?Dear Mrs. Hind, Thank you so much for the NIE (Newspapers in Education). They give us something interesting to do and enrich our brain. If I could find enough words to say how much I appreciate your bounteousness??

This is a sample of one of the many letters that Jennifer Hind receives from students who participate in the NIE programme at their school. Letters like these, says education services coordinator, help her to see that students are enjoying what she sets out to do each week of the school year ? learn new and interesting things in the newspaper.

This is no small task, says the former Warwick Academy teacher, who has been in her current position for the last four years. Arriving at her office at 7 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday morning during the academic year, using the respective day?s paper, Mrs. Hind puts together lesson plans for P4 through Senior 1 students.

?I look for articles throughout the different sections of the paper then develop comprehension questions. Additionally, I have articles that are sent to teachers separately for them to use in the classroom,? she explains.

Her aim, she says, is for students at all levels to be able to read the newspaper, discuss and answer questions as well as to learn about what?s happening in our community.

It?s important that I use Bermuda material, as much of the learning tools in schools are UK or US written.

?Local stories bridge the gap but children also have to be aware of the larger world,? Mrs. Hind says.

While she admitted that she had no true measure of NIE?s success rate in the schools, Mrs. Hind says that she knows some schools use it religiously, including some home schools.

?I work very closely with the Ministry of Education to create material that will meet the needs of the students,? she adds.

When asked how she would like to see this Island-wide programme grow, Mrs. Hind says she hopes to one day be able to produce more NIE supplements for the students. Currently they are published every six weeks. Secondly, she says she would like to see a proper student writing programme established through Thursday?s Young Observer page which appears in : ?I would love to see contributions from each schools regularly. I would like to see it written for the students by the students.?

Are you interested in implementing a NIE programme in your school? Contact Mrs. Hind at 295-5881 for details.