Page 5 - Priorities 4

New in Academics:
• Freshmen will complete their first 25 hours of volunteer service, part of a 4-year, 100-hour community service graduation require- ment led by faculty in the Division of Theology and Social Studies.
• Physics first? Science professionals recommend that students get a solid grounding in the concepts of physics before taking biol- ogy and chemistry. The Priory’s science curriculum now begins with conceptual physics.
• Students advance through the math curriculum at their own pace. Starting with Grade 6, class sections provide one and two years of advancement, usually keeping same-age students togeth- er.
• A more flexible schedule provides teachers extra time in class with students, plus mid-morning break times for clubs to meet, and several periods during the semester for faculty advisors to meet with their 6 to 9 advisees.
• Everybody is using the Internet, the CD databases and the other benefits of high technology (see the article on Page 8).
Three new classrooms went up in a flash just before the opening of school, thanks to George Straub (inset) and his crew. An expansion to the Chapel is planned for Summer 1997.
The fall star party included five telescopes, including this one which provides a clear view of stars 1/250 less bright than the unaided eye can see. This equatorial mounted, 12” Newtonian reflector scope was in serious need of realignment. Fortunately, math teacher and ace amateur astronomer Dave Hafleigh knew what to do.
Priory Players drama group ad libbed a lightheart- ed, on-the-spot script based on ideas (and the occa- sional object) tossed out by the audience for their fall production this year. Led by Coach Jeff Kramer, high school players will enter improvisational theater competitions against other high schools this spring.
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