Glenfield Middle School Revives Student Newspaper with MFEE Grant

Original artwork by Roslyn Keel in the first issue of the new school newspaper, The Glenfield Times.

The Glenfield Middle School student newspaper fizzled about a decade ago, but thanks to the vision and tenacity of English-Language Arts teacher Eleni Zapantis, a pair of dedicated parent volunteers, and a grant from the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, it’s back in print.

New issues of The Glenfield Times will be distributed to classrooms throughout the school, but the publication has been a semester in the making. About 15 to 18 students, in sixth through eighth grades, have been meeting after-school twice a month since January to brainstorm ideas, report and write stories, and create artwork and puzzles. 

The newspaper is currently an after-school club, but Zapantis and parent supporters hope to make it an elective to allow more students to participate and teach the essentials of journalism. 

“I think these kids are growing up in a society where they are really paying attention to the news and how it’s presented, be it print or online or on TV,” Zapantis said. “They need to know that they have a voice, and they need to be able to think critically about the issues we’re facing.”  

All Glenfield students are welcome to contribute to the newspaper. The students created the content, while Zapantis and parent volunteers helped oversee and encourage their efforts.

The final product is a 16-page edition featuring technology, book and food reviews, opinion pieces, and a report on incoming Glenfield Principal Dr. Frances Aboushi. There are also articles about this year’s school musical “Annie,” African American career day, the pros and cons of artificial intelligence in education, recipes, comics, a "Joke Corner,” and even a Gen Z and Gen Alpha Slang Word Search.   

“Some of the kids are very clear in their passions, so they’re excited to share their outside passions with the larger school community,” said Christine Osborn, a Glenfield parent and MFEE grant liaison who volunteered with the club.

Osborn, who previously started a newspaper at Edgemont Montessori School, said she enjoys helping students learn about the process of formal writing, the structures, discipline, creativity, and joy of communication. “I do think it matters,” she said. And she’s excited for the kids to see their names in print. Parent Sara Holliday also volunteered with the club.

Each year, MFEE provides $60,000 in Educational Excellence grants to educators across our district for tools and experiences to enhance learning for students. These grants are funded in large part by MFEE's annual Toast to the Teachers events, family-hosted parties that are happening now through the end of June. In fact, Glenfield families are celebrating their teachers and staff, including Zapantis, at a trio of Toasts this month. 

So grab tickets to a Toast or donate to MFEE – either way you’ll be helping Montclair Public Schools student journalists report all the school news that’s fit to print.