By Lauren O’Shell
mail@floridanewsline.com
Peace signs, flower power and “groovy” inspiration filled the hallways at Freedom Crossing Academy on Oct. 21. Teachers, staff, students and parents collaborated together to celebrate “Rock Your School Day 2022.”
Rock Your School Day is an international initiative that challenges schools around the world to create highly engaging lessons and outside-the-box learning experiences for students. Participating for the fifth year in a row, this year’s theme was “groovy” and fun ‘70s inspired décor made for a day of fun learning. More than 70 parent volunteers decorated classroom doors and hallways to add to the theme. Teachers and students wore tie-dye and ‘70s-inspired attire and accessories. The Freedom Crossing PTO purchased t-shirts for all staff members with the day’s motto: “Peace, Love, & Curriculum.”
Throughout the day, students were inspired by themed lessons, special performances, cooperative learning activities and the release of the school’s theme song “That’s the Way at FCA, I Like It.” With the help of middle school theater teacher Lauren Hunsinger, science teacher Sarah Holman, and a handful of talented Falcons, this year’s theme song came to life in the recording studio and filled the hallways of Freedom Crossing. The catchy song was a quick favorite by all K – 8 students with lyrics like, “When you get to school, at FCA, Greet me, it’s all okay! Break a barrier! Take a stand! Take FLIGHT, the very best you can!”
In classrooms, students created friendship bracelets with inspirational words to remind them they are loved. Students wrote about when they feel “peace, love and happiness” and teachers incorporated science standards while tie dying t-shirts for students to wear. St. Johns County School Board member Beverly Slough attended Rock Your School Day events and visited and read to classrooms of students.
Vice Principal Melissa Lime looks forward to this annual event each year.
“I am so proud of our staff for creating one of the most memorable and magical learning experiences for our students,” Lime said. “Many students said it was one of the best days of their lives.”
Second grade teacher Brooke Dougherty said, “Our second-grade students had a groovy time dancing to ‘70s music, creating tie dye milk and coffee filters, and even made their own lava lamps!”
Freedom Crossing Academy, Florida’s only Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase Model School, uses opportunities like “Rock Your School Day” to go the extra mile for its students.
Lauren O’Shell is a fourth grade teacher at Freedom Crossing Academy.
Photo courtesy Lauren O’Shell
A groovy group at Rock Your School Day.
