a graduation requirement. Beginning with the Class of 2017, Information Technology will also no longer be required to graduate.
“The curriculum is somewhat outdated,” said Turmel. “It has not evolved to meet the skills students are coming in with.”
Instead, students can take a new course, Exploring Computer Science. Turmel said that course will also not be a graduation requirement.
Other changes include the addition of an AP Environmental Science course, and freshman will now be allowed to enroll in Conceptual Physics.
Turmel said that would be a better use of the physics teacher and allow for other courses.
One area of concern for one parent who attended the meeting was the addition of a reference to the Alternate Physical Education Policy for 2016-2017.
The policy is for students in grades 11-12 who need to explore an alternative physical education course due to scheduling issues. The student must meet with his/her guidance counselor to review their options.The need for this option could be necessitated by either vocational or academic requirements and approval from the counselor or principal is required.
A parent in the audience told Turmel and the committee that the options and what credits will be received must be told to the student and parents. She said confusion and lack of communication caused issues for her child regarding how many credits were offered for the alternative.
Superintendent John Barry said it would be communicated and Turmel said it would be in the Student Handbook.
