Seacliff Elementary School students are stepping into the studio, taking on roles as anchors, camera operators, scriptwriters and field reporters for their student-run broadcast, Sea Star News.
Launched this school year by fourth-grade teacher Tiana Roy and fifth-grade teacher Ashley Hawkins, the program has given dozens of fourth- and fifth-grade students the chance to produce a monthly show shared with classmates, staff and their families.
The Daily Pilot reported that from start to finish, students lead the process — researching stories, creating storyboards, filming segments on iPads and editing the final product using a program called WeVideo. Student production teams coordinate each step and work together to capture footage before handing it off to student editors to bring the broadcast to life.
The Huntington Beach City School District program has quickly grown in popularity, with more than 50 students participating in roles ranging from weather reporters to producers and editors. Their monthly broadcasts are aired to all students on campus and shared directly with the SeaCliff community.
Beyond the technical skills they have gained, students said the experience is teaching them valuable lessons about hard work and connecting with their classmates.
“It taught me how to work as a team and listen to each other,” said student producer Dylan Han in an interview with the Daily Pilot. Dylan designed the logo for the broadcast and acts as a producer.
“It’s not that much work when you get to know it, but it’s really difficult at the start.”
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- More than 850 high school juniors and seniors in Orange County were nominated for their artistry across seven different disciplines as part of the 2026 OC Register’s Artist of the Year program.
- Inside the Outdoors, OCDE’s outdoor science program, was recently featured at the Orange County State of Education event. A video showcased ITO’s impact on environmental education and highlighted efforts to rebuild its Rancho Soñado site for future generations of students.
- OCDE will partner with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to host an April 24 convening on preventing and responding to hate incidents in schools while centering collaboration and student safety.
- In the latest FutureCurrent podcast episode, Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez discusses the power of mentorship and the importance of creating opportunities that help students succeed in a conversation with County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean.
- Five Orange County students have earned first-place prizes for capturing the testimonies of Holocaust survivors and rescuers through their artistic talents at the annual Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Art & Writing Contest.
- A Huntington Beach High School student took part in a special early graduation ceremony — organized by the Huntington Beach Union High School District and local officials — so her father with terminal cancer could watch her receive her diploma.
- The Los Alamitos Unified School District has found its new assistant superintendent of business services in Director Tim Golden, who will succeed retiring leader Elvia Schnur in July.
- The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has put new e-bike regulations on hold as district leaders review concerns raised by families about the policy at a recent board meeting.
- EdSource recently reported thousands of school employees in California have received preliminary reduction-in-force notices due to districts tackling low budgets due to increasing costs and falling student enrollment.
- On Thursday, Santa Ana College covered up a mural and plaques dedicated to Cesar Chavez as schools and education institutions across California take into account the allegations of abuse made against the late civil rights leader.
- Findings from a recent report show some California students remain classified as English learners despite demonstrating fluency. A proposed state bill would simplify the reclassification process, a change educators and researchers say could better support students and families.
- Young Orange County learners are improving their literacy skills and overcoming their fears of reading out loud thanks to frequent visits from therapy dogs at OC schools and public libraries through the OC Animal Allies’ Canine Literacy Program.
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