Fredonia offers new courses this year
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In an effort to follow through on its pledge to be dynamic and global in its educational philosophy, Fredonia High School is offering several new courses this year. Principal Ron Tonelli discussed the new courses at a recent Board of Education meeting.
Cathy Cruver, a Fredonia Spanish Teacher, has taken on a new "Leadership 1" course through Jamestown Community College (JCC). Tonelli said it works "hand in hand" with the district's Lighthouse Team, a student group focused on leadership opportunities throughout the school. Tonelli hopes that as the program expands, the district can later offer Leadership 2 and Public Speaking through JCC, as well. Together, those courses could combine for a JCC credential for students after graduation from Fredonia.
Mimi Joint, a Fredonia Math Teacher, is utilizing a new certification she earned last year to serve as an Agriculture Teacher. Joint is offering "Introduction to Agriculture" to Fredonia High School students this year. Tonelli said the course touches on animal care, farming, gardening, and tree tapping, of which Joint "does really, really well."
Tonelli said the excitement and passion Joint has for agriculture inspired the program. An elective agriculture course is also being offered to the district's Life Skills students. Tonelli said that both of Joint's agriculture-based courses are "going to be really great for our kids."
The district is also offering Advanced Placement (AP) Language this year, as well as Applied Geometry. Tonelli called Applied Geometry a "hands on" course with "real world application." Additionally, beginning with the freshman class this year, the district is making it a requirement for all students to take a personal finance course during their time at Fredonia High School.
The district has begun exploring the New York State Education Department's Portrait of a Graduate, and will be reviewing its courses with Curriculum Review Cycles later this school year. The new courses this year build upon additions to the district's curriculum in recent years, including its Sports and Nutrition course and the Seal of Biliteracy program.
Tonelli thanked the district's guidance counselors for their efforts in scheduling the courses for district students. "We offer so many different pathways for our students, but it makes scheduling very difficult," Tonelli said. "Shoutout to my counselors and student services who do that work over the summer to make it all fit together in whatever way they can for the kids."