The East Penn Board of School Directors were introduced to a list of proposed new and revised curricula for Emmaus High School at the Oct. 14 regular meeting.

At the top of the list is a new one-credit AP African American Studies course. This would include content and skills most frequently taught in introductory college courses.

Presenting the proposal for this new course of study were Supervisor of Secondary Teaching & Learning (Humanities) Dr. Jessica Thatcher and social studies teachers Dr. Melissa Moxley and Brian Pum.

Each took turns highlighting the course divided into four units.

Unit 1: Origins of the African Diaspora (900 BCE – 16th century)

Unit 2: Freedom, Enslavement and Resistance (16th century – 1865)

Unit 3: The Practice of Freedom (1865 – 1940s)

Unit 4: Movements and Debates (1940s – 2000s)

Completion of a yearlong, student-driven research project is the centerpiece of the proposed AP African American Studies course.

Besides being frequently requested by students, this would diversify the district’s social studies course offerings and provide students with transferable research, analysis and presentation skills.

Michael Mihalik, supervisor of Secondary Teaching & Learning (STEM), handled the presentation regarding proposed revisions to the science curriculum.

“These proposed changes reflect our goal of offering more semester-length science electives after biology,” Mihalik explained. He said dividing some of the courses into two parts would allow students to have greater choice and give them more flexibility with their schedules.

Among the courses now taught together as full-year, one-credit courses to be split into separate half-year, half-credit courses are botany and zoology, as well as microbiology and genetics.

AP Physics C currently includes both mechanics, along with electricity and magnetism in a 1.5-credit course It is proposed to split AP Physics C into two separate, one-credit courses that run the full year.

AP Physics C Mechanics is a calculus-based physics course that serves as a prerequisite for AP Physics C E&M and AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism.

Physics Matters would be reduced to a half-credit. Available to students after completing Algebra 1, course content focuses on real-life application and includes motion, energy, waves, sound, light and electricity.

Chemistry Matters would be reduced to a half credit. Without prerequisites, the course content focuses on real-life application with key chemical concepts such as atoms, molecules, reactions and the periodic table.

A new Honors Physics one-credit honors-level course would be an alternate choice for students wanting advanced physics coursework but not at the rigor or credit demand of AP Physics 1. Honors Physics would prepare students for AP Physics 2. Curriculum includes motion, Newton’s laws, circular motion, energy and rotational motion.

Mihalik said the goal with dividing the courses into smaller parts is to see a greater number of students access a larger number of courses for more variety, more choice and with greater potential for academic success.

Mihalik said the courses will not require any additional staffing or funding beyond the building, department and OTL budget.

The directors were receptive to the science curriculum changes and enthusiastically greeted the proposed AP African American Studies course.

The board gratefully accepted a $5,000 donation from Lehigh Valley Health Network, in support of the Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Athlete Community Service Scholarship. These scholarships are to be awarded to two Emmaus High School seniors rostered for interscholastic athletics during the 2024-2025 season.

In her district update, School Superintendent Dr. Kristen Campbell announced the Emmaus High School Theater Department will present “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” 7 p.m. Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 in the EHS auditorium. She noted senior citizen Gold Card holders will receive a complimentary ticket to any of the performances.

Campbell highlighted the district’s participation in the National Merit Scholarship program, as well as the progress East Penn student athletes are making.

“Our fall athletes are thriving on the field,” Campbell said. She listed the accomplishments of the golf, football, tennis, cross-country, field hockey, volleyball and soccer teams.

In personnel matters, the directors approved the resignation of Willow Lane Elementary School special education teacher Clifford Castoral effective Dec. 6 and Wescosville Elementary School special education teacher Gavin Snyder effective Oct. 11.

No changes were noted during a second reading of policy updates regarding tobacco and vaping products, use of school facilities, public attendance at school events, municipal government relations, school calendar and public records.

Lehigh Career & Technical Institute Joint Operating Committee member Adam Smith reported bodycams will be worn by school police officers. He mentioned East Penn has contributed significantly to the increase of students at the tech school.

There were two requests to address the board.

Luke Song spoke about trying to start a filmmaking club with mentoring from a faculty adviser or an experienced volunteer. Song said he believes the amount of paperwork club advisers have to deal with has discouraged individuals from filling that role. The EHS student recently scored an award at the 2024 Allentown Film Festival with a short film featuring his grandfather.

Song also spoke about student government election issues.

Lincoln Elementary School parent Becky Klimas, of Emmaus, voiced her concerns over morale issues among students and staff there under the leadership of a new principal.

Board President Dr. Joshua A. Levinson mentioned an executive session was conducted before the public forum on topics related to personnel.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28. The public can access documents through BoardDocs via a link on the district website. Livestreaming of meetings is available on the district’s YouTube channel.