Five years ago, we had a productive way of getting information out. Five years ago, students knew they could rely on a credible source for facts and truth. Five years ago, we had a student published school newspaper.

 When the state of Texas announced they were making cutbacks on the budget they gave to public schools, the former administration made the decision to temporarily put the newspaper class on hold from the list of offered courses since the newspaper cost money to print 1200 copies each six weeks. The administration then promised that, in four years, when the cutbacks were lifted, the school newspaper could return. Ms. Amos, newspaper teacher and advisor, later took the opportunity to ask Principal Stephanie Traweek to bring it back for the 2016-17 school year.

  “It was my idea. I have always loved journalism. Communications was even my major in college. The skills used in journalism can be used in all professions in life, so I asked Mrs.Traweek if we could bring it back this year,” Vickie Amos said.

  Students often wonder why the newspaper is online and not printed the traditional way.

  “Mrs Traweek and I discussed the printed newspaper. The online newspaper is cost efficient, and most people get news online nowadays instead. It would have cost anywhere from 500 to 800 dollars to print an actual paper,” Amos said.

 While it has been challenging, many actions have been taken to ensure that everyone knows of the newspaper and is able to visit it online.

  “The link (shsthechampionsjournal.net) is posted on the high school and district website. QR codes are posted in hallways and major areas, and Mr. Victor Sauceda, vice principal, sent out a school wide email stating that the new online newspaper is up, along with instructions on how to access it,” Amos said.

  Another common concern is how the newspaper staff is going to make certain that the things they post do not seem biased.

  “The students and I discuss being more diverse in our news reporting by writing about every club and activity. We try to include a wide variety of students, even people who do not participate in every sport or activity,” Amos said.

  The first few editions of the newspaper have been frantic, but the newspaper staff is prepared to handle it.

  “Of course, I think it will be a lot less hectic than in the beginning, but it can still be a little hectic with continually meeting daily deadlines,” Amos said.

  The newspaper, though it is run by our newspaper staff, is not on a school created website, it’s on the School Newspaper Online website.

   “I researched what types of school newspapers and magazines other schools were using and I  spoke with other school newspaper advisers and SNO was, by far, the most popular. It’s run by former, retired high school journalism teachers who understand the need for information to get to students and teachers without the high costs of printing the papers,” Amos says.

  Since the newspaper is short on staff this year due to scheduling conflicts, certain steps and actions are being taken to recruit more students for the next year and the years to come.

  “I’m hoping my current students will help recruit for the next year, and I also recruit for the next year by speaking to my current sophomore English classes and, ideally, I hope to have at least 20 students in newspaper next year,” Amos says.

  Students also wonder if they must be cross trained in every type of job when they enter the newspaper class, or if they can just participate in one area.

  “All students would have to be crossed trained, but if we have enough students to cover all areas then the students could definitely have their own choice depending on their capabilities,” Amos said.

  A big concern for students is how much time would need to be spent outside of class working on newspaper articles and/or whatever else is needed for the class.

  “There is not enough time in one 45 minute period, so students will have to do some work outside of school. However, as of right now, we do not currently have meetings held outside of class,” Amos says.

  There was a series of steps in getting the online newspaper up and running, but some were more important than others.

  “The first step is student interest/need. The next step is knowing that the online format aligned with the district’s progressive movement to the iChampion initiative,” Mrs. Rachel Carter, vice principal, says.

  Students, teachers, and even parents believe the school newspaper will be beneficial to the school.

  “The online student newspaper is beneficial to the school and its students in many ways. First, it provides students the opportunity to gain valuable hand-on experience in a growing industry. In addition, it provides our students with the latest news and announcements in a medium that they will likely be getting their news in the future. It also allows students to enjoy articles on topics that are relevant to them because the newspaper is student led,” Mrs. Carter says.