Dear CRLS Community,
I hope your February break has gotten off to a great start. When school resumes, students in grades 9-11 will start the course selection process to choose classes for the 2019-20 school year. I am writing to detail key dates of the course selection process, and to highlight new courses and opportunities that have been proposed by each department for next school year.
See below for the dates of course selection for current 9-11th grade students. Please note, due to MCAS administration the course selection dates have been slightly altered from what is indicated on the CRLS Master Calendar.
Grade Level: Current 11th Grade
Course Selection Start Date: February 26, 2019
Course Selection End Date: March 3, 2019
Grade Level: Current 10th Grade
Course Selection Start Date: March 11, 2019
Course Selection End Date: March 17, 2019
Grade Level: Current 9th Grade
Course Selection Start Date: March 26, 2019
Course Selection End Date: March 31, 2019
CRLS department leaders and teachers have worked hard to develop new ideas, and revise existing courses to enhance student learning and skill development. I am excited to share the following information about new departmental courses, innovative changes, and opportunities designed to enhance the CRLS experience.
CRLS 2019-2020 Course Catalog Highlights
English/ Language Arts
Programmatic Change(s) for SY 19-20
All ELA 10 and ELA 11 classes are offered as earned Honors classes. All students will participate in Honors level curriculum, and common formative assessments. Students will earn Honors credit based on their performance. Honors credits will be designated upon completing the course.
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Harry Potter & the Curse of Society
Examining the Works of Alfred Hitchcock
The Changemakers
Examining the Civil Rights Movement Through Graphic Novels
Understanding Moby Dick
History
Programmatic Change(s) for SY 19-20
Continuing the Level Up Initiative from Honors World History courses for all 9th graders, an Earned Honors course,
Critical Issues in United States History will be the new required course for all 10th graders. All students will participate in Honors level curriculum, and earn Honors credit based on their performance. Modern World History has been renamed Modern Global Conflicts
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Global Civics
Our Schools: Liberation or Oppression?
Women's Studies
Social Documentary: Photography, History, and Civic Agency
Dynamics of the Modern Middle East
AP Human Geography
Math
Programmatic Change(s) for SY19-20
Course title name changes to better reflect the content of each course:
Math Reasoning with Applications will now be known as
Applied Mathematics
Functions, Statistics & Trigonometry will now be known as
Trigonometry & Statistics
Students are encouraged to become peer tutors in the Math Room of the Homework Center.
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Honors Calculus
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (a Computer Science elective)
Statistics & Society (a joint interdisciplinary course with the ELA Department)
Rindge School of Technical Arts (RSTA)
Programmatic Change(s) for SY 19-20
–Several RSTA Programs -
Creative Design, Media Tech, Biotech, Engineering, and Early Education & Health Assisting - will be offering courses for 9th graders who already have a good idea of the careers they want to pursue. RSTA Exploratory will still be available for 100+ 9th graders.
–Biotechnology will be integrating Biomanufacturing into its courses, making use of a new Biomanufacturing lab provided by a recent $100,000 grant.
–Carpentry will be expanding offerings for upper level students that will include more Construction Management learning and develop additional skills in the Construction Trades.
–Print & Production will be adding an embroidery machine to enable the production of caps, shoes, and other gear with stitched logos and personalized items.
–Information Technology is changing its name to "Cybersecurity and Info tech" to more accurately describe its focus
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Music Production 2 (Media Arts/ RSTA Course)
Sound Design 2 (Media Arts/ RSTA Course)
Science
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Act on Climate CRLS
Visual and Performing Arts
Programmatic Change(s) for SY 19-20
String Orchestra, Out-of-School: Meets Monday nights from 6-8PM and Friday morning 7-8AM.
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Drumline/Percussion Ensemble: Available for all musicians and performers, not just drummers. The new ensemble welcomes all: singers, rappers, dancers, laptop players, keyboards, synth, bass, etc. No experience necessary!
Sculpture
After-School Choir: Year-round after-school Choir
Wellness/Health
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Before School Yoga and Stress Management (grades 10-12)
Before School Swim Development and Aquatic Fitness (grades 10-12)
Before School Lifetime Fitness (grades 10-12)
Wellness Electives that will be offered through arena scheduling for students in grades 10-12
• Yoga and Stress Management
• Swim Development and Aquatic Fitness
• Healthy Cooking for Teens
• Self-Defense for Teens
World Languages
Programmatic Change(s) for SY 19-20
Based on feedback from students, the World Languages department has decided to move away from labels such as “homespeaker” or “heritage speaker” to describe course offerings. Instead, the department has developed a sequence of Language Arts courses that are appropriate for students who already speak Spanish, or attended Amigos K-8.
Proposed New Core Courses and Electives for SY 19-20
Spanish Language Arts I: An Introduction to the Hispanic World in the United States
Spanish Language Arts II: An Introduction to Hispanic Culture and Identity
Creative Writing and Spanish Arts (Spanish Language Arts Seminar)
History and Culture through Spanish and Latin-American Film: El mundo hispanohablante a través del cine
These new course additions reflect the creativity and hard work of CRLS staff members. I am grateful to be in a school community where innovative ideas are developed to meet the needs and interests of students. I am certain the courses will be rigorous, and engaging. I encourage you to consider selecting one of these courses for next school year.
The 2019-2020 Course Catalog is posted
on the CRLS website. When you go to the Catalog page, there is a link to a PDF if you need to print the entire catalog. Please remember that the PDF of the Catalog does not update if any changes are made. Always use the online searchable course listing for the most current information. Please contact the school if you have questions regarding the upcoming course selection process.
Enjoy the remainder of the break.
Sincerely,
Principal Smith