Co-Curricular Subjects

Co-Curricular subjects include art, music, physical education, health, computers, Library science, world language, industrial technology, computers, band, chorus and orchestra.  The co-curricular subjects are graded numerically.

A.      Art

Our art curriculum is designed to expose all students to a variety of Art Media and develop the technical skills to use the available art materials in creative ways.  Many art assignments have a direct correlation to studies in Language Arts, Math, and  Social Studies.  Individual expression of ideas is always encouraged.

B.      Music

There are two basic choices that music students can make – to be in performing groups or to be in general music.

Should you choose the general music option, then you will sing and listen to music almost every day.  In order to make this listening experience enjoyable and valuable, they will have an opportunity to experiment with instruments, explore notation, line dancing, and compare what you discover to existing styles and forms of music.

If you choose to be in a performing group, then you may be in Chorus, Band or String Orchestra, or a combination of those groups.  Being in a performing group means that you will be expected to perform in at least 3 concerts each school year.  Performing groups may also have the opportunity to travel to other

sites for concerts and competitions.  As a member of a performing group, you will be expected to take part in these events as well.

C.      Foreign Language

Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will take an exploratory world language course.  Basic conversational vocabulary will be taught as well as cultural topics.

Students in the eighth grade have the opportunity to enroll in the Academic Spanish I program.  To be eligible, students must meet 3

of the 4 following criteria: Spanish teacher recommendation, team recommendation, demonstrated proficiency on NECAP Reading Test (a score of 3 or 4), and an ELA grade average of at least 85% from the first three terms.

E.      Industrial Technology

All fifth through eighth grade students study Industrial Technology.  The fifth and sixth grade students get an introduction to Technology Education by introducing them to basic shop safety, the ruler, basic shop math, sketching and mechanical drawing.  The students then build a small wood project with the teacher’s assistance.  The students may use the drill press, some hand tools, and learn some finishing methods.  A more hands on approach takes place in the seventh and eighth grades.  The seventh grade students learn about shop safety, shop math, working drawings and basic hand tools.  The seventh graders make a project using these hand tools.  Since Industrial Technology is the study of technology in manufacturing, the eighth grade students learn to operate machine tools and recent technological equipment.  The projects they make are related to the use of this technology.  In this case, students learn how to work together and more importantly how to think and make decisions.

F.      Physical Education

Physical education programs have been created to foster physical fitness competition & teamwork, educate the body, inspire confidence, and develop safe practices for students to follow.  Ideally we hope to motivate students to a lifetime physical fitness program through a variety of activities.  The curriculum includes the following: obstacle courses, aerobics, ping pong, pillo pollo, soccer*, flag football*, gymnastics, floor hockey*, volleyball, softball, dance, cooperative games, fitness, parachutes, crab soccer, whiffle ball, low organized games, basketball*, and the Presidential Physical Fitness Test.  For the majority of the units, students will have their choice between two activities.

The state of Rhode Island requires that each child complete 100 minutes of physical instruction and health per week.  For any permanent or lengthy excuse from participating in physical education classes, a doctor's certificate is required.  A date at which the student can resume activities would also be beneficial.  Notes from parents, guardians, and the nurse shall always be honored provided the student presents them to the instructor on the day he is to be excused.

For hygienic reasons and freedom of movement, the physical education staff feels strongly that a physical education uniform should be worn by all students participating in the program.  This uniform includes the following items: stretch shorts, sweat pants, or warm-up suit (do not wear cut-offs), “T” shirt, and sneakers with white socks.

Each student is assigned a permanent gym locker and lock for which he is responsible. 

G.      Health Education

Health Education is a comprehensive course designed to educate students in the eight content areas required by the state of RI.  Those content areas include the following: Personal Health (including the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle for overall well-being), Mental and Emotional Health, Safety and Injury Prevention (includes Bullying), Nutrition, Family Life and Sexuality, Disease Prevention and Control, Substance Use & Abuse (includes alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs), and Environmental Health. 

Classes are designed to educate students about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle by being able to identify the importance of each of the eight dimensions of health.  From this class students will be able to make healthy choices that they can take with them into their adult years.  

*A parent may exempt his/her child from the "Family Life & Sexuality" and/or "Disease Prevention & Control" class(es).  The parent must submit a written request to the principal of the school.  No child so exempted shall be penalized academically by reason of such exemption.