Harvest Valley students take Career Day to new levels

Students at Harvest Valley Elementary School gathered in the cafeteria for a special Career Day event. (Staff photos)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Harvest Valley Elementary School puts extra emphasis on making its College and Career Day a special event, and that was evident again in the school’s “Live Museum” held in the school cafeteria on Monday.

The school hosted its traditional Career Day on Friday, with police departments, fire departments and other professions giving demonstrations to the students. But Monday’s activity was presented by and for the students themselves.

Throughout the day, classes spent about an hour each touring exhibits featuring different professions that were run by selected students. Those students explained to their fellow students why they hope to work in that profession, what it involves, and the kind of college and/or trade school experience is needed. Many students dressed up in uniform and showed examples used in their preferred trade.

School counselor Rosalyn Carroll said the students have been preparing their presentations for about a month. Presenters included a future dentist, architect, scientist, military person, pilot, pediatrician … even an astronaut.

Carroll said she isn’t aware of any other school that involves students in Career Day in this way. Harvest Valley Elementary, part of the Romoland School District, uses many such innovative programs to enhance students’ learning opportunities. In 2021, the school was designated as a Recognized American School Counselors Association Model Program.