Extra! Extra! Shamley Students Create Their Own Newspaper

By day, room C-108 at Shamley School is Jessica Daugherty’s third grade classroom. By Thursday afternoons, it transforms into the bustling newsroom of the brand-new Shamley Family Newspaper.

“Our goal is to put out a newspaper every month using activities that are going on around campus, and then article ideas that the students come up with,” said Daugherty.

Along with fellow third grade teacher Samantha Liebl, Daugherty launched Shamley’s Newspaper Club this year to help spark the same love of journalism she found in middle school. 

“I did journalism when I was in middle school and high school and I actually originally majored in journalism,” Daugherty said. “So, I thought it would be a really fun idea to bring it to Shamley and give our middle school students the chance to express their creativity and spread news about campus.”

While Daugherty and Liebl provide guidance, students truly run the newspaper, including layout, design features, and content. This ownership allows students to gain confidence, independence, and new perspectives. And Daugherty is already seeing the fruits of their labor.

“They’ve done an awesome job at brainstorming and really stepping out of their shells and talking to people they might not have before,” she said. “They’re learning to see people in a new light and learn that everybody has something going on that they could see and maybe help or help inform others about.”

Sixth grader Aiden McCool is part of the Shamley newspaper staff. Already a fan of writing, he saw Newspaper Club as a chance to explore a new style beyond the non-fiction and fantasy he usually writes. 

“I think just the fact that I could write and inform people about stuff that's happening in our school made me excited,” he said. Writing from different points-of-view has been a new challenge, but also a learning opportunity. “When I'm writing in perspective, it has shown me how other people might think about different topics.”

McCool has also valued the opportunity to collaborate with his classmates. “My favorite part about Newspaper Club has been just being able to interact with other writers who are excited about this as much as I am,” McCool said.

And for him, it’s more than just a club — it’s a spark for what’s ahead. “I love to write. It's really enjoyable for me, so I think it could be a possible career in my future.” Just as Daugherty hoped, the Newspaper Club is inspiring students to discover new skills, explore their creativity, and see the world, and their school, in a whole new way. 

Explore Shamley School during their Open House on January 15, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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This opportunity reflects Tempe Elementary’s commitment to fostering a positive environment, as outlined in Goal 5 of the Strategic Plan.

About Cecil Shamley School
Cecil Shamley School is a K-8 school in Tempe, AZ. Shamley School is committed to preparing children to be lifelong learners and positive, responsible members of the local and global community. Learn more about the Shamley Leopards.