Student News Report

All About the News Report

This electronic school newspaper grew out of an initiative brought by a fourth-grader in 2017.  He first presented his written proposal to Head of School Peggy Procter. With her approval, he brought it to me to make his dream a reality. He wanted the paper to have a news section, a sports section, an arts section, an “Around the Town” section and a Kid Corner that would house submissions by younger students. He chose the name for the paper and announced to the student body that it would be rolling out in the fall of 2018.

We recruited a staff of students and set about the challenge of publishing a newspaper from scratch! Our staff of five worked cooperatively and collaboratively to decide what to include in the inaugural edition; how to divide up the duties; how to play to their strengths and preferences at the same time; and the best way to work. They worked hard. We met twice a week during morning recess. We kept a running agenda for these meetings that included to do lists and deadlines. The staff worked in between meetings to fulfill their responsibilities.

In the end they were interviewers, writers, photographers, graphic and games designers, and artists. During their publishing party today, we were able to reflect upon the experience of putting together the first edition of the News Report. Everyone said they had a good experience and they are eager to begin work on Edition II when we return from Winter Break. They have big ideas now!

This goes to show that children will rise to the expectations set out for them. This staff wanted a voice and they wanted a paper—they rose to the occasion and got it!

Cathleen Wolff

News Report Moderator