Welcome back Vikings: High school sees change

With the school year about to begin, Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino is tackling artificial intelligence, the future of MCAS and talks new classes for this school year.

As artificial intelligence becomes more prominent in the classroom, Palladino said he wants to teach students to use it as more of a tool than a substitute for learning.

“We’re just trying to make sure we coach our students up on how to use it appropriately and incorporate some of it into our lessons in the classroom,” he said. "It's going to be a very valuable tool for many years to come.”

Though MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement, the way the school prepares students and administers the test has not changed, he said.

“The only difference is you're not required to pass it, so they don't have to take the retakes,” he said. “We have never had a kid that didn't graduate because of the MCAS, because they have multiple chances to pass it.” 

Among the changes, students can expect new courses this year.

Offered for the first time will be: American Sign Language, AP African American Studies, AP Computer Science, and AP Precalculus and Officiating 101 which is a half-year course where students get first-hand experience on how to referee. 

The high school is also adding a preschool. 

“We have students that have taken a childcare course and now they’re doing the preschool practicum with 12 to 15 preschool students here,” he said. 

Though it is not new, there is also an EMT course which Mr. Palladino said was very popular among students.

“In any EMT course, not just in Wareham High School, more than half the students are either going into nursing or pre-med that are in the EMT class because it’s a nice way to get up to speed on what they need to do,” he said.

After taking the course, students are able to take a national test and get certified as an EMT. 

For incoming eighth graders, Mr. Palladino wants to offer some advice. 

“A lot of kids just think of school as being a 9 to 5, so I challenge the kids to get involved in clubs, activities and whatever it is that excites them,” he said.”It is valuable to meet like-minded students that are interested in the same things they are interested in and maybe carve a niche that will direct them in their high school years and post high school years.”