AGAWAM – At the Agawam School Committee Meeting on Jan. 8 at the Agawam Junior High School, Agawam High School Principal Thomas Schnepp presented the 2019 changes to programs of study.

Among these updates is the addition of two new courses. One of the classes will be a part of the Science department and will be called “Survival Science.” Schnepp explained, “This will be a real hands-on class, getting the students out of their classes and into the woods in the back and doing some survival science stuff. Just to have a course that’s a little bit less academic to peak their interests a little bit.”

A new class will also be added to the Performing Arts department that focuses on the study of electronic music genres. Students will be given the tools to compose and produce music using technology. Schnepp explained, “That’ll be for students who might not necessarily play an instrument, but they have an interest in music, especially electronic music.”

School Committee member Shelley Reed shared her opinion of the additional course options. “I love to see the production music class. I think the kids are going to pick that right up. The survival course will also be interesting. I think you’ll get enrollment for those classes.” Reed said.

The National Art Honors II class will be extended to have a double class period every other day. Schnepp shared, “Those students are so involved in their projects, this will give them a little bit of extended time.”

Minor changes will be made to several programs of study for the 2019 school year. The Social Studies department made slight changes to the description of the World History course to match newly implemented Social Studies standards.

The Literature course at Agawam High School will be adding additional books to the required reading curriculum. Schnepp stated, “[They are] just looking for some variety and some more compelling stories.”

Agawam High School will also offer more opportunities for students to prepare early for careers and college programs.

Sophomore students will have the opportunity to enroll in the Advanced Placement US History class. Previously, sophomores were ineligible for the course. Schnepp said, “This will allow sophomores to experience a little bit of what’s required for AP courses, but also, hopefully, maybe lighten some of their AP load as juniors.” Advanced Placement courses offer college-level curriculum to high school students.

Agawam High School will also open internships to sophomore students. Previously, sophomores were ineligible to participate in internships. Schnepp stated, “This new write-up will allow for paid internships as well as unpaid and also allow sophomores to be involved in the internships as we make the push for manufacturing interns.”

The Agawam High School Career Center, coordinated by Lisa Sheehan, currently offers internships to junior and senior students who have completed the Career Exploration course. The internship program is currently utilized by about 100 students, according to Schnepp.

Following the presentation by Schnepp, Reed inquired about the availability of internship opportunities after adding sophomores to the program. “Now you’re going to include the sophomores. Is there enough internships to go around for all those students?” Reed asked.

Schnepp shared that he is hopeful Agawam High School can work more closely with local manufacturing companies to secure adequate internship opportunities. “They match up students, but hopefully a lot of that will be tied into local manufacturing companies, which we aren’t doing at this time.” Schnepp said.

Though no specific manufacturing businesses were named at the time of the meeting, Mayor William Sapelli commented on Sheehan’s efforts to secure internships.

“The work she does putting on these career days and trying to convince different businesses and individuals to come in and speak to the students about the junior high and the senior high is amazing because that’s not easy to set up these internships and to have businesses agree to take on students as interns. She does a great job.” Sapelli said.

Sapelli continued, “There are several students that want to be placed and somehow, some way, she gets it done. I’d just like to thank her personally for the wonderful job she does. It’s not easy and she’s working 24/7 lining up these contacts.”

Schnepp agreed, sharing, “This year, she had 15 alumni come back and share a little bit about where they’re at and how they got there in their fields, what they studied and how they got to their career. It’s neat seeing the alumni come back.” he said.

Agawam Superintendent of Schools Steven Lemanski showed support for the program as well. “They not only came back and shared their successes, but their failures, which I think was kind of important for the kids to hear. Even though that might be a dream that you had, it doesn’t always come forth that way. Those decisions you make as a senior to go to college may not be where you are when you’re a senior in college,” he said.

The changes will be effective for the next school year.