Walker Exchange Program Visits Marcellus Central School District

Students and faculty from the Walker Technology College, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England visited the Marcellus Central School District from October 22nd through November 5th. The Walker Exchange Program has been part of the Marcellus educational community learning environment in one form or another for more than twenty years. The program, coordinated locally by Donna Scuderi, has facilitated a quality exchange of ideas and culture as each year students/faculty from the Walker Technology program visit Marcellus and students/faculty from the Marcellus community visit the Walker School in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. The exchange program experience is always filled with exciting adventures for the visitors from across the Atlantic and this year’s events were no different. Of particular note was a joint Walker group/Marcellus Senior High School Outdoor Club venture to the Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center in Marcellus. The adventurous students had the opportunity to brave the upstate New York snowy weather as they experienced the “Eagle’s Nest” along with a variety of high element rope course challenges. The Walker School group also provided a hands-on learning experience in cultural awareness as the Walker students and faculty presented to grade 3-6 classes on Wednesday, October 27th. The presentation involved a power point slide show overview of both school and home life in Newcastle Upon Tyne England. Outlined below is a list of activities from this year’s Walker Exchange Program visit:
· October 23rd – Senior Class Spaghetti Dinner
· October 24th – Meet and Greet at Twin Trees Restaurant
· October 25 – Tour of Marcellus Schools Campus and Lunch with Superintendent of Schools Craig Tice.
· October 26 - Trip to Howe’s Caverns and Indian Museum
· October 27 – Presentations to Grade 3-6 classes
· October 28 – Trip to Niagara Falls, Canada
· October 29 – Apple Picking at Beak and Skiff
· October 31 – Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center
· November 1 – Trip to New York City
· November 4 – Trip to Adirondack Mountain Park
A special thanks goes out to Donna Scuderi and all of the local private contributors for helping to make this special learning experience a part of our educational community. The Walker Exchange Program is no longer sponsored by the Marcellus Central School District or the Marcellus Rotary, so special appreciation goes out to the host students/families who are listed below with their Walker School visitor:
· Family of Taylor Lofink – Natalie Welsh
· Family of Maura Gosson – Devan Turner
· Family of Holly Grosholz – Cali-Beth Murray
· Family of Megan Greenfield – Robyn Mitchell
· Family of Heather Hanlon – Christine Tan
· Family of Kelsey Burke – Sosha Phillips
· Family of Madeline DuBeau – Ashleigh Elliot
· Family of Taylor Rescignano – Jade Lawson
· Family of Keirstalyn Wade – Amelia Jackson
· Family of Sean Dunn – Brad Rogerson