This really bothers me, it makes me sad to think that poor Glickie (Schumppie) has to make the paper an after school activity.

West Leyden presses to get paper out
BY CHUCK FIELDMAN STAFF WRITER
Watching West Leyden teacher/student newspaper adviser Karen Schumpp at work, it doesn't take long to see the passion she has both for her students and the subject of journalism.
Still, even Schumpp surprised herself in March with her own initial reaction upon learning that the Media Production class that has been producing the monthly Lancer newspaper was being canceled this fall because of insufficient enrollment.
"I burst into tears," she said, following a Sept. 22 after-school meeting with about 40 students who are interested in being part of a club that will produce West Leyden's student newspaper with four issues during the 2004-2005 school year.
"I didn't take it personally that only 13 students had signed up for the class, but I did feel it personally. The kids have put a lot of work into that class and putting out the newspaper, and it's been a wonderful experience being part of that."
Schumpp, who teaches English at West Leyden, including an honors class for sophomores that now is the only journalism class offered by the school, has been the Lancer's adviser since the start of the 2001-2002 school year.
"One of the things that's so great about the (Media Production) class is that it's a working together (situation) you usually don't get in an actual class," she said. "I'm hoping we still have some of that in the club this year, and I'm also hoping that we have the class again next year."
West Leyden seniors Eleanor Foley, of Melrose Park, and Marion Olea, of unincorporated Leyden Township, both were very surprised when they found out that the Media Production class had been canceled for this year. But both 17-year-olds, who were in the class a year ago, plan to be heavily involved in the club that is planning to produce four issues the paper, including the first in October.
"We were shocked when we found out, and we tried to get more kids to join the class," Foley said.
At East Leyden, the Media Production class continues this fall, with the usual eight monthly issues of the school paper -- the Hi-Lites -- expected.
As for her take on why for the first time not enough students signed up for Media Production to support the class at West Leyden, Foley offered, "It's a lot of work, a big commitment."
Schumpp said schedule conflicts with other classes also prevented some students from signing up for Media Production. However, some of those students have showed up for the first two club meetings.
"An advantage of having this as a club is that kids who otherwise don't have time to help produce the paper might get involved," Schumpp said. "This won't be as much time and work as the class, although I'm sure some of the kids will put a lot of time into this now, too."
Schumpp's hope for getting the Media Production class back on the schedule for the 2005-2006 school year is fueled mostly by the better opportunity it offers to teach and work with students. Plans are for 35-minute club meetings every Wednesday after school.
"We'll do the best we can, and I'm sure we'll get the paper out," she said.
"But there's no doubt that the class offers a lot more quality time for learning."