YOU STAY CLASSY

WASILLA — Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … you’re on the air.

Five minutes at a time, the newsroom at Cottonwood Creek Elementary is educating the school population. Thursday afternoon, the four-person crew of fifth-graders recorded a segment that will air in classrooms Tuesday. Aside from regular announcements, they introduce the Word of the Week (“dependable”), report on a school-wide fund-raiser and give some interesting hibernation facts about tree frogs.

It’s time again for CCNN — Cottonwood Creek Noteworthy News, with lead anchor Principal Lisa Vrvilo and reporters Cooper Smith, 11, Lily Sessom, 10 and Amanda Mayer, also 11. Directing behind the scenes and filming is 10-year-old Luke Arthur.

Like any news organization, the students meet to work out scripts and prepare reports on various subjects. They film about three days a week with teachers showing CCNN broadcasts daily during lunchtime, said Vrvilo. The videos are uploaded onto the school’s server, and projected onto Promethean boards in classrooms.

Reading the news seems easy, but is actually a lot of work, Mayer said. She likes being on the broadcast and enjoys that younger students recognize her in the hall from her CCNN efforts.

“I’ve learned you can’t always be perfect, but you have to do your best,” she said, adding reporters also have an opportunity to be good role models for other students. “You can give them a heads-up by being a leader. Yeah, sometimes I’m nervous, like, stuttering a lot or saying the wrong thing. When that happens, I have to keep going or we will say, like, ‘Cut!’ and start all over.”

The team of Smith, Sessom, Mayer and Arthur will produce CCNN throughout November. It’s a gig that’s one of the more prized among students, Vrvilo said. Students have to apply for the position, go through an interview and audition. It’s a process that helps them become more socially aware and develop better work habits, she said.

“All the students learn leadership skills, because they’re recognized throughout the building,” she said. “They share messages. What do you hope they learn? That’s one of the questions we ask them (during the interview process). We got answers like, ‘I want to work out of my comfort zone and become a better speaker.’”

On Thursday, Smith reads a report on the tree frog, which actually stops its own heart and allows itself to freeze as part of its hibernation.

“Don’t try this at home,” he admonishes.

It’s a delivery that seems easy, but comes after a lot of practice and collaboration with the other students. Before filming, they organize their scripts and go over what they’re going to say. Then they sit down in front of the camera for a practice run through before filming.

Delivering the news means developing good communication skills, Sessom said.

“You can’t be quiet or everyone will be, like, what are you saying?” she said. “The first time I was a little scared, too, but not anymore. You have to speak clearly and loud and can’t be embarrassed or shy.”

Playing to the camera comes naturally for the students, but for Arthur, he’s fine being the behind-the-scenes guy.

“I like the filming part best,” he said. “That’s what I usually do. I’ve always been into the computers, cameras and gadgets, that kind of thing.”

He does more than press the “record” button on the small flip camera, however. He acts as the student director, viewing the broadcast through his lens and making changes and suggestions — don’t kick your legs under the table, fix your hair, look up when you’re talking.

“Holding the camera still is pretty hard,” he added. “The tripod broke, so I have to hold it as still as I can.”

Smith auditioned because “I thought it would be fun and kind of cool.”

And it has been, he said, but it’s also been an educational experience he didn’t anticipate.

“You have to think about what you write first,” he said. “You can learn, but it’s kind of hard, too.”

Along with announcements, the CCNN newscasts include video clips from various school activities, like recess rules or asking students what their favorite snow activity is. It also gives Vrvilo a chance to interact with students at a different level than being a disciplinarian. She contributes to CCNN, but the students do the heavy lifting and the majority of the reporting.

Most of all, it teaches a wide range of skills needed to develop good communication habits.

“That’s extremely important,” Vrvilo said. “They’re getting a really good start on their communication skills. They have to speak very clearly and loudly, and use the technology.”

Being on the big screens in classrooms every day is an extra benefit, Mayer joked. “Like, I need a bodyguard.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.