Saturday, August 25, 2018

The Future of Journalism

Since 2016, Peter Meyer, veteran journalist and founder of the not-for-profit School Life Media, has been working with students in the Hudson City School District to promote literacy, teach content, and develop skills by teaching the basics of journalism, from research to writing. Last spring, the program was featured in the New York Times: "Reader Idea: Promoting Literacy With Journalism Education and The New York Times."

Recently, the Junior Journalism program received a $4,000 grant from the Raymond C. Kennedy Foundation, established by longtime publisher and owner of the Register-Star and the Chatham Courier. The picture below shows Tony Concra, a member of the board of the Kennedy Foundation, presenting a ceremonial check to Meyer.      

Also shown in the picture are, in front, four students in the Junior Journalism program and, at back, from left to right, Lori Below (HCSD teacher), Olivia Otty (SLM coordinator), Gordon Pratt (HCSD teacher), Joanne Ally (HCSD Afterschool Program assistant director), and Mark Brenneman (principal of Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School).

Meyer commented, "We are not just grateful for this generous donation, but it is especially meaningful coming from an organization created by a beloved and successful local newspaper publisher."
COPYRIGHT 2018 CAROLE OSTERINK

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations to Peter and all the young journalists. We need journalists, especially those with a focus on the local, more than ever. Mark Orton

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mark. We started with some third and fourth graders in the summer program several years ago and last year offered all 150 fifth graders the program as part of the Intermediate School literacy curriculum. We will be doing the same for this year's fifth-graders, but We want to expand and are looking for volunteer classroom aides and donations. Contact me at peter@schoollifemedia.org

      Delete