By Liz Bravacos and Claire Moran, News Editor and Staff Reporter

When senior Jeannette Bansbach heard of a district study that would potentially remove her favorite art courses from Conestoga’s curriculum, she decided to voice her opinion.

Bansbach, along with senior Bernadette Bucher, attended a school board meeting on Oct. 26, during which district time Superintendent Dan Waters updated the community about the progress of a curriculum study that could result in a seven-period school day at Conestoga.

The 7/8 Period Day Study is part of District Goal I: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Waters said. Although Waters said that changes to the high school schedule would not be made effective next school year, Goal I includes studying all programs not mandated by the state government, such as the Foreign Language in the Elementary School program.

Both Bansbach and Bucher spoke at the board meeting.

“I know I’m not going to be here next year and if this goes through it isn’t going to really affect me, but it might affect my teachers and I don’t want someone to miss out on the opportunity that I had at Conestoga,” Bansbach said. “The art department is really the one thing that stood out [to me] and I don’t want anyone to miss out on that experience.”

According to “Curriculum Study: Looking Ahead,” an informational packet written by Waters, the district is reviewing these non-mandated programs to ensure that the curriculum will prepare students for success in the 21st century, increase teacher-student interaction, prepare students for state-mandated proficiency testing and examine budget concerns.

The current high school schedule has been in place since 1992, Waters said.

“When I was a principal here, it was a seven-period day and then I recommended an eight-period day,” Waters said. “However, we didn’t have the Internet, as we do now. The external changes have occurred that we need to react to.”

Current Principal Amy Meisinger agreed that the study was in part initiated because of a changing world.

“These things really come out of making changes to meet the needs of a changing society,” Meisinger said. “How is the impact of technology? How is the impact of all the things that we’re experiencing worldwide impacting education? Aligned with [these questions] is the strategic plan and the initiatives we have moving forward with technology and creativity and options for kids beyond just sitting in a classroom.”

Changes to school curriculum are reviewed by the school board’s education committee, Meisinger said. Waters makes recommendations to the committee based on his studies.

According to Waters, one of these recommendations has already been approved by the board. The elimination of the freshman science course, Introduction to Chemistry, Physics and the Environment, will take place next school year. All incoming freshmen will be required to take biology.

Other changes under consideration that directly affect the Conestoga curriculum include consolidating Health I and II courses for high school students and restructuring the gym enrollment process at Conestoga.

Waters and Meisinger said that the district’s budget plays a role in the curriculum study. Both recognized the district’s $8 million budget gap as having an influence on the study.

Junior Dan Bentley said that he understands their concerns.

“You have to remember that the board has more universal things in mind,” said Bentley. “We have to make sacrifices.”

Despite his views on the issue, Bentley is one of the hundreds of students who have joined a Facebook group called “Conestoga Students Against School Board Revisions—7 Period Plan.” Created on Nov. 9 by juniors Allison Donahue, Nicole Mina and Carly Steffes, the group now has more than 700 members.

“I think it’s really important that students know what’s going on,” Donahue said. “Up until people joined our Facebook group, a lot of people didn’t even know about it. I think it’s very important that people voice their own opinions and have discussions about their education.”

According to Waters, the board will continue to gather data about a seven-period day until at least next September.

“I wasn’t looking for an outcome in this, I was looking for the study,” Waters said. “As the kids said, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

Liz Bravacos can be reached at lbravacos@stoganews.com.

Printed originally on page 3 of the November 24, 2009 issue of The Spoke.

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