Mason High plans talks on using trimesters
3/1/2007Mason Senior High School will switch from block scheduling to trimesters next school year, and it is holding two public meetings next week to discuss the transition.
Principal JoAnne Spicer said the school decided to switch because "it is the best possible schedule for our students to meet the new state requirements."
In April, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law new high school curriculum requirements.
Under the legislation, starting with the Class of 2011, students will be required to take four credits each of math and English, three credits each in science and social studies, and one credit each in physical education and the arts.
In a second piece of legislation, two credits of foreign language will be required to graduate, but will first affect students graduating in 2016 - current third graders.
Mason is the third district this year to change to trimesters.
Bedford Public Schools recently decided to switch from semesters to trimesters, citing the need to meet the new curriculum mandates. Monroe Public Schools also will make the shift next school year to trimesters. It said the switch was made largely for financial reasons because it will save the district $500,000 annually.
Mason's first public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in the high school cafeteria, and the second meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. next Thursday in the high school library. The high school is located at 2400 Mason Eagles Dr. in Erie, Mich.