Start Spreading the News: Morning Announcements Revamped at Rise

The Morning Announcements at the Rise Center for Success in Plattsburgh are can’t-miss TV.

Rather than your traditional morning announcements over the loudspeaker each day, Rise students are recording the announcements on their own with some high-tech equipment that professionals use in the real world.

“The original style of morning announcements was not working for us,” Rise Center for Success Principal Michelle Lawrence said. “As they came over the loudspeaker, there were a lot of disruptions for our students, and we were looking for something different.”

That’s when a different announcement style came to the forefront and the idea of a new Morning Announcements model developed.

COORDINATION BETWEEN CVES DIVISIONS

Lawrence coordinated with Communications and Publications Manager Joey LaFranca in the School Support Services Division to make sure students had the proper equipment.

“When Principal Lawrence told me about her idea, I was excited that our Communications Team could provide assistance and make their plan for announcements come to life,” LaFranca said. “We ordered professional camera, audio and lighting equipment, which is typically used for livestreaming. We helped get things set up, and the incredible team from Rise took over from there. Our Communications Team is always ready to support our students and work some magic behind the scenes.”

With the proper equipment made available to them, the students were ready to go and truly shined in front of the camera.

“The students making the announcements are taking ownership of them and learning to use the equipment,” Lawrence said. “They are learning the value of the equipment and taking amazing care of everything.”

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Teaching Assistant Jim Lavoie worked with Rise students to make the new announcement format truly come to life. The structure of announcements included the Pledge of Allegiance, the date, the Joke of the Day, and features about the Rise Motto (Resect-Integrity- Safety-Excellence).

Lavoie worked with various students, coordinated the announcements and then edited the announcement videos to be shared with teachers who could play them for their students when it was best suited for each classroom.

“The kids loved to perform on camera,” Lavoie said. “Everyone is affected by the camera, but in a lot of cases with this, the students seemed to be locked in more and remained focused rather than nervous. And of course, they are always in for some bloopers.”

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING UP

As the new school year approaches, the Morning Announcements are here to
stay. Students are encouraging each other to participate and be a part of something new
and exciting.

“I love getting the kids to learn new things,” Lavoie said. “It was so cool how the
students could encourage each other to participate. They are the ones really cheering each other on and pushing each other.”

Lavoie added he enjoyed hearing the plethora of ideas the students developed based off his initial input and instructions about the announcements. Whether there were moments filled with learning, laughter and anything in between, the announcements are a win-win situation for the Rise Center for Success.

“The announcements can be put on at a time when the teachers feel it is best and most fitting for their class,” Lawrence said. “A lot of our kids are not auditory learners. Having something they can see on a screen is much better and easier for them, and at the same time, is more interactive and engaging for everyone in our school.”

Read more from our Annual Report here.