Yearbook Syllabus
Credit: 1.0 (Full sememster course)
Prerequisite: Teacher approval only
Grades: 9-12
Members of this course make up the yearbook staff. The major goal of this course is to produce a printed school yearbook. Students will develop organizational and responsibility skills involved in publishing and meeting deadlines, general yearbook planning, layout and design techniques, desktop publishing programs, and photography. Students will focus on advertising sales and yearbook sales. Students will cover all sporting events, musical events, academics, student life, and clubs for pictures and write-ups. Students will also identify yearbook dedications. Students will assist with pages, headings, pictures, write-ups, proofreading, and sponsorships as necessary.
Students will be required to work outside of class taking photographs and doing page layouts to meet deadlines as part of their grade.
1. Camera checkout
a. A camera must be checked out at least once per week.
b. 10 pts. Every week.
c. All photos must be checked (by the following Monday) by Mr. Weidensee upon camera check-in to receive credit.
d. A minimum of 20 quality photos need to be taken each week to satisfy this requirement.
2. Event grade
a. This grade is given for taking photos at events.
b. Events are usually outside of the school day. Special considerations may be made for certain situations.
c. They include sports, club meetings and activities, dances, competitions, awards ceremonies, etc.
d. Events must be signed up for in advance.
e. Generally there will be a limit of 2 people allowed to sign up for an event. Each with their own camera.
f. Photos must be checked by Mr. Weidensee within 2 days after the event in order to receive credit.
g. Generally, you will not have to pay for events that you are covering for the yearbook. Please see Mr. Weidensee ahead of time to make arrangements. NO REIMBURSEMENTS WILL BE MADE.
h. 20 points for each event up to 3 per quarter.
3. Work grade
a. Weekly work grades will be given at a maximum of 10 pts. each week.
b. Make sure you are busy with something at all times. Questions to ask yourself….
1. Am I truly as far as I can be on my pages?
2. Is there any other yearbook business I could be working on?
Ex. Taking pics, arranging photo shoots, checking name spellings, helping another staff member, looking for errors on live yearbook, scanning photos, running errands for Mr. Weidensee, handling paperwork for Mr. Weidensee or one of the editors, clearing cameras, putting batteries on chargers, etc.
3. Are my pages done? If so, order a PDF and check the photo quality and layout of your page. Remember to update the spreadsheet as you complete things.
4. Did the editors, or Mr. Weidensee, give me revisions to be made to my pages? If so, make them and notify the editor or Mr. Weidensee that it is done so a proof can be ordered.
5. Does the business manager have any duties that they need help with?
6. Does another staff member need help?
7. Do I have homework for another class I could be working on, a book to read perhaps?
4. Team grade
a. A team grade of 10 pts. will be given at the midpoint and end of each quarter. (20 pts total per quarter).
b. This grade will be based on the following scale:
1. Shows a positive, cooperative attitude and eagerness to work as a team member. This includes undertaking additional tasks and assisting others to complete their tasks (without being asked to do so.)
2. Shows a positive, cooperative attitude and eagerness to work as a team member.
3. Has an inconsistently cooperative attitude and is less than willing to work as a team member.
5. Photo responsibilities
a. It is ultimately the responsibility of the staff member assigned the page to provide photos for that page. If you can’t be present to take photos, it is up to you to make arrangements to get coverage.
6. Page Deadlines
a. These will be given as they come up.
b. All pages will be completed in a timely fashion.
c. Any page not completed satisfactorily by the quarter’s end will be severely downgraded.
d. 30 points per page.
7. Sponsorships
a. All yearbook students will be responsible for contacting local businesses to secure sponsorships for the yearbook.
b. Potential sponsors will first be contacted by phone and appointments will be made.
c. Students will then go to the businesses for appointments.
d. 30 points total
8. Editors
a. Editors will be chosen by Mr. Weidensee.
b. Editors will have duties in addition to the above stated requirements.
c. Editors are essentially student bosses of the yearbook and have a larger say in how the book is produced.
d. All disputes between editors and staff members will be settled by Mr. Weidensee.
e. DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOU WILL BE SELECTED AS AN EDITOR SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU WERE AN EDITOR ON A PREVIOUS YEARBOOK OR IN THE CLASS IN THE PAST.
f. Because of the editor’s larger role and larger responsibilities, the travel rules listed below do not apply.
g. Editors will be asked to take 3rd quarter independent study yearbook to finish all loose ends of the book.
h. Editors can be removed from their post by Mr. Weidensee at any time.
9. Business Manager (New position)
a. The business manager will be chosen by Mr. Weidensee.
b. Students considered for this position will have a strong background in, and aptitude for business subjects.
b. The business manager will have duties in addition to the above stated staff requirements.
c. The business manager will be responsible for all business related activities including business and home mailings/emails, notices of customer deadlines, sales lists, sponsorship coordination, finances, and weekly work flow updates(Ladder).
d. Although the business manager will NOT have creative control of the yearbook other than in a regular staff capacity, they will be asked to coordinate with the editors as some duties may require this.
e. Because of the business manager’s larger role and larger responsibilities, the travel rules listed below do not apply.
f. 3rd quarter independent study is NOT required for this position, but may be requested(optional) if the editors need additional help to finish the book.
g. The business manager can be removed from their post by Mr. Weidensee at any time.
10. Travel during class time
a. On occasions you will be required to leave the classroom to take care of Yearbook business.
b. You must take your pass. Pass must be visible.
c. You will need to sign out of the classroom using the provided sign-out sheet that indicates…
1. Where you are going (be specific)
2. Why you are going there
3. The time you that you are leaving
4. The time when you will be back
d. You may not leave for more than 10 minutes without direct(not assumed) permission from Mr. Weidensee.
e. No more than 4 people may be out of the room at one time without direct(not assumed) permission from Mr. Weidensee. PLAN AHEAD
f. You must go where you signed out to go without side trips. If your plan changes, you will need to come back and resign out.
g. If you violate the pass privileges outlined above, you will have your pass revoked for a period of time to be determined by Mr. Weidensee.
Late-Work Policy: Teachers will strive to assign homework and projects with due dates that provide ample time for students to time-manage and successfully complete the work. Students are expected to turn in work on the date it is due. Any work that is not turned in when it is collected on that due date will be marked as a zero and missing in the grade book. Assignments that are received by the end of the school day up to two days after the assigned due date will be scored at 75% of credit earned. Assignments that are received on the third or fourth date after the assigned due date will be scored at 50% of credit earned. Students will receive no credit for assignments received five or more days late. For example, an assignment due Monday would be worth 75% earned credit until the end of the school day Wednesday and 50% the end of the day Friday. Students are encouraged to contact teachers at least one day in advance with requests for extensions or accommodations. It is at the teacher’s discretion of the student need for extension to provide these accommodations.
Test and Quiz Retake Policy: Retakes will NOT be offered.
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