Hampton Bays High School and Middle School students recently celebrated News Literacy and Civic Action Night, where they shared their insights and understanding of navigating the world of news, as well as civic action projects they’ve developed.

The evening was part of the district’s News Literacy initiative that was established using a Lighthouse District grant from Stony Brook University. Through the initiative, middle and high school students develop skills related to news awareness, analysis of evidence and civic involvement. They do so through integrating activities such as trips to the Express News Group, research projects, lateral reading and News Literacy embedded courses like Participation in Government, which makes is possible for students to earn college credit and a prestigious New York State Seal of Civic Readiness on their high school diplomas.

High school seniors in Participation in Government complete Capstone Projects, which are civic action initiatives focused on real-world problem-solving. For these projects, students investigate an issue in their school or community and then craft a resolution. They achieve this by actively researching the topic, gathering peer input through polls and interviews, and consulting with local leaders or school administrators. This comprehensive process enables them to build consensus and develop creative solutions to pressing high school issues.

Date Added: 6/3/2025