Board of Education News:  Programs That Make a Difference

 

 

At the January 11, 2007 meeting, the “Program Highlights” section focused on the Virtual High School Program.  Judy Burr, site coordinator for the program, explained that students can choose from a wide range of electives according to their interests and be part of a “classroom” of students from across the country and around the world.  It is an inexpensive way to offer electives to our high school students.  The program is in its second year of operation in Coventry.  Ms. Burr explained that in order for Coventry to be a “fully participating” school, we need to have a trained teacher instruct a virtual class; in return, we would get a total of 20 seats.  Currently, there are 10 students enrolled for the spring semester.  Some of the students who have participated in the program talked about their experiences.  Kelley Smart, an 11th grader who took Mandarin Chinese Language and Culture, showed a PowerPoint presentation she created.  Kyle Beausoleil, a 10th grader, enjoyed the Mathematical Logic and Reasoning course he took in the fall.  He said that this was the only way he could take a math elective.  His assignments were weekly, which fit in well with his other schoolwork and helped him develop time management skills.  Ryan Kortmann, an 11th grader, is currently taking Computer Science, an Advanced Placement course.  He said it is “really interesting,” but also difficult.  He’s learning a lot, especially about how programmers do their work.  Nicolle Donadio, a senior at CHS, is taking Environmental Chemistry and wants to major in biology in college next year.  She did a paper on ozone depletion, researched entirely through the Internet.  She said she was “not very computer-oriented” at first, but quickly learned to navigate on-line.  Information about the Virtual High School Program can be found at www.GOVHS.org.  Tune in to Munivision, Channel 13 to learn more about “Programs that Make a Difference.”