Curriculum committee recommends new textbooks, a marching-band credit change and lays out middle-school math communications

The curriculum committee presented several items to the full board. Two textbook adoptions were introduced for review: a UConn ECE music course textbook required for the new UConn ECE offering at Newington High School, and a recommendation to adopt the novel All the Light We Cannot See for English 9 honors.

The committee also recommended making marching band an optional 0.25 after-school credit (separate from the 1.0-day course credit) so that students with after-school commitments can still participate in school band during the day. The board discussed roster risks if entire sections decline after-school participation, and staff said Memorial Day parade participation will remain a district requirement for the course.

On assessment, staff presented PSAT/SAT trends showing Newington performing above state averages in both math and evidence-based reading and writing, while noting a flattening or decline in math growth for some cohorts. The committee recommended tracking both mean scores and the percentage of students meeting benchmarks to get a fuller picture of student growth.

Finally, staff outlined a communication plan for middle-school math changes (including bridge-to-algebra steps and a proposed encore rotation) with targeted messages to current fourth through sixth graders. The committee emphasized transparency and parent engagement; staff will distribute the communications by Feb. 13 as part of the campaign.