More than two years ago, in September 2021, a learner in grade 9 approached SelfDesign® Learning Community’s Principals Team with an idea. She wanted to know if the school would be interested in supporting a learners’ newspaper, written for and by learners.
Aerin, now in grade 11, says that the idea came from a conversation with her mom and sisters, who were then in grades 7 and 12 at SelfDesign. They had been talking about the need for a place or activity at SelfDesign where students from all grades could interact and work together or submit pieces of writing or stories or art, whatever their grade or interest.
“Out of that,” Aerin says, “the idea kind of came to me of a school newspaper — but in a kind of different sense than what a school newspaper usually is. What I had in mind was a place for learners to share what they love and to inspire each other with what they’re doing.”
She was also looking for a place where learners could try and coordinate some kind of community service, some kind of positive action, where learners could work together, no matter which B.C. community they were based in.
The Principal Team’s answer to the proposal, of course, was “Yes!”
“SelfDesign has always supported learners in finding, developing and sharing their voices — that’s been part of our approach and philosophy since we began,” says SelfDesign Principal Catherine Dinim. “We see a learner newspaper or anything in that vein as supporting that.”
The inaugural issue of the newspaper called the Design Post was published the following March. Every article, photograph, poem, story and media review within it was created by a SelfDesign learner.
“That first edition was a very long time coming,” Aerin says, “because we were still sorting everything out, figuring out how we could tell people about it, how we could collect responses, who would be involved.”
Two years and two successful editions of the Design Post on, the publication’s editorial team consists of five learners, including Aerin, from grades 8 to 11. SelfDesign educator Beth Heckkner, the educator–sponsor for the activity, supports them.
The hope is that this learning year, with processes in place, a team assembled early in the fall, and a two-year track record to draw on, submissions and production will increase, and the team will be able to publish two issues.
By learners, for learners
“The Design Post is for everyone,” Aerin says. “Learners have asked, ‘Is there a grade limit? Is this for learners in grades 8 to 12, or 10 to 12?’ But it really is for anyone who’s interested, whatever grade they’re in, whatever they’re interested in.”
Only two rules for submissions apply. A generous upper word limit is in place for written pieces, and submissions must meet the SelfDesign Learning Community policy on an Educational Environment of Safety, Acceptance and Respect, in other words, hateful, discriminatory, libelous or slanderous material isn’t accepted.
“Within those boundaries, the Design Post really is for any learner to share anything they’re interested in. We really want anything. Anything you’re interested in submitting, we’re interested in publishing,” she says.
It also is an opportunity for learners on the publication’s editorial team. They can use the experience to work on their writing skills, editing skills, learn more about journalism and online publishing, and develop their group-work skills.
“I wanted to join the Design Post editorial team to learn and grow alongside my peers and practice teamwork, writing, and reading,” team member Saumya, grade 8, says. “I hope to learn more about the newspaper, the people working on it and formatting skills, and gain teamwork experience.”
“I love writing, editing and reading, all of which align with the positions on the news team,” says Chelsey, grade 8, about why she volunteered to work on the team this year. “I have also been trying to expand my confidence in social situations and group work this year, and I thought that this would be a great opportunity to do so. I enjoy taking on new challenges, working with others and helping to make whatever project I am working on the best that it can be, and the Design Post is a fun and educational way to expand on those passions.”
She also hopes to learn “more marketing skills and improve on my knowledge of how to work with a newspaper or similar organization.”
What inspired Aerin to suggest a learner newspaper
Although a conversation led to the idea of a learner-led, learner-created newspaper, the idea of a place where learners could do something positive for their local communities or work together towards common goals was part of Aerin’s inspiration for the idea.
She also liked the idea of learning more about what other learners in the school were doing.
“I would go to my grade 8–9 Theme meetings and see all of the amazing stuff my classmates were making, and I’d just think, ‘This is so neat,’” she says. “There’s a lot of things we can all learn from each other.”
On a more personal note, Aerin was interested in being involved in a longer-term project. She wanted to bring a project to fruition and see whether she could create something that would contribute to the SelfDesign community.
“We thought about what a school newspaper might look like if it were to fit within the SelfDesign ethos and was aligned with SelfDesign community priorities,” she says. “The concept evolved from being a newspaper into being this amalgamation of whatever we thought would be cool or fun or that learners might be interested in.”
Why other learners on the editorial team got involved
Other learners are also finding inspiration from and connection to the Design Post.
“I wanted to join the Design Post because of the people in the team,” says Alexa, grade 11. “I loved the initiative that the team stands for, and I wanted to support and be a part of that initiative of talking about important topics and the importance of community that the leader Aerin always strives for. I wanted to get my writing out there for the learner body to see, and to get some experience of what journalism is like at its finest and to be with a team of hard workers and creatives!”
“I love contributing to SelfDesign as a community, and I enjoy working in a group setting,” fellow–editorial team member Ameya, grade 10, says. “I hope to learn more about how to format a newspaper, what the editing process looks like, and how the team goes about making a digital newspaper.”
“The Design Post for all learners — for everyone,” Aerin says. “It’s ours, so, you know, come and be involved.”
Read about these other opportunities for learners to connect with their peers at SelfDesign:
Open Spaces – now open to learners in kindergarten to grade 12
Genius Hour – for learners in grades 3 to 9
In-person camps – for learners in grades 10 to 12
SelfDesign Minecraft – for learners in kindergarten to grade 9
Learners Council – for learners in grades 8 to 12
