Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Student advisory council highlights 'high school swap' between Vero Beach and Sebastian River
Summary
The superintendent's student advisory council reported on a student-organized high school swap that let students visit and shadow at a peer campus; students and staff said the exchange fostered cross-campus connections and ideas for program improvements.
Students from the School District of Indian River County described a student-led “high school swap” during the board meeting, summarizing visits between Vero Beach High School and Sebastian River High School that district leaders said were designed and executed by the superintendent’s student advisory council.
Tracy Magoo, program specialist who facilitated the council, told the board the initiative was “completely generated by these geniuses over here” and said the event brought student leaders from secondary schools together to “offer input, build connections, [and] ... learn.”
Students described touring Career and Technical Education programs — culinary arts, biotech, automotive and others — observing AP classes and performing arts, and sharing lunch conversations with peers. Webb Webster, a student who also spoke about his state and international science fair experience, described the Indian River Lagoon as “my classroom long before I stepped into a science lab,” and said hands-on programs helped spur his research.
Participants said the swap included standing together on Billy Living’s Field at the Citrus Bowl, visiting the Freshman Learning Center and touring campus facilities such as student-run coffee shops. A student who visited Vero Beach High School said the “vibe” and visible school spirit stood out; another praised Sebastian’s inclusion programs and a student-run coffee cart staffed by students with special needs.
Magoo and board members said the council will continue work next year; the superintendent’s office called the swap a learning opportunity that produced “a volume of learning that I was able to to learn to directly change and improve the practice for next year.” Board members applauded the student leaders and said the swap will inform district programming and school culture work.
The board viewed a student-produced video documenting the exchange and took group photos with council members who attended the meeting.
