Mrs. Caid
email: hcaid@rivervalleyschools.org
Phone: 756-9541, extension 1111
River Valley High School Echo
Yearbook Staff Manual
Mrs. Caid
2011-2012
“Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.” ~Willa Cather
Mission Statement
The yearbook at RVHS has one mission - journalistic integrity. The purpose of the yearbook is to record honestly and accurately, the events of a school year. Some of those events may not be pleasant or even fun. If a sports team were to go through the entire season without a win, then that must be recorded. A yearbook’s responsibility is that it maintains its integrity through fair, accurate, and credible reporting of the truth. Staff editors will make the decisions as to what is newsworthy and should go in the yearbook in the eyes of their audience and under journalistic standards. The advisor will advise, and may ultimately make the final decision, on difficult issues that lack merit or proper research.
Purpose
The goal of our staff is to make the best possible yearbook for the students, faculty, parents, administration and staff of River Valley High School. In order to do this, we must continually meet deadlines, sell advertisements and yearbooks and strive to design a publication that will appeal to a wide range of students.
The yearbook serves many purposes to many people. To the students, the Echo is a book of memories and a source of tradition. To those who take the course it is an educational and journalistic experience. The yearbook will maintain high standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy, objectivity, honesty, and fair play. The staff will try to make the publications honestly reflect the reality of life, news, sports, and culture at RVHS. This is, however, a school publication and is subject to all school board policies and local school regulations. As an educational tool, the yearbook should provide an insight into the business, design and editorial areas of publishing.
Section I: Advertising
Our goal as a staff is to sell at least $6000 worth of advertising. You will be given a quota to meet in order to receive a grade for this. We must accomplish this goal in order to have a yearbook at RVHS. Advertising will make up a portion of staff members’ 1st & 2nd marking period grades.
Section II: Book Sales
Each year we will make a determined effort to sell more books than the previous year through promotional items, advertising and communication to students. Staff members will also be required to promote and sell yearbooks.
Section III: Deadlines
Each staff member will be expected to work on their assignments as well as any others. Daily assignments, revisions, photos and any other items discussed will also contribute to the grade. Missing deadlines is a serious matter. It affects your grade enormously and costs us money.
Section IV: Attitude
Because this class is an elective, you choose to be here. Furthermore—I CHOSE YOU FOR THIS STAFF. Your attitude plays a tremendous part in the smooth working relationship of a group of people. Remember when you are selling ads, taking pictures, or interviewing, you are representing RVHS.
Section V: Staff Positions
Each staff member will be given a staff job and a description of that job. This tells you what you will be doing this year and your responsibilities as a member of the staff. Some students will have more responsibilities than others based on each student’s abilities and experience. Your performance of your job this year will determine the job you may have next year should you choose to be in Yearbook again. Students who do not fulfill their job requirements will be asked not to return the following year. Keep in mind that being an editor or having any significant role in the production of any high school publication looks good on college admissions, scholarship and job applications.
Yearbook Portraits
Senior Portraits:
-Senior portraits will be taken and submitted in the approved style by December 31.
-Seniors who miss that deadline cannot expect to be included in the yearbook.
-Most local photographers are aware of the requirements for senior portraits, but here are our specifications:
Head size: 1 ¼” x 1 ¾”
Overall print size: 2 ¼” x 3 ¼”
Vertical shots only
Should be shot indoors or with a simple background
Head and shoulders only—no hands or hats are allowed
Underclass Portraits:
-Underclass portraits will be taken and submitted only by the school’s contracted photographer.
-Students who miss both the regular and makeup portrait days will not be included in the yearbook, but will instead be listed as “not pictured.”
-Students who took more than one pose (returned on makeup day to take a second pose): The poses for the yearbook pages will be chosen by the staff. The staff will make an effort to choose the pose that they believe looks the best.
-If a student wishes to be excluded from the yearbook, he/she must submit a written request to the yearbook staff and it must be signed by one of his/her parents or guardians.
-Students who enroll at RVHS after the last picture day will not be included in the yearbook portrait section and will be listed as “not pictured.”
Advertisements
-All ads must meet guidelines for material. All copy, text, and art will be judged by these standards.
-The yearbook reserves the right to refuse any ad that is libelous, illegal, obscene, irresponsible, inappropriate or in poor taste. The yearbook reserves the right to edit any ad before publication to ensure the standards and quality of our product.
-Any student, parent, staff or organization will be allowed to purchase ads. Non-students and businesses may purchase ads that are directly related to a business or school success.
-The yearbook may limit the number of type styles offered to ad customers and set guidelines for format and style. The publication reserves the right to edit all submitted copy or photographs.
Code of Ethics
Yearbook demands a large amount of ethics (morals) that will help the staff grow and learn while serving the student body fairly, accurately and without malice. Student journalists need to be believed and trusted, because they play a unique role in our school, providing information needed to make intelligent choices in a complex world. They should do that in a professional way that includes admitting mistakes and correcting them, while encouraging constructive criticism from students, faculty and parents. Student journalists should also remember not to copy work or to make up quotes or facts that are not true. They should conduct themselves with good manners and dignity, with respect for the rights and views of others. Doing it ethically honors our American tradition of a free press and free speech and paves the way for those who come after us.
Professionalism
Ethics is a matter of where we draw the line, as individuals or member of news organizations. Faculty, parents and the public notice standards by which we perform daily. Plagiarism is unacceptable. Give proper credit to sources. Be objective, fair and free of bias. Be sensitive to the privacy, rights and well being of everyone encountered while covering a story. Remember that most of our stories deal with minors who have more rights than others to privacy. Headlines should accurately reflect the content of a story. Photographs should accurately depict an event and not highlight an incident out of context. Electronic images should not be altered. Deliberate distortion and technological manipulations are wrong. Display stories fairly and consistently. Use polls and surveys taken scientifically.
Classroom Procedures
Beginning Class: Most class days will begin with a brief meeting. Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings. Towards the beginning of the year, we will meet in the classroom (A-13) on a regular basis. After a few weeks in the classroom learning yearbook basics, we will meet in the computer lab. The advisor will notify you the day before as to where we will meet. It is your responsibility to know this information or to find out. Tardiness as a result of not knowing where to be is not acceptable.
Daily Schedule: After the initial meeting, I expect you to get to work. If you have “nothing to do,” ask an editor or advisor if there are things you can do to help others.
Tardies: Tardiness is not acceptable and will be dealt with according to school policy.
Absences:
-If you have been absent, you are still responsible for assignments missed and deadlines while being absent. The yearbook works on a deadline, and that deadline does not change because you are absent.
-Participation by virtue of attendance is a major part of a staff member’s grade.
Assignments/Deadlines: Deadlines are due at the BEGINNING of the class. After that, they are late. Staff assignments are assigned/okayed by the section editors and overseen by the editor and advisor. Once assigned, you are solely responsible for the page including its mini and final deadlines.
Handing Work Back: Section editors, editors, or the advisor will hand back edited assignments promptly so you can work on the next step in your deadlines process.
Group Work: You will work in many groups in this class. Groups may fluctuate from deadline to deadline. It is imperative that you keep the lines of communication open and TALK FACE TO FACE.
Leaving the Room: The advisor is in charge of signing in and out students from the room. You must use your planner and sign out as to where you are going and what you are doing. If you are found “hanging out” in a place where you do not belong, or if you take longer than you should to complete an out-of-room task, your hall pass privileges may be revoked.
Yearbook Grading
THIS COURSE IS DEMANDING. Students who are creative, organized, and outgoing will do particularly well in this class.
Giving a grade in yearbook is no easy task as there is little written work that will be done except for layouts. You will receive various grading rubrics, or lists of specific criteria for your work and performance in this course. IF you desire a certain grade for this class, follow the work and performance descriptions that correspond to that grade.
You will receive a “participation” grade every day after ad sales are finished. This daily participation grade of 5 points will be given every class period. You earn your grade by attending class, using your in-class time wisely, and doing yearbook-related tasks. If you are absent you will not earn points for that day. Regular attendance of yearbook class is a MUST. These points add up, so take them seriously!
Additionally, if you miss more than 10 class periods per marking period, you cannot earn a grade higher than a B. If you miss more than 15 class periods, you cannot earn a grade higher than a C. Failure to attend class results in missed deadlines, which results in lowered grades, and it also costs us money.
You may lose points for the following:
- Doing non-yearbook work in class without permission from the advisor (homework for another class)
- Going on-line for a non-yearbook purpose (email, games, shopping) without permission from the advisor
- Leaving class without a planner or not having me sign it for you
- Improperly filling out all areas of your planner when leaving the room
- Going somewhere other than where you said you were going when you signed out (LYING)
- Not cleaning up after yourself—leaving items out on the table, by computers, etc.
1st Marking Period
20% of the grade is exercises, quizzes, etc.
20% of the grade is participation
60% of the grade is ad sales
2nd Marking Period
20% of the grade is exercises, quizzes, etc.
20% of the grade is participation
10% of the grade is ad sales
50% of the grade is layouts
3rd & 4th Marking Periods
30% of the grade is participation
70% of the grade is layouts
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