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Thinking global: Bexley eyes changes
(by Christine Bryant, Eastside Editor - January 17, 2009)
In a changing world economy, more school districts are looking at including Chinese in their foreign language programs, including Bexley Schools.
The idea is part of an overall initiative to "think global," and is under consideration locally to give students an extra edge in today's competitive world.
At the Jan. 12 Bexley School Board meeting, board members gave the OK for educators to apply for a College Board Guest Teacher program in which a guest high school teacher would be brought into the district to teach Chinese in the foreign language department.
Because the program's deadline is Feb. 1, board members wanted to keep their options open even though the district has not yet determined whether Chinese will in fact be added to the curriculum.
Bexley High School principal Dr. John Kellogg said a survey among the students was conducted to gage their interest and he is in the process of compiling those results.
If implemented, the addition to the foreign language program could lead to Advanced Placement classes in Chinese at the high school level, as well as spread to the elementary level.
The goal of the program not only could involve learning the Chinese language and culture, but could place an emphasis on technology as well.
"Whatever program we initiate, we have to have a clear vision of where we're going," Board president Andrew Sutter said.
Superintendent Michael Johnson said the board and the community must consider reservations of the proposed addition in addition to its benefits, including student interest and costs.
The school board will next meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Cassingham Complex Community Room.
Other news
• Bexley Schools is beginning the hiring process to replace Montrose Elementary School principal Dr. Thommie Radd, who is scheduled to leave his position at the end of the school year.
Radd submitted his letter of resignation to the board in November. She served as principal for two years.
Superintendent Michael Johnson told board members at the Jan. 12 meeting the hiring process has begun and he will meet with community members this week.
The position will be posted soon, with interviews beginning in March, he said.
A recommendation is expected to be presented to the school board by the end of the school year, he said.
• Three Bexley High School faculty members were honored at the board meeting and presented with the district's Star Thrower Award.
Melissa McCreary, Brian Verde and Sherri Higgins earned the award for developing and implementing the high school's peer mentoring program.
The program began last year in the areas of ninth-grade world studies, Spanish I and II, and algebra.
The teachers set up the program structure and recruited the peer tutors as well as the teachers from each department who monitor the students' work. They initially received nearly 60 applications from student tutors and now have 50 student learners each paired with a peer tutor.
• Board members approved the purchase of 25 new computer workstations for connected SmartBoards.
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