Fourth-grader Trent and others look on as they learn about the multi-color press. (photo by Elean Gersack).

By Elean Gersack with photos by Tim Gamble and Elean Gersack

Neighborhood printer Unique Litho, located in the Inverness Business Park, hosted a special tour on Thursday, May 5. Dan Prehn, manager of mailing operations, helped create a memorable surprise that many Castle Pines students are sure to remember for a long time.

This year, The Castle Pines Connection teamed up with Buffalo Ridge Elementary School’s online newspaper, the Ridgeline. Each month The Connection featured a writing piece from one of the fourth or fifth grade reporters in the “Ridgeline in Review” section of the newspaper.

“It has been a pleasure to watch these young writers gain confidence and grow in their writing ability throughout the year,” said Terri Wiebold, publisher of The Castle Pines Connection. “A special thanks goes to Elean Gersack for coordinating with the school and for being such a source of encouragement and inspiration to the kids.”

To commemorate the partnership, Ridgeline staff members were invited to tour the printing presses at Unique Litho. Tour guide Kirk Boykin gave students a first-hand glimpse into how media products get printed, sorted, and bound for delivery. From massive cutting machines to million dollar multi-color presses, students were amazed to see the process in action.

During the visit, Ridgeline staff members were surprised when a special edition Ridgeline in Review newsletter came off the printer. Although on vacation the day of the actual tour, Prehn helped conspire to have the surprise newsletter hot off the presses for the field trip. (Note: Althought Unique Litho does not print The Castle Pines Connection newspaper, they are a partner in other printing projects.)

While taking the tour, students also got the scoop about writing, editing and laying out a newspaper, compliments of Wiebold and the paper’s photographer/webmaster, Tim Gamble. During a question and answer gathering, students were dubbed “Junior Reporters” and even earned a personal business card with the title.

“Any time we can connect real-world experiences with school-based assignments and projects, the better our students will be prepared for the local and global economy and the expectations for 21st century learning and critical thinking,” noted Shannon Herzog, Ridgeline teacher advisor.

The special edition Ridgeline in Review newsletter featured one writing piece from each staff reporter. More than 500 copies of the newsletter were printed (compliments of The Castle Pines Connection), and they were included in Friday folders for all students and staff at Buffalo Ridge Elementary. The students each received several copies as well.

In the end, it is all about the experience. “Students walked away feeling like accomplished writers,” said a proud Herzog.

The 2011 BRE Ridgeline Staff proudly displays their year-end project during a tour of neighborhood printer, Unique Litho.