Drudge sets up to get to work in the morning as she checks her emails. This year will also be the first year she teaches integrated physics and chemistry.

According to department chairperson Jennifer Drudge, the science department is currently in the process of adopting new textbooks to use for the next school year. The process will be wrapped up in the beginning of this semester and will remain a year- long focus for the entire department.

“It’s really a process I enjoy because it gives you a chance to step back and take a look at strengths and weaknesses,” Drudge said, “And, how we can meet the needs of all of our kids in twenty first century skills.”

Drudge said the science department also recently went through the district as part of a course evaluation for grades kindergarten to senior year in high school. After taking a look at the science programs in the various grades, the department then began looking at different textbooks for the next school year, a process that is driven mainly by the course evaluation.

Sylee Kanetkar, AP chemistry and junior, said she is looking forward to the challenges her science course will offer her this year.

“It’ll be a lot of work, but I’m hoping to learn a lot out of it,” Kanetkar said.