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Central board OK's online AP chemistry
The trio of Cheektowaga Central students who requested an Advanced Placement Chemistry course at the September 12 board of education meeting may be surprised to learn that during Tuesday's meeting the board approved an online AP Chemistry course for the 2006-2007 academic school year.
"We're not sure if those students will be interested in this option, but we wanted to provide them with a solution," said Superintendent Delia Bonenburger. "We are very excited to bring this course to the students."
The class is taught over the course of two semesters, and the cost per student is less than $950 per year. Assistant Superintendent Dennis Kane noted that the State will provide aid to cover a portion of the expense. The cost includes a 30-hour lab component, and the students are still required to pay to take the AP exam.
"The students who would earn credit for this course could receive up to eight college credits in chemistry," added Bonenburger. "That is extremely helpful toward earning a degree."
Trustee Diane Panasiewicz also expressed support for the program, stating that it could eventually lead to offering additional courses in the future.
With one request addressed, the board turned its attention to another proposal. This time, three parents asked for the board's help regarding a transportation matter. One of the parents, McNaughton Avenue resident Debra Becker, stated that she would like to see a reduction in the amount of time that her child spends on the bus riding to and from school.
Becker said that her son, who attends West Seneca Christian School on Union Road, is picked up by the school bus at 6:30 a.m. and then arrives at the school approximately an hour later. She noted that there is a similar time span for the bus ride home from school, and added that the bus delivers passengers to four schools.
"I am afraid that if this continues, my son will lose out on time for after school activities and also not get enough sleep," said Becker.
The other parents, who didn't state their names, also voiced similar concerns regarding their children.
Board President Brian Gould said that the district would attempt to make arrangements that would accommodate the students.
In other action, Gould noted that there was a recent increase in supervisory personnel at athletic events. The boost was prompted by an altercation that occurred between two students during the September 16 varsity football game. Although the incident did not involve Central students, Bonenburger said the increase was necessary to prevent future altercations.
"The incident was handled in a timely manner, but we don't want to see anything bad happen to our students," explained Bonenburger. "We needed to make adjustments."
During last wekeend's football game, seven supervisors and three police officers were present to manage the crowd.
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