Newspaper opens pages to student writers, artists
Newspapers can be found on coffee tables, store racks, libraries, and, just as importantly, in the classrooms of most school systems.
In today’s ever-changing technological world, we at The Star-Herald believe it is important for the younger generation to know more about the newspaper industry and the history that comes with holding a product in your hands, turning the pages, seeing actual published photographs and stories, and cutting out items to hang on the refrigerator and place in scrapbooks.
Once again, The Star-Herald has teamed up with area schools to celebrate Newspapers in Education Week by creating this special supplement. This year’s section marks the 15th anniversary of the project.
NIE is a cooperative effort between schools and newspapers to promote the use of newspapers as an educational resource. The international program, which began in 1955, also seeks to help improve the students’ reading, spelling and writing abilities, as well as their artistic talents.
Again this year, fifth-graders at Ashland Community School, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Easton Elementary School, Fort Fairfield Elementary School, Mapleton Elementary School, Zippel Elementary School and Washburn District Elementary School were asked to become newspaper advertising artists and copywriters as they created advertisements for about 80 willing sponsors.
Students from SAD 1, SAD 32, SAD 42, SAD 45 and the Easton School Department also provided wonderful essays and poems, as well as photographs and artwork for our readers to enjoy.
It is their hard work, and that of their teachers in coordinating and photographing their efforts, that you will see here on these pages.
While Newspapers in Education is a weeklong event, The Star-Herald works with classrooms — students, teachers and administrators — throughout the year. Whether it be a school board meeting, a basketball game, spelling bee or a band concert, newspaper reporters are covering education on the front line.
Indeed, without news of our youth and their schools, our newspapers would be missing a very vital part of the communities in which we serve. The stories and accomplishments of our schools, teachers and students are of utmost importance to us and our readers.
Having newspapers in the classroom is an exceptional supplement to textbooks and iPads. A newspaper in the classroom connects young people with their community, their nation and the world.
Over the years, members of our staff have worked closely with school personnel and students to build two-way connections between the classroom and newsroom. Some examples of this are hosting job shadow experiences, having our reporters cover school events, and encouraging the sharing of classroom and extracurricular activities through stories and photographs.
This supplement to our newspaper is the result of the Newspapers in Education exercise, and we hope you will enjoy the student-created newspaper advertisements, essays and photos in this special booklet.
We wish to thank all the pupils, teachers and administrators who agreed to partner with us, as well as the businesses that provided the opportunity for the children to showcase their artistic abilities. Your contributions make the NIE a special addition to our newspaper family.
