Coming Soon...New Course Offerings & Schedule Changes at PHS
We are pleased to announce some changes in scheduling and courses coming in the 2012-13 school year. Review the following information to learn how these changes will impact students and learning opportunities.

New course offerings at the high school for the 2012-13 school year:

• Biotechnology will offer students a chance to explore genetic engineering, food production, medical advances and crime scene technology.  Students will gain an understanding of how cellular processes inform and advance applications in agriculture, forensics, and medicine.
• Essentials of Song Writing will give students the opportunity to record, produce, review, compose, perform, teach and explore contemporary music in the classroom.  Students will create their own music to share with peers and possibly the world.
• Advanced Placement English Literature takes over for British Literature.  This course provides a rigorous curriculum and an opportunity to earn college credit (based on test performance).

Subtle Course Changes
Subtle course changes that will positively impact student achievement -- we aren’t requiring additional credits for graduation, but selecting critical curriculum that transforms learners into leaders. 

• Advanced Composition will be phased in as a graduation requirement (for the class of 2014).  This course speaks to the heart of our district goals.  Students must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently to compete in a global marketplace and Advanced Composition will ensure that students gain those key literacy skills. 
• Oral Communication (formerly Speech) will be an addition to our graduation requirements.  It will become part of English 10. This class exemplifies our 21st Century Skills goal of collaboration and communication.  (Since most students were already taking Speech, this shift has minimal impact on student schedules and staffing.)

Guidance staff met with students to explain these changes.  Student schedules for 2012-13 reflect these modifications.

Daily Schedule Changes
Our daily schedule will look slightly different next year. By severely limiting ‘skinnies’ (40 minute classes) and focusing on the 85 minute block, students will gain valuable instructional time, as much as 900 minutes for some students over the course of a year.  (That’s over two weeks of one class!) Some classes offered in the morning (A Block) will meet every other day.  This rotation schedule should create fewer scheduling conflicts and allow students more opportunities to get the classes they need/want, while offering time to explore topics and problems in-depth.  

Do Work Habits and 21st Century Skills Matter? We Think So...

Recently Mr. Shappell shared a letter with families regarding work habits at PHS.  In his letter, Mr. Shappell addressed the areas of focus for Work Habits as well as referred to 21st Century Skills. Why is this information important to students and learning? What are those skills anyway? How can integrating these skills in instructional practices really prepare our students for the working world of today? The following resources provide some insight to these questions and more. Take some time to explore, read and watch to see how employing these resources could  transform students' learning experiences here at PHS. 

Partnership for 21st Century Skills   The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national  organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. As the United States continues to compete in a global  economy that demands innovation, P21 and its members provide tools and resources to help the U.S. education system keep up by fusing the 3Rs and 4Cs (Critical thinking and problem solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity and innovation.

Results that Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform High schools need a relentless focus on the results that matter for student success in the 21st century according to The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (the Partnership). The Partnership issued this national report, “Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform,” outlining a compelling framework for 21st century learning that focuses on the results that matter for today’s high school graduates. Don't want to read the entire report? Click here to access the summary webpage of the report. 

Created through collaboration by members of Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the talented folks at FableVision, Above & Beyond is a story about what is possible when communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity take center stage in schools and transform learning opportunities for all kids.