Students from Sandown North Elementary presented their school newspaper to the school board on Oct. 17, describing how they select topics, perform interviews, research stories and peer-review each other's work before publication.
The presentation matters because it shows a student-led literacy initiative that teaches research, public speaking and collaboration skills, and the board discussed the possibility of extending the model to other district elementary schools.
Madeline Healy, a student reporter, introduced classmates who participate on the Sandown North newspaper staff and explained the newsroom workflow: students choose topics, create interview questions, arrange appointments, take notes and record interviews; teachers and a reading specialist provide editorial guidance and final review. "When an article is complete, we share it with Ms. DeFeo, she points it out. We sit together and listen to the article of students and read it over again and make suggestions," a student explained, summarizing the peer-review process the class uses.
Principal Yasik (Sandown North) described the program's growth from the prior year and credited reading specialist Miss Stifio for helping expand participation. Board members and audience members praised the students' presentation; one board member asked if mentoring fourth graders was part of the plan, and students said they will mentor incoming fourth graders next year so the program is sustained.
At the meeting, a board member asked whether students found peer critique embarrassing; a student said critiques are generally delivered as helpful suggestions. Board members recommended exploring expansion of the program to other schools and thanked the students for their presentation.
No board motions or votes were associated with the presentation; the item was a student-share component of the meeting.