Providence’s public schools have faced a lot of scrutiny lately.
A scathing and widely shared 2019 report from Johns Hopkins University called out low academic expectations, deteriorating school buildings, and communication problems with bilingual families.
But at the Alfred Lima Elementary School in the city’s West End, a crew of young journalists is publishing stories that present another narrative about their school system.
Their newsday begins with a morning meeting with their publisher, school librarian Tasha White.
Equipped with an iPad and an antique microphone, this crew of 5th-grade journalists roams the hallways for interviews with students and teachers. But they’ve also sat down with Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
They tape their show in two languages and release it on YouTube and social media.
Ocean State Media visited the Alfred Lima Elementary School this month to document the news crews’ process and how they produce their stories.
