Telling the stories of the third floor

For the first time ever, fourth- and fifth-grades students at Voorheesville Elementary School have their own newspaper, The Third Floor Crier.

The paper, which is written entirely by students who are part of the Student Council, was first published in December and circulated among the fourth and fifth graders, whose classrooms are all on the third floor.

"We actually have found that producing a newspaper is a significant time commitment," said Mike Guerette, a fifth-grade teacher and editor of the paper.

While the fifth graders take leadership roles, all students come up with ideas and brainstorm about what each issue should include.

Each month, the paper focuses on a teacher, aspects of life that are unique to fourth or fifth graders and has a slogan, which ties into the building theme of kindness. In December, the slogan was "Fantasy becomes reality when you believe!"

Students are also considering the addition of “The Coach’s Corner,” which would include nutrition information from the gym teacher.

"I’ve impressed upon them that children tend to listen to their peers," Guerette explained, so he encourages students to write from their own point of view.