The Ballston Journal and Times Union partner for a 2nd year in schools

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH
Jennifer@theballstonjournal.com

As Karen VanAlstine, a 4th Grade Milton Terrace Elementary School Teacher, prepares for another school year, newspapers will again be on her wish list of classroom supplies. VanAlstine is a participant in the Newspapers and Classroom Enrichment Program, a program which she is able to incorporate in all areas of her curriculum.

“I use the newspaper in my classroom to discuss current events and to explore the way a newspaper is arranged, including how articles are written for different purposes.” said VanAlstine.

The Capital Region based Classroom Enrichment Program provides teachers and students with literacy based learning materials with the goal of assisting teachers in their quest to meet state educational standards. The program aims to provide schools with newspapers at little to no cost. Currently, 1000 teachers in 72 local school districts participate in the program, including Ballston Spa Central School District. In VanAlstine’s class, students utilize the newspaper from crossword puzzle challenges to world events such as the Olympics. During the 2010 games, students were able to chart the success of local star Trevor Marsicano. ValAlstine said the experience taught her students the many different reasons for picking up a newspaper.

“My students were very anxious to read all of the coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics, especially coverage of speed skating since a former student of mine, Trevor Marsicano, competed in long-track. During the 2010-11 academic year, I plan to have my students create their own Revolutionary War-era newspaper, so having the local newspaper as a guide will be a great asset,” said VanAlstine.

Greg Stapleton, Director for the Classroom Enrichment Program at the Times Union, said teachers can easily take advantage of the program by completing an on-line form. Stapleton said studies have shown that students with a newspaper in their classroom score ten percent higher on standardized tests, regardless of grade level or socio-economic status. He added students can use the newspaper to learn all kinds of topics, from math to English. Stapleton said the hope is that using newspapers in the classroom will get kids talking about it, including at home.

“Parents can take part in the program by encouraging their children to read the newspaper each day. There is a lot of information about our local community and the world in each day’s newspaper, and to have students keeping up on that news and information helps to prepare them to become important members of our society,” said Stapleton.

The program has grown since it originated over thirty years ago. As one of the first of its kinds in the country, Classroom Enrichment has evolved into developing technologies, including offering eEditions. The program has also worked to form partnerships with neighborhood newspapers, like The Ballston Journal. Stapleton said he believes the future of the program sits in new media and technology, such as SMART Boards and eReader, but will continue to focus on helping teachers and students with grade based material.

Ballston Spa Central School District Coordinator for Community Resources Stuart Williams said the district currently has teachers participating in the program in each of its buildings. He said he continues to hear positive feedback from teachers, parents and students.

“In addition to students learning about current events, they learn life-long skill of analyzing news, weighing opinions and much more,” said Williams.

To find out more about participating in the program as a teacher, there will be an informational table at Superintendent’s Conference Day on September 1 or you may visit www.classroomenrichement.org. To be a sponsor and fund a newspaper for a student, a teacher, a classroom or an entire school with newspapers, call the Ballston Journal, 885-5238 or email advertising@theballstonjournal.com.