Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Laconia students join pilot Local News Lab to learn reporting
Loading...
Summary
The Laconia School Board heard a presentation about a new Local News Lab pilot run through the district Office of Extended Learning and the Granite State News Collaborative that will train six high‑school students in reporting and produce publishable work by early June.
The Laconia School Board on April 7 heard about a new Local News Lab pilot that will place six high‑school students in a multi‑week journalism workshop run out of the district’s Office of Extended Learning.
"I was just so excited," said Candace Hyde, the extended learning coordinator, describing how the Granite State News Collaborative helped make the opportunity available. Hyde said the after‑school workshops meet weekly and combine instruction and hands‑on reporting so each student will produce a finished news piece by the end of the school year.
Gabe Perry, a reporter for The Daily Sun and a collaborative member, told the board the program is intended to help students learn to ‘‘think critically about the news media and understand how to interpret the news,’’ and that compelling student work could be shared with collaborative partners around the state.
Two students who attended the program described story ideas. One said she planned to report on how rising gas prices could affect marinas and tourism in the Lakes Region; another described a project on how the local SPCA brings animals from southern shelters to no‑kill care providers in the area.
Board members asked about resources and publication plans; Perry said students will have access to audio, video and photography equipment and that partner outlets sometimes reprint stories that have broader interest. Presenters said student pieces are expected to be ready around early June and will be published when space allows.
The presentation was introduced by district extended‑learning staff, who said the pilot could expand to other Belknap County schools if the year proves successful.
