What is our Instructional Focus?

As we have begun to develop and implement programming we find it hard to focus on one identity. Some times we seem to be pulled toward the idea that we are an elite school for the highly motivated and talented. Students did choose to apply to our school and go through the application and interview process; however, they were chosen by interest not aptitude. Other times we are pulled toward a school justice. We do encourage students to become involved in community service; however, students chose the school for its technology programming. We are pulled to focus on advanced science courses; however, the new school is being designed with equipment to apply technology not to do science research.

We are an Institute of Technology therefore our focus and themes for integration must be built on the development, use and application of technology. Our programming needs to connect students to technology. Students need to use technology and study its impact on society now and in the future. I feel we need to develop all programming around technology and technology themes. We are a comprehensive high school and need to prepare students to meet graduation standards and to be successful citizens. We are NOT A TRADITIONAL High School and focus on programs that are unique. We should not dwell on traditional instructional themes and move toward theme unique to the technological future.

Our students chose us because we are the Institute of Technology.

BY: Richard List, Biology Teacher

Our Staff and Programming

Educators for this new school were selected through an application process from tenured middle and senior high teachers. Curricula for courses follows the New York State Regents Standards and those of the Tallent Development Program at Johns Hopkins University. Programming is delivered through Semester based Block Schedules. Science and Physical Education programming is delivered over a full year basis. Staffing for the 2007-2008 School Year are as follows:

• A seasoned, 20+ years of experience, middle school social studies teacher facilitating Freshman Seminar first semester and Regents US History Second Semester.
• A seasoned, 20+ years of experience, middle school mathematics teacher facilitating Transitional Math first semester and Regents Algebra Second Semester
• A very seasoned, 30+ years of experience, high school mathematics and computer science teacher facilitating Transitional Math and Intro to Technology first semester and Regents Algebra Second Semester
• A young, 5+ years of experience, high school science teacher facilitating Regents Earth Science, Freshman Semincal and AVID.
• A very seasoned, 30+ years of experience, high school science teacher facilitating Regents Biology, Strategic Reading, andRegents US History
• A seasoned, 20+ years of experience, middle school English/language arts teacher facilitating Strategic Read first semester and English 9 Second Semester
• A seasoned, 10+ years of experience, high school special education teacher facilitating Resource and Inclusion programming.
• A young, 5+ years of experience, high school special education teacher (half time) facilitating Resource and Inclusion programming.

Visit our Web Site

To learn more about our school please visit our web site: http://weblink.scsd.us/~itcentral/index.html. We would value your input and comments.

Introduction

The Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (http://weblink.scsd.us/~itcentral/index.html) Opened its doors on September 6, 2007 for 98 ninth grade students. This is the fifth High School for the Syracuse City School District (http://www.syracusecityschools.com/), Syracuse New York. Our school will eventually make its home in the Central High School Building, a beautiful 150 year old building that has been vacant for over 25 years. Renovation of this historic building is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2008. The District's Superintendent, Dan Lowengard, and School Board were anxious to begin this new school so they approved the opening with an abbreviated ninth grade class. Classes for these students are being held in the adjacent Central Technical Vocational Center. When the renovation is completed and the program is fully implemented IT Central will support the comprehensive high school programming of 1,000 students in grades 9 through 12.

This blog has been created to document the creation of this new school. Postings will be made by the teachers and staff struggling to implement innovative technical programming in an urban setting. We hope you find these postings interesting and would value any comments and suggestions you may have.