When we first gathered to launch a new arts and literary magazine on a summer grant, the uniting goal was to promote student voice and agency while bringing together two core subject areas in innovative ways. It was critical from the outset that students lead the charge in designing, facilitating, and running this publication. Not only would the Middle School students have the opportunity to see and celebrate their peers’ creativity through the publication of the magazine, but they would also gain experience as editors and mentors for Lower School students throughout the publishing process. 

This year, under the guidance of Sarah Baldwin, Middle School students used their club time to navigate the many complexities of launching a publication. In the fall, they developed systems for gathering submissions from peers, flooding the campus with beautiful posters promoting the magazine, and visiting classrooms and assemblies to call for submissions. The fantastic student leaders embarking on this first publication embodied Graland’s strategic focus, Inspire Students, as they generated campus-wide buzz. We saw students across the Graland community inspired to create work to share with “Birch,” including one first grade classroom that flooded the submission box with so much art each day that they were eventually gifted the “Birch” submission box at the end of the semester.

During the first club meeting, students created a code of conduct and expectations for the club. As the inaugural student board, these middle schoolers had the unique opportunity to research Graland history, brainstorm possible titles, and pitch a title to the communications department. They eventually landed on “Birch’’ as the magazine’s title, not only because of Graland’s original address on Birch Street but also for the birch tree’s history as a medium for writing, as humans have used birch bark for manuscripts dating back to the fifth century CE.

This winter, the student board created criteria for choosing work with the intention of putting submissions in conversation with one another to create a cohesive publication, rather than simply picking what students perceived as the “strongest” technical work. Next, the student board reviewed submissions and were coached on how to write acceptance and thank you letters to students and educators who submitted. In the coming weeks, the Birch student board will continue editing submissions and refining the magazine’s layout in anticipation of its first publication later this spring. 

As we prepare for the first issue of “Birch,” our hope is that this publication will continue to inspire students and build empathy across our community. Empathy begins with sharing our stories, and storytelling lies at the heart of art and creative writing. We are thrilled that “Birch Art & Literary Magazine” will bring our stories together in one place.