By Anne Liberko
Block scheduling, open campus for upperclassmen, different options for physical education and application style learning, were talked of favorably by the Mount Vernon students who experienced these opportunities through shadowing students at other schools.

Journalism students along with English teacher JoAnn Gage, high school principal Steve Brand and superintendent Gary O’Malley held a lunch meeting Friday, Nov. 21. Time was given in journalism class for a pizza lunch and sharing sessions of the 13 individual students’ experiences of shadowing at a wide range of local high schools.

Journalists visited other districts in order to learn how other schools function, and to suggest options for the Mount Vernon community. By noting student-teacher relationships, facilities, cell phone policies, and schedules, student’s were both amazed and disappointed. Shadow students lead the discussions as Mr. Brand and Dr. O’Malley listened intently and took notes.

Sophomore Yves Cotterill said her day at Clear Creek Amana flew by on a block schedule, except for the half block mandatory study hall at the end of the day. Shadow students overall stated that they wouldn’t want mandatory study halls. However, senior Levi Williams said he enjoyed his short mandatory homeroom time in Monticello where he got to play chess.

Senior Abby Gross said she liked the block schedule in Solon, and enjoyed the freedom of an hour-long lunch for seniors with open campus, so she was able to go out to eat at a restaurant.

“Going to Clear Creek was one of the best things I’ve done so far this year,” said Yves. “The teachers and students were so accepting of me, and very kind about answering questions.”

A series of articles will be published online at www.themustangmoon.com of students’ individual experiences at the schools they visited.

Story about Cedar Valley Christian by Kaitlin Zieser: https://themustangmoon.com/?p=4108