As the High School Administration of St. Mary’s International School (SMIS) prepares for the redevelopment of the high school curriculum, one class has been confirmed to be removed: Personal Life Management (PLM). This course, taught by Mr. Kraatz, aimed to support students to make informed decisions and foster positive habits in various aspects of their lives, such as academic and financial. With his upcoming retirement from education, the class is to be discontinued, much to the disappointment of many students who have taken and are taking the course.
In Personal Life Management, students are taught major topics, such as health and wellness, helpful study strategies, responsible personal finance, and practical knowledge in common real-life scenarios. The class essentially serves as a portal for students to their future adult lives, and how to function in the adult world as contributive citizens independently. Hands-on learning is also incorporated, such as the repair and maintenance of a bicycle and a small van, to allow students to effectively apply what they learn in class in real life. These memorable experiences within the SMIS curriculum provided a much-needed refuge to many pupils from the academic hurdles experienced daily, from AOLs (assessments of learning) to semester finals.
Information on the closure of this class and the retirement of Mr. Kraatz is met with sadness from students. Many reflect on how the unconventional nature of PLM has enabled them to be more knowledgeable on matters outside of sports or academia. “I feel very sad because the class teaches [students] a lot of life skills that aren’t taught in normal classrooms,” commented Aleksander (’29) with regret, “It was less academic and more hands-on.”
Among the many classes that aim to sharpen the academic performance of the St. Mary’s students, PLM stands alone as a space where the focus is shifted to real-life skills. As the school year comes to an end, the departure of Mr. Kraatz and his class will surely leave a gap for many of his students.
