Page 141 - Middleborough 2024 Town Report

MIDDLEBOROUGH MIDDLEBOROUGH
PUBLIC
HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOOLS
Paul Branagan
Principal
WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT:
The World Language Department welcomes three new
members to its team: Ms. Caterina Swanson, Ms. Mayra
Ortolaza and Ms. Sophia Rusciano. These members bring
immersive experiences unique to the target languages
we ofer: Spanish, French and Russian.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT:
There were multiple changes to the science and
technology faculty in 2024, first welcoming back Ashley
Vicino from a leave of absence to resume her role teaching
biology and courses in the PLTW biomedical science
pathway. We also were pleased to be able to hire our new
physics teacher, Dale Quimby, a recent graduate of
Bridgewater State University. Dale will be teaching physics
courses as well as classes in the PLTW Engineering
Pathway.
This year the World Language Department has made
significant moves with the new DESE approved World
Language Curriculum Frameworks to create a classroom
setting which is immersive and an inclusive setting while
promoting proficiency and skill-based acquisition.
Teachers have created a departmental rubric and are
implementing skill-based acquisition strategies and
techniques to promote proficiency in the target
languages. In each of the three language oferings
students engage regularly in exercises that practice the
four skill areas of foreign language communication:
reading, writing, listening, and speaking. They also
practice the three modes of communication:
interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Through
the development of skills in these areas, students work to
attain proficiency in all of the 21st century learning
expectations.
The department introduced a new course ofering this
year, adding Honors Comparative Zoology. This new course
replaces Honors Anatomy & Physiology to reduce the
redundancy of the Human Body Systems course that is
being ofered. It also increases our honors level oferings
for students interested in biological fields outside of
human health, such as veterinary science.
The Department this year has revived the travel abroad
student learning opportunity and are excited to travel
with our students to France and Spain over the course of
February break for 10 days.
Professional personnel were busy throughout the year
with various courses and other professional development.
Some of our PLTW teachers took part in the PLTW spring
and fall professional development conferences at
Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Also, some of our AP
science teachers took part in a 2-day conference in the fall
through Mass Insight. Jessica Harris and Alan Harris
completed a course through the Wade Institute at
Buttonwood Zoo.
Students were involved in many in-school and
extra-curricular activities this past year through the
science department. Mr. Harris has his classes involved in
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