Palmerton updates course offerings

Several new and returning courses, many of them centered on technology, headlined the planned 2020-21 Palmerton Area High School program of studies presented by Principal Paula Husar last week.

Palmerton started working on the program of studies in November. Husar highlighted differences in the document from previous years. For example, the college prep course level is now identified as “academic,” and basic courses are now termed, “essential.”

A big change is planned for summer recovery courses, limiting the number of classes a student can make up in the summer if they fail them during the regular term.

“Each student is now limited to two courses where they can do summer recovery over their four years,” Husar said. “We felt we weren’t giving enough credit to what we do every day, what our staff does every day, and chose to put those limits on summer recovery. You’re going to have to pass on your own if you’re going to get a Palmerton diploma. There is more meat to it now.”

As it has been in the past, Keystone Exam tested areas such as algebra, English and biology can’t be taken as part of summer recovery.

Husar said the high school plans to offer some additional courses in 2020-21. Even if the program of studies were approved, the classes would only run if they generate enough interest during course selection.

The additional courses include Art For Everyone, Career Readiness, Children’s Literature and Media Literacy.

“With career readiness, we want to make sure kids are starting to develop that future plan in ninth grade, whether it be college, entering the workforce, the military or another avenue,” Husar said. “It’s going to deal with how to write a resume, interviewing skills, etc.”

Children’s Literature is aimed at students who want to enter the education and preschool field, while Media Literacy will examine different types of media outlets and help students analyze biases or propaganda.

“With the election year coming up, we should be able to have a great time with that and have kids thinking about the news critically,” Husar said. “Our staff is really excited about the potential for all of these courses.”

Technology courses, both those being restored and some new offerings, are also on the docket.

“We cut a lot of technology electives the last two years and we want to bring them back and add to it,” Husar said.

Technology courses she highlighted include computer fundamentals, Google apps, introduction to coding, and multimedia.

“The Google course would have students using all of the Google software products, while introduction to coding would focus on computer programming fundamentals and development of text-based games,” Husar said. “Gaming is huge right now and we felt like we had to get this in there.”

The multimedia course will include graphic design, video production and Web page design.

To accommodate the additional offerings, Husar said she is asking for the district to add a technology teacher in the 2020-21 budget.

“Right now, we have students that take an elective over because are offerings are so few,” she told the board last week. “If it’s something like wood shop, they’re working on different projects the second time they take it, but there is no doubt we need electives at the high school.”