There are a lot of changes happening with the Chapin Claw during the 2013-2014 school year. The news atChapinHigh Schoolwill be like it’s never been before.

The Chapin Claw will cut back on the number of newspapers being printed. The reason for this change is because not many students in Chapin actually read the school paper and it is a waste of money to keep printing the paper when it does not go to use. Instead, stories will be available for students in many different ways.

Firstly, all stories will be found online at chapinclaw.com. This way the journalism students can still write but it is more cost efficient. Those students who actually read the newspaper will also still be able to read, just in a different form of media.

Secondly, Chapin Claw also has its own Twitter, claw_chapin. On Twitter, students can get their news when it’s happening. News stories will also be posted there with links to take you to the entire story on the Chapin Claw’s website. The Chapin Claw will also be expanding to other forms of social medial that are popular with the students like Instagram and Vine that students often get on.

Next year students will be receiving iPad minis, which will help students access news during the school day and learn about what’s going on. Students can also record or write things to the Chapin Claw. By doing this, more students will know what’s going on at Chapin.

Lastly, and most importantly, the Chapin Claw will also be moving to a news show that will hopefully be airing once a week. Here students can hear about what events happened during the week, news that will be occurring the next week, announcements, weather and much more. This is not only limited to the journalism classes but also to students who have something they want others to know about or something special they do that they think should be recognized.

Mrs. Weinspach who has been teaching at the school for a long time and has seen the paper go through it’s many different years said,

“While it may be strange right now to think we won’t have newspapers passed out to us for silent reading, it will save a lot of trees!  I am glad we are being both aggressive and progressive in embracing the electronic information age! While some changes are harder than others, moving to a paperless environment should be embraced and whole-heartedly supported by all environmentally conscious and technically savvy people.  I am excited for the future ofChapinHigh School!”

Mrs. Huckabee will be teaching the Mass Media class next year. She has a number of ideas that can help make newspaper an amazing class. She has worked in mass media and is more than qualified to teach the class. Huckabee says,

“There are so many good things that happen at Chapin High whether we’re talking academics, athletics, or the arts, and this program will give us a vehicle to share locally and globally. I’m looking forward to growing Mass Communications with students who are interested in everything from being morning news anchors, to those who want to be sideline reporters on ESPN, to those who harness social media most effectively.”

The Chapin Claw is hopeful of next year’s new changes and hopes that students will sign up and be a part of the class.