We a r e h i g h s c h o o l s t u d e n t s . R e a d e r d i s c r e t i o n a d v i s e d . Dexter High School 2200 N. Parker Road Dexter, MI 48130
[ the squall ]
World language changes proposed
A
mid the plethora of proposed changes being considered by the district, a plan to revamp the world language department has emerged. The district is hoping to increase the scope of cultural awareness among students in the district. According to French teacher Kim Lund, the proposal came recently at a special committee meeting. “The K-12 World Language Committee made a recommendation to the board of education on March 1 that we begin language at the
kindergarten level,” Lund, co-chair of the committee comprised of administrators, language instructors and teachers, said. “Students would continue their language through sixth grade.” Lund said under the proposal the three languages offered at the high school would be offered starting in kindergarten Then, as students entered seventh grade, they would be given the choice to continue their current language or begin a new one. At this point, according to Lund, Arabic and Mandarin would also be offered. World Language Committee co-chair and Cornerstone Principal Craig McCalla said under this plan, students would be taught in an environment in which many would achieve proficiency by the end of grades six to eight, which would be judged by a proficiency test.
Max Berry
news editor
This proposition is part of the district-wide reimagining, Lund said, and is also being weighted with the current bid for Dexter to become an International Baccalaureate district. “The IB program likes students to have four years of foreign language experience before their junior year,” Lund said. “We want our students to have more of a global perspective.” This comes as a result of the new graduation requirements for the class of 2016 which call for two world language credits. According to McCalla, the district is wholly behind the idea. “Dexter families and staff feel that it is important to build a strong language program,” McCalla said. For now, though, McCalla said the committee’s original plan requires substantial increases in funds for additional staff and educational materials. However, the money required for such a plan is not at hand with the current budget struggles, according to Principal Kit Moran.
“It is the right thing to do,” Moran said. “But right now we don’t have a lot of dollars to put behind it.” As an alternative, Superintendent Rob Glass has recommended a plan that he says is more economically feasible and will still improve the world language program in Dexter. Glass has proposed the establishment of a scaled-back version of a FLEX program, which is an abbreviated term referring to a foreign language exploration program. “The FLEX program is not really a language program,” Lund said. “It is more of a cultural exploration program.” Lund added that the Flex class would meet for half-hour classes twice a week and thus would not be expected to be any more than provide a brief education to elementary students about the culture behind a language. “We need to add five teachers for the full FLEX program,” Glass said, adding that while funds are not currently available to allow such an increase the staff, the program would likely continue to grow until it can be fully implemented, when the budget allows for such a change. Beyond the FLEX program for the elementary schools, the extent of proposed language changes is not yet clear, however.
April 1, 2010 Volume XV Issue 7
An e-mail from McCalla said Glass’ recommendation included adding more language exposure in grades 5-6 and still offering the language programs 7-12, based on student need. McCalla also said the district is looking at an immersion program in either a new language or one that is currently taught in the district. Glass said that, should the district adopt an immersion program, cooperative efforts with the Confucius Institute would be a cost-effective solution. The Confucius Institute is an affiliate of Michigan State University which offers on-line coursework in Chinese language study for middle school and high school-aged students. Glass said, in theory, working with the Confucius Institute would decrease the number of new staff members needed to implement a Mandarin immersion program with the foreign language expansion, thereby saving the district significant funding. Regardless, Glass said he hopes to see, at the very least, the FLEX program in place next year. In light of Glass’ recent announcement to seek a superintendent position in another district, however, Lund said the future of the proposal has been clouded. “We’re not certain when the plan will be implemented,” Lund said. “Right now we have no plan for logical progression of the plan.” Despite the uncertainties in the future of both the proposal and his own position within the Dexter district, Glass is optimistic. He said the district is surveying parents to see what languages they want and to what extent parents wish to see foreign language programs expand. The district will be able to better envision its plans when it gets the survey results by the end of April. Glass said, “I think that, K through 12, every grade will have a language program next year.” Glass also commended the World Language Committee on its research and planning and said that the committee’s work will benefit the district’s language program when funds are more readily available. “The World Language Committee did great work,” Glass said. “Their model shows what a language program should look like when all the resources are there.”
Students get National Budgetary concerns may cause high school layoffs Merit recognition earn modest scholarships from PSAT/NMQT, Sarah AKBARIFARD staff writer and can receive offers from individual colleges and universities for partial to full scholarship After dealing with the immense after-school opportunities,” LeBlanc said. But according to Warden, he has yet to receive traffic, senior Nico Warden finally makes it back to his house and gets the mail as he does every any scholarship money from the PSAT/NMQT. day. But something caught his eye on this brisk “I should find out if I get the $2500 in sometime February afternoon: a letter from the National in March or April,” he said. Unfortunately for Merit Scholarship. Warden scurries back into Warden he said that none of the schools that his car and drove up his driveway and makes his he applied to offer individual scholarships for way into his kitchen where he opens the letter to becoming a National Merit Finalist. Luckily for senior Dillon Kipke he has the find out he is a National Merit Finalist. According to counselor Larry LeBlanc, opportunity to receive a full ride scholarship from becoming a National Merit Finalist is quite the University of Arizona, “I haven’t received any scholarship money from a rigorous process. them yet,” said Kipke. “But “Students qualify by Being selected as a final- through the research I’ve taking the PSAT in October of their junior ist is a big distinction. done, other National Merit year and posting a I appreciate the honor Finalists have received full ride scholarships, so I am Index Score in the 99th and want to live up to the hoping that I will get one percentile,” he said. standard of a National too,” he said. “Students then become Merit Finalist.” Scholarship money a National Merit Semi aside, both Warden Finalist are invited to take the SAT and Nico Warden and Kipke are proud of their accomplishments. complete a application According to LeBlanc, with additional they should be because of the over 1.5 million information supplied by their counselor.” And based upon the applicants SAT score and juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT last year, their application he or she can be recognized as a only 15,000 applicants (1 percent) are selected as finalists. National Merit Finalist. “Being selected as a finalist is a big “I was happy and excited when I found out I qualified,” Warden said. “After I found out that I distinction,” Warden said. “I appreciate the was a finalist, I called my parents, and they were honor and want to live up to the standard of a National Merit Finalist. Receiving such a award excited as well.” And LeBlanc said becoming a finalist has its motivates me to succeed and to go through all benefits. “Finalist receive national recognition, the endeavours I will face in the future.”
“
12 Missed the senior food auction? Check out the photostory to see all the best shots.
The Rostrum Teen pregnancy. It’s on MTV. Now it’s in The Squall’s Rostrum spread.
“There’s a lot of trickiness that has to do with certification,” Romeo said. “We have to find the emily van dusen copy editor person with the least seniority, but we also have to think about what they’re certified to teach.” That said, Moran does not plan to simply make As a young teacher struggling to find his niche in the education system, Principal Kit Moran was on any and all possible cuts in the elective classes like the receiving end of many a pink slip. But instead music, art and graphic arts, since he sees these of throwing them away, he brought each one home, classes as being opportunities for enriching the high where they remain a reminder of the importance of school experience. “We’re working on building a schedule that perseverance in the face of adversity. Now, as a high school principal, Moran is faced develops the classes we need and also the classes that with a role reversal. He will have to be the one make school fun,” Moran said. “If we only taught the announcing layoffs of teachers he’s come to know and core classes, this would be a pretty dull place to be. respect. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory; in It’s not a science there’s not a formula where you can such uncertain economic times, the education sector just plug numbers in; it’s not that easy.” Another dynamic comes in to play when in particular must often sacrifice funds. For many districts, just as with businesses and manufacturers, considering the possibility of teachers retiring. this points to the difficult but often unavoidable The week of March 8, Michigan legislation was introduced which creates an incentive for Michigan practice of downsizing. As it stands, each teacher at the high school teaches teachers to retire, and a large penalty, including 12 sections, or four classes for three trimesters. In increased insurance costs for eligible teachers who order to accommodate budget cuts, Moran and his choose not to retire. “If you retire now, nothing is going to get better, administration are charged with cutting 60 sections, which equates to five teaching positions, also referred but if you don’t it’ll be worse,” Moran said. If passed in its final form, the legislation is due to take effect to as five FTEs, or “full-time equivalents.” “We have to figure out how, with fewer teachers, on April 1. “If that happened, there might be some people we can keep class sizes low and deliver schedules on time,” Moran said. “Basically, we have to figure out here who choose to take advantage of that,” Moran said. “There are a number who are eligible, and they how to do more with less.” Advising the administration is the Dexter might be able to come back as a quarter of a teacher, Education Association, headed by president Joe meaning they can teach one class.” For its part, the union is considering the current Romeo. “Our goal is to have as many people with full time jobs as possible,” Romeo said. “We also want situation while developing their latest contract, due teachers to be able to teach what they want to teach. to be negotiated this spring. “We are working on writing clear contract That’s a common value with the district because it language that reflects the values of the teachers and makes better teachers.” In order to determine how to go about cutting the community,” Romeo said. “We write the contract positions, Moran said he and his administrative team to make sure the rules are consistent with what have to consider such factors as seniority, curriculum teachers want and that the district wants.” Amid the daunting task of cutting funds via requirements and the demand for elective courses. “Seniority is definitely a big factor,” Moran said. teacher layoffs, Moran is careful not to overlook the Seniority refers to the number of years a teacher delicate nature of performing such a task. “It’s important not to get caught up in the has spent in the district, not necessarily just the high school. “In conjunction with the rest of the scheduling,” Moran said. “I’m most concerned about principals, there might be some moving around in being sensitive and compassionate to the teachers, and any way that I can help these folks, I will.” the district,” Moran said. The situation is certainly not one that is desired This means that if a teacher at one of the elementary or middle schools is qualified to teach a by any educators, but it can serve as a test for how high school course and has been in the district longer effectively districts can allocate their resources, and than someone at the high school, they would likely how they are able to sensitively handle the tough decisions ushered in by a tough economic climate. replace the high school teacher. “It’s five FTE’s on paper,” Moran said. “But it’s However, the administration must also make sure that all of the classes the high school is required people. People who have gone to college, who love to offer by the state are available and adequately Dexter schools, who care about their students. Most staffed. So if a younger teacher is certified to teach people teach because they like kids, not because a required algebra course, for example, their job they’re concerned about money. So it’s hard on a may be more secure than a more senior member of human level.” another department where there are fewer required courses.