The student newspaper at the Roberts Elementary School began not with a curriculum change, but with a third grader who decided the school should have one.
Owen Jette Walsh, 10, proposed the idea during the final week of third grade last year, asking to start what is now the Roberts Ram-Page, a newspaper produced by elementary school students.
“I thought it would be nice to have a school newspaper,” said Owen, who serves as the publication’s editor-in-chief. “I would describe it as a school newspaper that is made to make people laugh and know about the community.”
Though the students have grown up with Chromebooks and smartphones, the Roberts Ram-Page is a traditional print newspaper.
Jennifer Devlin, who was Owen’s second- and third-grade teacher, said she was surprised when he approached her in the final days of the last school year with the idea. During the summer break, the two began working on turning it into a reality.
“Owen asked if he could hang a sign-up form in the classroom, saying he wanted to start a school newspaper,” Devlin said. “I thought it was a great idea, so we got together and wrote a proposal to ask permission to have the paper.”
Owen and Devlin created a prototype issue so they could present the idea to the school, and other students soon joined the team. The Roberts Ram-Page published its first full issue in December and is preparing its second for March.
“I wanted to be in the Roberts Ram-Page because I thought it’d be fun,” said fifth-grade reporter Martha Jacob, 11. “I like writing a lot, and I thought it would be a fun way to get to know my community.”
The group now meets after school on Wednesdays to report, write and design the publication. Sixteen students brainstorm topics they believe their readers will find interesting, assign stories and submit drafts.
The December issue featured a mix of reporting, reviews, opinion and entertainment. One story examined why desserts are rarely served at lunch, while another recapped the Student Council’s annual food drive. The issue also included jokes, a comic strip, a review of the new “Dog Man” book and a feature in which students debated whether they would drive a flying car.
“We make a list of things kids will like, because we’re kids ourselves,” said fourth-grade reporter Mary Massa, 9. “Then we choose one, whether it’s an opinion topic or just something happening, and decide what to write about.”
Students submit their drafts through Google Classroom, where Devlin reviews and edits the work before moving it into Canva for layout and design. Once finalized, the paper is printed, folded, stapled and distributed to classrooms.
“I guide them in their writing a little bit, but mostly I go over it and help put it all together,” Devlin said. “After the submissions, we print it and help with the folding and stapling. It’s several hundred copies, which is a lot.”
Beyond writing stories, the project has also required students to communicate with teachers and staff while managing responsibilities.
“They have to reach out to adults and write emails,” Devlin said. “They have to interact with people they’re not used to interacting with, so they’re definitely learning communication skills.”
Students said the process has also taught them how to work together and stay on schedule so each part of the paper comes together on time.
“You have to get it out by a certain point so the design team can place it,” Mary said. “In class you might have more time, but here we have to meet the deadline.”
The paper has begun to generate conversation across the school, with students offering feedback and suggesting ideas for future issues.
“Some people have said, ‘This is a great idea for the paper,’ and they’re sharing ideas for future editions,” Devlin said. “The kids are enjoying it, and they’re looking forward to the next issue.”
The group was recognized during December’s School Committee meeting, drawing attention beyond the school’s walls.
Looking ahead, Owen said he hopes the paper continues after he moves on from Roberts.
“I just hope it keeps going, and I hope other schools follow this idea,” Owen said.
Fifth-grade reporter Guthrie Hansen, 10, said she also hopes the paper continues while maintaining high standards.
“I want it to keep going, but I want it to be good,” Guthrie said. “I don’t want to just push out random stuff. I want to make people happy and have more people read it, because I think it’s very impressive for us kids.”
Sangmin Song is a senior journalism student. This story is part of a partnership between Gotta Know Medford and the Boston University Department of Journalism.
