Why Kid Scoop News

Finding ways to connect with younger audiences and getting newspapers into the hands of kids is always top of mind for Nebraska Press Association.

The shrinking news hole from lost advertising revenue and smaller budgets over the past decades have led to the elimination of many Newspaper in Education (NIE) community newspaper programs. These former newspaper-school partnerships used to help students develop their reading skills, grow interest in reading the professional newspaper and learn about their community and its leadership. NPA member newspapers expressed a desire to connect with their schools as partners, but lacked the full resources to do so on their own.

Enter Kid Scoop News Nebraska, a unique partnership between schools, communities, families and newspapers.

Who benefits?

Currently, Kid Scoop News Nebraska reaches 10,000 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students each month in public and private schools in Northeast and North Central Nebraska.

Spanning 580 classrooms in 91 school districts over 23 counties, the distribution of Kid Scoop News Nebraska means each student receives a free printed kids’ newspaper each month, featuring seasonal, object and nonpartisan content covering a wide range of subjects.

Local community newspapers are the bridge to bring Kid Scoop News Nebraska to schools.

Educational research has documented that the more children read, the more they succeed. Adults learning English can share the benefit of engaging reading activities and pages for parents that are bilingual, Spanish-English in each month’s Kid Scoop News. 

How is it funded?

Kid Scoop News Nebraska is funded entirely by grants and sponsorships. There is no cost to schools or community newspapers.

Many of the initial donors for Kid Scoop News Nebraska quickly recognized the need to add value to learning during school hours by giving children high-interest, educationally-sound reading material to extend learning at home.

All funds flow through the Nebraska Press Association Foundation, which is a 501c3.  

Thanks to our initial donors

Acklie Charitable Foundation

Anonymous Family Charitable Donation

Nebraska Press Association Foundation

Donate

what kids say about kid scoop news nebraska

“My favorite part about Kid Scoop News is the activities, because it gives us something to do that’s fun when our work is done, that isn’t on our computers.” – Karleigh

“My favorite part of Kid Scoop News is that it has word searches and jokes. I also like the calendar. It’s better for us to have our own kids’ newspaper because we can do things like color leaves on paper and do better activities. It’s better for us than watching TV and video games.” -Trent

what teachers say about kid scoop news nebraska

“Thank you for the newspapers for my class, they love them.  I hand out the newspapers to my class and we discuss the topics that are covered in them.  They are then encouraged to keep the newspapers in their desks to work on and read when they are finished with other work or during our Sustained Silent Reading time.  I have to tell you, they have been fantastic for my students who do particularly like to read novels, they will pick up the newspaper, read a short article and come and tell me what they read and want to discuss it.  I love anything that encourages reading, especially in those who are somewhat reluctant to do so!  Thank you, again!” – Pam Smith, Fifth Grade, Falls City Sacred Heart

“My kids love Kid Scoop News! We read some of the articles together and discuss, then I let them keep them in their desks for use during free time. They really enjoy the puzzles. Thanks for sending them!” – Mrs. Barker, Third Grade, Falls City Sacred Heart