Video: Middle School Launches Online Newspaper

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AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – Middle school students in North Mississippi are taking the world wide web by storm, launching their school newspaper online for the first time.

It may be for a fine arts class, but students say they don’t mind spending time on the paper outside of the classroom.

45 students at Amory Middle School are joining the 24-7 news cycle – putting their school paper, The Daily Growl, online.

“You get to tell the world about your school, and how proud of your school, and the great things that are happening,” said eighth grader Daijah Thompson.

The last time their school had a newspaper was in 2002. And then, it only published every six weeks.

Students say now they’re constantly updating the newspaper because their classmates are always online.

“They love looking at their pictures. They love reading articles about themselves,” said Susan Gillentine, the fine arts teacher. “I have a banner that streams across that might say, ‘Ainslee Willis hits two home runs over the fence at Itawamba,’ and just being able to see their names online is wonderful.”

With just a click, everyone has access.

“The parents at home, grandparents out of town. Aunts and uncles can look at it. Students can have apps on their phone or their iPads. It’s just a lot more accessible that just a one copy type of paper,” Gillentine said.

Students address a range of topics – from school activities, to fashion.

“We have polls where you go on and vote,” said eighth grader Carson Avery. “Not only just look at the website, but you can go on and vote, like your favorite food, your favorite clothing, and different things like that.”

It’s a new addition these young writers hope everyone will embrace.

Gillentine says she hopes to continue the online newspaper next year, because she loves sharing positive news about AMS.