02-26-13 curriculum - Ansonia Public Schools

COMMITTEE MEMBERS MOTION YES NO ABSTAIN
MR. GEORGE BOATH
X
MS. FRANCES DIGIORGI 2 X
MR. WILLIAM NIMONS 1 X
MR. EDWARD SHARKEY, Chairperson
X
TOTAL 4 0 0
III. Discussion and Possible Action on New Freshman Seminar Course
ATTACHMENT #2
DISCUSSION: Mr. Dobbins explained that they have been working on designing the Freshman Seminar Transition
course. They have pulled together eight teachers and will have four core courses, English, math, social studies and science
along with that the freshman seminar transition class. The last two classes of the day will be electives. They have designated
a freshmen hallway at the high school. Mr. Dobbins added that freshmen make up 60-65% of their discipline referrals. About
40 freshmen are retained each year. Through this course we will try to help the students transition to the high school level. Mr.
Dobbins then explained the course (see attachment). Mr. Sharkey added that #3, Time Management/Stress Management part
of the course is excellent because he did not have anything like this when he was in school and he was inadequately
prepared. Mr. Boath said that he had a similar course offered in his first couple of weeks of law school and it made the
transition easier. Ms. DiGiorgi asked if this is similar to the 10 days in August for the Freshmen Academy. Mr. Dobbins said
within each one of these areas we are going to design a curriculum and create a pacing guide that goes through these
sections thoroughly. It will take about 20% of the year to complete the Capstone Project. Ms. DiGiorgi asked if this is for all
freshmen. Superintendent Merlone said yes. Dr. Gasper said the majority of those 10 days is in class, academics. It is not 10
days of getting to know the high school. We want the students to hit the ground running with their academics so they feel a
little more confident and comfortable when the other three grades come in. It is not just 10 days of orientation. Mr. Dobbins
explained that our discussion so far has been that we run a regular day schedule, meaning that they will have the four core
courses in the morning. After the fourth course they will follow the regular schedule. They will go to lunch and after lunch they
would go home. That will give planning time for the teachers after lunch. Superintendent Merlone asked when the students
would have the freshman seminar. Mr. Dobbins said they don’t have that planned during that period of time. What we have
planned is that the first two days they would give a quick overview of what this looks like and then move in to the four core
classes. Mr. Sharkey asked if students not coming to Ansonia as freshmen would be attending these first 10 days. Mr.
Dobbins said this is not the students you are talking about but our thought right now is for those students who are not passing
their freshmen year to return to Freshmen Academy. Some catch up and some are referred to the Alternative Program. Mr.
Nimons said this is a start and we have to start somewhere.
MOTION: To go ahead with the Freshman
Seminar Course as presented.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS MOTION YES NO ABSTAIN
MR. GEORGE BOATH
X
MS. FRANCES DIGIORGI 2 X
MR. WILLIAM NIMONS 1 X
MR. EDWARD SHARKEY, Chairperson
X
TOTAL 4 0 0
IV.
ADJOURNMENT