School TV News

I just can't imagine not having a TV News program at our school and after looking at the ones done by Pleasant Grove Elementary School in Stockbridge/Henry County and the Tiger News in Pennsylvania, I see that each school's TV News is unique to their own student/faculty needs. Every school seems to broadcast news a little differently and perhaps a little more elaboratively with a higher academic level such as middle and high school. The Pleasant Grove ES news is broadcast once each week and incorporates last week's news with this week's schedule of events for the school. There is also a segment related to the character education emphasis of the school. The broadcast there is done solely by students in fourth and fifth grade that are in the enrichment program, because their schedule lends itself to the time commitments needed for this broadcast.

I found some similarities and differences when comparing the PGES news with my own school's news program. At our school fifth grade students who are interested in being a part of the news program are able to participate. It is done on a daily, not weekly basis. Each month a different fifth grade homeroom is responsible for the jobs of the news crew which include two anchors, director, camera operator, audio technician, lunchroom correspondent, and selected students for special announcements. The broadcast begins at the start of the school day and runs approximately ten minutes. At the beginning of the year, the principal and assistant principal model the jobs of the two anchors with the media specialist and parapro and tech teacher handling the other news crew responsibilities.

The set up of my school news program is done as a power point mixed with live video. The content of the program includes an introduction (video montage of students responsible for the current telecast with musical introduction (powerpoint). The video begins after this intro and anchors introduce themselves and announce the pledge and moment of silent reflection which includes digital image of the flag and power point slide "Moment of Silent Reflection" and a student voice over narration for the Pledge. After this general school announcements are aired from the two anchor and special guests (faculty, administrators, and students)to remind students of and promote school fundraisers, Spirit Nights, and school wide events. The lunchroom correspondent greets and announces the menu choices. Props are used to create interest. On Fridays a Teacher of the Week is featured as an informational component and the Running Club celebrate student achievement. Students are honored for Safety Patrol help and other contributions. Book talks and other media activities are periodically featured. The anchors close the program by restating their names and sign off by wishing the students a happy day. The credits roll with music to close the segment.

I have seen the news done by three different media specialists. They are responsible for its production, but they all handle the production a little differently reflecting the school's personality. This is a great way to communicate as a student body and I think it's essential to a good media program.