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Corona, CA

Knight Watch at Letha Raney Intermediate

Grant Amount

$17,072

Year Awarded

2025-2026

Project Coordinator

Nichole Calizo

Grant Type

Team

Local Association

Corona Norco Teachers Association

Focus Area

Arts, Media, and Culture

About the Project

Many students face challenges in engaging effectively with media, limiting their ability to think critically and navigate digital content responsibly. To address this, a mixed-media journalism club will be established to mirror real-world media experiences. Students will learn to responsibly share information, recognize bias, and identify misinformation. By modeling ethical journalism, the program will equip students with essential media literacy skills. In addition to working with the on-campus drama elective, the club will collaborate with the high school Film Club and Digital Media Team, creating a vertically aligned learning experience. The club will serve as a hub for campus, district, and community news, strengthening connections among students, families, and the broader community. A weekly news show will provide students with a platform to inform and engage their peers. This initiative will empower students to use their voices, advocate, and become thoughtful, responsible media creators and consumers.

Meet the Project Coordinator

Nichole Calizo

My name is Nichole Calizo, and I am currently heading into my second year teaching middle school theatre, following eight years of middle school ELA after teaching 10 years in elementary. Over the years, I have served on SST and leadership teams, chaired the ELA department, and I started an after-school theatre club five years ago, which is still going strong, where we produce two shows annually. I also coordinate PTSA Reflections and organize campus-wide events like semi-formal dances and seasonal celebrations. The project I received funding for, a student-led campus news program/audio and visual club, was inspired by a desire to create meaningful, creative opportunities for student voice and connection across our school community.

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