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Watchung Hills previews curriculum changes, assessment schedule and draft AI guidelines; spectating code and phone policy updated
Summary
The district previewed revisions to seven courses plus a new Foundations of Creative Design course for 2025–26, outlined a fall window for NJ DOE field testing of adaptive assessments, and said draft AI classroom guidelines are in development. The board also previewed a spectator conduct policy and an updated electronic communications policy aligning practice with classroom cell‑phone pouches.
District leaders used the Sept. 9 work session to preview several operational items that will appear on upcoming agendas.
Principal Lavera told trustees the curriculum committee revised seven existing courses and added one new course, Foundations of Creative Design, with full curriculum documents placed in the committee folder and a preview on the board agenda. The assessment coordinator, Mister D'Alessio, said the New Jersey Department of Education will field‑test a new adaptive NJSLA/NJ GPA exam for grades 9–12 from Oct. 25 through Nov. 14 and that parents will receive the required notification letters.
On technology policy, Mister Oluso said the district is drafting AI guidelines to clarify acceptable classroom use. "The guidelines are in the draft stage, and an update will be provided at a later date," he said, and explained the draft includes an AI scale ranging from AI‑free assignments to AI‑permissive assignments.
The board also previewed an updated electronic communications and recording devices policy to bring existing classroom practices (including cell‑phone pouches) into formal policy language; administrators said the handbook has reflected the practice for several years and the policy aligns the handbook with board policy.
Policy 9163, a spectator code of conduct for interscholastic events developed with conference schools, was presented for second read to standardize optional sanctions for inappropriate spectator behavior across venues.
In routine business, the board accepted donations from the Touchdown Club and the Washington PTO to support a faculty and staff appreciation barbecue.
What happens next: Curriculum documents and policy language presented as preview items will return to the board for formal action at a future business meeting; the district said further updates on AI guidelines and assessment communication will be provided to staff and families.
