Wiley Elementary highlights STEAM, mentorship and launches student newspaper club

Wiley Elementary faculty and student representatives presented a roundup of school programs and student activities to the Watertown City School District Board of Education, and introduced a student‑run newspaper club.

Principal Chad Verichankel and teacher Olivia Gallagher described Wiley as the district’s entry point where early experiences aim to set the course for students through middle and high school. Verichankel highlighted academic performance, staffing, enrichment programs (gifted-and‑talent, FIRST LEGO League, choral ensemble, a new newspaper club) and partnerships including a North Country Family Health Clinic site and 4‑H. He summarized a new schoolwide math initiative in which students practice multiplication facts weekly and can earn shirts for reaching bench marks.

Jean Pingelly, Wiley’s library media specialist, introduced the newspaper club students and described its structure; student leader Blake told the board, “I wanted to start a newspaper at Wiley because I thought it would be a good teamwork skill and a learning experience for the ones in newspaper,” and said the club is developing issues using Google Slides. Club members said they were learning interviewing, photography and collaborative publishing skills. The group handed out a draft copy of the paper to board members.

The board acknowledged the school’s enrichment offerings and presented certificates to students involved in the newspaper project.

Why it matters: The presentation illustrated district elementary investments in STEAM, mentorship and early literacy, plus student leadership: the newspaper club gives students hands‑on experience with reporting, teamwork and digital publishing.

Ending: Staff said the school will continue to expand enrichment opportunities and will bring periodic updates to the board.