Catholic newspaper lets students produce its children's page

Published: 2006-02-24

PARMA, Ohio (CNS) -- Following the retirement of the longtime writer of a children's column in Horizons, newspaper of the Byzantine Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma, its editor, Loretta Nemeth, contacted the eparchy's two elementary schools to see if the students wanted to take over providing the content for the page. Her proposal was greeted with enthusiasm by both schools. "From discussions with the pastor and staff, the feeling was that one of the positives about this endeavor will be that we would assist the students in making their faith life more reality-based," said Rita Basalla, principal of St. Mary Elementary School in Cleveland. "The hope is that the students will see how what is taught really does affect our daily lives." Basalla added, "The students will become active participants rather than simply receptors of information." St. Mary seventh- and eighth-graders will be the primary writers, but some things will be included from the lower grades, too. The school has 207 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. St. Nicholas Academy in Lorain will prepare the children's page a few times each year.

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