East Bay Collaborative -- Governor's Visit to EPHS

East Providence High School 9th graders were treated today by a visit from the Honorable Donald Carcieri, Governor of Rhode Island as he visited classrooms where the Physics First Program was being initiated for every 9th grade student in the school. The governor was joined by state representative Jack Savage, Betsy Dennigan and Henry Rose along with City Manager Richard Brown, councilwoman Valerie Perry and School Committee members Antone Gouveia, Robert Faria and Mildred Morris.

Superintendent Jackie Forbes welcomed the esteemed guests which also include State Commissioner of Education Peter McWalters and Board of Regents member Colleen Callahan.

EPHS Principal Ed Daft showcased his elite team of Physics First teachers under the leadership of department head Richard Hoppman. The governor was treated to an outstanding demonstration of master teaching by Joel Swan and his group of 9th graders. Mr. Swan expressed his delight that the students were actually seeing the application of algebra through the physics activities. He mentioned that this program was really "lighting up the students". In fact, upperclassmen in the high school were beginning to ask how come they didn't have a program like this. The other 9th-grade teachers in the program include Larry Nammerow, Mike Johnson, Keith Martinez, Jeff Michaels-Brown. Most of these teachers had previously taught in the middle schools and they unanimously agreed that this program created a smooth transition from the middle school kit-based science program for teachers as well as students. East Providence High School is one of 5 high schools in the state involved in this pilot initiative - the others are Woonsocket , Cranston West, Mt. Pleasant, Lincoln. Portsmouth High School is also involved in the program.

The governor has given his full support to this initiative through legislative funding a a substantial grant from the National Governor's Association. His hope is to see this initiative set the stage for a state wide reform of the high school science sequence by instituting Physics First.