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Schools

Swampscott and South African Kids Connect

Seventh graders from Swampscott had a question-and-answer session with their peers from South Africa in a videoconference on Tuesday.

Seventh graders from the Swampscott Middle School linked up with seventh graders from South Africa in a geography auditorium in Meier Hall at Salem State University Tuesday morning.

, a teacher of world geography in the Social Studies Department at the middle school, was thrilled at the success of the videoconference, the third time the kids have had a question-and-answer session with students from South Africa.

“It was amazing, simply amazing, the kids took a moment or two once the video feed started, but soon after that the connection between the two groups was apparent,” McKenzie said.

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Abby Rogers, a social studies teacher at the middle school, also was on hand at the live event Tuesday, which began as a letter writing campaign and blossomed into the videoconference with the seventh graders from Siyabulela.

“Just kids talking to other kids, learning about each other and asking questions about school life in America and South Africa,” McKenzie said. “As an educator it was very gratifying to see.”

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The Swampscott students wrapped up their unique educational experience, 70 in all, with a group lunch, and a new perspective on how students from a world away grow and learn.

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