The board received a first reading of instructional materials for a nine-week Freshman I Learner Experience (FIE) elective intended to orient incoming high school students to graduation requirements, college and career planning, digital citizenship and financial literacy.

Assistant Dr. Battle and counselors explained the course is homegrown curriculum developed by instructors Kelly Sailors and Jennifer Landry and supported by counseling staff. Materials linked in the board packet include the California Department of Education's media-literacy resources, Common Sense Education grade-9 digital-citizenship units, and financial-literacy lessons. Counselors also use Xello for interest surveys and course planning.

Student feedback: staff reported end-of-nine-week feedback surveys indicated students valued learning about graduation requirements and practical financial lessons (for example, calculating real-world costs of owning a car). The course is being presented for board review; links to materials will remain available for public comment until the next board meeting.

Why it matters: the FIE course aligns with the district's Portrait of a Graduate priorities (media literacy, digital citizenship and financial literacy) and introduces freshmen to academic planning and community resources during a formative year.

Next steps: the materials will remain posted for public review and the board will consider final adoption at a subsequent meeting.