Walking through the halls and classrooms of PVC Middle School on the first Electives Day felt like stepping into different pockets of a shared universe, each grounded in curiosity, creativity, and purpose.

In Mr. Santiago’s room, students were tackling one of the defining questions of our time: What is artificial intelligence, and how does it work? For Mr. Santiago, PVC’s General Music Teacher, a growing interest in artificial intelligence has evolved into a passion for exploring its responsible use in education and beyond. He is a certified Responsible AI course facilitator through MIT’s Day of AI.

“What defines intelligence?” Mr. Santiago asked to open the conversation. “The ability to learn and understand. We can understand, learn, and plan,” he explained to more than a dozen middle school students. “What makes a machine intelligent, like AI, is the use of data to identify patterns, learn from them, and adapt.”

PVC Middle School came alive with energy, curiosity, and creativity during the first Electives Day in December. The experience reflected the wide range of student interests intersecting with teacher passions, while also bringing the district’s shared vision for what school can be to life. Designed to spark engagement, foster connection, and promote joyful learning through student choice, Electives Day embodied the core principles of the Vision Map: student-centered learning, creativity, well-being, and meaningful connection.

“This is student agency, teacher empowerment, and passion all rolled into one energized experience that builds skills and acknowledges both student needs and interests,” said Interim Principal Ms. Kelly.

From Creativity and Care to Critical Thinking and Real-World Application

Across the hall from Mr. Santiago’s classroom, students in Backstage Pass formed a circle with Mx. Martinetti and Ms. Bianco for an improvisation-based theater game that emphasized quick thinking, creative choices, and physicality. Taking risks is central to theater and improvisation, and as each student took a turn, they embraced the moment with courage and, at times, laughter.

Backstage Pass was one of many electives rooted in creativity and exploration. In Be the Band, students performed together as a large ensemble featuring guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, drummers, and vocalists. Aesthetic Creations, Bead & Beyond, and Let’s Crochet encouraged creative problem solving and self-expression through hands-on design and making.

Other electives focused on balance, resilience, and emotional well-being. Natural Escape, Trailblazers, Into the Woods: Survive and Thrive, Sigma Self Care, and Stress Less, Care More invited students to learn through movement, mindfulness, and time outdoors, strengthening both body and mind. “Students chose a mindful activity and songs or music found in nature to use as a calming source to help reduce stress and engage in caring with good intentions,” said Ms. Camilo.

Additional offerings emphasized kindness and connection through activities such as creating compliment cards, post-it positivity parties, and painting kindness rocks, delivering meaningful messages to peers and faculty. In the Fostering Kindness and Empathy elective, students worked hands-on with puppies to build compassion, responsibility, and teamwork.

Students spent the morning thinking deeply and critically about the world around them in electives like Brain Rizz, The Magic of Logic, and CSI. In Literature & Mindfulness and The Twilight Zone, students explored ethics, identity, and the human experience through thoughtful discussion and dystopian storytelling. As Mr. Bowden explained to students, “The Twilight Zone is storytelling of history in an unexpected way.”

Community connection and real-world application were also central themes. In Paint the Town and Our Stories, Our Croton, students collaborated with peers and local partners to explore culture, service, and creative expression. Financial Literacy for Pre-Teens and Teens provided practical tools students can carry into adulthood, reinforcing the relevance of learning beyond the classroom.

A Celebration of What School Can Be

The first Electives Day was more than a schedule of activities. It was a reflection of what learning looks like when students feel engaged, inspired, and empowered. A second Electives Day will take place this week, creating another opportunity for students to explore new interests and reflect on their learning through student voice and perspective.

As PVC continues to bring the Vision Map to life, Electives Day stands as a powerful example of how schools can nurture curiosity, build confidence, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning, guided by educators who model that passion themselves.