East Elementary Gives Students Front-Row Seat Into Broadcasting

LONG BEACH, NY — Students at East Elementary School are getting a unique learning experience as broadcasters. The school has transformed its traditional morning announcements into a new and exciting live daily newscast, according to Long Beach Public Schools.

The Neptune News, a broadcast club that came to fruition through the collaborative efforts of teacher Edward Courtney, Principal Kathleen Connolly, Assistant Principal Cristine Zawatson and students, was designed as an opportunity to showcase the talents and innovation at East while keeping the school community well-informed.

Morning announcements were previously made over the PA system, and the COVID-19 pandemic limited the ability to involve students. However, the new club engages many fourth and fifth graders to participate on and off-screen as they keep the other students and staff apprised of each day’s events and news.

Mr. Courtney’s fourth-grade class is piloting the program, with plans for students to share their skills and expand it to the entire grade in the next school year. The group began creating scripts and brainstorming ideas in March and debuted its first broadcast on April 13.

Daily segments include morning greetings, the Pledge of Allegiance, lunch details, weather
reports, birthday announcements, motivational messages and closing remarks.

Students have a variety of roles to choose from and are currently honing their skills as anchors, camera operators, teleprompters and directors. In addition, most of the on-air work is in front of a small green screen that was assembled in the hallway outside Mr. Courtney’s classroom.

"As we build confidence and comfortability in front of and behind the camera, our segments will expand and become more complex," Courtney said via release. "My students are having a great time practicing and building confidence each day!"