NORWICH – The Norwich City School District Board of Education is continuing to focus on three key areas – student life, academics and finance – as the 2011-2012 school year hits the 10-week mark.

At Monday night’s meeting, board members heard presentations on the high school’s online, college-credit courses; building reviews by both the middle and high school principals; and a financial update on the district’s co-curricular activities and athletics.

BOCES Director of Technology Phil Sheridan gave a brief overview of the high school’s online AP courses and said it’s beneficial for many students to explore this type of learning.

“It’s not a new style of learning by any means, but it’s good that we’re catching up with other states ... there are all kinds of success stories,” he added.

Learning online, according to Sheridan, is “going to open many doors for students.”

NHS senior Stephanie Todd is one of approximately 10 students taking advantage of the online experience. Currently enrolled in an AP European History course, Todd said the opportunity makes it easy to communicate with instructors, but could also make it easier for students to procrastinate from time to time.

The program, said Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan, is one the district would like to expand upon in the future.

Norwich Middle School Principal Scott Ryan addressed the board next, giving a brief overview on his background as a both a graduate and former principal of the high school. While he admitted the move to the middle school was “a little bit of culture shock,” the school’s staff is trying “to the best of our abilities to put these kids in a position of success.”