Grant Awarded To Middle School Magazine

By Tanjua Damon

Newtown Middle School students have been creating a literary magazine for at least 13 years, but for the last two years, the school has received a literary grant that has helped publish the magazine.

Over 100 students participated in the 2000 magazine that is currently being judged by the National Council Teachers of English. They should know the results in February. The school is gearing up to begin production of the 2001 magazine.

The middle school has been publishing a literary magazine for many years with help from the PTA and other resources. But the past two years, teachers Nancy Martin, English, and Claudia Clancy, art, applied and received a grant for $1,000 per year from SHOPA (School, Home, Offices Products Association) and Ames Department Stores to fund the magazine.

A group of student volunteers produce the magazine. The process begins with writing. After the students complete their final drafts more students become involved with producing artwork to accompany the written work. Over 100 students are involved with the creation of the literary magazine.

“We just take samples of work on any given topic throughout the year,” Ms Martin said. “Usually it’s a class piece. Sometimes a student will write something on their own.”

Since producing the literary magazine, the middle school has achieved great honors from the NCTE. When judged, they are included with both middle and high school submissions.

“We figure we have some excellence here. So we put it out there,” Ms Clancy said. “They [students] are so excited. I think this piece is such a showcase of the talent in the school.”

In 1993 and 1996, the middle school literary magazine was among 31 of 937 magazines that received the highest award across the country, according to Ms Clancy. The middle school’s submissions have also always been at the top in the state.

“It’s a worthwhile endeavor,” Ms Clancy said.

SHOPA offers grants entitled Kids in Need for schools in low economic areas, helping to provide school supplies. Plus SHOPA provides curriculum grants to teachers like Ms Clancy and Ms Martin who offer educational programs outside the realm of school that may not receive funding locally.

This literary magazine lesson plan by Ms Martin and Ms Clancy was also included in the Kids in Need Teachers Grants 2000-2001 Best Practices Guide produced by SHOPA for other teachers to use in their schools.