The Brook Report
Springbrook Middle School's Student Newspaper
Want to pie this face?
Buy a raffle ticket at lunch for a chance to pie Mr. West! Our winner will be announced next week - and then the fun will begin!
GABRIELLA TAPIA
Rotary Service Above Self Award Winner
Congratulations to Gabriella Tapia, Springbrook MS 8th grade student, who was awarded this honor from the Adrian Rotary for outstanding dedication and commitment to our community! You are an excellent representation of our Maple Pride!
COLIN MATHIS
Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee
2024 Junior Youth of the Year
Congratulations to Colin Mathis, Springbrook MS 7th grader, who was awarded the Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee 2024 Junior Youth of the Year Award. Colin was recognized this morning at the 2024 Youth of the Year Breakfast hosted at the Boys and Girls Club. Thank you Colin for your leadership in the community!
Artistic Talent on Display
Four Springbrook students had their art on display in downtown Adrian. These beautiful light post banners now belong to them. Congratulations Lillian, Jayden, Juliana and Lilyan on your creativity and artistic abilities!
CONGRATULATIONS MRS. PICKLE!
Adrian Women's Club
Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Springbrook math teacher Mrs. Pickle. She has been selected as the Adrian Women's Club Teacher of the Year. Well Deserved, Mrs. Pickle! Thank you for all you do for students and our school!
8th grade student Nyla House has released her first single titled "Like You" under the name Nahye Bennie. Our readers can help support Nyla in her career as a young musician by clicking on the links here to listen to and stream her music. Also, watch for her second song, "Brown Eyes" coming out soon. Congratulations Nyla!
"Like You"
a new song by Springbrook's own
Nyla House
Triumph Over Tragedy
Irene Miller's Impactful Visit to Springbrook Middle School
Springbrook Middle School recently had the privilege of hosting a truly remarkable guest speaker – Irene Miller, a Holocaust survivor with an incredible story of resilience and perseverance. Her visit left a profound impression on students, faculty, and staff alike, prompting reflection on the past and inspiration for the future. We want to note a special thank you to Mrs. Frank for arranging this extraordinary event.
Irene Miller's life journey is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure and overcome even the darkest of circumstances. Born in Poland during the World War II, she faced unimaginable challenges as she and her family navigated the horrors of the Holocaust. Through sheer determination and courage, Irene defied the odds and emerged as a beacon of hope in a time of despair.
During her presentation, Irene shared her experiences. She spoke of the hardships she endured, the losses she suffered, and the moments of fear and uncertainty that defined her early years. Yet, amidst the darkness, she emphasized the importance of resilience – the ability to persevere in the face of adversity and emerge stronger on the other side.
Irene's message to the students went beyond telling her story and recounting historical events; it was almost a call to action. She challenged us to confront injustice and intolerance wherever we come across it and to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Her story served as a powerful reminder of the dangers of apathy (not caring for others) and the importance of speaking out against oppression in all its forms.
The impact of Irene Miller's visit to Springbrook Middle School cannot be overstated. Her story of survival and resilience serves as an important reminder of the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion. As we move forward, may we carry with us the lessons we learned from Irene – to never forget the past, to strive for a better future, and to always hold fast to hope, even in the face of adversity.
If you are interested in learning more about Irene Miller, or would like to order her fascinating book titled "Into No Man's Land," check out her website by clicking below:
Last Year's WINNER!
Who Do YOU Want to Pie?
One lucky Springbrook staff member will get a pie thrown in their face - and you get to decide who will it be!
The Brook Report is holding it's annual Pie Contest Fundraiser to help purchase equipment for our recording studio. All you need to do to help is bring in your spare change to put in the bucket of the staff member you wish to see eat a pie. The one with the most money in their bucket at the end of two weeks will be the lucky winner. Watch our promotional video here to find out exactly WHO you can choose from.
WTOL 11 featured our 6th grade student Zameon Conway and his role in the upcoming show at the Croswell Opera House. Based on the children’s book by Matt de la Peña, this hip-hop musical is an inclusive ode to kindness, empathy, gratitude, and finding joy in unexpected places. Great job, Zameon!
It's About Love
A Musical for Young Audiences featuring Springbrook's own Zameon Conway
We hope many of you were able to go see the production which was held in March at the Croswell Opera House.
Want to Join The Brook Report Team?
Watch our promotional video and learn all about it!
Unleashing Excitement: Lights, Cameras, Digital Action!
Hey there, middle school readers! Big news from The Brook Report team! We're shaking things up to bring you stories in a whole new, exciting way. In the ever-evolving landscape of media and journalism, The Brook Report team is breaking new ground by embracing an adventurous learning approach to storytelling. With the integration of video journalism and a new online interactive format, the middle school newspaper is set to engage its audience in a whole new way.
With a generous grant from the Adrian Education Foundation, we were able to purchase two high-quality cameras with video capabilities, a green screen, tripods, a video camera and other electronic equipment like SD cards so we can make this exciting transition to video journalism. We are so thankful for the opportunity to have the equipment that makes it possible for us to start this new adventure.
This decision is not just a strategic move for The Brook Report; it's also a commitment to adventurous learning. The team understands that embracing new formats and technologies is an essential aspect of staying relevant in the rapidly changing media landscape. Through this venture, students are not only reporting news but also gaining valuable skills in video production, editing, and storytelling. Journalism students have taken a break from newspaper publication to learn these important new skills. They’ve learned photography techniques, composition and framing, as well as the art of videography, video editing and even adding B-roll to their assignments. We are looking forward to learning as we go and constantly evolving, challenging us to try new things; there may even be daily video announcements coming in the future!
But that's not all – we're not just about video. We're also going digital! Goodbye old-school publication, hello interactive online fun! We're trying out different ways to share stories on our website. Before we couldn't include video, hyperlinks, or any interactive features - and with our new online format, we are able to do that, and much more! Instead of just publishing the newspaper as a pdf or flipbook that looks like a traditional print newspaper, we are experimenting with a web-site version, trying out various formats and ways to publish.
Undoubtedly, the journey into video journalism and online interactivity comes with its set of challenges. The Brook Report team acknowledges the learning curve involved in mastering new technologies and refining their storytelling techniques. However, these challenges are viewed as opportunities for growth, pushing the team to explore their creative boundaries and acquire valuable skills that will serve them well in the future. So, please be patient with us as we experiment, try, fail, pivot, and learn.
This journey into video and online news isn't just about changing how we tell stories – it's about embracing new things, having fun, and picking up skills that go way beyond the classroom. I can't tell you how proud I am of these 7th and 8th grade students! Stay tuned, because The Brook Report is on a wild ride of innovation and learning, and we want you right there with us!
Mrs. Ford
The Brook Report
Newspaper Advisor