The eighth-grade staff members at Chester Charter Scholars Academy (CCSA) are wrapping up the inaugural edition of the school’s health newspaper. It’s also Healthy NewsWorks’s first program in the city of Chester.
“My experience so far has been great,” said Tracie Horkan, an English language arts (ELA) teacher who is also the newspaper’s faculty advisor. “The students are learning skills they normally wouldn’t be in a traditional ELA class.”
The new journalists have focused their reporting on the benefits of getting enough sleep and exercise. They are also writing a story about this year’s Healthy NewsWorks theme: Making Good Decisions. The topics include coping with change, connecting the mind and body, and being a good friend. In addition, students are encouraged to develop articles that they discover through their own research.
“I’m looking forward to interviewing students … because I want to hear other people’s opinions on things like sports and games,” said Cionne, one of the reporters.
Becoming a journalist is challenging, according to several eighth-grade reporters. “I’m still learning how it works and certain rules that need to be followed,” Jaquii said.
But her interest has been piqued. “I am most looking forward to learning more about people’s habits to stay healthy.”
Taylin said she is eager to see “people read our newspaper and get feedback.”
Dr. Dana Deminico, director of CCSA’s middle school, invited Healthy NewsWorks to start the program. She worked with Healthy NewsWorks for many years in the Norristown Area School District, first as a teacher and then as a school leader.
In a recent interview, she told CCSA reporters that she brought the health media program to the school to enhance student communication skills, to learn interviewing and research techniques, and to make a difference in the world.
“Our launch at CCSA has been wonderful,” said Marian Uhlman, Healthy NewsWorks executive director. “The reporters are working hard under the leadership of Ms. Horkan. I am as excited as they are to publish their first newspaper.”
