LFHS thrives on inclusion and community, and every Friday, The Morning News embodies these values. Broadcasted on the TVs around the school and posted on the “Friday Fanscout,” the news features students from LFHS’ Special Education Department, showcasing their communication and reading skills. This initiative allows these students to step into the spotlight and feel important within the LFHS community.
Although the news has been around for many years starting as strictly a classroom activity, it only began to be broadcasted around the school starting last year. It is directed by Special Education teacher Ms. Donna Lovitsch and recorded and edited by Educational Technologist Ms. Laura Grigg.
Students that participate in the news have a template for the news they cover, some working independently or with staff support as needed. Staff members are there to mentor students to ensure they remain objective and refrain from certain topics.
Each week, the news covers topics such as the date, national holidays, countdown to summer break, local and world news, sports updates, entertainment news, and a joke of the day. Each student practices several times before going up to record in order to become confident in their part.
Grigg highlights the “positive energy and enthusiasm” the students bring to their recording sessions. Because they record weekly, the students have become comfortable with their participation.
“It’s honestly a highlight of my week to hang out with them for a bit, hear what news they’ve got, and chat as they come into the studio,” Grigg said. “During filming, some students have specific preferences, like where the microphone should go or whether the monitor is on or off, so we take a little time to adjust the equipment—and then we’re off and running!”
Lovitsch said that as a result of the morning news, there has been an increase in confidence and self esteem from each student. Students who were at first nervous to participate are now excited and proud to watch themselves and their hard work.
“Part of each Friday morning is watching the newscast from Thursdays! Students will give each other shout outs for good things they saw and we talk about what we want to work on for the next week. We do a little self evaluation,” Lovitsch said. “It’s great to see the students get so excited to see themselves and their friends on the newscast, they often record themselves when we watch it. Students who you could barely hear in the video or those that would barely look up at first have completely changed into being much more confident. It’s been awesome to see.”
Along with the students who are a part of the news, the students who work as teacher assistants in LFHS’ Integrated Wellness classes often enjoy watching the broadcast as well. They love seeing the students they work with talk about topics they are interested in and have opportunities to be involved in their school community.
Each week senior Sienna Daum watches it and says it “never fails” to put a smile on her face and elevate her mood.
“I love seeing the students shine as they talk about topics they’re passionate about. It’s also great knowing how much fun they have filming it and how excited they get when they see themselves on the TVs around the school,” Daum said.
The purpose of the news is to allow students to work on their communication skills and feel more comfortable reading aloud. It not only does this, but it allows the students to practice these skills in a meaningful, fun way. Each student is “very motivated” and has the opportunity to be “famous” within their school newscast.
“It provides them with an opportunity to do something for the school and community by sharing information and providing everyone with a laugh through our joke of the day,” Lovitsch said. “Students and staff reach out giving compliments or talk to them about information that was shared or laugh at the joke. They love being the stars of the school on that day.”
Senior Integrated Wellness TA Ella Rubenstein says the morning news is a great way to display the students in the Special Education Department and showcase their individual personalities.
“Every Friday, I look forward to seeing the morning news posted. It makes me so happy when I watch because everyone in the news is so genuinely excited to be on camera and share the news on their topic that day. We all love to watch parts of it together before gym class starts,” Rubenstein said.
Each student uses their involvement in the news to bring awareness to certain issues or things they are passionate about in the school. For freshman news member Joey Van Camp, the broadcast is a way to encourage students to come to more sporting events and spread more school spirit.
“My favorite part about the morning news is talking about the sports of our school. I love talking about sports because it’s my main passion. I want a sold out student section and to make the gym feel like a better place,” Van Camp said.
For junior Maria Alzamora, her favorite part about being involved in the morning news is “making a difference in the world.”
“Not a lot of people share the news in our school so I think it’s pretty cool that we started doing it. A lot of people don’t know anything about sports or weather or clubs, so we share about it. It makes me happy and feel joy to see myself around the school. I love seeing myself on TV,” Alzamora said.
The Morning News broadcast represents the significance of treating the students in the Special Education department with the same respect as all other students.
“We have high expectations for our students and treat them like you would any other student in the school and that’s important. It is amazing to see what kids can do when you have those high expectations for them and help them to believe in themselves. They can do whatever they put their minds to, they just may do it a little differently,” Lovitsch said.
