At a community meeting last night Dr. Spurka, Cambridge High Schools new principal, answered questions for interested parents in the area. Those parents have children trying to decide if they will stay at Milton High School or move to Cambridge.

As you would imagine; sports, class offerings and AP courses were hot topics. Total enrollment affects those things to some degree and we won’t have an initial idea of what that enrollment offer may look like until January. However, all AP courses and all sports programs will be there day one, which is great news for many parents who want their children to attend the new school and have access to all programs.

Here are some highlights of the topics discussed:

Technology
A proponent of technology, Spurka promises the school will be equipped with scalable wifi, the school will encourage that devices from home (smart phones, iPads, etc.) can be used to assist with learning. Students will use this technology in the workforce and therefore should be able to use it in school.

Distance learning is an option being looked at as a possible solution for classes that may not have sufficient demand, such as higher level Chinese. If a small number of students are looking for a class of this type for which a full class wouldn’t be able to be created, this is a real option.

Teachers will be able to put lessons online, a solution for students who may have missed lectures. Also a goal; interactive LCD projectors in the media center.

Class periods
Something Spurka was close to implementing as principal at Roswell High School was seven periods rather than six, for certain days of the week. Classes for those days would be 48 min. instead of 55 min., the extra class could then be used by students for coursed they might not have been able to fit in otherwise (Rock Band, Robotics, Drivers Ed, AP class, College English, etc.).

Classes
Some of the classes Cambridge will possible offer are (Business, Architecture, Engineering, Pre-Law, Video Broadcasting, Hotel Management and Tourism, Animal Science / Veterinary Science, Photography, Keyboard and Guitar Labs).

From day one the languages that will be offered are (Spanish, French, Latin and Chinese). These four languages are budgeted for, however, for students looking for another language, one option would be to allow that language through the TAG dept. Looking outside the box is something Spurka is willing to do to meet a demand that may be too small to warrant a scheduled class.

Sports and Band
Again, all sports such as; Football, Cross Country, Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, etc will be offered. A booster club as already been started and Spurka voiced confidence that the support and funds will be there. Additionally, students may stand a better chance of playing at the new school as we all know how competitive all high school level sports are here in North Fulton.

There will be a band from day one. Here too, a booster club is under way. Spurka not only voiced confidence that the support and funds would be there for the band but came right out and said many of the parents and students who are actively involved in Milton Band have already committed to coming over to the new school.

Change is difficult for most people. Having a child, or several children, change schools can be a very big deal. I can’t convey how confident Spurka sounded or how good I felt about the great opportunity students will have to not only be a part of the new school but to help build the foundation and legacy that Cambridge High School will become.

For anyone having a challenge making this decision, I would highly encourage you to talk directly with Dr. Spurka – I don’t think you will be disappointed.