Franklin High School 218 OAK STREET FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS 02038-1895 (508) 528-5600 PETER LIGHT, PRINCIPAL August 3, 2009 Dear FHS Community: Itis no secret that FHS has just undergone a long, public and stressful budget process. ‘The district budget went through multiple variations as federal and state funding continually changed throughout much of the spring and early summer. The budget is now finalized and I am writing to update you with important information about changes to the high school that came about as a result of our desire to offer the strongest program for students during the difficult budget times that have spanned not only this year, but the past three years and which project into the near future SUMMARY: Those of you familiar with FHS will know that class sizes have risen from the low twenties (3 years ago) into the high twenties and low-to-mid thirties during 2008- 09, The highest priority the administration had in making decisions about programming at FHS was to maintain or reduce class size in curriculum areas that 1) led to MCAS requirements for graduation and 2) made our students most competitive during the college application process, Finally, we attempted to maintain the most comprehensive program possible while providing necessary support for the core academic program, Overall, through a combination of federal and state aid as well as wage freezes adopted by both non-union and union employees, the school will maintain the same number of professional staff as during the 2008-09 academic year. In looking at the possibility of offering the same program as in past years, two considerations came to the forefront. First, increasing enrollment coupled with level staffing would lead to significant increases in class size. Second, the budget gap this year is not an isolated event and is predicted to span multiple years. The result of considering these facts led the administration to believe that the students were best served by a school that had been restructured to facilitate smaller classes while maintaining as many programs as financially possible, CLASS SIZE: Tam pleased to inform the community that through a restructuring of the hhigh school program, class sizes in the areas of English, Math, Science and Social Studies have been reduced significantly during the upcoming academic year. Families can expect average class sizes in each of these areas to be within the range (on average) of 20-24 students in required courses. This represents a significant DECREASE in class size from Accrecist ay MEW eNaLaND asuOn OF SeH00LS AND COLLECESrecent years. This decrease in class size was accomplished by reducing staff in elective areas while increasing staff in core subjects. Staffing changes by subject are outlined in the table below: Bed ses eacars Cam caus a BOE a Genet ose Co English (1 Classroom, 1 Writing Center Teacher) | _+2 Art a Math +2 Music -0.4 Science +1 Business 0 Social Studies #1 Health & Physical Education | -4 Foreign Language 0 Library “1 Technology 1 Administration -05 RESTRUCTURED SCHEDULE: Nothing in difficult times comes without trade-offs. In return for smaller class sizes, students will have one less period (six) available than in past years (seven). For students in grades 9-12, this means drastically restructured physical education requirements and the elimination of the health requirement in grades 10 & 1. For students in grade 12, there will be one fewer elective period available. INCREASED INSTRUCTIONAL TIME: Because the number of classes has been reduced by one, the instructional time in all core areas has increased significantly by approximately 25 hours per year. This represents almost 5 weeks of additional instruction PER COURSE over previous years. Elective courses (Art, Business, Music, Family & Consumer Science, Academic Support) will drop once every six class days so that students may complete Physical Education requirements, As a result these courses will meet for the same amount of time as in previous years. REVISED PHYSICAL EDUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Massachusetts Law requires all students in grades K-12 to meet physical education requirements. As such, FHS will now require 4 years of PE for ALL students in grades 9-12. In order to meet Physical Education requirements, students will be able to select from three pathways. 1) Enroll in and complete the school’s 30 hour physical education class which meets once every six class days for the entire year. 2) Participate on one of the school’s Interscholastic athletic teams (subject to eligibility requirements). 3) Participate ina regular, ongoing physical activity OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL throughout the year which meets for a minimum of 30 hours (or more than one class that can combine for 30 hours). Deiails of the physical education requirements and pathways are enclosed in the packet. Students who elect either of the last two pathways will be assigned to a directed study once every six class days in lieu of attending physical education, Directed studies will be conducted in classrooms under the supervision of certified teachers. During this time, “2.students may elect to use access the Technology Center, Writing Center, conduct, research, or work on class projects. ONE SEMESTER HEALTH REQUIREMENT; Students entering Franklin High School in grade nine will be required to pass one semester of Health Education, Because this course meets each day for one semester, the instructional time is equivalent to one full year of the health requirement that was offered in previous years. Because this course is required for all grade nine students, students will be scheduled into the class during their elective period in one of the two semesters, Some students, for various reasons such as full year electives in music, may not be able to schedule the health requirement during the regular school day. In cases such as this, a student may elect to take their Health Class as an online course (free of charge), in either the first or second semester, Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 who have previously passed two semesters of Health will be considered to have met the requirement, EXPANDED GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: The school has adopted more rigorous graduation requirements which are consistent with those established by MASS. CORE. The new requirements specify four years of Math and Science courses in addition to the current four year English requirement. Additional electives in Math and Science will give students greater choice in how they will meet the new requirements, These new requirements will be in effect for the Class of 2011 and beyond, The current Senior Class will be required to meet previously established 3 year requirements in Math and Science, NEW GPA CALCULATION METHOD: FHS will begin calculating Weighted Grade Point Average on a 5 Point Scale which meets the requirements for the reporting of grade point averages to colleges and universities and is consistent with the standard established by the Massachusetts Board of Regents. More information about the new method of calculation and a conversion table is enclosed in the Amended Program of Studies. We believe correcting this calculation will enable our students to be more competitive as they apply to colleges. TECHNOLOGY: The schoo! has made significant progress in the implementation and use of technology. Some of the exciting changes include: 1. The school has reconfigured the existing Library into a new Technology Center, The center will be staffed full time by a Technology Curriculum Enhancement Teacher who will be supported by two Educational Assistants, The ‘Technology Center will be open extended hours from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each weekday, 2. 200 new laptops will be available for student use and may be checked out of the Technology Center like any book. 3. Open Wireless Access is now available to students and faculty throughout FHS, Students are able and encouraged to bring in personal laptops for use in oe