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July 2009Dear FHS Community:It is no secret that FHS has just undergone a long, public and stressful budget process.The district budget went through multiple variations as federal and state fundingcontinually changed throughout much of the spring and early summer. The budget isnow finalized and I am writing to update you with important information about changesto the high school that came about as a result of our desire to offer the strongest programfor students during the difficult budget times that have spanned not only this year, but thepast three years and which project into the near future.
SUMMARY:
Those of you familiar with FHS will know that class sizes have risen fromthe low twenties (3 years ago) into the high twenties and low-to-mid thirties during 2008-09. The highest priority the administration had in making decisions about programmingat FHS was to maintain or reduce class size in curriculum areas that 1) led to MCASrequirements for graduation and 2) made our students most competitive during thecollege application process. Finally, we attempted to maintain the most comprehensiveprogram possible while providing necessary support for the core academic program.Overall, through a combination of federal and state aid as well as wage freezes adoptedby both non-union and union employees, the school will maintain the same number of professional staff as during the 2008-09 academic year. In looking at the possibility of offering the same program as in past years, two considerations came to the forefront.First, increasing enrollment coupled with level staffing would lead to significantincreases in class size. Second, the budget gap this year is not an isolated event and ispredicted to span multiple years. The result of considering these facts led theadministration to believe that the students were best served by a school that had beenrestructured to facilitate smaller classes.
CLASS SIZE:
I am pleased to inform the community that through a restructuring of thehigh school program, class sizes in the areas of English, Math, Science and Social Studieshave been reduced significantly during the upcoming academic year. Families can expectaverage class sizes in each of these areas to be within the range (on average) of 20-24students in required courses. This represents a significant DECREASE in class size fromrecent years. This decrease in class size was accomplished by reducing staff in electiveareas while increasing staff in core subjects. Staffing changes by subject are outlined inthe table below:
 
 
Changes
 
by
 
Department
 
Changes
 
by
 
Department
 
Core
 
Subjects
 
#
 
Staff 
 
Elective
 
Subjects
 
#
 
Staff 
 
English
 
+2
 
Art
‐
1
 
Math
 
+2
 
Music
‐
0.4
 
Science
 
+1
 
Business
 
0
 
Social
 
Studies
 
+1
 
Health
 
&
 
Physical
 
Education
‐
4
 
Foreign
 
Language
 
0
 
Library
‐
1
 
Technology
 
1
 
Administration
‐
0.5
 
RESTRUCTURED SCHEDULE:
Nothing in difficult times comes without trade-offs.In return for smaller class sizes, students will have one less period (six) available than inpast years (seven). For students in grades 9-11, this means drastically restructuredphysical education requirements and the elimination of the health requirement in grades10 & 11. For students in grade 12, there will be one fewer elective period available.
INCREASED INSTRUCTIONAL TIME:
Because the number of classes has beenreduced by one, the instructional time in all core areas has increased significantly byapproximately 25 hours per year. This represents almost 5 weeks of additionalinstruction PER COURSE over previous years. Elective courses (Art, Business, Music,Family & Consumer Science, Academic Support) will drop once per cycle so thatstudents may complete Physical Education requirements. As a result these courses willmeet for the same amount of time as in previous years.
REVISED PHYSICAL EDUCTION REQUIREMENTS:
Massachusetts Lawrequires all students in grades K-12 to meet physical education requirements. As such,FHS will now require 4 years of PE for ALL students in grades 9-12. In order to meetPhysical Education requirements, students will be able to select from three pathways. 1)Enroll in and complete the school’s 30 hour physical education class which meets onceper cycle for the entire year. 2) Participate on one of the school’s interscholastic athleticteams (subject to eligibility requirements). 3) Participate in a regular, ongoing physicalactivity OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL throughout the year which meets for a minimum of 30hours (or more than one class that can combine for 30 hours). Details of the physicaleducation requirements and pathways are enclosed in the packet. Students who electeither of the last two pathways will be assigned to a directed study once per cycle in lieuof attending physical education.
EXPANDED GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:
The school has adopted morerigorous graduation requirements which are consistent with those established by MASSCORE. The new requirements specify four years of Math and Science courses inaddition to the current four year English requirement. Electives in Math and Science arebeing developed to give students additional choice in how they will meet the newrequirements. These new requirements will be in effect for the Class of 2011 and
 
 
beyond. The current Senior Class will be required to meet previously established 3 yearrequirements in Math and Science.
NEW GPA CALCULATION METHOD:
FHS will begin calculating Weighted GradePoint Average on a 5 Point Scale which meets the requirements for the reporting of gradepoint averages to colleges and universities and is consistent with the standard establishedby the Massachusetts Board of Regents. More information about the new method of calculation and a conversion table is enclosed in the revised program of studied. Webelieve correcting this calculation will enable our students to be more competitive as theyapply to colleges.
TECHNOLOGY:
The school has made significant progress in the implementation anduse of technology. Some of the exciting changes include:1. The school has reconfigured the existing Library into a new
TechnologyCenter
. The center is staffed by a Technology Curriculum EnhancementTeacher. The Technology Center will be open extended hours from 7:00 a.m.until 5:00 p.m. each weekday.2. 200 new laptops will be available for student use and may be checked out of the Technology Center like any book.3. Open Wireless Access is now available to students and faculty throughoutFHS. Students are able and encouraged to bring in personal laptops for use inclasses and the new Technology Center. The school is currently working withvendors to be able to offer a group purchase program which will allow families topurchase laptops (netbooks) at a reasonable cost. More information will beforthcoming.4. Edline is a web-based communication portal that will enable parents andstudents to have open access to individual student grades down to the level of individual assignments. While Edline will be operational early in the year, weexpect the grading features of Edline to be available prior to October 1
st
. Inaddition, teachers are encouraged (not required) to post homework online for easyaccess.5. The Foreign Language Department will purchase a new Ipod Language Lab.This significantly upgrades language lab capabilities (there were none) at only afraction of the cost of traditional language labs.6. Announcements will become viewable on the school’s five new flat screentelevisions mounted in the Foyer, Field House Lobby, Cafeteria, and FitnessCenter. Students and guests will be able to view announcements regarding schooland athletic functions as they congregate or pass through areas of the school.These televisions were purchased through funds donated by last year’s graduatingclass and the athletic boosters.
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