Ten fourth-grade students at Stadley Rough School devote one recess period a week in the “newsroom” putting out a monthly publication of interviews and articles.
“They all sacrifice their recess for this class,” said Stadley Rough fourth-grade teacher Meghan Viola, the managing editor for the budding journalists. The Stallion News was first published in the January 2015. This current group recently took over their responsibilities from the fifth-grade students who handled the first year. The six-page newspaper is printed out for the school and is also available online at the school’s website. It contains news about what’s happening at school and holiday events.
The upcoming edition will include an article about the history of Valentine’s day, a story about the best gifts to receive on Feb. 14 and what’s trending in music. This month’s theme is “We love what’s trending now.”
Viola said the students, who are learning about persuasive writing as part of the district’s curriculum, are learning the basics of journalism, focusing on structure, not using slang and being confident with their ideas and writing. Part of the reporting includes interviewing students in other grades to learn about their interest and interviewing teachers on specific topics.
“I have a passion for writing,” Dylan Hennessy said.
Student Alex Ilardi said she appreciated learning to be reliable, professional and prepared with questions. “I love to write and want to be an author,” Alex said.
“We want to be truthful and tell what’s really happening,” said student Joshua Hattar. “I want to be a professional basketball player and then a reporter. I want to interview people and be prepared.”
The classes other journalists are: Ashley Carvalheiro, Ana Morales, Kayla Griner, Hannah Mandell, Kate Sousa, Mikayla Murphy and Kayden Riley.