Without having to take a flight to another continent, elementary-level students from both the Idle Hour and Duffield elementary schools recently enhanced their newsroom skills by “reporting” from foreign lands.

With assistance from technology integration specialist Victoria Pappas, a number of third grade students at Idle Hour Elementary School stepped in front of a green screen and mimicked multiple professions from the journalism field, including newscasting, field reporting and operating the teleprompter. Prior to their excellent reporting, the students were asked to choose a specific aspect of nature to research, such as snakes, whales or wolves, which ultimately went hand in hand with the “Animal Planet” theme which was chosen for them. 

At the conclusion of the students’ content being filmed, the fifth-grade students at Duffield Elementary School will be editing the footage themselves and piecing together the video to make a concise and fun, video package. 

Staff and students from Idle Hour Elementary School recently took on Maggie's Kindness Challenge in late March in honor of Maggie Schmidt of Greenlawn, who lost her battle with a rare form of cancer in 2017.

With assistance from PTA Cultural Arts Representative and Maggie’s Mission Advocate Michelle Burke, the students at Idle Hour took on the challenge to live life to its fullest, show kindness to all and be mindful of others and surroundings.  

As students performed challenges such as donating clothes, baking for friends and family, enjoying a sunset, spending time with others and dressing up for theme days, pictures were sent to Mrs. Burke as she put them together and displayed them during a schoolwide assembly for all to see. 

Throughout course of the week, more than 100 students participated in the challenge and kindness was spread throughout the community. Students also received bracelets as they handed in their participation pledges and certificates after they submitted their challenge trackers.

According to the official website, Maggie’s Mission was created in an effort to raise awareness of pediatric cancers, fund research and provide help to families and children in need. Although Maggie passed away in 2017, she is remembered as a wonderful young woman who loved everything life had to offer.