For students in the journalism class at Clarence Middle School, filming a weekly news show is more than just learning to write a script or improving their public speaking skills. It’s a chance for the class to increase their responsibility as they work together to make sure their videos projects are ready to air each week.

“They all have different jobs they do on their own, and they’re excited to have it done,” said Scott Aspinall, who teaches the students in the class, along with mathematics. Aspinall said he had encountered student broadcasts in other schools where he worked, and upon arriving at Clarence Middle School he wanted to make a similar program. 

“The students like making the script their own,” Aspinall said. “It’s letting them do their thing.”

Students take the class in lieu of a study hall. In addition to the news show, students take part in putting together in-school renditions of popular television shows like “Survivor” and “The Masked Dancer.” Much of the equipment for the broadcast has been funded through the Clarence Schools Enrichment Foundation. 

The weekly filming sessions for the class create teaching moments for the students in using the cameras and microphones as well as their public speaking. Filming a news show with segments on the Science Bowl, an early dismissal and an upcoming Student Council vote, Aspinall coached his students to slow down while reading their news stories so they could be better understood.

“If you feel like you’re going too slow, you’re going at the right pace,” he said.

Kennedy Klostermann, an eighth grader, said she liked being in the class and writing scripts, especially for stories about classmates who have done well in athletic and club competitions.

“It makes them feel good,” Kennedy said. “They’ve won the game for us.”

Ethan Ivanick, an eighth grader, said he liked reading the news as an anchor, despite the nerves he felt watching himself on the broadcast when it aired in his class.

“It’s helping me build my confidence,” he said.

Eighth grader Ariel “Arik” Patrisky said he enjoyed putting together the different video clips to make the shows come together .

“I’ve always had a passion for editing video and working with video software,” Arik said. “I think it’s really cool when I see an episode up and know I had a part in making it.”