- November 18, 2024
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Indian Trails Middle School Principal Paul Peacock is a golfing man.
“I really see my role as principal as a caddy,” he said. “I’m trying to make sure my teachers have the equipment they need to hit the shots, make the scores and do well.”
Next year, four new clubs will be added to the bag for Indian Trails educators, in form of flagship programs in Engineering and Applied Robotics, Outdoor Sciences, Business and Computer Science Education, and Integrated Health Sciences.
Peacock and Flager Schools Superintendent Jacob Oliva unveiled the programs Thursday evening in front of a packed house of rising sixth and seventh graders and their parents in Indian Trails’ cafeteria.
All of the programs have prerequisites. For example, seventh-graders hoping to enter the Business and Computer Science program must have participated in the afterschool Future Business Leaders of America club. Other requirements are grade-based.
Next year however, many of the prerequisites will be waived, as students haven’t had enough notice to meet them, Peacock explained.
Albert Mills, a rising sixth-grader and current Old Kings Elementary student, said he’s most excited about the Business and Computer Science program.
“I’ve always been good with electronics — it’s just easy for me,” said Mills, 12.
After his father leaned in and whispered into his ear a reminder that he, in fact, wants to be a doctor, Albert acknowledged he might give Integrated Health Sciences another look.
Several of the programs require time commitments outside the classroom. Health Science students will complete 20 hours of field experience as well as CPR/First Aid certification, while Robotics students will undertake a research project.
School choice forms — which allow out-of-district families to request enrollment at Indian Trails — were available at the meeting, as was a form for members of the community who might wish to donate time as a job shadow sponsor, speaker or mentor.
“When our children — you guys out there in the audience — graduate from high school one day (which isn’t too far away), we want to make sure you have the skills to be successful in your future endeavors,” Oliva said.
