The Student Newspaper of High School for Excellence and Innovation

By Debora Javier

Scrolling on Instagram or checking school email, students want quick news on exams and credits. But a new survey shows many miss them because the information doesn’t arrive in time or isn’t available, and students don’t know who to ask or where to check.

Carmen Rodriguez, an 11th grader who checks their phone a few times a day and goes to teachers for information said, “Sometimes we hear about events too late. By the time the announcement comes out, the deadline’s already passed,” Using Instagram or WhatsApp faster could help since students already check their phones daily. 

The survey indicates that school emails and teachers are a preferred source of information, however a lack of translation, late alerts, and not knowing where to look are big problems. HSEI needs better ways to share news which could help with graduation, Regents, and schedules for everyone in HSEI.

 Mawa Traore, a 12th grader at HSEI, prefers getting quick updates directly on her phone in French. Her main priorities match those of many peers: “Graduation requirements/credits, Regents exams/testing, [and] class schedule/program changes.” Because most students rely heavily on their phones, delivering this crucial information through short, step-by-step guides and videos would ensure it reaches everyone instantly. 

On the other hand, some students are completely satisfied. One 12th grader, who tracks graduation updates in English, highly praised the current communication setup, calling it ‘a wonderful experience.

Many students also expressed a desire for more town halls. However, instead of focusing primarily on sports, they want these forums to address academic survival: navigating credits, FAFSA, internships, and graduation requirements. Since students check their phones daily, leveraging platforms like Instagram or WhatsApp more efficiently could bridge these communication gaps. Ultimately, student voices are a crucial part of HSEI, and we need to hear from them much more often.

Here at Gators News we are hoping to do our part to fill the gaps that our community’s communication needs with student-centered journalism and timely updates