At Park Dale Lane, we take pride in our student-led clubs program, and this month we want to shine a spotlight on Panther News, our student-run news station. Fourth through sixth-grade students work collaboratively to produce a weekly newscast that is broadcasted schoolwide every Monday morning.
Panther News originated from the goal of providing leadership opportunities to students, allowing them to showcase their talents and interests while embracing our values of belonging and being of service to others. What began as a guided production has evolved into a platform for student-driven decision-making. Witnessing students take charge of scripting, rehearsing, filming, and all aspects of production has been truly inspiring. Despite the workload, students eagerly anticipate each lunchtime session, eager to contribute to the news in their unique ways.
The process is a testament to student empowerment. During lunch club breaks, students collectively establish rules and assign responsibilities for the upcoming week's segment. Throughout the week, they work independently on tasks such as creating backgrounds for green screen segments using Canva, filming campus activities, conducting interviews, and even producing entertaining segments like the weekly lunch menu with interactive backgrounds. Additionally, younger students contribute by filling in smaller segments like the joke of the week, the surf report or book reviews, fostering a sense of inclusivity and participation across grade levels.
This initiative aligns perfectly with our District’s Learner Profile, as students not only act as skilled communicators and confident collaborators but also as empowered learners, contributing meaningfully to their school community. Looking ahead, we aim to extend the reach of Panther News by sharing weekly segments with our parent population.
