This week, reporter Tommy Millsaps and I made our annual visit to Brown Intermediate to talk to fifth graders about our jobs at the newspaper. But, by the time we left and after I read their editorials, I think they probably taught me just as much.

Each year Mrs. Loomis and Mrs. Ridley's classes read "The Landry News." The book is about a girl who starts her own newspaper, then her class takes it on as a project, and because of one article the teacher ends up in a hearing that centers around the freedom of speech. It is a great book with some very valuable lessons.

For the last six years, we have visited with their classes while they are reading the book. In addition to talking about our jobs at the paper, we discuss the difference between an editorial and a news story and fact and opinion in the newspaper. We also talk about the importance of using our freedom of speech and freedom of the press responsibly.

The students always ask good questions, and this year's classes were among the best. They asked about how we get story ideas, how the paper is printed, what's the best story we ever wrote, do we write things that make people mad, has anyone ever threatened to get us fired. I get so excited talking to them it helps rejuvenate me and remind me why I love my job.
This year the students in Mrs. Loomis' class wrote editorials about five different topics. Their editorials made me think about some things I really had not considered before.

One was about recycling. The students interviewed teachers at the school and wrote about overflowing trashcans. I had never really given it much thought, but can you imagine the massive amount of paper that finds its way into school trashcans in just one day?
Another topic the students wrote about was the need for physical education teachers and how that would help reduce the number of obese children. There's no denying children across the state need more exercise and our state ranks near the top of the obesity charts. That's not something to be proud of.

One group of students proposed "Assignment Free Fridays." Most parents and teachers would probably think this is just children trying to get out of homework. But think about it, why shouldn't children get a weekend break just as most of us adults do? Children get tired and stressed just as we do, and sometimes they may need a break.

Voting for lunch and the merits of educational field trips were othe topics the students wrote about.
 After reading all the editorials, I have to give Principal Dr. Melanie Miller a word of thanks for taking time to talk to all the students who interviewed her. It's always good to have a cooperative source! Thanks also to Mrs. Ridley and Mrs. Loomis for inviting us to your class.

editor@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101