TRR photo by Krista Gromalski Mary Greene, left, is pictured with fifth grade journalist Ashley Lamac during their DV-TV news feature interview. (Click for larger image)

Following the famous Amphibian

By KRISTA GROMALSKI

WESTFALL TOWNSHIP — With the release of the winter 2001 issue, The River Reporter’s Amphibian, the Journal for Kids by Kids, broke into a new market—television. On February 14, Amphibian and Teen Amphibian editor Mary Greene made a guest appearance on DV-TV, which is very much akin to TRR’s kid-written publications.

DV-TV, a 15-minute daily news program of the Delaware Valley Elementary School, is written, filmed and narrated by students under direction of teachers Sharon Siegel and Carol Navitsky, co-coaches of the show. The news program was a longtime dream of school principal Sonya Cole, who acts as executive producer.

During the features portion of DV-TV, Greene sat down with fifth grade journalist Ashley Lamac to discuss such topics as what a typical day at a newspaper is like, and what is the hardest part of being an editor. Lamac, who said she likes “newspapers and stories and reading about kids,” posed some tough questions. “Are there any types of stories you wouldn’t print?” she asked.

Greene, who said violent content might cause her to cut a story, encouraged the students’ writing endeavors. “Write from your heart,” she said. “Write about what you know, and don’t be afraid to put it down on paper.”

While Greene and the DV-TV students taped the news show, which is broadcast to the DV elementary school and is rebroadcast on Wednesdays on local cable Channel 8 in Port Jervis, NY, Amphibian was also making news on a broader scale in Pike County.

Steve Tanczyn, a videographer with Blue Ridge Communications, cable TV-13 in Milford, was on the scene. Tanczyn interviewed Greene after the DV-TV taping and the segment appeared on the February 15, Eyewatch News Pocono Report at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Amphibian was founded in 1995, and the first edition had three contributing schools. Since that time, it has expanded into 30 schools in four counties. The publication is entirely written and illustrated by children.

Delaware Valley elementary school students are contributors to Amphibian. The next edition of the journal is for teens (for grades 6-12) and will be published on April 5. Submissions to Teen Amphibian will be accepted until March 15. The next elementary Amphibian (for grades K-8) will be published June 7, and submissions will be accepted until May 17.

All submissions may be sent to Amphibian/Teen Amphibian, c/o The River Reporter. For more information call 845/252-7414.