The New Haven Student Journalism Project
The New Haven Student Journalism Project New Haven Public School students to be real journalists. From its start in 2011 at the Celentano School, the project has moved and grown. Since 2013, it has been based at the East Rock Community & Cultural Studies Magnet School and supported by Yale’s Office of New Haven Affairs. Student journalists in grades 3-8 work in reporting teams with Yale mentors to produce The East Rock Record. The newspaper is published twice a year. In the past, paper copies were distributed throughout the New Haven community and to state legislators. In Spring 2020 publication moved online; it can be accessed at EastRockRecord.org and now also includes podcasts.
NHSJP reporters cover the most important stories of the day. Reporters have taken on stories about Covid, remote school, politics, food security, gun violence, computer hacking, dating in middle school — and the addictive power of Fornite.
Reporters have interviewed prominent leaders, including Mayor-Elect Justin Elicker two days after the election in his first press conference and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia Ferrick. They have met street youth workers and food pantry organizers, police officers, public health experts, elections officials and school department leaders. Reporters have hosted guest artists, including Pulitzer Prize Winning illustrator Michael Sloan, muralist Kwadwo Adae, filmmaker Phen Dest, the Long Wharf Theatre cast of Brownsville Song, the Yale Wiffenpoofs and musician José Oyola. Before the pandemic, reporters travelled to the state Capitol in Hartford to interview lawmakers and visit the press room. They write opinion pieces on subjects like fake news and U.S. border policy.
The East Rock Record is of high quality. But the deepest value comes from students learning to think, observe and make meaning out of events and ideas. From brainstorming to publication, reporters lead the conversation. This project — like much in journalism — is about centering curiosity, asking questions and communicating with others. We value social skills and civility. Each issue includes a publication party (virtual during the pandemic) to celebrate, often with invited guests. We returned to print after two years for our April 2022 issue. It is also available online here. Follow us on Instagram.
Current and Back Issues
