The newsroom of The King Chronicle buzzed through a staff meeting — until the editor began assigning stories for the April newsletter.
The room fell quiet.
With so many reporters clamoring for assignments, the editor opted for the most conventional way for this group to decide who would pen each article.
A game of Rock-Paper-Scissors.
Scenes like this have played out all school year at King Community Learning Center, where the student council launched a monthly newsletter driven entirely by members’ ideas, voices and dedication.
A Pulitzer Prize can wait. For now, these elementary school students just want their names and articles on the family refrigerator.
Student council member Angelo Stathopoulos said the newsletter informs students about what’s happening on campus. And that it’s a safer way to consume news — versus posters on school walls.
“Then they don’t have to stop in the middle of the hallway and have everyone bump into the back of them,” said the third grader.
Monthly newsletters are passed out to students at the end of school days. Older students often take them home and read to receive credit in King’s Book It Program, while teachers of younger students read the newsletter aloud in class.
Concerned about information overload for students and parents, third grade student council member Hallie Hudson, who also writes for the newsletter, prefers this streamlined distribution model. After all, “teachers always send out papers,” she said, “so why not just do it all at once?”
King is one of the few elementary schools in Akron Public Schools with a student council. During the Feb. 18 Akron Board of Education meeting, the group was recognized for its outstanding leadership and initiative.
“I just want everyone to understand and appreciate that these are our future leaders, and they are working so hard now, as children,” said second grade teacher and student council advisor Lauren Riemenschneider.
Informing the King CLC community, from teacher profiles to bake sales
Riemenschneider said being able to write clearly, revise their work, collaborate with others and find satisfaction in the completion of a project are life lessons that will serve these elementary-school students well into the future.
This school year, more than 60 King students applied for the 32-seat organization, which includes students in second through fifth grades. Members were considered based on attendance, leadership skills and student input.
They meet once a month after school to plan events and fundraisers, as well as to decide which students will write newsletter items.
Student writers have interviewed teachers about their hobbies; brought attention to a canned food drive, bake sale and initiatives with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports; introduced new staff members; and honored students who embody the traits of King’s International Baccalaureate Learner Profile.
Newsletters also include artwork, comics and jokes.
Students typically write their pieces at home, but several of them have worked from Riemenschneider’s classroom during lunch periods, helping each other with assignments.
“I like being able to inform people about stuff and stand out,” Hallie said. “Plus, in Miss R’s class, we did a lot of typing last year, and everyone loves that.”
The young writers do all this with the support of Riemenschneider. She said students taking Ohio State Tests type essays on school-provided Chromebooks, so typing newsletter articles on their laptops helps them master those skills.
“We [often] think that change and action is something that’s difficult to do — and they’re doing it at such a young age,” said Riemenschneider. “I’m so proud of this group of students.”
Importance of student voices and being a part of something bigger
Both Hallie and Angelo have been published in the newsletter.
Hallie said she likes sharing her opinion with her fellow students, and “when it’s about a spirit day, I like getting people excited for stuff.”
She encourages other elementary schools to establish student councils that create school newsletters.
“When I think of King, I don’t really think of ‘fancy.’ I think it’s more like ‘creative and whimsical,’” Hallie said. “It’s really fun at King, and it’s good not to have so much clutter in your folders.”
Angelo said there are other benefits to a student council-led newsletter.
“If you have the newsletter, then lots of kids can work on different parts,” he said.
“I like doing it because when I see my name, I feel proud, and if other kids feel proud, then that’s good.”
