Hammond students visit C.P. High for learning experienceCROWN POINT | The differences between Hammond and Crown Point high schools became clear as the day went on Tuesday.
About 40 students from Hammond High visited Crown Point High School as part of an assignment with Hammond sociology teacher Anita Cox's class. She said she had been trying to do a similar exchange program for years, but Crown Point was the only high school to respond to her request.
The idea was to give her students a look at an area high school with strong academic achievement.
Cox said the Hammond students' visit was part of a six-part assignment in her class that involved making a list of things they would like to change at Hammond High, writing a reflection essay on their experience and creating a poster illustrating what they experienced at Crown Point High. At the end of the day, Cox said she was pleased to not only see the differences in the schools but also the similarities, such as the way students act in the classroom and teaching strategies.
After a morning icebreaker, the Hammond students spent the day shadowing Crown Point students with whom they had been paired. The Crown Point students participating were part of a newly formed club, the Student Union, which celebrates diversity within the school.
At the end of the day, the students broke into groups to discuss what they had experienced, with conversations ranging from school dances to the performing arts.
"You know, you always feel like the grass is always greener on the other side," said Blake Zolfo, 17, a senior at Crown Point, while discussing the differences in the buildings' appearances.
"But the grass isn't always greener," responded Lisa Wiley, 17, a senior at Hammond.
Wiley said the environment at Crown Point was what she would like and said if she had gas money to travel to Crown Point every day, she would.
Kymberly Humphrey, 17, a Hammond senior, said she learned a lot she could take back to Hammond High, such as starting more clubs for student involvement, longer passing periods and different locker configurations.
The Crown Point students plan to travel to Hammond High later in the school year, said Amy Sansone, Student Union sponsor.
"If we don't appreciate our school, we don't know what we have," Jessica Vargas, 17, a Crown Point senior, said Hammond students told her all day. "I'm not saying their school isn't good, but I appreciate what our community has given us. ... No matter what, they're kids like us, and we had fun with them."