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Course changes proposed at Ridgewood High School.
Friday, November 20, 2009
BY DOLORES ALFIERI
The Ridgewood News
STAFF WRITER
https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/70595732.html
Curriculum changes and additions for the 2010-2011 school year at Ridgewood High School (RHS) might occur in Web design, computer science, English and humanities, mathematics, music and physics.
The possible course changes were announced by RHS Principal Jack Lorenz and Assistant Principal for Guidance Jeff Nyhuis at the Nov. 16 Board of Education (BOE) meeting.
In the Web design and programming course, students would gain the skills to design a Web site.
“It’s another course to keep up with the changing technology,” Nyhuis said.
The math and computer sciences curriculum would add Advanced Topics in Computer Science. Nyhuis explained that the class would focus on database design and developmental programming. Advanced Mathematics Applications would serve as a fourth-year course for seniors.
“We’ve kind of run out of courses for some of our kids after they’ve completed their graduation requirements,” said Lorenz, adding that the advance math course would be an additional class for those students to take in such cases.
Journalism 1 and 2 would be eliminated from the English curriculum, and a new journalism class would be added to career and technical courses. The class would be led by an English teacher and an art teacher, with the focus not only on journalism writing, but also on the art, design and layout of newspapers or Web-based news portals.
“It’s an interesting course when you look at newspapers today,” said BOE trustee Sheila Brogan. “They actually are struggling, and you’re beginning to see many more online newspapers.”
Music Mentors, an independent study course, would be added to the music curriculum for sophomore, juniors and seniors. This course would pair student mentors in one-day-a-week meetings with other students to enrich their musical studies.
“It gives the students some motivation,” Nyhuis said of the mentor course. “I think it’ll be a great addition to our curriculum to have these students help out.”
A senior-level integrated course called Physics and Art will combines a scientific and artistic approach to physics, including the impact of optics on painting, mechanics, motion of light and “the physics of architecture,” Lorenz explained.
“We have a number of students who really want to continue with physics, but don’t want to take the only option they have senior year, which is AP [advanced placement] physics, really one of the most difficult courses in physics,” he said. “This is a very forward-thinking program.”
BOE President Joseph Vallerini said the community has time until the next board meeting on Dec. 7 to offer input on these courses before any final decision is made.
E-mail: Alfieri@northjersey.com
https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/70595732.html
