School is in full swing, and Healthy NewsWorks is in more classrooms than ever.
“So many teachers want to get their kids involved,” said Mia Blitstein, Healthy NewsWorks program manager.
The Healthy NewsWorks newspaper program engages elementary and middle school students as writers and readers. Our staff members partner with classroom teachers to implement lessons and activities that foster literacy, academic skills, and health knowledge. Our curriculum is aligned with national Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and National Health Education Standards.
This fall, HNW has started new programs for Core Reporters, our foundational health journalism offering for grades 4-8, at four schools:
- MaST Community Charter School (Philadelphia)
- Russell Byers Charter School (Philadelphia)
- Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School (Philadelphia)
- James Lowell Elementary School (Philadelphia School District)
They join 14 other schools offering the Core Reporter program for the 2023-24 school year. Many of these schools also have students participating in our Cub Reporter program (grades K-3) and Special Lessons (grades K-8).
“Several schools have expanded their Healthy NewsWorks programming and are delving deeper this year,” Mia said.
Schools find Healthy NewsWorks in myriad ways—word of mouth; a teacher moving from one school to another and bringing the program with them. Healthy NewsWorks community outreach manager Diane Davis helps facilitate partnerships.
“When Covid happened, some put a pause on exploring a partnership, but now schools are ready to add special programming to their lineup,” Mia said of the jump in participating schools. “Also, their kids are in need of something that feels special to them, so schools are circling back to us.”
School health newspapers reported and illustrated by student journalists are distributed in print and digitally.
For 20 years, Healthy NewsWorks has empowered elementary and middle school students to become researchers, writers, critical thinkers, and confident communicators who advance health understanding and literacy through their factual publications and digital media.
“It’s been a busy, exciting start to the year,” Mia said. “So many excited kids!”
Learn more about our program here. See the full list of participating schools here.
[Photo: The Healthy NewsWorks bulletin board in William Cramp School, Room 306.]
