NEWSPAPERS HELP BOOST LOCAL EDUCATION EFFORTS

Area schools, businesses and the Southeast Missourian newspaper are working together in hopes of forming a habit that will last a lifetime: Newspapers In Education hopes to spark a love a reading.

Teachers from primary grades through adult education have found a multitude of applications for newspapers. Most importantly, newspapers in the classroom encourage students to read.

This week is set aside to celebrate Newspapers In Education programs across the nation. More than 200 area teachers use the Southeast Missourian newspaper in the classroom as part of the Newspapers In Education (NIE) program. This is the second year newspapers have been delivered directly to the classrooms.

On Mondays, more than 3,000 students receive the newspaper. Many elementary teachers choose to take only the Monday paper and utilize the Mini Page, a special section published in that edition for students. An average of 1,700 students receive the newspaper each day Mondays through Fridays.

The NIE program represents an almost $100,000 commitment to education. Half of that cost is covered by the Southeast Missourian; the other half is paid by sponsors. Schools pay nothing for the newspapers.

In September, the newspaper and the Area Wide United Way sponsored the first local Old Newsboys Day, called YELL for Newspapers. Half the proceeds from that program went to NIE. The other half went to literacy projects of the United Way.

Businesses have been enthu~siastic in their backing of the program, supporting the goals of improved literacy and a life-long love of reading.

Newspapers provide articles on many topics designed for many audiences; they offer something for everyone. Teachers report that students who are reluctant to pick up a textbook, eagerly await the newspaper each morning.

The NIE program provides teachers an additional resource, welcome in troubled financial times. And teachers have proved resourceful in finding ways to put the newspaper to use.

Kindergarteners identify specific letters. Grade school students learn the difference between fact and opinion. High school students analyze news events.

Whatever the activity, students are reading.

Newspapers encourage children to read, think and be curious about what is happening around them. That's what we celebrate during National Newspapers in Education Week.