Post by title1parent on Feb 18, 2009 6:25:47 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1436526,2_1_AU18_WEST_S1.article
West Aurora shifts middle school schedule
February 18, 2009
By ERIKA WURST ewurst@scn1.com
The drama continued in West Aurora Tuesday night as School Board members approved new middle school scheduling, eliminating drama as an elective course for sixth- and seventh-grade students who will receive a double block of language arts instruction instead.
Angry parents and students showed up to protest the change, which they say will negatively impact performance arts in a district with a nationally recognized program.
Allyson Herget was the sole board member to reject the motion to approve the new schedule, but was met with plenty of audience support.
Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Latimer, who addressed the schedule restructuring with residents and board members during two previous public meetings, said the inconsistency of the drama program at each middle school has created a need for change.
"We're being asked to toss the baby out with the bath water and throw out a successful program (at Washington Middle School) because the other three schools don't follow," Herget said. "... I have to wonder why we don't keep a successful program and expand it. ... Why not endeavour to make that program more consistent?"
Washington Middle School students agreed, standing up to sing a song they wrote, professing their love of all things drama.
After several weeks of discussion, however, Latimer said it is time to move forward as the new program, including teaching tools, staff development and new materials, must be in place before the summer.
Changes to the curriculum, as approved, will include an extension of the middle school day from six hours and 28 minutes to six hours and 53 minutes, adding an additional five minutes to each of the day's eight class periods. Drama would be eliminated as an exploratory rotation for sixth- and seventh-grade students, but Latimer said tools implementing dramatic themes will be incorporated during the double-block Language Arts classes at these levels.
In eighth grade, students will have the opportunity to take drama or a foreign language as part of their second Language Arts block. Latimer said this will increase the number of students exposed to drama, instead of diminishing it, as those opposed to the changes have suggested.
Board member Angie Smith said Tuesday's vote was being used to lay out the framework of the school day for educators to further examine, and she looks forward to future discussion.
Board member Laurie Hoffman agreed, saying that consistency among the schools is of the utmost importance. Latimer said the implementation of drama as an eighth-grade course will create room for new program development that will remain common throughout all schools.
Others, however, including Herget, stood steadfast in their opinion.
"Regardless of the outcome of this vote," Herget said to the audience before secretary Cindi Hamilton took roll, "some of us are extremely proud of the courage you children have shown (in speaking to the board over the past couple of weeks) and your performance
West Aurora shifts middle school schedule
February 18, 2009
By ERIKA WURST ewurst@scn1.com
The drama continued in West Aurora Tuesday night as School Board members approved new middle school scheduling, eliminating drama as an elective course for sixth- and seventh-grade students who will receive a double block of language arts instruction instead.
Angry parents and students showed up to protest the change, which they say will negatively impact performance arts in a district with a nationally recognized program.
Allyson Herget was the sole board member to reject the motion to approve the new schedule, but was met with plenty of audience support.
Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Latimer, who addressed the schedule restructuring with residents and board members during two previous public meetings, said the inconsistency of the drama program at each middle school has created a need for change.
"We're being asked to toss the baby out with the bath water and throw out a successful program (at Washington Middle School) because the other three schools don't follow," Herget said. "... I have to wonder why we don't keep a successful program and expand it. ... Why not endeavour to make that program more consistent?"
Washington Middle School students agreed, standing up to sing a song they wrote, professing their love of all things drama.
After several weeks of discussion, however, Latimer said it is time to move forward as the new program, including teaching tools, staff development and new materials, must be in place before the summer.
Changes to the curriculum, as approved, will include an extension of the middle school day from six hours and 28 minutes to six hours and 53 minutes, adding an additional five minutes to each of the day's eight class periods. Drama would be eliminated as an exploratory rotation for sixth- and seventh-grade students, but Latimer said tools implementing dramatic themes will be incorporated during the double-block Language Arts classes at these levels.
In eighth grade, students will have the opportunity to take drama or a foreign language as part of their second Language Arts block. Latimer said this will increase the number of students exposed to drama, instead of diminishing it, as those opposed to the changes have suggested.
Board member Angie Smith said Tuesday's vote was being used to lay out the framework of the school day for educators to further examine, and she looks forward to future discussion.
Board member Laurie Hoffman agreed, saying that consistency among the schools is of the utmost importance. Latimer said the implementation of drama as an eighth-grade course will create room for new program development that will remain common throughout all schools.
Others, however, including Herget, stood steadfast in their opinion.
"Regardless of the outcome of this vote," Herget said to the audience before secretary Cindi Hamilton took roll, "some of us are extremely proud of the courage you children have shown (in speaking to the board over the past couple of weeks) and your performance