With the new year arising, the district has decided to offer several new courses and make some changes to existing ones. There are also several new faces in the district. Numerous positions opened as faculty found opportunities at other districts or retired.
The history department received updates to its courses this year. The 10th grade Civics and Government class, taught by Ms. Kelly Krawchyk, has been changed to Modern U.S. History and Civics and Government. The class now includes the history of the country, ranging from the 1930s to the present day, in addition to government functions. Secret Societies and Scandals, taught by Mr. Langelli, has made a return this year. Secret Societies and Scandals is part of a three year rotation along with True Crime and Conflicts and Conspiracies. Secret Societies and Scandals dives into how various cults and hidden groups have formed throughout history and the origins of their leaders. The class also examines how these groups draw in followers and the warning signs they leave behind. Similar to Secret Societies and Scandals, CHS U.S. History rotates each year with CHS Western Civilization. This class is a broad summary of American history from the founding of colonial America to the events of the Cold War.
When Mr. Christopher Coennen resigned at the end of last year, the district was quick to hire Freedom graduate Mr. Nolan Colaric to fill his position teaching Individual Fitness and Nutrition. Mr. Colaric graduated from Freedom in 2020. He then studied health and physical education, focusing on school wellness, and earned his bachelor’s degree at Slippery Rock University before returning to Freedom. Colaric made several small changes to the class, letting students individualize their workout plans to meet their own fitness goals. Each quarter, students choose from three training focuses and can customize their workout to suit their needs. Ms. Lisa Woods teaches the new Partners in PE class offered for life skills students and the 10th, 11th and 12th grades.
“The class offers the opportunity to interact together in a physical activity setting,” Woods said.
Adding to the roster of arts classes, Drawing 1 serves as a basic starting point for students to improve their drawing skills. Students practice various mediums associated with the art form, like chalk, charcoal, ink, pen and pencils.
Last year, several beloved faculty members retired or left the district. Coennen and Mr. Christopher Bennett, guidance counselor, both retired at the end of the last school year. Their positions have since been filled by Colaric and Mr. Phillip Goerig.
Goerig originally sought out a career in agricultural education and earned his master’s degree in the subject at Ohio State. Several years ago, however, he realised he missed working with kids and went back to school at Westminster College in Wilmington, PA, to earn a degree in school counseling. Since then, he has moved west to Beaver County, spending two years at Ambridge High School before filling Bennett’s position.