SALISBURY — The local community can now learn about what is happening in the Rowan-Salisbury School System through the district’s new WRSS Student TV News program.
In partnership with the City of Salisbury and government access channel Access16, the show is being broadcast seven days a week on Access16 at 8:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
In addition, WRSS Student TV News may be viewed on the district’s website at www.rss.k12.nc.us. A published schedule of shows is also located at www.Access16.org.
According to a press release sent Tuesday by spokeswoman Rita Foil, a student from each of the school system’s six traditional high schools make up the district’s high school student news team.
North Rowan High’s Justin Kimber and Jesse Carson High’s Savannah Deal serve as WRSS co-anchors. Jake Kennedy from West Rowan High, Victor Pereira from East Rowan High, JC Burton from Salisbury High and Taylor Kluttz from South Rowan High are the WRSS roaming reporters.
Together they bring a fun, entertaining, and educational student-energized perspective of events, activities, athletics, and interviews with teachers, students, parents and community supporters right to local residents’ homes, the press release said.
Rowan-Salisbury student advisors are Amie Williams, Assistant Principal at Jesse Carson High, and Andrew Smith, 21st Century Model Classroom Teacher at East Rowan High.
The new district initiative allows students to enhance their interest in areas of journalism, communications and broadcasting through “hands on” experience by writing scripts, filming, videoing and editing, the press release said. An advisory board of local media professionals, in addition to district support staff, met with the students over the summer to share helpful tips and encouragement, as well as training the students with using the camera and video equipment.
Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom shared with students that while attending North Rowan High School, she participated in a countywide high school radio program.
“I feel like I have come full circle with launching WRSS for the Rowan-Salisbury Schools,” Grissom said in the press release. “It was during my high school radio program days that I first met Phil Kirk and we have remained special friends ever since. I can see the same lasting friendships developing among these students. They are great, learn quickly and bring such a fun perspective in reporting school news.
“We are always seeking unique and innovative educational opportunities for our students to help them develop their skills and specialized educational interest. The added bonus with WRSS is the opportunity to also develop friendships across the district that could last a lifetime.”