District 225 approves new high school classes

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:47AM

Glenbrook District 225 trustees approved a variety of new classes Tuesday for the high schools next year, especially in life and career skills at the Northbrook campus.

In all, 12 courses of study were introduced for Glenbrook North and one at Glenbrook South.

The new courses may require hiring more full-time employees, but their salaries have been covered in the district’s budget.

“The Board will note that (the courses) seek to meet the academic needs and interests of students keeping with a comprehensive high school program,” stated Rosanne Williamson, district assistant superintendent for educational services, in a report to board members Jan. 9.

Williamson also said school administrators and instructional supervisors worked together in identifying the new classes.

At Glenbrook North, students can register for a career and life skills course in Game Design and Theory II, which allows them to study advanced curricular content that cannot be completed in the first-level course.

“This class will allow for deeper career exploration,” stated the report.

Also under career and life skills, Advanced Business Topics was proposed because no advanced course was available in the business curriculum.

Consumer Education Honors would permit juniors to enroll instead of waiting until senior year when students have had scheduling conflicts.

“These conflicts have resulted in (approximately) 17 students each year taking an online course at their cost,” said the report.

An English course in Shakespeare was proposed for summer school as an enrichment class for students, and two levels of meteorology classes providing earth science electives were suggested.

“Over the past two years, a variety of biology/chemistry-focused electives have been developed at the senior level,” the report said.

Modern Hebrew and Modern Hebrew Honors could be approved in view of current student enrollment that would support an honors level class.

The evaluation report stated, “We anticipate between 17-20 students at the 4th year level.”

Education supervisors and administrators also proposed cancelling two courses in computer science and an AP computer science class due to low enrollment.

Only one course was suggested for addition at Glenbrook South in Glenview — Advanced Self Defense that would build on basis skills developed during freshmen and sophomore years.

At the Jan. 9 meeting, board member Scott Martin asked why were the type and number of courses under consideration so different between the two high schools.

District Superintendent Mike Riggle replied, for example, should Glenbrook South implement the Advanced Self Defense class, next year Glenbrook North might offer it, as well.

“Over time, both may adopt classes, so our curriculums are often close together. They’re pushing one another forward. It’s a healthy sibling rivalry,” Riggle said.

The full new courses document can be viewed at http://il.glenbrook.schoolboard.net/node/3306.