Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 2/13/2023
EASTHAMPTON — The school committee approved a handful of new courses for the 2023-2024 school year at Easthampton High School at its Feb. 7 meeting.
After a discussion about the pros and cons of the course, the committee voted to move forward with a new foreign language option. The new level 2 courses, which would be offered in Spanish and French, will add a culture focus to the typical language course and make it more accessible for students who may struggle with a foreign language. The course would only be available by teacher recommendation and would not be one that students could choose themselves.
Easthampton High School Principal Bill Evans explained that the course came about after much teacher discussion about how to best serve their students. Member Laurie Garcia voiced concerns that she’d like to see the students all receive a more typical level 2 foreign language course and that she’d like to see their resources used to build a program for the middle school.
“I don’t want to see us limit students,” explained Garcia, who ultimately abstained from the vote to move the course forward because she said she felt like she needed more information.
Chair Cynthia Kwiecinski voiced her support for the new course, calling it a phenomenal opportunity for these students.”
The committee voted unanimously to approve new courses in the math, science and arts departments. The math department will offer the Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematical Modeling course for upper level students who may not want a class like Pre-Calculus. The science department will bring back its AP Biology course and offer a second level of forensic science course. In the arts department, students will have the chance to take courses in digital illustration and animation. A college and career readiness course will help high school juniors begin to navigate the road to their post high school lives.
We the People
The high school’s We the People team won the state competition for the sixth year in a row and will move onto the national competition in Washington, D.C. in the spring.
Superintendent Allison LeClair noted that this is a different group of students who come together each year and work to achieve this goal.
“As a community, I know we all wish them well,” said LeClair.
Budget
The schools are currently working on their fiscal year 2024 budget and meetings with the leadership team are beginning. The first official budget meeting will be on Feb. 13.