Wyoming — The headlines in Wolf Pack Press Network tease the stories of the people and happenings at Wyoming Intermediate School.
“Nacho Average Lunch Lady,” by sixth-graders Kendyll Vasquez and Arianah Negron, enticed readers to a story about Tamara “Ms. Tammy” Cruz, who serves up tacos, chicken wings and other student favorites in the lunchroom every day; and “Be a Bus Boss,” by sixth-grader Justice Robinosn, directed them to an article on bus safety.
They were must-reads on the front page of Issue #2 of the four-page print publication, created by eight sixth-graders in technology teacher and editor-in-chief Angie Parsons’ newspaper club as part of a special enrichment class that ended in early March.
The news crew, toting folders and notebooks, made their way through the hallways as cub reporters, resulting in an array of articles completed for three printed issues distributed throughout the school for staff and students.
“I like informing people about things going on around the world and in the school,” said sixth-grader Zayla’h Lacey, who interviewed Principal Steven Reynolds and learned that he used to be a rapper.
“I liked brainstorming ideas for articles,” Zayla’h said. “I liked sharing my ideas with people.”
Students chose to be in the elective due to interest in writing and research, Parsons said.
“They all came up with their own ideas for stories,” she said. “I would throw out some suggestions.”
Students were in charge of setting up their own interviews, connecting with teachers and arranging times for their conversations. They were eager to interview teachers, support staff and fellow students, but found newsy and topical items more challenging, she said.
“I had them brainstorm things that happen in the school that maybe you don’t like or you disagree with,” Parsons said.
That discussion spurred the articles “Be a Bus Boss” and “Bathroom Boss,” which are how-tos of good bus and bathroom behavior.
Issues also include breaking local and state news, weather, art, student polls, recipes, riddles and announcements. Parsons printed the issues at school, which students folded and delivered to classrooms. Extras were distributed to the main office.
With a list and camera in hand, sixth-grader Leider Hermida-Corria asked teachers questions that interested him such as: Do you like your job? Do you have an office? What are your favorite hobbies? Where have you traveled?
“It was entertaining and it was fun. I always wanted to be part of a newspaper and interview people,” Leider said. “I also wanted to be interviewed. I mostly did it as a hobby and for the school.”
Read more from Wyoming:
• Parent employees spark increase in volunteering
• Principal reveals his artistic side
