Recently, I experienced something refreshing that I never never anticipated.
Our daughter was challenged with the assignment of reading a local newspaper and pointing out specific references in the article.
When I saw my 11-year-old daughter intensely reading the Fillmore County Journal, I had to ask her what she was reading. She has looked at the newspaper, but not “read” the newspaper. She told me she had to report on a variety of points relating to an article for her homework assignment.
And, I hope that someday, when she is an adult she has every reason to read her local newspaper, whether it is the Fillmore County Journal, or some other local newspaper.
Local newspapers are full of information relevant to the residents of any given geography. And, most residents don’t become newspaper readers until something becomes relevant to them. Maybe a decision from their city council impacts them in their neighborhood. Or, maybe they are concerned with a school bond referendum that will be up for a vote during the next election. That decision could increase their property taxes, but maybe it is worth every penny. And, at a county government level, maybe something is going to be constructed in their backyard. Until it affects someone, it doesn’t typically matter to them.
Currently, our outstanding reporters cover 15 city council meetings, seven school board meetings, multiple county-wide meetings, every single month. And, we plan on covering more meetings in the future than what we currently cover. What we have come to realize is that the transparency of our government meeting coverage is appreciated by the heads-of-state along with our readers. We can never cover enough of the governmental decision-making process.
And, this is why I was so impressed with my daughter.
At the age of 11, she was already taking an active interest in her local newspaper. Honestly, it wasn’t really the fact that it was the Fillmore County Journal. It was the fact that her school prompted her to read an article in a local newspaper. She was given an assignment to read an article and answer questions about that article.
And, this brings me to my next point. There is a program most common in metro markets. It’s called Newspapers in Education.
A local newspaper provides content that serves many purposes. Literally, a newspaper is a living, breathing weekly curriculum of classroom-worthy content for all citizens.
In any local newspaper, nearly every subject is covered. English, math, science — it’s all prevalent.
And, our commentary section allows readers to distinguish fact from fiction (joking!).
Our youth, future leaders
It’s a fact that newspaper readers make better, more informed citizens. I’m glad to see that my daughter, at the age of 11, is taking an interest in reading a newspaper. I hope that more teachers establish curriculum that offers the same experience.
And, as much as we try — as a newspaper — to encourage our youth to become engaged, I know we can always do better.
Now in its 18th year, our “Journal Student Writing Project” presents an opportunity for juniors and seniors from our seven area school districts to express themselves. Our young students in this area have a lot to offer, and I encourage all of them become engaged citizens. After all, they will be the leaders of our country some day. Think about this. They will be business owners, mayors, city council members, school board members, senators, governors, and even possibly the President of the United States of America. Heck, they will be voters, at a minimum!
And, this brings me to my next point.
If there is a teacher, principal, or superintendent out there reading this commentary, I encourage you to contact the Fillmore County Journal.
We will be more than happy to deliver newspapers to any school district in our circulation area to be used for the purposes of education.
Most newspapers formally qualify this program under the title of Newspapers in Education. Anyway we look at how this program evolves, all it takes is one teacher and a classroom of students.
If you would like to initiate a Newspapers in Education program in your school district, please contact our office at (507) 765-2151.
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