Professional Documents
Culture Documents
It is 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.
CLASS SIZE: I am pleased to inform the community that through a restructuring of the
high 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
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:
Changes by Department Changes by Department
#
Core Subjects # Staff Elective Subjects Staff
English +2 Art ‐1
Math +2 Music ‐0.4
Science +1 Business 0
Social Studies +1 Health & Physical Education ‐4
Foreign Language 0 Library ‐1
Technology 1
Administration ‐0.5
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 revised program of studied. We
believe correcting this calculation will enable our students to be more competitive as they
apply to colleges.
TECHNOLOGY: The school 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 is staffed by a Technology Curriculum Enhancement
Teacher. 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.
5. The Foreign Language Department will purchase a new Ipod Language Lab.
This significantly upgrades language lab capabilities (there were none) at only a
fraction of the cost of traditional language labs.
6. Announcements will become viewable on the school’s five new flat screen
televisions mounted in the Foyer, Field House Lobby, Cafeteria, and Fitness
Center. Students and guests will be able to view announcements regarding school
and athletic functions as they congregate or pass through areas of the school.
These televisions were purchased through funds donated by last year’s graduating
class and the athletic boosters.
7. FHS has installed 15 new Smartboards in the past six months. Smartboards
are interactive whiteboards which greatly enhance learning for students by
engaging them in the latest technology.
NEW WRITING CENTER: A new Writing Center will be introduced and housed in
the Technology Center. Students will have access to the Writing Center during any
directed studies they may have. The Writing Center Teacher will provide support to
classroom teachers in the area of developing student writing throughout the curriculum
and is staffed by a Certified English Teacher.
NEW FITNESS CENTER: Athletic Director Brad Sidwell, along with a number of
parents and students has worked to be able to open a new fitness center in K wing of the
high school. The center will be for athlete, faculty and student use throughout the year.
This fitness center is funded through donations and the work of various booster
organizations.
LONGER LUNCHES & EXTENDED PASSING TIME: All lunches have been
extended by 5 minutes for the entire school year. Hopefully, students and staff will be
able to relax more with the move from 20 minute lunches to 25 minute lunches! Also,
there will be one extended passing time per day of 8 minutes. This passing time will take
place after second period and will afford everyone the chance to regroup, use a restroom
and go to lockers.
NEW BELL SCHEDULE: The bell schedule has been restructured in an effort to
provide longer lunches and an extended passing time while meeting state time on
learning requirements. Below is the Bell Schedule for the 2009-10 School Year:
HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: This summer, nearly 100 incoming freshmen will
have participated in a one week orientation program to the high school. During the week,
students will have the opportunity to meet students from each of the four middle schools
that feed FHS. Students will meet academic teachers from each curriculum areas and get
a sample of what will be expected of them at the high school. In addition, students will
meet key members of the staff and have the opportunity to eat lunch with the
administration. Team building activities are planned for each day.
Clearly, this has been a busy summer for FHS! I look forward to continuing the
improvement efforts at the school during the coming year. Please take the opportunity to
review the enclosed amendment to the Program of Studies. Have a great end of the
summer and I hope to see you this fall.
Regards,
Peter Light
Principal