High School Principal's Message
At MPI students are expected to learn to Communicate Effectively
In today’s post-modern society communication is not what it was in the last century or even the last decade. The home phone has been replaced not only by the cell, but by e-mail and text messaging as well. The TV has not only grown in in physical size, it has also added innumerable channels and with the option of digital recording, may now be commercial free and with no time restraints. Radios are seldom used in the home, but in the car they not only convey the news, they allow for satellite transmissions and also connect to iPods to relay “podcasts”. Pictures “speak(ing) a thousand words” communicate with ease via digitized internet transmission with a computer, a Blackberry or even a cell phone. Power-point and I-movies have often replaced and enhanced visual and oral presentations.
All of the above notwithstanding, oral and written language skills are still the most vital communication tools our students must master. With that end in mind we continue to require “Speech” or two “oral component” classes of all students. We also continue to promote “writing across the curriculum”; yes, even in mathematics. To address emerging modes of communication we imbed computer skills in appropriate places in the curriculum and also require our students to take “Technology for the 21st Century” to assure they have the basics in vital computer applications. Courses in “News Broadcasting”, Journalism”, “Web Design”, “Digital Media” and “Video/Film-Making” provide additional options for honing communication skills. MPSA by its very nature provides numerous opportunities for students to communicate via the various art forms.
The result, we believe, is that the Mid-Pacific graduate will leave high school confidently well-spoken, well-written, and well-equipped to understand and utilize emerging communication tools. In addition, many graduates will also be prepared to communicate in their chosen medium in the arts and/or more complex technologies.
Posted on October 3, 2006 10:03 AM | Permalink