Passion for Fashion Among Approved Courses for 2013

World languages, art and technology have all received attention as the Muskego-Norway School District looks forward to the 2013-14 school year.

The board approved additions and changes to programs and curriculum Monday night, with only brief discussion on the merits of some of the suggested courses.

In particular, 'Passion for Fashion,' and 'Kidz Biz' (a course that examines child care and development), which are electives offered to middle schoolers from 6th to 8th grade in the family and consumer education program, were felt to be marginally relevant courses.  However a motion to remove those courses failed and the initial proposal from the curriculum planning committee passed.

Some highlights of the new/modified courses are:

• Finance Park and Career Exploration (6-8) - will work with Junior Achievement to provide financial literacy and career management
• Visioneers: 21st Century Design, Objects, Places and Spaces (9-12) - geared to challenge students to meet the demands of 21st century careers and will connect science, technology, engineering, arts and math to help achieve creative solutions
• World lanuages: will be introduced in 6th grade, and will include French, German and Spanish
• Blended online intro to Psychology (10-12) - deemed as a college prep course and a prerequisite to AP psychology, the course will blend summer school coursework to accommodate students 'regular year' courseloads
• Technology classes will also be introduced at the middle school level, including mass production, design and engineering, inventions and innovations; high schoolers will be able to take CNC programming beginning in 10th grade
• Interior Design and 'Teen Cuisine' classes will be offered as electives in 6th through 8th grades
• Choir courses will be again offered to 6th - 8th graders, but will evaluate students on ability to create beginning, intermediate and advanced choirs; similar changes to the structure of art classes is also being done, with intermediate and advanced courses replacing grade-specific courses.