Fhs Update

July 2009 Dear FHS Community: It is no secret that FHS has just undergone a long, public and stressful budget process. The district budget went through multiple variations as federal and state funding continually changed throughout much of the spring and early summer. The budget is now finalized and I am writing to update you with important information about changes to the high school that came about as a result of our desire to offer the strongest program for students during the difficult budget times that have spanned not only this year, but the past three years and which project into the near future. SUMMARY: Those of you familiar with FHS will know that class sizes have risen from the low twenties (3 years ago) into the high twenties and low-to-mid thirties during 200809. The highest priority the administration had in making decisions about programming at FHS was to maintain or reduce class size in curriculum areas that 1) led to MCAS requirements for graduation and 2) made our students most competitive during the college application process. Finally, we attempted to maintain the most comprehensive program possible while providing necessary support for the core academic program. Overall, through a combination of federal and state aid as well as wage freezes adopted by both non-union and union employees, the school will maintain the same number of professional staff as during the 2008-09 academic year. In looking at the possibility of offering the same program as in past years, two considerations came to the forefront. First, increasing enrollment coupled with level staffing would lead to significant increases in class size. Second, the budget gap this year is not an isolated event and is predicted to span multiple years. The result of considering these facts led the administration to believe that the students were best served by a school that had been restructured to facilitate smaller classes. CLASS SIZE: I am pleased to inform the community that through a restructuring of the high school program, class sizes in the areas of English, Math, Science and Social Studies have been reduced significantly during the upcoming academic year. Families can expect average class sizes in each of these areas to be within the range (on average) of 20-24 students in required courses. This represents a significant DECREASE in class size from recent years. This decrease in class size was accomplished by reducing staff in elective areas while increasing staff in core subjects. Staffing changes by subject are outlined in the table below:

Changes by Department  Core Subjects  English  Math  Science  Social Studies  Foreign Language       

 

Changes by Department 

# Staff 

 

Elective Subjects 

#  Staff 

+2  +2  +1  +1  0       

 

Art  Music  Business  Health & Physical Education  Library  Technology  Administration 

‐1  ‐0.4  0  ‐4  ‐1  1  ‐0.5 

           

RESTRUCTURED SCHEDULE: Nothing in difficult times comes without trade-offs. In return for smaller class sizes, students will have one less period (six) available than in past years (seven). For students in grades 9-11, this means drastically restructured physical education requirements and the elimination of the health requirement in grades 10 & 11. For students in grade 12, there will be one fewer elective period available. INCREASED INSTRUCTIONAL TIME: Because the number of classes has been reduced by one, the instructional time in all core areas has increased significantly by approximately 25 hours per year. This represents almost 5 weeks of additional instruction PER COURSE over previous years. Elective courses (Art, Business, Music, Family & Consumer Science, Academic Support) will drop once per cycle so that students may complete Physical Education requirements. As a result these courses will meet for the same amount of time as in previous years. REVISED PHYSICAL EDUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Massachusetts Law requires all students in grades K-12 to meet physical education requirements. As such, FHS will now require 4 years of PE for ALL students in grades 9-12. In order to meet Physical Education requirements, students will be able to select from three pathways. 1) Enroll in and complete the school’s 30 hour physical education class which meets once per cycle for the entire year. 2) Participate on one of the school’s interscholastic athletic teams (subject to eligibility requirements). 3) Participate in a regular, ongoing physical activity OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL throughout the year which meets for a minimum of 30 hours (or more than one class that can combine for 30 hours). Details of the physical education requirements and pathways are enclosed in the packet. Students who elect either of the last two pathways will be assigned to a directed study once per cycle in lieu of attending physical education. EXPANDED GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: The school has adopted more rigorous graduation requirements which are consistent with those established by MASS CORE. The new requirements specify four years of Math and Science courses in addition to the current four year English requirement. Electives in Math and Science are being developed to give students additional choice in how they will meet the new requirements. These new requirements will be in effect for the Class of 2011 and

beyond. The current Senior Class will be required to meet previously established 3 year requirements in Math and Science. NEW GPA CALCULATION METHOD: FHS will begin calculating Weighted Grade Point Average on a 5 Point Scale which meets the requirements for the reporting of grade point averages to colleges and universities and is consistent with the standard established by the Massachusetts Board of Regents. More information about the new method of calculation and a conversion table is enclosed in the revised program of studied. We believe correcting this calculation will enable our students to be more competitive as they apply to colleges. TECHNOLOGY: The school has made significant progress in the implementation and use of technology. Some of the exciting changes include: 1. The school has reconfigured the existing Library into a new Technology Center. The center is staffed by a Technology Curriculum Enhancement Teacher. The Technology Center will be open extended hours from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each weekday. 2. 200 new laptops will be available for student use and may be checked out of the Technology Center like any book. 3. Open Wireless Access is now available to students and faculty throughout FHS. Students are able and encouraged to bring in personal laptops for use in classes and the new Technology Center. The school is currently working with vendors to be able to offer a group purchase program which will allow families to purchase laptops (netbooks) at a reasonable cost. More information will be forthcoming. 4. Edline is a web-based communication portal that will enable parents and students to have open access to individual student grades down to the level of individual assignments. While Edline will be operational early in the year, we expect the grading features of Edline to be available prior to October 1st. In addition, teachers are encouraged (not required) to post homework online for easy access. 5. The Foreign Language Department will purchase a new Ipod Language Lab. This significantly upgrades language lab capabilities (there were none) at only a fraction of the cost of traditional language labs. 6. Announcements will become viewable on the school’s five new flat screen televisions mounted in the Foyer, Field House Lobby, Cafeteria, and Fitness Center. Students and guests will be able to view announcements regarding school and athletic functions as they congregate or pass through areas of the school. These televisions were purchased through funds donated by last year’s graduating class and the athletic boosters.

7. FHS has installed 15 new Smartboards in the past six months. Smartboards are interactive whiteboards which greatly enhance learning for students by engaging them in the latest technology. NEW WRITING CENTER: A new Writing Center will be introduced and housed in the Technology Center. Students will have access to the Writing Center during any directed studies they may have. The Writing Center Teacher will provide support to classroom teachers in the area of developing student writing throughout the curriculum and is staffed by a Certified English Teacher. NEW FITNESS CENTER: Athletic Director Brad Sidwell, along with a number of parents and students has worked to be able to open a new fitness center in K wing of the high school. The center will be for athlete, faculty and student use throughout the year. This fitness center is funded through donations and the work of various booster organizations. LONGER LUNCHES & EXTENDED PASSING TIME: All lunches have been extended by 5 minutes for the entire school year. Hopefully, students and staff will be able to relax more with the move from 20 minute lunches to 25 minute lunches! Also, there will be one extended passing time per day of 8 minutes. This passing time will take place after second period and will afford everyone the chance to regroup, use a restroom and go to lockers. NEW BELL SCHEDULE: The bell schedule has been restructured in an effort to provide longer lunches and an extended passing time while meeting state time on learning requirements. Below is the Bell Schedule for the 2009-10 School Year: Period  1  2  3  4  5  6 

Time  7:35‐8:25  8:30‐9:20  9:28‐10:18  10:23‐12:12  12:17‐1:07  1:12‐2:05 

Minutes  50  50  50  81 + 28 (lunch)  50  53 

Day 1  A  B  C  D  E  F 

Day 2  B  C  D  E  F  A 

Day 3  C  D  E  F  A  B 

Day 4  D  E  F  A  B  C 

Day 5  E  F  A  B  C  D 

RELOCATION OF GUIDANCE AND MAIN OFFICES: The Guidance and Main Office Suites have switched locations. The move will provide guidance with a more central location within the school, additional space for counselor offices, and a new computer area where students will be able to work in groups, research colleges and postsecondary schools, or complete applications. RESTRUCTURING OF ADMINISTRATION: The Administration has been restructured to provide additional academic focus while maintaining support for students and families. The school eliminated one Assistant Principal position for the coming year, and will now have one of the remaining Assistant Principals devoted to Academics. The Assistant Principal for Academics, Bob Lima, will be responsible for data analysis, teacher evaluations, MCAS improvement, and Advanced Placement coordination among other things. Derek Folan and Joseph DiLorenzo will return as the Assistant Principals

Day 6  F  A  B  C  D  E 

for Student Services. Mr. Folan will be responsible for grades 10 & 12 and Mr. DiLorenzo will be responsible for grades 9 & 11. HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: This summer, nearly 100 incoming freshmen will have participated in a one week orientation program to the high school. During the week, students will have the opportunity to meet students from each of the four middle schools that feed FHS. Students will meet academic teachers from each curriculum areas and get a sample of what will be expected of them at the high school. In addition, students will meet key members of the staff and have the opportunity to eat lunch with the administration. Team building activities are planned for each day. SERVICE LEARNING BASED SUMMER READING: This summer, all students are expected to read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. The book will be discussed in many classes and students may be required to write reflections on the book. In addition, the entire school will participate in the “Pennies for Peace” initiative. KUDOS: The custodial staff, Facilities Department, Technology Department, Lifelong Learning, and the Department of Public Works have worked tirelessly throughout the summer and continue to do so in order that students and faculty will return into a building which engenders pride in the FHS Community. In addition, the faculty have made numerous suggestions for improvement that have been incorporated into existing plans. The initiatives mentioned would not have been possible without the leadership and support of each of these groups. Clearly, this has been a busy summer for FHS! I look forward to continuing the improvement efforts at the school during the coming year. Please take the opportunity to review the enclosed amendment to the Program of Studies. Have a great end of the summer and I hope to see you this fall. Regards,

Peter Light Principal