Northport High School social studies teacher Janis Schachter has been recognized globally for her work in media literacy, earning the silver level Schurz Press Freedom Teacher Award from the Global Youth & News Media.
An international jury of 19 experts in journalism, media literacy and press freedom chose three laureates for the new Schurz Press Freedom Teacher Award, with Schachter being the silver level award winner.
“Janis deftly helps her students learn critical media literacy skills that they can take with them throughout their lives and at the same time, through her work using Committee to Protect Journalists resources, avoids the common pitfall of also creating a hostility toward journalism,” shared the jury who selected her.
“Too often and in too many countries news and media literacy instruction skips the part about the need for journalism and the high personal price some pay to do that job,” said Dr. Aralynn Abare McMane, the director of Global Youth & News Media. “This year, we wanted to work toward correcting that by recognizing those on the front line of education who make sure those lessons are taught well.”
Block Parties
Primary schools in the Huntington district will be hosting block parties Friday evening. The events allow Flower Hill, Jefferson, Southdown and Washington school communities to welcome in the new school year and through which members of the community can meet each other.
Little Free Library Opens
A Little Free Library is open at the playground at Hechscher Park. Town Suervisor Chad Lupinacci and Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol helped unveil the library, with resident Kelly Barracca ad her family, giving young children access to free books.