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East River High students propose "Project Homeroom" to add daily class for organization, mental-health support
Summary
Students from East River High School told the Orange County School Board they want a daily homeroom class across OCPS that would teach grade-specific study, organization and mental-health skills; board members responded positively and the district said it will discuss feasibility.
East River High School students presented “Project Homeroom” at the Orange County School Board meeting on March 11, 2025, asking the district to add a daily homeroom class across Orange County Public Schools that would teach grade-specific organization, test preparation and mental-health strategies.
The students said the class would be scheduled for every grade and adapted each year: freshmen would learn time management and identifying mental-health triggers; sophomores would work on prioritizing mental health and stepping out of comfort zones; juniors would focus on SAT/ACT preparation and college or career planning; seniors would work on college and job applications, resumes and interview skills.
Project Homeroom was presented as a response to stressors students described at East River, including anxiety, depression, heavy extracurricular loads and after-school jobs that reduce study time. Presenters cited school demographics and outcomes: East River’s presentation noted a 65% minority enrollment and 45% of students identified as economically disadvantaged; presenters also said East River’s average SAT score falls below district, state and national averages.
Jackie Bishop, teacher and facilitator of East River’s Falcon Friends Farm, described the school’s inclusive hands-on programs during the same showcase and connected Project Homeroom to student supports. Bishop said the farm and its allied programs give students “hands on real world applications of the agriculture industry” while promoting vocational and social skills for students with disabilities.
Board members repeatedly praised the student proposal. Vice Chair Melissa Byrd said, “I am blown away by the idea of Project Homeroom. I really, really hope that we could figure out a way to somehow make this happen.” Member Maria Salamanca, Member Gallo and other board members said they want the district to study scheduling and logistical feasibility; several suggested the idea could be adapted for middle school as well.
Superintendent Dr. Vasquez told the board the district has already received the proposal and that staff will have follow‑up conversations; she said she had been texted about the East River proposal and that it will be part of subsequent discussions.
The students framed Project Homeroom as aiming to reduce mental-health stressors, provide daily organization support, and create a predictable routine that could improve academic readiness and early identification of struggling students. Presenters also emphasized peer collaboration and ongoing resiliency lessons.
No formal board action was taken on Project Homeroom at the March 11 meeting. Board members and district staff recommended further study of scheduling constraints and program design before any formal proposal or pilot would be placed on a future agenda.
For now, students left the board with a commitment from multiple members to explore feasibility and to bring the idea to appropriate staff and committee conversations.
