byline fall 2008

VABylineThe Newsletter of the VAJTA

Two paths, two friends: both make it big

Three years after becoming best friends Mariya Ilyas and Teresa Ventura would become the editors-in-chiefs of their school newspapers. p 5

datesoct18-19 nov 1 nov 5 nov 8-11Championship Journalism Workshop: VCU, Richmond

Quill & Scroll Deadline Yearbook Excellence Contest: www.uiowa.edu/~quill~sc/

CSPA Annual Fall ConferenceColumbia University, NY

JEA/NSPA Annual Fall ConventionSt. Louis, MS

September 15, 2008 Volume 20 Issue 1

Inside: Who’s participating in high school publications p. 4JCamp profiles by students who attended p. 6&7

Literary magazine staff manual keys p. 8Practical solutions to your funding problems p. 9

Press credentials available during campaign race p. 10Sell your yearbook with these tips p. 11

VAJTABoard of Directors

Valerie KiblerDirectorHarrisonburg HS1001 Garbers Church Rd.Harrisonburg, VA [email protected]

Chad Rummel, CJEAssociate DirectorOakton HS2900 Sutton RdVienna, VA [email protected]

Linda MercerRetiredSecretaryP.O. Box 914Halifax, VA [email protected]

Fran Sharer, CJETreasurer,JEA State DirectorVirginia Beach City PS545 Saddlehourn DriveChesapeake, VA [email protected]

Martha AkersLoudon Valley HS340 N. Maple Ave.Purcellville, VA [email protected]

Fred CampbellSalem HS400 Spartan DriveSalem, VA [email protected]

Pam ClarkHalifax County HSP.O. Box 310South Boston, VA [email protected]

Johnnie DraughonLandstown HS and Technology Academy2001 Concert DriveVirginia Beach, VA [email protected]

Karen HardenBroadway HS269 Gobbler Dr.Broadway, VA [email protected]

Eston MeltonMarshall HS7731 Leesburg PikeFalls Church, VA [email protected]

Jennifer Seavey, CJEThomas Jefferson HS6560 Braddock Rd.Alexandria, VA [email protected]

Sharon LeiggGeorge Washington HS701 Broad StreetDanville, VA [email protected]

Chris WaugmanVA Byline EditorPrince George HS7801 Laurel Spring Rd.Prince George, VA [email protected]

Board Liaison

Lisa GilesVirginia High School League1642 State Farm Blvd.Charlottesville, VA [email protected]

Advisers

Naomi Dixon, CJERetired6992 Ivy Hill DriveWarrenton, VA [email protected]

Carol Lange, CJERetired2334 Harleyford CourtReston, VA [email protected]

Bernie LeiggRetired245 Shamrock Dr.Danville, VA [email protected]

Bert SmithRetired415 Creek AvenueHampton, VA [email protected]

VAByline2

Congratulations to the 2008 Carl Towley Award Recipient Carol Lange, CJE.

This is JEA’s highest honor and is presented to a JEA member whose work is unusually beneficial and of superior value to the national JEA and to scholastic journalism. Since 1985, only one award is presented each year.

Carol will receive the award at this fall’s JEA/NSPA convention in St. Louis. She will be presented with this recognition during the Adviser Luncheon, at noon, Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Renaissance Grand and Suites Hotel.

The Carl Towley Award, JEA’s highest tribute to a member, is given in honor of its first executive secretary. The National Association of Journalism Directors, as JEA was originally known, grew under his leadership.

Carl Towley (1907-1959) wrote letters to administrators of high schools and colleges throughout the nation, calling attention to the importance of journalism courses.

JEA’s most honored winners exemplify the same dedication to JEA and to scholastic journalism that Carl Towley exhibited

VAByline

The VA Byline is published to update and inform Virginia advisers of newspapers, yearbooks, newsmagazines, literary magazines and broadcast programs.

All advisers are encouraged to contribute articles to share their knowledge and earn state recertification points.

The VA Byline is the official publication of the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers (VAJTA). To submit articles or request advertising rates, contact:

Chris WaugamanPrince George High School 7801 Laurel Spring Rd.Prince George, VA 23875(804) 733-2720

Volume 20, Issue 1September 15, 2008

www.VAJTA.org

Submission Information

Award AnnouncementsLange wins JEA’s highest honor, the Carl Towley Award

Whenever I read educational material or hear educational consultants, leaders, and futurists speak about twenty-first century

literacy survival skills, I think of our journalism stu-dents, the classroom atmosphere, and the publications experiences that they have as perfect examples to hold up to show that we are teaching twenty-first century survival skills. I sincerely believe that!

Most recently I heard Tony Wagner, co director of the Change Leadership Group (CLG) of the Harvard School of Education. Wagner makes the following points that schools must overcome in order to close what he refers to the Global Achievement Gap. He argues that even the best schools don’t teach the new survival skills that our children need. Those survival skills include:

z Critical Thinking/Problem Solvingz Collaborationz Agility and adaptabilityz Initiativez Effective Oral and Written Communicationz Accessing and Analyzing Informationz Curiosity and Imagination

I would argue that we do teach those skills. As each of you thinks about the here and now and years past, I’m sure you see that your journalism classes/publi-cations staffs epitomize those attributes. I may have been out of the classroom for ten years, but I saw those qualities in my publications students from the time I began in 1975.

Yet, many electives such as journalism are fighting for survival in this era of accountability and the heavy emphasis on test scores. How counter-intuitive can that be? Isn’t it time that we make our state and local leaders aware of the value of our programs and our

publications? For people who work with communica-tions, maybe we aren’t promoting our own programs as well as we could.

How do we make those in power aware of the value of our programs?

1. We become more proactive in protecting and promoting our programs.

2. We enlist the help of the parents, asking them to let the local school board, superintendent, etc. know what their children are learning and accomplishing.

3. We provide showcase events at the schools and in the communities which should include school board recognition for awards.

4. We enlist the help of the local newspaper, com-munity newspaper, radio, and television to make the general public aware of the importance of these programs.

I have learned an extremely valuable lesson through our portfolio program which we shared publicly first at Barnes and Noble and when we outgrew that venue, we moved to the Contemporary Art Center which holds the 300+ who now attend. By involving the community and making them a part of the project, both as readers of student work and at the celebra-tion of student writing, we have raised the community awareness and approval of our writing initiative (now ten years old). It was a slow process, but it has been worth the time and effort.

I’m sure you have some ideas of your own for your particular community. Let’s raise the awareness of the fact that our programs are turning out people who can and are facing the challenges of the twenty-first century!

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Journalism programs provide students skills for new global market

EAJ

By Fran Sharer, JEA State Director

Fran Sharer is the JEA State Director. Email her at [email protected]■

Every high school produces a yearbook, right?

Wrong! Of the 307 mem-ber schools in the Virginia High School League during the 2006-07 school year, 212 of them participated in yearbook publication, 158 in newspaper, 82 in literary and art magazine and 12 in newsmagazine according to the League’s participation survey for that same year. In every discipline, at least 59 percent of the staffs were comprised of female students.

HistoryFounded in 1913, the VHSL has supported scholastic publications for almost as long as it has been in existence. First came evaluation services in newspaper publica-tion in 1923. Yearbook soon followed in 1924, literary and art magazine in 1926 and finally newsmagazine in 1975.

CompetitionFor competitions other than scholastic publications, the VHSL divides schools according to student enrollment size. The smallest schools in the League are classified in Group A and have as few as 116 students and as many as 737. The mid-sized school populations in Group AA range from 741 to 1580. The largest schools that make up Group AAA have student bodies numbering 1585 to 3236. Despite the fact that scholastic publica-tions are the only state championships in which the VHSL evaluates contestants based on established criteria and not against other contestants in its group, there exists a perception that smaller schools tend to have fewer resources and there-fore, less participation and less success when it comes to producing a quality product.

ParticipationTaking a look at Group A participation and success from 2006-07, here’s what the statistics say:

YearbookOf the 212 schools that reported having a yearbook program, 42 (20%) of them were Group A schools. Of the 42 Group A schools that have yearbook programs, 21 (50%) of them submit their publications for evaluation toward a VHSL champion-ship. Of the 21, one (5%) received the highest ranking of Trophy Class, four (19%) received the second highest ranking of First Place, 14 (67%) received the third highest ranking of Second Place and two (9%) received the fourth highest ranking of Third Place.

NewspaperOf the 158 schools that reported having a newspaper program, 20 (13%) of them are Group A schools. Of the 20 Group A schools that have newspaper programs, two (10%) of them submit their publica-tions for evaluation toward a VHSL cham-pionship. Of the two, each received the third highest ranking of Second Place.

Literary and Art MagazineOf the 82 schools that reported having a literary and art magazine program, four (5%) of them are Group A schools. How-ever, eight Group A schools submitted their publications for evaluation toward a VHSL championship. Of the eight, five received the second highest ranking of First Place, two received the third highest ranking of Second Place and one received the fourth highest ranking of Third Place.

NewsmagazineOf the 12 schools that reported having a newsmagazine program, one of them was a Group A school. However, a different Group A school submitted its publication for evaluation toward a VHSL champion-ship and received the third highest ranking of Second Place.

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High school journalism programs in VirginiaJust who’s participating? And excelling?

Numbers in VHSL

Publications

212 of the 307 Virginia High School League schools participated in yearbook publication

At least 59% of publication staffs are comprised of females

42 of the 212 Virginia High School League schools who particpate in publication evaluation are Group A (116-737 students)

21 of the 42 Virginia High School League schools submit their yearbook for evaluation

1 Group A school received the highest ranking of Trophy Class in 2006-2007

20 of the 158 Virginia High School League schools who have a newspaper are Group A schools

Group A Schools

2 Group A schools submitted their newspapers for evaluation in 2006-2007

8 Group A schools submitted their literary magazines for evaluation in 2006-2007Lisa Giles is the Director of Activities for the

Virginia High School League. E-mail her at [email protected].

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When I first met Teresa Ventura three years ago, I remember her striking face with its slightly

frightened but warm brown eyes. Coupled with her distinctively Latino-brown skin and broad, friendly face, I registered one thought: she’s not comfortable here yet.

Ten miles down Interstate 495, another young woman, Mariya Ilyas, a Pakistani immigrant who knew only five words of English when she arrived in the U.S. in 1999, started ninth grade, also. The two have been fast friends since third grade. But Ilyas was at her base school, West Potomac High, while Ventura was at Jefferson Science and Tech, a Governor’s School much farther from home.

Both were about to begin their scholastic careers in journalism. And three years later, both will be editors-in-chief of their school newspapers.

The journey to top dog was influenced by good mentors and good reporting opportunities. Ilyas credits her seventh grade technology tools teacher from Sandburg Middle School, Twyla Banks.

“I remember being so interested and excited about writing the articles …putting them in columns, taking photos and writing headlines,” Ilyas said. “At the time, I had no idea that writing stories and putting together a newspaper had a professional name such as ‘journalism’,” she said.

Ventura applied to Jefferson after taking a two-year test prep program geared to increasing underrepresented minorities. The program gave her the interest in applying even though she felt her strength was in

writing, not science and technology.I watched her all during her freshman

year, sure she’d sign up for Journalism 2 that June. When she didn’t, I asked why. It turns out she had logistical problems getting to summer school, a necessary evil at Jefferson if you want an extra free elective.

“Mrs. Seavey and my counselor worked together to get me a carpool to school and the financial means to make it happen, Ventura said.

Two years, later, Ventura is now editor-in-chief of tjTODAY. She remembers the turning point when she knew newspaper would be her primary focus.

“During my junior year, I was a features editor. Initially, I was disappointed with my position. I wanted to be a news editor because it’s hard-hitting, but when I got to features, I was able to use my layout and writing skills,” she said. “After taking on the role of lead features editor, I began to see journalism as a possible career.”

Iliyas rose to her position at The Wire doing investigative reporting at West Potomac. She and her reporting team faced down county officials over the right to print a story about cafeteria food that wasn’t exactly positive.

“Because we are a self-financed newspaper, we do not allow prior review or censorship so we …told them no,” Iliyas said. “Following up, we later discovered a discrepancy in the monthly cafeteria surveys, tapping into a whole different ball game for part two in the series.”

This past summer Iliyas spent 10 days in the Princeton Summer Journalism program.

She was one of only 21 students chosen from across the country. She had the opportunity to meet reporters from The New Yorker, The New York Times and ABC News.

“I was amazed and inspired by the stories the professional journalists shared with us about their adventures – and thirst for finding the truth – that pursuing journalism as a career seemed more perfect to me than ever,” she said.

Ventura also spent part of her summer in the professional world. She participated in the Washington Post Interactive workshop where she got to experience convergence first-hand.

“Taking this workshop encouraged me to study all aspects of journalism such as audio, video and online journalism,” she said.

So where are these young women thinking of spending their college years? Ilyas wants to double-major if possible in journalism and international relations. She’s going to aim high with the Ivies but also is considering, Virginia schools.

Ventura dreams of Stanford and Northwestern but choices will depend on scholarship money.

For now, these two best friends find little time to get together, but when they do, they predictably talk shop. Their managing styles might have created a great team at the same school.

“If we were both EIC’s on the same newspaper, we would work great together,” Ilyas said. “Teresa is very patient, and I can easily take control.”

VAByline 5

Teresa Ventura and Mariya Ilyas started out as friends and now similar interests have led them to become editor-in-chiefs of their respective schools’ newspapers.

Two Friends Make iT Big

Jennifer Seavey advises the newspaper at Thomas Jefferson HS. Email her at [email protected].

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In a dimly lit classroom illuminated only by a projection screen, newspaper advisersfrom around the state gather around as they listen to an instructor explain how to take

photos for news stories.These advisers are taking part in “Jcamp”, a summer program

held on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg. The camp is sponsored by the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers & Advisers (VAJTA) for the purpose of teaching eager students the ins and outs of writing, designing and publishing a newspaper.

While the program is targeted towards high school students, advisers can also take part in an advising class where they learn aspects of journalism that they will take with them as they go back to their hometown and pass on to their students when the school year begins again.

These journalism educators from across the state of Virginia and beyond emulate their students, working diligently to copy the information their instructor gives them.

But these advisers aren’t teenage students in high school anymore. They have enough knowledge of journalism to grasp an understanding of the topic. So what exactly do they learn in such a class?

“We learn how to coach our students so we can make better writers.” said Leigh Todd, a teacher from Lafayette High School in Williamsburg.

Many of the advisers believe this camp is for the good of their students, not for themselves. “A friend of mine who also teaches is very skilled in text journalism. But he doesn’t know that much about newspaper design, students have to figure that out for them-selves. That is something I would like to avoid.” said Jonathan Rau, a journalism teacher who came all the way from Istanbul, Turkey to take this class.

Some advisers are taking this class because they are still new at teaching. Mark Eaton, a TC Williams High School adviser from Alexandria, has been teaching for only two years.

“I was a lawyer for 31 years, which is where I got my writing expe-rience,” Eaton said, “But things like InDesign are a still new to me.”

This is the first big experience for a couple of rookie advisers who have received their position less than a year ago. “I’m just getting my feet wet before I try to go to the bigger camps and conventions.” Rau said.

But this camp is familiar to some of the more experienced advisers like Jeanine Hobbs, a Jamestown High teacher from Wil-liamsburg who has been advising for 10 years. “I liked Jcamp the first year I came, so I thought I would come back again.” Hobbs said.

Advisers not only learn how to construct curriculums, but also implement their newfound knowledge by assisting the students from their respective schools that have also come to Jcamp. “Me and my students just meet in the lobby and talk about what we each did in our classes.” said Todd.

According to the camp leaders, being a part of Jcamp is not a problem if you come with the right attitude. “The only require-ment for being a Jcamp adviser is that you have to have motiva-tion,” said Kelly Furnas, director of Jcamp.

The instructors who teach the advisers are Chad Rummel and Valerie Kibler. “The instructors bounce off ideas to each other throughout the entire session and I learn a lot from that.” Hobbs said.

The Virginia Tech campus has proven to be an adequate place for this program in the eyes of the advisers. “The campus reminds me of when I was in college,” said Todd, an adviser from Lafay-ette High School.

Many of the advisers said they would come back to Jcamp next year and suggest the summer program to their fellow teach-ers back at their respective schools. “I think Jcamp can make a huge difference in the quality of newspapers as a whole.” Hobbs said.

VAByline6

Jonee Love attends Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn; Adam Rhea attends Hanover High School in Mechanicsville and Melody Wang, Maggie L Walker Governor’s School in Richmond.

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advisers go To caMpjcamp

(Left) Jamestown teacher Jeanine Hobbs and JCamp instructor Nicole Cimino discuss advising while dining at Virginia Tech’s Dietrich Hall. (Right) Stafford HS adviser Sue Gill helps campers find parts of the paper in a swap shop activity.

■

My evil plan is to get journalism into my school,” said Jonathon

Rau, an adviser at JCamp, a program held at Virginia Tech to better journalists.

Newspaper adviser Jonathon Rau excitedly explained his background in journalism, jumping from topics from where he grew up, to teaching in a highly-ranked school in Turkey.

This is Rau’s first year as an adviser. Having searched all over the United States for a convenient journalism program, he eventually found JCamp.

“I searched all over the Internet and couldn’t find a decent program that had a good price and seemed convenient for me. When I found JCamp and saw that it was at Virginia Tech, I knew right away it would be great for me. Not only did the school pay for it, but I am also able to see my family,” Rau said.

Rau experienced and learned numerous new ideas, ranging from tips on photography to news outlining. Equipped with information from instructors, he will now be able to contribute to his students.

“The instructors are extremely prepared, and you can tell they have lots of experience. At first it was overwhelming, but then you begin to comprehend all the information. I am very impressed by the instructors,” Rau said.

Because Rau’s father was a diplomat, he has lived in countries such as Greece, Afghanistan, and lastly, Turkey, where he met his wife. He eventually moved back to Virginia (where he received his degree at Virginia Commonwealth University), but only worked there for two years before he went back to Turkey again to begin teaching abroad.

At Rau’s school in Turkey, his students aren’t required to take a course pre-requisite for newspaper. The last time it was required was 10-15 years ago. In addition, the students are able to design the paper without having to sell ads, being that the school provides for them.

“The school has been open for about 150 years. Students in Turkey are very hard-working and are especially talented in math and sciences, such as chemistry. They also seem less timid than students in America,” Rau said.

All the helpful information that Rau has learned will come to great use for his students back in Turkey to better their newspaper.

In a pair of glasses and forest green polo, TC Williams High School

English teacher Mark Eaton sinks into the arms of a wooden chair, arms and legs dangling.

As he begins to speak in slow and deliberative tones, he tilts his head thoughtfully, as if contemplating a problem.

Eaton, the adviser of TC Williams’

newspaper,“Theogony”, is participating in JCAMP, a five-day long program located on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia intended to improve skills, learn new techniques and plan for the coming year’s paper. As a first time adviser, he said, “Nobody knows less than I do.”

The adviser position was thrust upon Eaton. “I was walking down the hall, minding my own business when suddenly the principal walked up to me and asked me, ‘How would you like to take over journalism?’” he said.

Having accepted the position, Eaton contacted Chad Rummel, a former colleague at Oakton High School, who recommended JCAMP. Today, Rummel is the instructor, giving tips to advisers on forming journalism curriculum.

“The instructors are very knowledgeable.” Eaton said. “They have taught me so much over the past couple of days.”

Coming from a text heavy background, he came here to learn about graphics and newspaper design. Already, he understands the difference Photoshop and InDesign can make.

“He’s very attentive and eager to learn.” said Leigh Todd, a fellow adviser participating in JCAMP.

Teaching has not always been Eaton’s job. He has served as both a lawyer and an Alexandria School Board member for 31 and nine years, respectively. After retirement, he became an English teacher, first at Oakton High School and now at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, Va.

After this program, Eaton plans to incorporate advertisements into the “Theogony”. He is also beginning an online edition of the newspaper. Next year Eaton intends to return, bringing with him his students.

“This has been a very rich session for me.” he said of the program. “I have learned so much from this.”

VAByline 7

jcampNew adviser brings program to school with JCamp’s guidance

“


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Former lawyer, school board member recruited by principal to take over T.C. Williams journalism class


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Discussion Guidelines & PoliciesQuorum: At least one editor must be present during a prose or poetry discussion and at least five (5) total voting discussants must be present to make quorum.

Eligibility to VoteAny current member of the TJ student body is invited to participate in dis-cussions. All those new to Threshold should participate in one full discus-sion (beyond a mock discussion) but should refrain from voting the first time. After participating in a full discussion, the discussant is eligible to vote.

For all discussions—prose and poetry: 1) First Impressions—all positive at this pointWhat interests you? What confuses you? Emotional reactions?Impressions of the author’s style? Associations? 2) Positive Comments—What did you like and appreciate? 3) Piece’s Meaning—What do you think the author’s goals are? 4) Constructive Criticism—What can be improved? 5) Questions? (at any point) Need to check on: Definitions? Allusions? 6) Vote—Accept, Revise, Reject; if off by two votes or fewer, then it will be Rediscussed7) If revise, what detail(s) need revision?

Poetry DiscussionsTwo volunteers read the piece aloud—no discussion in between readings—so that we hear the poetry read in two different voices. The Po-etry Editor leading the discussion then opens the floor for first impressions. The other Poetry Editor or other edi-tor takes careful notes and records the voting record.

Prose Discussions4-5 prose pieces are read quietly dur-ing an A-block; readers take notes. During B-block, the Prose Editor begins discussion by opening the floor for first impressions on the first piece. The other Prose Editor or other editor takes careful notes and records the voting record.

Art SubmissionsThe A&D solicits art submissions

and asks specific artists to submit. The A&D then determines the high-est quality art (in a variety of media) to make available to spreadmakers; he or she creates a system by which spreadmakers may “claim” art for their spreads while ensuring that the best art is showcased in the magazine—choose art based on quality over “matching” the writing of the spread.

Production Guidelines & PoliciesLadderThe EIC, A&D, Managing, Shadwell, and Prose and Poetry Editors create the ladder after discussions on all pieces (including revises) are complete. Determine color spreads by signatures. All Shadwell spreads are designed by editors and top staff designers.

Assigning SpreadsEIC assigns and communicates spreads to spreadmakers. EIC pairs new spreadmakers with experienced editors as partners and mentors.

Style SheetA&D and Shadwell Editors determine the fonts and conventions for Thresh-old and Shadwell. Include title fonts, copy font and size, byline conventions for prose and poetry, prose alignment, spacing, photo and art credits, and spot color numbers.

Choosing Art The A&D makes the determination of which art is available for the maga-zine spreads based on artistic quality. These pieces are scanned and loaded to a folder (usually called “Art”) on the Threshold drive. The A&D should make sure that the highest quality pieces are given priority in the magazine—our goal is to showcase the artistic abilities of our student body—not just “match” the written word submissions. When you as a spreadmaker have found a piece of art you will put in your spread, rename the file with the title + your name to show that you have claimed that art. Copy the file to your spread folder, so that you can use it in your spread.

*You MUST use the full piece of art without cropping or alterations at least once in your spread. Do not alter the art in any way without the permission of the artist.

Spread design approvalBefore spread-makers begin design-ing their spreads on the com-puter, the A&D must approve the design. If the A&D sees design flaws, he or she should work with the spreadmakers to revise the design. Re-fer to Sara Yenke’s “A Design Book” for invaluable reference and support.

Making Your Spread Use the A&D’s guidelines as you be-gin and save your spread. Remember to “Save As” “spread page numbers” after opening the template—do not save on the template. If you alter your spread design, be sure to get the design re-approved by the A&D. Fol-low the checklist for spreadmaking as described in the next topic.

Checklist for Spread-MakingCopy Editor with EIC, A&D, and Shadwell create the checklist for spreadmakers with initialed check-points. Editors are responsible for checking and initialing during produc-tion. If any steps are passed over, editors request changes from spread-makers.

Final CheckCopy Editor delegates copy editing and making changes to all avail-able editors (and ALL editors should remain available). The Copy Editor is the final approval for a finished spread. All spreadmakers should stay available for revisions until Copy has given final approval.

Saving Magazine for Publisher SubmissionSave the magazine according to the publisher’s specifications. PDF? CD? Disk? Upload to publisher’s homepage? Know ahead of time.

For Plagiarism Guidelines & Policiesplease email Emily Orser at [email protected]

From the Threshold Staff Manual, 1996-1997 Emily Orser is the Literary Magazine adviser for Thomas Jefferson HS.

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VAByline8

Literary magazine staff manual key to smooth year

The number one problem most staffs will face as they begin a new year is how to come up with the funding to pay for producing their publication. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If you are committed to making it happen, the money will follow. Here are some ideas that can bring in the dollars.

1. Charge a journalism fee. Students pay fees for many other classes in school. Why not journalism? I charge $15 per student.

2. Exchange ad sales for services. Realize that you have a marketable product that you can use to barter for whatever you need. I’ve given free advertising in exchange for t-shirts for the entire staff.

3. Patron ads. While you will make a considerable amount of money selling ads to area businesses, anyone can be a patron and it doesn’t cost you a thing! Email me if you would like a copy of my patron ad contract.

4. Brick project. I used fundraisingltd.com to do a personalized brick sales fundraiser and made over $6000. The company offers a zillion options and you can work to beautify your campus by selling bricks in memory /honor of students/teachers/alumni or simply supporters of the community.

5. Coffee shop. Combine efforts with a marketing program or just do this one on your own! Sell cof-fee before school to students and teachers. Make sure you aren’t breaking any food sales rules.

6. Working concessions at athletic or other events. Volunteer to have your students work the concession stands instead of parents/teachers and work out a deal to receive a portion of the proceeds. In our school, athletic teams take games inside the gym and they get 50% of the profits from the athletic booster club. We make $100 per game for this and the boosters bring in an additional $200-$300. It’s a win-win!!

7. Donations only bake sales/car washes. For back to school night or parent teacher conference days, students will run a donations only car wash or bake sale. Teachers will park their cars in a certain area and since students aren’t in school on those days, they wash the cars!

8. Valentine’s Data Match. We use the I-Flurtz company which you can find online. This is a hysterical fundraiser which the kids absolutely love in my school! Everyone fills out the forms provided free by the company and you only pay for what you sell, guaranteeing you a profit. Teachers can do this, too, and just get matched with other teachers. We distribute teacher results free of charge as just a fun activity for the faculty!

9. Percentage nights at local restaurants. Many local restaurants will now work with you to sponsor a “special night” at their business. All you do is advertise and get people to go to that restaurant on a specified date that you’ve worked out in advance and the restaurant will give you a percentage of their income that night.

10. Selling water/healthy snacks in room. If you can’t sell candy bars anymore, go healthy! Kids will buy water, granola bars, crackers etc. Be careful to get approval for this one first and don’t sell during the hours lunch is being served. We can generally profit $100-$150 per week! Ask Chad Rummel how kids in Oakton love those Ozark lollipops!!!

VAByline 9

10 EASY STEPS TO PREPARE

FOR SELLING ADS

Step 1 Select an ad sales man-ager and find a student who is good at designing ads on the computer.

Step 2 Drive around your community and write down the names of all businesses and their locations.

Step 3 Divide your commu-nity up into sales zones.

Step 4 Assign staff members to specific sales zones only AFTER you have allowed staff members to match up with businesses where they have personal or family contacts.

Step 5 Set up a table at your back-to-school fee days or back to school night to sell ads and patron ads.

Step 6 Go over how to de-sign an ad in class and what goes into developing an ad that will work to increase profits for the businesses. They have to understand that you are providing a service that can help them, not just begging for money.

Step 7 Practice how to sell an ad in class. Set up mock situations and have students practice in front of the class.

Step 8 Set up a competition between students and have a tangible reward. Update the results in the classroom as ads comes in. Students can travel in pairs, but if they do go to-gether, make sure both names go on the contract.

Step 9 Set up ad sales packets that will make reporters look professional when they enter a business and talk to managers. Make sure that all reporters have business cards to give to business managers.

Step 10 Sit back and watch the contracts pour into the publications room!

Valerie Kibler, VAJTA Director, advises the newspaper at Harrisonburg HS. Email her at [email protected] for a complete list of her fundraising ideas.

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Practical solutions to your funding problems

Have you ever thought that the press pass for your high school yearbook or newspaper isn’t worth the paper

that it is printed on? Well think again. After hearing about the Thursday,

August 21st town hall meeting with Barack Obama on the local news, I decided to go to the Internet to find out more about it. There was a link to the John Tyler Community College web page so I followed it to the BarackObama.com page. I filled out a credentials form and submitted it. I stated that I was the adviser of a local high school paper and wanted to cover the event. The page said that the event people would contact me if I was denied credentials.

8:00 AM - Like any good worker I got there early. I got to the John Tyler campus two hours before the event was scheduled to start. At the entrance to the campus I was greeted by two secret service officers and a local Chesterfield policeman. The officers asked for identification and before they could ask me I told them I was here with the local press and I needed to know where to go to pick up my press pass.

They directed me to a parking lot where a few other secret security officers were stationed.

At the sign in table members from John Tyler and the campaign group asked me again for identification and verified my name on a list, presumably from the online registration. They handed me small piece of flimsy cardboard that said “Press” and then ushered me through to a man with a metal detecting wand. They checked all of my equipment and sent me through.

Once there the waiting began.

9:00 AM - Reporters from WWBT 12, WTVR 6, WRIC 8, Richmond Times-Dis-patch and every other local organization took a seat, turned on their iPod, cell phone or laptop and waited.

Those that wanted to be social started brief conversations. Some of these exchanges were about what they were working on besides this event, some of the conversations were about VP candidates, some were about their plans to travel to other sites in the future and someone even asked, “so who was this John Tyler fellow anyway?”

I listened. You can get so much out of just sitting and listening.

10:00 AM - As the time for the event drew near more guests arrived. Local poli-ticians, family, and friends all arrived to witness this historic event. It still seemed that although the local press was in full force there were not many there covering the event.

10:30 AM - After a few announcements and general information the Senator’s cara-van drove up. The traveling press filed off of the tour buses picked up their comput-ers and cameras and pushed on in to the pin with the rest of us were grazing like cattle. CNN, Fox News, and all of the other national media politely tried to move some of the local affiliates and then stake their claim.

I planted myself at the metal barrier and tried not to be intimi-dated.

10:45 AM -And then he appeared. From behind a row of hedges and shrubs Senator Obama walked in with Gover-nor Tim Kaine and greeted everyone with warm embraces.

“This is kind of nice,” Senator Obama said. “Who brought the potato salad? I like this - we need to have a little picnic.”

As he spoke camera shutters clicked and video and audio recorders rolled. Reporters lined the back of the area with laptops and notebooks filing their stories away to be sent out as soon as they could.

12:00 Noon - As the question and answer period ended I began to look around and noticed reporters beginning to get ready to move to the next phase of coverage. I felt fortunate to have had some time to talk to the local media before the event began. But then I looked over and noticed the CBS This Morn-ing anchor Harry Smith.

We talked for a few seconds, he graciously took a picture with me and wished my newspaper staff good luck with the year.

So when you get your press pass this year don’t think it is just some wasteful piece of paper. You never know where it might take you.

VAByline10

PRESS CREDENTIALS AVAILABLE DURING POLITICAL CAMPAIGN RACE

8:00 AM

10:30 AM

11:00 AM

11:30 AM

12:00 NoonChris Waugaman is the newspaper adviser the newspaper at Prince George HS. Email him with any questions at [email protected].

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VAByline 11

Money doesn’t make the world go ‘round, but it sure does keep the principal off your back. Maintaining book sales (let alone increasing

them) in our economic times isn’t easy, but it can be done.

Whose problem is it? If YOU are worrying about the yearbook sales, stop right now. Pass this copy of the Byline off to your business manager. The only way to truly be successful is to have your entire staff buy into the process. You can create incentives that reward everyone for being a part, but you should not be the instigator of your success.

Consider breaking your staff into teams to see who can bring in the most order forms. Have a raffle, and every book brought in earns a chance to win the prize. If

you can’t afford the prize, then offer a Chipotle party to your staff once you reach a benchmark (they can still pay for the food, but you can help them order it!). Keep a “thermometer” show-ing your success.

This year, we’re also enlisting the support of our FBLA and our DECA clubs. Any yearbook forms that the FBLA or DECA students can collect and bring to me (and write the name of their club at the bottom) will generate $3 for their club. Sure, we’re losing $3, but we’re also getting a whole other genre of kid to order yearbooks! We just added over 150 kids to our sales force!

sell your yearBook

Eight ideas to put into your marketing plan: 1. Market your sales. You know that books are on sale, but does everyone? If someone can take more than 10 steps in your building and NOT know that books are on sale, there’s a problem. Put posters up everywhere with the location to get order forms and where order forms are dropped off.

2. Make order forms available. Put them on your school Web site, in PTSA newsletters, back-to-school packets, and on bulletin boards (staple a manila folder to a bulletin board and they will sit nicely in there). Ask for ad space in sporting events (that you may have to design as a trade-off) or in theater programs.

3. Be seen. Set up a table at sporting events, Back to School nights, PTSA meetings, freshmen orientation. Man the table with copies of last year’s book, lists of who has and hasn’t purchased a book, and copies of order forms.

4. Tear-off sheets. Make posters that have your sales information at the top, and the bottom has little slips perforated on their sides that say “Don’t forget to get a book” or that have a link to your online order center (check with your yearbook rep to see if your company offers this).

5. Go electronic. Use your school’s email distribution to send out yearbook reminders. If your principal says that you cant spam parents with that information, then write a nice email reminder about picture portrait days and tack on a yearbook reminder at the end. Have your students create a Facebook group that has a link to the order form. They can go around and “wall” their friends with reminders to buy a book.

6. Work the lunchroom. Have your kids wear yearbook shirts and go table to table the first month of school hounding kids to turn in orders. We’ll use our lunchroom PA system. In addition, table tents will go on the tables mid-September reminding everyone that the cost of the book increases Sept. 26.

7. Angels. Not every kid in your school can afford a book, so add a line on your order form that allows those who CAN to add a $5 or $10 donation to offset books for those who cant. This will allow you to give away some books to kids on free or reduced lunches, all while increasing your book sales. You’ll be surprised when some families donate a whole second book just to give everyone the chance to have one.

8. Remind, remind, remind. Send home postcards with reminders about books. Postage is cheap (de-clining book sales is not). Get your department (and maybe others) to add reminders about book sales when they send home grade notices or newsletters to parents. It helps if your form is online so faculty can just add the link to mail already going out.

Chad Rummel, CJE VAJTA Associate Director, advises yearbook, newspaper and broadcast journalism at Oakton HS. Email him at [email protected].

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VAByline12

VAJTAvirginia association of journalism teachers and advisers

The Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers is the professional organization for media advis-ers and journalism teachers in Virginia. Members of the organization receive the host of benefits below, in ad-dition to benefits and information from our partner organizations, Virginia High School League and Journalism Education Association.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

NEWSLETTERMembers receive a quarterly newsletter (“Byline”) featuring updates in scholastic journalism, resources, tips and personal advice for succeeding as an adviser. In addition, members have the chance to be published in the “Byline,” which can often provide recertification points.

WoRkShopSEach year, VAJTA provides a host of workshops around the state. Have a specific need? We’ll come to you. Whether you need technology training or general classroom help in writing, photography, design, etc., we’ll cater a workshop to your school or region’s needs. Each summer, VAJTA and its partners offer jCamp, a journal-ism camp for students and Virginia Tech.

CoNTESTSStudents of VAJTA members are eligible for an array of awards, including Write-Off contests and Journalist of the Year scholarships. In addition, teachers and administrators who are advocates and supporters of scholastic journalism are recognized by VAJTA.

MENToR/SUppoRTVAJTA has a cutting-edge mentoring program that utilizes retired journalism teachers to support new advisers. In addition, anyone is eligible for a VAJTA Mentor through our program. Whether you need yearlong support or just a quick answer, we can help.

NETWoRkINGNo one in your school truly understand what you do or how you do it. WE DO. Join a network of teachers and advisers who do what you do, who know what it’s like to be in the trenches, and who truly can sympathize AND help when needed.

NEEEdMoREINFo?

Valerie kibler,VAJTA DirectorHarrisonburg High [email protected]

Chad Rummel,VAJTA Asst DirectorOakton High [email protected]

VAByline 13ALL NEWSPAPER, YEARBOOK, LITERARY MAGAZINE AND BROADCAST SPONSORS

JEA/VAJTA Membership 2008-2009

The Journalism Education Association (JEA), the only independent national scholastic journalism organization for teachers and advisers, provides invaluable networking opportunities, national conventions, a bookstore catalog, continuing education programs, adviser and student awards, and professional certification.

Joining the Virginia Association for Journalism Teachers and Advisers (VAJTA), the state affiliate, will keep you informed of statewide journalism activities including the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Fall Publications Workshop. If you join or renew JEA through JEA State Director, Fran Sharer, rebate of $5.00 is returned to VAJTA for Virginia journalism activities.

Join or renew your membership today:

Lifetime - $500 Combined JEA and VAJTA membership - $60 Associate (non-teacher individual) - $50 JEA only - $50 VAJTA only - $10 Retired teacher/adviser - $40 College Student - $30

Name CJE or MJE? (Circle certification status) School School Address City State Zip School area code/phone ( ) FAX ( ) County/School Jurisdiction School E-Mail Home Address City State Zip Home area code/phone ( ) Home E-Mail

Media advised (check all that apply and write name of publication on line)

Radio TV Photography Newspaper Yearbook Magazine Other

I would like a mentor. I am willing to be a mentor. I would like to join the JEA listserv(e-mail address required) I am donating $1.00 to support the Student Press Law Center (SPLC).

Thanks for joining! Return dues with this form to: Fran Sharer 545 Saddlehorn Drive Chesapeake, VA 23322

[email protected] Make checks payable to VAJTA

VAByline14

Register Now!

P R O V I D I N G E D U C A T I O N A L O P P O R T U N I T I E S B E Y O N D T H E C L A S S R O O M

C H A M P I O N S H I PJ O U R N A L I S M W O R K S H O P

VIR

GIN

IA H

IGH

SC

HO

OL

L

EA

GU

E

Phone: 434-977-8475

Fax: 434-977-5943

E-mail: [email protected]

1642 State Farm Boulevard

Charlottesville, Virginia 22911

V I R G I N I A H I G H S C H O O L L E A G U E

Join your peers across the commonwealth at the state’s premiere scholastic journalism training event for high

school students and advisers.

October 18-19 at

Virginia Commonwealth University

newspaper

literary magazine

yearbook

broadcasting

REGISTRATION We hope that you’re able to take advantage of this wonderful two-day experience and join the VHSL for its 38th year of scholas-tic journalism training. Sessions in photojournalism, writing, advertising, design, marketing, copy edit-ing, interviewing and more promise to help get your newspaper and yearbook programs off to the right start! For the creatives in the lit mag world, we have many new and exciting of-ferings for you — sessions on spoken word poetry, finding your muse, metaphors, char-acter development, personification, dia-logue, writing humorous fiction and more! Saturday evening’s awards banquet celebrates excellence in scholastic publica-tions and will be followed by a poetryslam and karaoke party! See you at the CJW!

VAByline 15

REGISTRATION FORM

Adviser Name: _________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________________

School Name: __________________________________________________ Adviser Phone: __________________________________________

School Address: ________________________________________________ School Phone: __________________________________________

VHSL has no limit on the number of delegates who may attend from each school; however, the distribution of representatives per publica-tion must be noted on this form. Each school must have an adviser, faculty member or school-appointed adult present at the workshop to supervise that delegation.

Registration Fee: The cost of registration is $50 per person and includes admission to the Championship Awards Banquet. For each 10 registered delegates from the same public high school, the cost for 1 adviser will be waived. The registration fee for non-public high and middle school delegates is $60.

Please make your registration check payable to the Virginia High School League and enclose it with this form. Your registration should be returned to: 1642 State Farm Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

Refund Policy: A refund of your school’s registration fee will be given ONLY if the VHSL assistant director is notified of your cancellation before 5pm on Friday, Oct. 10.

VHSL SCHOOLS SUMMARY NON-VHSL SCHOOLS SUMMARY

__________ Delegates @ $50.00 = $__________ __________ Delegates @ $60.00 = $__________

________ __ Advisers @ $50.00 = $__________ __________ Advisers @ $60.00 = $__________

TOTAL = $__________ TOTAL = $__________

This registration form must be signed by the adviser, faculty member or school-appointed adult who will be in attendance with the school’s delegation at the Championship Journalism Workshop.

_________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ DATE ADVISER, FACULTY MEMBER OR SCHOOL-APPOINTED ADULT

DIRECTIONS TO VCUArriving via I-64 from Virginia Beach and points east of Richmond — Take Exit #190, 5th Street and Downtown/Coliseum Exit. Turn right at the 7th traffic light onto Broad Street. Drive 11 blocks and turn left onto Belvidere Street (US 1 & 301). Drive 3 blocks and turn right onto Main Street. Drive 2 blocks and turn left onto Laurel Street to the entrance of the VCU parking garage.

Arriving via I-95 from Washington and points north of Richmond — Take Exit #76B, Belvidere Street. Turn left off Exit #76B ramp onto Leigh Street. Drive to 1st traffic light and turn right onto Belvidere Street (US 1 & 301). Turn right at the 6th traffic light onto Main Street. Drive 2 blocks and turn left onto Laurel Street to the entrance of the VCU parking garage.

Arriving via I-95 from Petersburg and points south of Richmond — Take Exit #74A onto Downtown Expressway, I-195 (exit ramp is on the James River Bridge). Drive 1/2 mile, take exit for Belvidere Street (US 1 & 301). Drive two blocks along Canal Street to Belvidere Street. Cross Belvidere Street and go 3 blocks along Cumberland Street (extension of Canal Street). Turn right onto Cherry Street. Drive 2 blocks to entrance of VCU parking garage.

Arriving via I-64 from Charlottesville and points west of Richmond — Take Exit for I-95 South and I-64 East. Take Exit #76B for Belvidere Street (US 1 & 301). Turn left off Exit #76B ramp onto Leigh Street Drive to 1st traffic light and turn right onto Belvidere Street (US 1 & 301). Turn right at the 6th traffic light onto Main Street. Drive 2 blocks and turn left onto Laurel Street to the entrance of the VCU parking garage.

DIRECTIONS TO THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL FROM VCU Take Cary Street (behind the Temple Building) one-way east for approximately one mile. Turn right on 6th Street. Turn right on Canal Street and go one block to the hotel (804.788.0900).

DIRECTIONS TO THE COMFORT INN HOTEL FROM VCU Take Cary Street (behind the Temple Building) one-way east for approximately 1/8 mile. Turn left on Belvidere Street. Go four blocks and turn left on Broad Street. Go approximately one mile and hotel will be on right (804.359.4061).

DIRECTIONS TO GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER FROM VCU Take Cary Street (behind the Temple Building) one-way east for approximately 1/8 mile. Turn left on Belvidere Street. Go four blocks and turn right on Broad Street. Go approximately 1/2 mile and the GRCC will be on your left at the corner of 3rd and W. Broad Streets.

C H A M P I O N S H I PJ O U R N A L I S M W O R K S H O P

VAByline16

Registration deadline: One week prior to the workshop. Confi rmation will be mailed or emailed upon receipt.Please return this registration and check made payable to VAJTA to: Fran Sharer, VAJTA Treasurer Virginia Beach City Public Schools 545 Saddlehorn Dr . Chesapeake , VA 23322

RCPp

Wonderful Weekend Workshops!

2008-2009VAJTA

Teacher Training

putting the pieces together

Learn the basics of InDesign

and Photoshop in a friendly

environment!

InDesign: These day-long courses will help

you be better prepared to make

the switch to InDesign with your students. Even if you’re

already using InDesign,

you’ll uncover some of the

amazing features you probably didn’t know

existed!

Photoshop:Learn basic skills that will help you

feel more comfortable with this sophisticated

software.

Although these Saturday

workshops are designed for teachers, we

welcome you to bring an editor or

two along to learn with you!

Lunch will be provided on

Saturday, snacks on Friday!

For any further questions, please

contact Chad Rummel at Chad.

Rummel @fcps.edu or Valerie

Kibler at [email protected].

va.us

Name: ____________________ Address: __________________ Phone: ____________ _________________ Email: _____________ _________________ ______________School: ___________________Publication Advised: ____ NP ____ Mag ____YB ____ BC_____ I am attending the Photoshop session on October 10_____ I am attending the InDesign session on October 11_____ I am attending both sessions

Join the cutting edge of technology!Enjoy learning with your fellow teachers! Tailor the workshop to meet your needs. Oakton High School Yearbook, Newspaper and Broadcasting instruc-tor Chad Rummel will teach a Photoshop course on Friday, October 10 from 2:45 - 8:30 p.m. and an InDesign course on Saturday, October 11 from 8 -4. Take either course or BOTH!!!! Bring a student or two with you!!! The courses will both be taught at Landstown High School, 2001 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.

$50 for one day; $75 for both days Lunch is

included in cost.

Earn graduate credit from VCU by participating in this workshop. Cost is $125 for 1 credit hour.

byline fall 2008

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