By Crystal Hayduk
Principal Matt Ceo presented an update about Beach Middle School’s (BMS) pilot of courses for seventh and eighth graders, called the EXPLORE rotation, to the Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education at its meeting on Dec. 13.
Ceo briefly described the history of a seven-period day with four core classes and three elective opportunities which ended in June 2017. That fall, the school transitioned to a six-period day with longer classes on a semester/quarter system. This year, the school returned to trimesters to reflect the district-wide system and are piloting a new group of classes for students who choose not to pursue music. Ceo said the current courses “…have a focus on connections to the Portrait of the Graduate and are more content specific in how they relate to the state standards,” unlike the previous classes which had “interesting ideas but didn’t meet content standards for middle school.”
Courses were analyzed, not only based on state standards and CSD vision and mission, but also for relevance to real-world, everyday life and benefit.
Ceo said students were surveyed at the end of the first trimester and results were “overwhelmingly positive,” especially among eighth graders. Students said they liked researching topics of interest, having the freedom of student-led learning, and “spending time with friends and solving problems with them.”
The board will have the opportunity to approve the full course documents in the spring.
During the opportunity for public comment, one parent expressed her concern that the middle school course options no longer permit students to take foreign language in eighth grade, thus freeing up space for more solid elective choices at the high school level, as compared to a rotation of courses lasting only six weeks each at BMS.
With trustee Keri Poulter absent, the board approved the replacement of the kitchen boiler in the 100 Building of the Washington Street Education Center. During a November inspection to renew the State Certificate of Operation, the inspector noted major concerns. The winning bid came from Altech Mechanical Service, LLC for $50,367.63. The cost will be covered with Sinking Funds, which is money approved by voters to help maintain district buildings.
The board meeting is available to view for one month at https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/911?meeting=485762.
In other board news:
Superintendent Julie Helber thanked the transportation department for the district’s excellence award for receiving 100 percent on its school bus safety inspection.
The board approved the proposal for two new math courses at Chelsea High School: Math 9, a booster course for freshmen who need additional help with math; and Project Geometry, an elective for upperclassmen to explore applications beyond regular geometry.
Nick Angel, Chelsea High School principal, completed his dissertation defense to earn his doctorate degree.
Upcoming dates:
There is no school Dec. 20-31 for winter break; school resumes on Jan. 3, 2022.
The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 10, and is expected to be in person in the board room at the Washington Street Education Center.
