Curriculum coordinator Laurie Heinricher hasn't had a minute to slow down since being hired by the Hampton Township School District, but she loves what she sees with the classes for next year.

"It's been a fun year," she said. "Working with the teachers really produced a good, refreshed curriculum."

Heinricher spoke this month to the school board about some of the highlights of the revamped curriculum and which teachers are putting extra effort into making their classes great.

As far as new classes go, General Chemistry and General Physics courses have laid down a good foundation, she said. The classes will be a good "leaping off point for continued studies."

A number of classes' curricula have been revised as well.

Accounting I and II and Business Math have been updated to use National Business Education Standards as a guide. Both courses will increase the use of technology and add business simulations through DVDs and online resources.

Middle School Science will use new software, audio-visual simulations and technological aids to provide 21st century thinking and application opportunities. The curriculum demonstrates a comprehensive study of all areas of science and focuses on questions students might be asked during the PSSA.

The eighth-grade Honors Science has added increased rigor in which mathematics plays a heavier role. Inquiry labs will require greater critical thinking, analyzing, formulating new ideas and predicting and synthesizing information.

The eighth-grade Honors American History curriculum has been written as a very high level course. The students will do group work, hold class debates and participate in activities like Project Citizen, which requires increased work time outside the classroom.

The K-12 Library Media curriculum stands out among all the classes, Heinricher said. The librarians finished their curriculum last year, but used this year as a time to tweak it and look for ways to make it better.

The classes are more technology-infused, especially at the elementary level. Heinricher sees the library media time as "information central." The librarians are now working closely with all classes, from pottery to poetry to science.

Heinricher will continue to present curriculum updates as they become available.