NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: Cecelia Harmon (RVO) – On the Friday before Christmas, all throughout Redbank Valley High School presenters from throughout the community showcased their unique skills in fun and engaging sessions as part of the second annual Student Ed-Camp Day. Instead of going to their regular classes, students were able to pick from a number of different sessions to attend throughout the day. These sessions were conducted by other RVHS students, RVHS teachers, RVHS clubs, RVHS alumni, community members, and business owners.

There was a large variety of different sessions that took place this year. RVHS students led some sessions themselves in blackout poetry, escape room, baking, trivia, and more. Recent RVHS graduates came back to present about transitioning from high school to college. RVHS teachers showcased their interests outside of the classroom, hosting interactive sessions in DIY lipbalm, broadcast, survival skills, piano, mystery Skype, crafting, chess, laser engraving, and more. RVHS clubs, including Student Council, Robotics Club, and Bible Club, took charge of several sessions of their own. Community members and business owners stepped up and taught students about virtual reality, essential oils, painting, coffee brewology, Bible journaling, wellness, and more.

After all of the sessions were completed, a whole school assembly took place where Dr. Joe Harmon gave a presentation about the Holocaust covering his recent tour through Poland. At the end, students were surprised with the opportunity to Skype with a survivor of the Holocaust and hear her firsthand account. To finish the day, students either watched (or participated in) a “Teachers versus Students” volleyball game. 

Student Ed-Camp Day was largely organized by RVHS teachers, Dr. Joe Harmon and Mrs. Kelly Ripple:

“The intention of Student EdCamp is to provide students with a non-traditional day of learning, and to engage them prior to holiday break.. Kelly Ripple and I both feel that the 2nd Student EdCamp was a success. Our goal this year was more student involvement leading sessions and that occurred. Students led numerous sessions including an Escape Room, Blackout Poetry, Christmas crafting, Trivia, Baking, Sketching, and Positive Messages. Last year, we only had one student led session. We hope that this trend continues. In addition, we were pleased to have several community members on hand to showcase their talents and expertise.

We are already looking forward to next year and thinking of how we can improve the now “annual” event and make it more engaging for students, and at the same time, more student led. We are looking to put together a student leadership team to help plan and organize the day.”

If you are a community member, business owner, Redbank Valley student, or Redbank Valley teacher and you have a great idea for an engaging session, please keep your calendars clear for Friday, December 20th 2019 and be sure to lookout for a call for session presenters later this year.

Thank you to all of the presenters at this year’s Student Ed-Camp!

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ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district