Here are some of the items the...

Here are some of the items the Newport-Mesa Unified School District

board of trustees will be discussing tonight.

STRATEGIC PLAN

District administrators, teachers, classified staff members, board

trustees, parents, students and community members formed a group to

develop a strategic plan for the next five years. Their first meeting

took place in April and a second took place on Monday.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The district board of trustees requested a continual board agenda

item for updates of the strategic plan.

Items discussed during the group’s meetings include dress codes,

arts and music, technology in schools, universal preschool, health

programs, after school programs and providing alternatives for

students not going to college. Minutes from each session are posted

on the district’s website.

Members of the group will provide the trustees with the latest

developments from Monday’s meeting.

NEW CLASSES

The board will consider approving seven new high school classes

for next year. Drawing, science, geometry, biology, pre-calculus and

senior and freshman seminars are on the agenda.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Board trustees must approve any changes to the high school course

of study. Drawing 1, an elective, will teach beginning concepts and

drawing skills in a variety of mediums. AVID Senior Seminar, a

one-year elective, will include teacher-led lessons, tutorials and

guest speakers. Students will visit colleges and other educational

venues in the course and will receive college preparation.

A one-semester freshman seminar is designed to improve freshman

academics, behavior and involvement.

Essentials of Geometry is a two-semester course to introduce

concepts, but doesn’t meet prerequisites for Algebra 2. Other courses

considered are honors pre-calculus, Earth science and honors biology.