City offers residents chance to help plan magnet school

New London— The public school system is asking parents, students and the community from New London and surrounding towns to help determine the fourth field of study for the city’s proposed magnet school district.

In June, the Board of Education approved a three- year strategic plan to turn city schools into a magnet district. The board already has decided on three “pathways schools” that will offer concentrated classes in visual and performing arts, math and science, and foreign languages. Each curriculum would be available for students in kindergarten TAKE THE SURVEY To take the survey, visit www.newlondon.org through 12th grade. The fourth school and its field of study has yet to be determined.

The survey, in English and Spanish, is available on the district website through 5 p. m. on Friday. It asks what topic the community would like to see offered at one of four planned magnet schools. The choices are: sports medicine, leadership and public service, or maritime arts

and industry. A description of the three proposed pathways is available online.

An information forum on the magnet school concept will be held 6 to 7 p. m. on Sept. 23 at the Science and Technology Magnet High School. Magnet School Officer Louis Allen will explain magnet programming and discuss the results of the survey. Superintendent Nicholas A. Fischer and Chief Academic Officer Katherine Ericson also will participate.

The school board will discuss a report on the survey results and the forum at its Sept. 26 meeting.

The sports medicine program would focus on the numerous fields in sports and medical sciences with a core curriculum in math, science and language arts. The program would allow for handson learning through internships and job shadowing in fields such as nursing, orthopedic surgery and physical therapy.

Leadership and public service would focus on teaching, law enforcement, military and social service fields. Some future careers could include political science, law, criminal justice, business, education and human services.

Maritime arts and industry would include opportunities for students interested in repairing, operating and managing shipping, including marine repair shops, shipyards and similar enterprises. Expanding upon the school district’s relationship with New London Community Boating, all students would participate in water activities, including sailing and swimming. k.edgecomb@theday.com