Classes packed at Northwood, for years to come

[dkemom2]

The old ART room is to be turned into a science lab.

The band room will become the wrestling room.

Not sure where the other four classrooms are coming from.

Wrestling isn't really a classroom.
Some of the space will be turned over to much needed athletic areas, some for storage.

I guess I need to look back over the plans.  I don't remember 6 new classroom spaces being created from the old.

[munn5]

Three preps is a lot, and your child, in my opinion, is going to get a better education from a teacher who has 1 or 2 preps instead.  I don't think 3 is unreasonable, though, and I don't think that's the source of larger classes.

I have been told that this is happening (not math specifically, but teachers in general). I would definitely support limiting the number of preps for first year teachers to two. But in general, if more experienced teachers have to have 3 preps to have smaller classes, I would definitely support it.

I had forgotten that the band room will become a science lab - I suspect not having enough lab rooms is at least part of the problem for science classes, so that should help.

[VAHeel]

I still do not think limiting teacher preps has anything to do with class sizes, that simply does not make any sense.  It would mean there were either some very small classes, or teachers who weren't teaching some blocks, neither of which I believe to be the case.

More classrooms will not help make class sizes smaller unless there are more teachers to fill them.  The division of students into sections is determined by the number of available teachers more than the number of available classes.

[dkemom2]

Here's one more thing about NW that needs work.

Communication.

Like I just found out today that you can take the AP exams w/o taking the AP course itself.

I guess the educators among us would know that, but how does a student get that info.?  I got it from reading some stuff on line.
I know we have to be proactive parents and students but how about some help in certain departments.

Like I also didn't know it's recommended for students to take Honors US History (or whatever) and THEN AP.
Who tells them that?

I'm only finding this out after one of my kids has already been through and we're learning from those mistakes.

Maybe a parent/student sharing board...."THINGS THEY DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL IN CHATHAM COUNTY".

[girlfrompbo]

sounds like a good use for Gene's new CCS social networking site.

[VAHeel]

I don't know any school that publicizes that information. . . what's the point?  Your average kid is not going to take an AP exam but not the class.

Guidance should be telling you if a prerequisite is recommended, I had never heard that about honors/ap before, either.

Part of the trouble is turnover in guidance (and teachers.)  things change a lot.

[dkemom2]

Well, what about your not AVERAGE kid.

Don't we bend over backwards to help those below average?

So I think kids who are ABOVE average should know what there options are.

Yes, it should be the job of the guidance office.  I was trying to make that point in a round about way.  I don't like to harp on the guidance office at NW b/c I like the folks there.  But yes, the turnover is ABSURD.

[VAHeel]

I just dont' understand how much good it is going to do to publicize that you can take an AP exam but not the class. . . what would you like to see the school do?  I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just don't really understand how this is an issue. 

Even an above average child can't necessarily pass an AP exam without an AP class, its more about the game on a lot of those AP exams than the content, and you need a teacher who's been trained in the game to help you play it.

I dont have anything against any guidance counselor I have ever known at NHS, I think they work way harder than most people know and do a great job, but it is hard to have a solid department, communication wise, in ANY area if you have that much turnover, particularly guidance.

[randy]

Mostly because sports often bring in money.  It has nothing to do with which is academically valid.

Fortunately for us our arts programs in the county are healthy and growing, especially at Northwood.

You ain't kidding about sports bringing in money at NHS, $5.00 per person, $15.00 for the family we went every football game and alot of basketball games.  They must make some serious money during the whole football season, it's packed every game.  Be nice if they reduce the price to $2.00 a person for high school sports.   I', buying a season pass for my teen next school year, she went to every game. plus baseball, basketball and several soccer games.  the last soccer game she went to at NHS was $7.00 per person.

[munn5]

Like I just found out today that you can take the AP exams w/o taking the AP course itself.

I'm glad to hear it. My oldest son took an economics class at Duke through the TIP program summer after 8th grade. TIP recommended that he take the AP exam. When I called NW, they told me they couldn't administer an exam for a class they didn't offer because "if they did it for my son, they'd have to do it for everyone." I told them I didn't see that as a problem. After much argument, they did agree to administer the exam. So the fact that the school (and I assume the others in the district) will administer AP exams even if the student didn't take the class is a huge improvement.

We have to encourage our kids to excel, to stretch themselves academically, to take academic risks. Take honors instead of regular classes. Take AP classes. Take an extra year of language or science or an extra history class. Enter the science fair or other academic competitions. Take every AP exam they believe they have a shot at. And then we have to recognize the kids who do well academically, as least as much as we recognize those who do well athletically.

[Gene Galin]

Thanks for all the info.

One of the things I am hoping to do with the new (unofficial) Chatham County Schools social network is to spread this kind of information around more readily. It's the kind of information that individuals acquire in their dealing with the school system that can be of use to others.

A searchable online data storage and information repository could be a terrific resource.

We already have 30 folks signed up for the network. It only started late last week and is it's very, very early stages. However, I'm hoping it becomes a resource that we can contribute to and draw from all around the county. Sharing ideas about what works and what doesn't work at different schools could help us all. It might just make it easier for all of us to see we have a lot in common when it comes to trying to get the best education for our kids.

http://www.chathamncschools.ning.com/

Note: I did hear from a NW teacher this evening that the site is currently blocked by the CCS.

[mamamia]

All social networking sites are blocked by CCS, so it's nothing personal!
m

[girlfrompbo]

yeah, its just because its a ning.  If you get the county on board they can unblock it, but with all the freaking paranoia out there about social networking and the ridiculous lockdown we have on internet in our schools I wish you good luck.

[dkemom2]

I'm not sure there wouldn't still be an argument to allow a student to take the exam w/o the class.

This is about letting kids who can set their own bar higher.  I just want them to know their options. 

My son, a junior, was never even told the financial benefits of passing the AP exam, as it relates to note having to take required classes at college.
I just think there needs to be some MORE information coming from somewhere.

And not just on this end of the food chain.  God knows folks in this system who have special needs kids have a tough time.  That's why a lot of them, those who can, leave.

So it Gene's site can be used so students and parents who have maneuvered their way through different options/hassles can share and assist then that would be, imo, a huge service.

No argument VA.  I know where you're coming from.  There certainly wouldn't be many kids who could or would want to tackle an AP exam w/o the class BUT if that's an option, let it be known.  Right now, I know of at least a handful of NW kids who could/should give it a try.  They are really beyond NW in so many ways and extremely motivated. 

Imo, the bar is still set too low.  Of course, NCLB didn't help.  But there's nothing we can do about that, so little things we can do at a local level to
help kids reach potential should be strongly promoted

[Gene Galin]

Thanks for letting me know. Appreciate it.

Find things are a little different at Duke. There are always professors and students that are looking for different ways to use technology in class.

I enjoy my job because I get to play around with and write about IT stuff, but the best thing is when I get to see it applied in the teaching process.

Perkins Library will be experimenting with Flexible Learning Spaces and the new Teaching and Learning Center due to open in the fall - http://cit.duke.edu/about/current/tlc/index.html



http://cit.duke.edu/about/current/tlc/tlc_info.html

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