THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 1996 TAG: 9601120185
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS over the trusty old public address system have officially become a thing of the past at Corporate Landing Elementary School.
Fifth-graders have taken the schoolhouse tradition from the main office to the small screen with the Dolphin Broadcasting System (DBS), a live television news show that airs daily at 9 a.m. in every classroom.
With features such as the weather, birthday greetings and ``thought for the day,'' the five-minute broadcast reaches teachers and the school's 860 students via closed circuit TV.
``We've been having fun,'' said librarian and DBS producer Marie Garner. ``It definitely has been interesting.''
While the idea is not new to the city, Garner has tried to ensure that Corporate Landing's approach has been original.
Not only is the show run completely by the students - with them filling roles such as anchor, camera tech, VCR tech and anchor, DBS has a sign language interpreter everyday. Since Corporate Landing houses the city's elementary school hearing impaired program, one of the school's eight interpreters signs the entire broadcast.
``We're just trying to make sure everyone is involved,'' Garner said.
She decided to start the unique network after attending workshops and talking with school representatives who had implemented similar programs.
``We had almost all of the equipment,'' Garner said, noting that a microphone was the only item the school had to purchase.
She converted the library's audio-visual room into a studio - complete with a table and chairs for the anchors and video camera for the camera tech, as well as a student-designed back drop with the station letters. Principal William R. Skaggs even bought matching monogrammed purple cardigans for the stars.
A half-dozen fifth-graders were picked, assigned duties and DBS premiered Dec. 2.
``It's been well-received by the teachers,'' Garner said. ``They have said the kids are more attentive.''
Each day, the broadcast begins with the basics - a welcome and introductions - and then goes into the birthdays, weather, the next day's lunch and the announcements. Then, the VCR tech throws in a pre-recorded daily special.
On Mondays, the school is treated to an update on accelerated reader points and completed physical education miles. Tuesdays are for lost and found where lost items are advertised and found items are shown.
A student representing a different grade level each week reviews his or her favorite book on Wednesdays, while Thursdays are reserved for hearing impaired students, who teach mini-sign language lessons.
The Friday special features events such as speakers and performances.
These segments are followed by the pledge of allegiance - spoken and signed by different students weekly - and the moment of silence, where still pictures are shown. This month, student art work will be filmed.
The show ends with the anchors saluting and saying, ``Until tomorrow!''
``It's fun,'' said anchor Brittany McGill, 10. ``I never really got to do stuff like this.''
McGill and her co-anchor Stacey Clabaugh, 10, like the glamour associated with their jobs.
``We get a lot of compliments,'' Stacey said.
Director Kimberly Jimenez, 10, enjoys kicking back and making sure everything goes as planned. ``Directors really don't have to do much,'' she said.
Glitz and glamour do have their down sides, and the students have picked up on those as well.
``We have made our share of mistakes,'' Garner said. ``But it's live TV. The show must go on.''
Goofs included everything from leaving the microphones on after the broadcast and a hand in front of the camera lens to complete dead air.
``Those are good things because you learn from those,'' said guidance counselor Debbie Walsh, who assists with the broadcast.
Garner plans to give each of the five fifth-grade classes a chance to send representatives to participate in the DBS broadcast. A different batch will be picked monthly.
She also hopes to get some fourth-graders in the studio during the spring so they will be trained and ready for next year's shows.
``The kids have done a great job,'' said library secretary Deborah Gleason, another DBS assistant. ``They have amazed me with their talent.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by HOLLY WESTER
ABOVE: Librarian and producer Marie Garner watches a tape of one of
the students' live broadcasts.
LEFT: Brittany McGill, 10, left, and Stacey Clabaugh, 10, read over
their scripts while interpreter Julia Quinones signs the news on the
Dolphin Broadcasting System at Corporate Landing Elementary School.
Director Kimberly Jimenez, 10, holds up a piece of student artwork
while camera technician Stanley Malek, 10, films it for the
broadcast.
by CNB