Some schools hang on to printed newspaper traditions

By Chip Slawson

Valley Voices Staff Writer

Some high school newspapers seem to be thriving, despite the increasing role Web technology plays in delivering the news.

Online offerings are important, but some students still prefer a print edition, said Bob Bires, the dean of student life at the McCallie School and former faculty sponsor of the Tornado student newspaper there.

The Tornado began publishing exclusively online in 2002, but returned to a print edition after two years. It is no longer published online.

"The technology worked well, readership was OK, but McCallie is a traditional school and there were people who preferred to have it printed," Mr. Bires said.

Nevertheless, some McCallie students said offering the paper online would make the news more accessible.

"If both were available, I would read it more often," McCallie senior Trey Staton said. "I read the hard copy, but sometimes, if I miss them handing out the paper, having it online would be nice."

At Girls Preparatory School, the Spectrum student newspaper continues to be an exclusively print publication.

Although writers use online services such Google Docs during the writing process, the biggest barrier to moving the Spectrum online is the current production model, school officials said. Students meet once a meek for 25 minutes during lunch periods, but more hands-on time would be needed for a digital switch, said faculty co-sponsor Sara Gahan.

"If we were going to go online, the Spectrum would need to be a class," Gahan said.

Red Bank High School was reluctant to moving to an exclusively online publication. (Red Bank also has an award-winning broadcast media program. See related article.)

Gregory Cantrell, the adviser for Red Bank's Blue and White student newspaper, said he was approached earlier this year about moving the paper online but declined.

"In the end, (a printed copy) is something students can carry around with them and be proud of," Mr. Cantrell said.

If anything, Blue and White may be pushing the Internet further away.

In previous years, some issues were mailed home, while others were handed out at school. This year, the newspaper will be consistently mailed home.

Mr. Cantrell said switching to an online paper might actually hurt readership.

"I think the readership would go down just because people don't want to go to the school Web site to check it," he said. "I really feel there are a lot of people who enjoy the nostalgia of a (newspaper)."

Chip Slawson is a student at The McCallie School and editor-in-chief of the McCallie Tornado