SELMA, Calif. (KFSN) — A group of student reporters at Jackson Elementary School is taking on the role of journalists, producers and anchors to help keep classmates and families informed about life on campus.
Inside a classroom turned miniature newsroom, students prepare cameras and settle into their positions before recording the latest edition of the Husky News Network.
With one student operating an iPad camera and others seated behind the anchor desk, the team works together to create a weekly broadcast highlighting events and activities across campus.
“Hi Huskies, I’m Brooklyn. I’m Isaiah and I’m James. Let’s get started.”
The student-produced news program features interviews with classmates, teachers and administrators, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening throughout the school.
Episodes are shared with classrooms across campus and distributed to families through ParentSquare each week.
“So we do spotlights on our different classrooms, different activities they’re doing, clubs that they’re doing,” said Corina Ching, who serves as the program’s advisor and producer. “It just helps bring our families into our campus and to see all the exciting things happening.”
Participation is open to fifth- and sixth-grade students, but earning a spot on the team requires an audition.
The program operates outside of the regular school day, with students using their recess and lunch periods to conduct interviews, record segments and prepare content.
Ching said she has watched students become more comfortable on camera and behind the scenes.
“They’ve just had so much confidence,” she said. “Their smiles and their nerves, they’ve kicked them out, and they’re just ready to go.”
One of those students is fifth-grader Alayah Perez, who said she enjoys getting involved in school activities.
“I just try to join everything,” Perez said.
Like many broadcasters, she has discovered that being on camera comes with its own set of challenges.
“I kind of have to listen to my voice because when I get shy, it sounds really weird,” she said with a laugh.
Students not only conduct interviews and anchor broadcasts, but also get a taste of what professional journalists do every day.
During a recent visit, they even turned their cameras on Action News anchor Jessica Harrington for a few questions of their own.
While Ching currently edits each episode, she hopes to eventually hand that responsibility over to students as their skills continue to grow.
“Our students are putting so much effort and trying really hard in producing this every week,” Ching said. “This is 100% them, and me just guiding them along the way.”
School leaders say the program is helping students build communication skills, confidence and teamwork while giving families a closer connection to campus life.
For students interested in pursuing broadcasting or media production in the future, there’s already a pathway waiting for them. Jackson Elementary participants can continue developing those skills at Selma High School through its video production program.
Until then, the Husky News Network team plans to keep the cameras rolling and the campus informed, one weekly broadcast at a time.
For news updates, follow Jessica Harrington on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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