First assignment for Scholastic News®: Inauguration Day

New York, NY (January 6, 2009) – After a tremendous year reporting on Presidential candidates, politicians and notables along the 2008 campaign trail, the Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL) Kids Press Corps is adding new members! Scholastic News®, America's leading news source for kids, today announces 29 new Kid Reporters ages 10-14, who will cover current events for kids, breaking news, entertainment, and sports events from their hometowns across the country. Their articles, which offer a unique, youthful perspective on the news, will be published by Scholastic News Online® (www.scholastic.com/news) and in Scholastic News (classroom magazines for students in grades 1-6) and Junior Scholastic® (grades 6-8) and read by millions of children.

The new reporters were chosen by the Scholastic Kids Press Corps editor based on the quality of their applications, which included a writing sample about their hometown and a short essay on why they are interested in journalism. Nearly 200 students whose teachers subscribe to Scholastic News or Junior Scholastic classroom magazines competed to join the 22 returning young reporters as part of the 2008-09 Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

The Kids Press Corps is made up of approximately 50 students nationwide. Most recently, Kid Reporters reported on the 2008 general election, covering campaign events, conventions and debates of Democratic and Republican contenders, as well as the election of the new President, bringing history-in-the-making to their peers in classrooms in all 50 states. In addition to President-elect Barack Obama, they have interviewed Michelle Obama, Vice President-elect Joseph Biden, Senator John McCain, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Mitt Romney, Governor Mike Huckabee, Ralph Nader, and Senator McCain’s daughter Bridget!

In January, three Kid Reporters will cover Inauguration events in Washington, D.C., while others interview their newly elected officials locally. Previously, the Kids Press Corps has interviewed President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton; NBC News journalists Brian Williams, Chris Matthews, Meredith Vieira and the late Tim Russert; and entertainers such as the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Smith, America Ferrera, Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Jordin Sparks and Amy Poehler.

The newest members of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps are:

• Maya Fleming, Poplar Grove, AR
• Anjali Bhat, Cupertino, CA
• Daniel Wetter, Roseville, CA
• Maya L. Kandell, Mountain View, CA
• Daniela Bond, Miami, FL
• Christiana Rose Dillard, Ocoee, FL
• Daion Morton, Indianapolis, IN
• Shelby Watkins, Leitchfield, KY
• Aaron Kanzer, Cotuit, MA
• Andrew Prina, Bloomfield Township, MI
• Katy Slagel, Gaylord, MI
• Nicholas Wu, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI
• Miandra Maiers, Starkville, MS
• Samuel “Jacob” Smith, Elon, NC
• Gopa Praturi, Monmouth Junction, NJ
• Ash Proenza, West New York, NJ
• Alan Gelman, Brooklyn, NY
• Sammi Cannold, New York, NY
• Shoshana Talya Mintz, New York, NY
• Andrew Scarafile, New York, NY
• Alexis Wiseman, New York, NY
• Chloe Anello, Newburgh, NY
• Matthew Spana, Pelham Manor, NY
• Ana DeLuca-Mayne, Philadelphia, PA
• Imani Ross-Hall, Philadelphia, PA
• Mossy Bresnahan, Columbia, SC
• William “Hank” Carillo, Corpus Christi, TX
• Christina Hong, Houston, TX
• Alexander Parham, Richmond, VA

“The Kid Reporter program helps increase students’ awareness and interest about current events and the world around them, and also gives students real-world experience in journalism,” said Suzanne Freeman, Director of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps. “We are thrilled to welcome these newest students who join a talented group of young reporters, and look forward to another exciting news-filled, history-making year!”

Scholastic is the largest publisher of educational magazines with 32 publications for grades PreK-12, reaching over 25 million students and teachers across the country. Teachers rely on these publications to enhance instruction in such subjects as science, reading and language arts, math, social studies, history, geography, world languages, and art. Scholastic News Online the magazines’ online companion gives teachers, students and parents an additional resource with which to learn about and discuss current events for kids in the classroom and at home.

For more information about the Kid Reporters, including a complete list of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, visit www.scholastic.com/kidspress.

Contact:
Jennifer Boggs, 212.343.6619, jboggs@scholastic.com
Sarah Trabucchi, 212.3436424, strabucchi@scholastic.com