Orion Junior High, in Harrisville, Utah, has been working hard to create a unique room wherein students, staff and parents can connect with each other and those across the world. Announcing the grand opening of the new Student Art Humanity and Cultural Center. The purpose behind this space is to create critical thinking, inclusiveness, civility, empathy and compassion—quality traits worth instilling into our future generations.
Principal Matt Patterson, brainstormed this idea for quite some time and he’s thrilled with the outcome.
“We want to create a human experience in the vein of producing. We’re going to talk about some of the things that are harder to talk about such as race, religion, and culture so that we can have an understanding with each other.
Additionally, Patterson said, “This will be a place where students can come feel safe and decompress.”
As you enter into the Cultural Center, you’ll find several white board tables, board games in the back, a giant touch screen tv, a drop-down green screen for making podcasts and ted talks, and even a pantry filled with good food for students who may be hungry throughout the day.
The Student Arts Humanities and Cultural Center was formerly the computer lab in Orion, however, now that the school is one-to-one (with each student having a chrome book) the computer lab is no longer needed. Months of behind the scenes efforts, beginning with surveys to students, parents and the community, are how this cultural center came to fruition. PTA helped purchase the tables and chairs. Another grant was funded in order to purchase the tv and video equipment.
Principal Patterson is excited about the fact that he will be doing a podcast from the cultural center as well as the Student Body Officers can give announcements from this room.
Everybody can come in here. Student advocates will also utilize the space. A new door was created and is now connecting the arts and humanities room with the library. PTA meetings will be held in this room, mindfulness meetings, and community events on a smaller scale.
Ashley Marks, teacher at Orion Junior High, will be helping oversee the digital journalism and media club which will meet afterschool in the new Student Arts, Humanities and Cultural Center. Along with this club, there will be fifteen other after school clubs or Extension Activities, (EA’s) including a service club and a bell choir. Everyone has a greater opportunity to become involved and become more unified at Orion Junior High.
Patterson said he wants students to feel like they can…”break down walls. I want kids to be able to feel like they can talk to each other and share.”
Ted Talks will also be an amazing new opportunity the students can take part in. Of course, the celebration of art work and artists within the school will be showcased too.
