The Royal Gazette's Newspapers in Education (NIE) programme will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this fall. Starting as a pilot programme in a few schools with Ron Lightbourne at the helm, the programme has expanded into almost every school on the Island, and many home schools as well, offering teaching materials and workshops across the school curriculum. Along the way, the programme has received international recognition from the Newspaper Association of America and the National Newspaper Association.

NIE has also evolved from solely targeting the needs of teachers in the classroom to developing the writing skills of young people through the student reporter programme, now entering its third year. Open to all students in Bermuda schools, this programme introduces middle and high school students to the fascinating world of journalism. Under the supervision of a licensed educator, young people plan, research and write their own articles on topics of interest to them, which are then published in the weekly Young Observer section. New student reporters are always welcome — no experience necessary — and can join the team of writers by contacting The Royal Gazette's current Education Services Coordinator, Jennifer Hind.

As in the past, middle and high schools will be invited during the coming school year to "adopt" a page, which will allow them to highlight the activities and achievements of their students. It is hoped that it will be possible to expand this to include a monthly "Prime Spot" specifically featuring primary students.

There are exciting plans for in-paper features for the new school year, introducing new features and bringing back old favourites.

A new serial, a 12-part non-fiction series "Harlem Hellfighters" by Walter Dean Myers and Bill Miles, begins on September 23. Myers' and Miles' series is based on a longer book about a black infantry unit from Harlem, New York fighting in France in World War One. To tie in with local social studies programmes there is a parallel series examining the role of blacks in defending Bermuda, including the formation of the Bermuda Militia Artillery, and their role on the front lines in Belgium during the same war.

Local author Trudy Snaith's historical fiction series returns on November 2 for another six chapters featuring the young Bermudian, Sarah Catherine, and her two friends, William and Ophelia.

During the winter term, another six of Shel Silverstein's delightful poems will be published with in-depth lesson plans and activities to encourage young people to respond thoughtfully to poetry and write their own poems.

The "Kids Go Green" page of the monthly Green Pages special section will feature activities focusing on Bermuda's diverse habitats in the fall term and alterative energy sources later in the school year. Efforts have been made to link the activities to the Cambridge International Primary Programme being implemented in Government primary schools this year.

The monthly series written by Education Officer for Reading, Darnell Wynn, returns with helpful insights and suggestions for parents to ensure their children's reading success, on the first Tuesday of every month. Old favourites returning later in the year will include the Milestones in Bermuda's history series during Heritage Month. This series celebrates individuals who have made a difference in Bermuda's development over the centuries. In June we will again celebrate the academic success of Bermuda's students with full-page photo spreads of Bermuda's 2011 graduates.

The first of a number of professional development opportunities will be held on Saturday September 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. The focus of the workshop will be the Cambridge International Primary Programme Stage 6 Unit 1B: biography and journalistic writing.

For more information about the Newspapers in Education programme, professional development opportunities or to sign up as a student reporter, contact Jennifer Hind at 278-0136 or jhind@royalgazette.bm.