This past week saw us back in school for a full week of instruction. No cancellations or delays and all services up and running! It has been a welcome change for us all!
Curriculum Updates/Science
At this stage of the budget development process, various departments may recommend new courses or changes in program for possible consideration. At the Nov. 14 Board of Education work session, Dave Casamento, director of science and technology, shared two proposals: an enhanced science sequence which would begin in the 2014-15 school year; and a new high school science course, SUPA Forensics, a dual enrollment course that would provide the opportunity for college credits from Syracuse University, which would begin in the 2013-14 school year.
SUPA Forensics
Mr. Casamento presented the following information at the Work Session. The course is the equivalent of Syracuse University CHEM 113, a 4 credit course. Forensic Science focuses on the application of scientific methods and techniques to crime and law. This course provides an introduction to the science behind crime detection. Topics explored will include The Crime Scene, Physical Evidence, Physical Properties of Glass and Soil, Organic and Inorganic Evidence Analysis, Microscope Investigations, Hair/Fiber Analysis, Fingerprints, Tool Marks/Impressions, Document Examination, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Anthropology, Entomology (Insects) and other topics. Laboratory exercises include techniques commonly employed in forensic investigations. The class would meet every day, for one period, during the school year. The target audience for the class would be advanced sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Enhanced science sequence
Mr. Casamento also discussed changing the high school science sequence. Currently, Earth Science, and the Earth Science Regents Exam, is offered to eighth graders. The proposed sequence change would have the Bio Enriched course, and the Living Environment Regents Exam, offered to eighth graders, while Earth Science, and the Earth Science Regents Exam, would become a ninth grade course.
Mr. Casamento explained that although Wheatley eighth graders traditionally do well on the Earth Science Regents Exam, (for example 97 percent of our students passed this exam last year compared to an 85 percent passage rate in Nassau County), the complexity of Earth Science makes it a difficult challenge for our eighth graders and may create academic pressure not developmentally optimal.
At the Work Session, research was shared regarding seventh and eighth grade students’ feelings about science and their future interest and commitment to science study. The suggestion was made that if students started their high school science study with the more developmentally appropriate Bio Enriched course, they would be more inclined to take more science courses, beyond their requirement.
Mr. Casamento shared that it is anticipated that if students took the Bio Enriched course in eighth grade, beginning their secondary science studies with a more developmentally appropriate learning experience, the students’ positive experience may lay a better foundation for building a heightened enthusiasm for the study of science. This would translate into an increased number of science electives and AP science courses during their later high school years. A majority of school districts in our area already offer this revised sequence.
The proposed new sequence would not go into effect until the 2014-15 school year, as the Science Department would make some revisions in 2013-14 to the Seventh Grade Science Program to lay the foundation for the Bio Enriched course in Grade 8. Eighth grade science will still remain an option for those students who need additional science study before taking high school science courses.
2012-13 Calendar Revisions
The possibilities for making up lost school days, as a result of the storms and their aftermaths, were also discussed at the Work Session. New York State requires schools ( it’s the law) to be in session for a minimum of 180 days a year which can include up to four Superintendent’s days for staff development without student attendance. Our 2012-13 calendar has 184 days. The district lost six complete days to the storms. The result is that the district will need to make up two days. The question was raised, “Haven’t we already made up a day since the children attended school on Election Day?” Election Day does not count as one of our “make-up” days because it was already included as one of our 184 school days as a Superintendent’s Conference Day. The fact that it was changed so students attended school on that day to help make up for lost instruction, does not qualify it to be considered a “make-up” day.
We understand that families want to make plans and need to know which days previously listed as vacation days may now become student attendance days. It is expected that the Board will act on a new calendar at the November 19th BOE Monthly Business Meeting. We will promptly post the information on the web site.
December 5th Strategic
Planning Community Input
Reminder, that there will be round table discussions on this evening to gather your ideas and suggestions regarding goals and plans for continuing to move the East Williston School District forward as we strategically plan for the future with the creation of a five year guiding plan of priorities.
Wheatley Musical
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this Saturday night’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee performed by the students of the Wheatley Theatre Company. I hope you were able to attend. We are looking forward to the Wheatley Theatre Company’s second musical production of the school year, in the spring.
Have a good weekend
Please remember to call 516-333-3758 or e-mail kanase@ewsdonline.org with any questions, suggestions, etc. If you have district related questions, please don’t hesitate to give a call or e-mail. Good communication is the key to our successful district partnership. Since we have a short week due to the holiday, this will be the last superintendent’s newsletter before Thanksgiving. I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday.
