As part of the Salt Point Center’s (SPC) ongoing commitment to fostering student engagement and leadership, it has launched a weekly in-house broadcast where students share about what’s happening in their building.
Students rotate at the anchor chair every week to report on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) activities and events occurring in the building. They also tell jokes and interview SPC staff. The broadcasts are filmed in Guidance Counselor Samantha Esposito’s office with the help of Career & Technical Institute (CTI) students in the afternoon TV & Film Production class. The first broadcast was sent out to SPC staff March 5.
Esposito and Assistant Principal Nicole Gardiner developed the broadcast as a way to create meaningful, student-centered opportunity promoting confidence, communication and connection within the school community. By participating, students practice public speaking, collaborate with their fellow students and take on leadership roles.
“Our goal was to provide students with an engaging platform where they can build essential social and communication skills in a supportive and inclusive environment,” Esposito said. “It encourages them to step outside of their comfort zones, develop confidence in their voices and feel a sense of pride in contributing to something that reaches the entire school.”
SPC student Ethan Horton anchored the broadcast during the week of April 6 and had a blast. (See video below)
“It’s fun and I do a good job,” Horton said. “I want my mom and dad to see.”
One of the most valuable part of this experience is when SPC students interact and learn from their fellow students, as well as the CTI students.
“This helps foster inclusivity, build relationships, and gives students the chance to see and appreciate the strengths of others throughout the school community,” Esposito said. “The project strengthens school-wide connection, students see themselves represented, they stay informed about school events and feel a greater sense of belonging.”
TV & Film student Michael Morfea student enjoys filming the show, especially seeing the SPC kids come in excited and prepared to film.
“It’s refreshing to hear them talk about things that were important to me when I was in elementary school,” Morfea said. “It makes me smile.”
