The Ridgeline is underway; The Buffalo Ridge student online newspaper
The 2010-2011 Ridgeline Staff: Front Row – Ashley, Logan, Cody, Bryce, Travis and Xander; Second Row – Patrick, Simon, Trent, Pacey, Molly, Caroline, Mara, Emily, Casidee and Darren; Third Row – Maddie, Ashley, Sophie and Katie; Back Row Standing – Shannon Herzog, Felicia Phelan, Jason, Isaac, Brie, Nicholas, Aubrey, Oliver, Thomas, Josh, Ava, Monica Harmon and Amber (RCHS Volunteer).
Article and photo by Elean Gersack
Twenty-nine fourth and fifth grade Buffalo Ridge Elementary school students were recently selected as staff for the school’s online newspaper, The Ridgeline.
Prospective students were required to attend one of two writing try-out sessions. Those chosen were notified on September 8 and the first official staff meeting was held on Thursday, September 9.
Teacher sponsors, Shannon Herzog (fourth grade), Felicia Phelan (fifth grade), and Monica Harmon (technology), along with Rock Canyon High School The Rock student writer, Amber, are guiding this student run extracurricular program. The entire crew will meet each Thursday morning before school throughout the year.
The mission of The Ridgeline is to give intermediate elementary school students an opportunity to use writing as an authentic form of communication by creating an online publication. “Our goal is to encourage opportunities for students to apply creativity and writing skills into a real-world application,” said Herzog, Harmon and Phelan.
The students, along with their families, signed contracts agreeing to staff responsibilities. Students are expected to always be on time, prepared, think outside of the box, and do the right thing at the right time during Ridgeline work hours and during the rest of the day. Only one unexcused absence is permitted and if more than one occurs, the student will be asked to resign.
Throughout the school year, Ridgeline staff writers will have opportunities for articles to be selected and published as feature stories in The Castle Pines Connection. Watch for The Ridgeline special section coming next month in the November issue.
