Lower Gwynedd fifth-graders demonstrate student-led "Leopard Spot" newscast to board

Lower Gwynedd Elementary students on Tuesday evening walked the Wissahickon School District board through "The Leopard Spot," a student-produced newscast that operates during the fifth-grade encore cycle.

"We are honored to be able to share about our program," said student reporters Owen and Connor as they introduced a behind-the-scenes segment. Principal Misha Kito told the board she was pleased to be at the meeting and introduced teacher-advisers Tori Leighton and Erica Gama, who oversee the program and review student work.

Students described the application process, which includes a video audition, and said participants meet during specified recess periods but sometimes film at other times. "We are in charge of writing our own stories," one student said, describing teamwork, scriptwriting and digital design work done using Canva.

Leighton told the board the Home and School Association purchased the video equipment used by the team, including microphones, a camera and a teleprompter; students said the teleprompter has been a "game-changer." Students outlined recurring segments such as LEAP updates, Staff Spotlight and a kindness challenge intended to encourage small acts of courtesy across the school.

Board members thanked the students and staff for the presentation. One board member invited the students to appear at the district's May 21 musical, and another called the program a strong example of student engagement and skill-building.

The board did not take action on the presentation; the session continued into routine business after the remarks.