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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. The alternative education program originally planned for the central administration building is now being planned for the high school and Peekskill school district administrators are planning to accommodate it with big changes.
The administration has been planning the program, which it is calling 21st Century Learning Labs, for much of the current school year to address the needs of students who are struggling in the traditional classroom setting. The program was initially planned to be housed in the administration building but the state department of education would not approve of that setup.
At Wednesday's board of education meeting, Superintendent of Schools James Willis showed videos of a BOCES program that offers online courses for students in several districts to board trustees. Students who enroll in the classes watch videos of teacher presentations at their own pace online.
"This is a precursor because we're using online and blended programs and interactive programs and taking some of those and migrating them to the high school by 2013-14," Willis said. "If I wanted to have a very impressive goal, I would take every AP course and elective course and have them online by 2013-14.
For now, though, the online programs would be aimed at students who needed extra help as part of the alternative education program, which will blend online learning and in class learning, Willis said.
"They're off track for graduation and we need to get them on track, so most of these kids are going to be juniors and sophomores," Willis said.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Joseph Mosey gave an outline of how the district could make room for the new learning space.
"There will be no reduction in space from what we have this year," Mosey said. "We're reclaiming more space and I think we'll be using it even better."
Much of the reconfiguration would take place on the second floor of the school where three alternative education classrooms would be created. Elsewhere on the second floor three classrooms for the PACE program, another alternative education program, would be created.
The computer labs on the second floor would all be moved to the library area to create a media lab area that could be sectioned off for classes.
"In addition, we would have a full-time librarian and a tech teaching assistant always on call there if anybody needs assistance," Mosey said.
Board of education members will be touring the planned learning spaces prior to their June 5 meeting.
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