PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL THE PEN NEWSPAPER STAFF APPLICATION

Transcription

1 PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL THE PEN NEWSPAPER STAFF APPLICATION Name/grade: Current Position: Position Wanted RULES: 1. In order to apply for a staff position you must maintain a 2.5 grade point average and receive no more than one "N" or "U" citizenship grade in a semester. If your GPA drops or if you receive unsatisfactory citizenship grades, you will be put on probation and/or removed from your editor position. 2. Use the checklist in this packet to make sure you have turned in all of your forms. Candidates who turn in incomplete packets will not be permitted to tryout. 3. Tryouts include a panel interview. Writers will submit a 350-word, three-source article at or before their interview. Editors will create a dummy sheet* and submit a 350-word, three-source article; they must also show their Stylebook proficiency. The articles/layout should be created for the specific section of the newspaper in which you most desire leadership. Copy editors must prove their Stylebook proficiency including understanding of libel, plagiarism and copyright law. Managing editor is the jack-of-all-trades and must show sufficient knowledge in Stylebook proficiency. Come with ideas on how to organize deadlines and grades and motivate staffers. Editors-in-chief will create a dummy sheet*, submit an article, and pitch one article idea for each section (6 ideas in total) and a few design trends they would like to implement; they must also show their Stylebook proficiency. Photographers must submit 20 color photographs of school-related subjects, including at least one for each section of the newspaper. Business and events team should come to the interview ready to lay out a detailed plan for increasing revenue and team spirit. * If you would like to create an electronic layout instead, you may choose to do so in advance. 4. You understand that though you have applied for first, second and third choices, you may not receive one of the staff positions you applied for, or even a staff position at all. Staff positions are limited to availability; positions are bestowed based on seniority, merit and talent. 1

2 5. Failure to comply with any of The Pen s rules will result in the disqualification of the candidate. I agree to the above terms regarding my tryout. Student Signature Date A LIST OF THE PEN'S STAFF POSITIONS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF- Responsible for everything newspaper, literally. Not only must the EICs envision the look of the newspaper, including its dimensions and rules, they must complete the flag, masthead, mission statement, and staff style guide and manual. They must edit, proof and submit all pages. They must manage their staff accordingly, demonstrating leadership skills, maturity, compassion and high standards. They must work with the advisor respectfully and hold themselves to the highest moral standard. 2. MANAGING EDITOR- Responsible for keeping staffers in check with article/layout deadlines. Helps the Editor-in-chief with editing articles and layouts. Must be able to manage staff, demonstrate leadership skills, maturity, compassion and high standards. They must work with the advisor respectfully and hold themselves to the highest moral standard. 3. COPY EDITOR- Helps the Editor-in-chief with editing articles and layouts. Must demonstrate perfect proficiency of Associated Press s Stylebook, the grammatical and style rules for journalistic writing. Responsible for editing copies for publication so that they meet and exceed journalist standards. They must also be willing to coach emerging writers. They must work with the advisor respectfully and hold themselves to the highest moral standard. 4. DESIGN/ LAYOUT/ WEBMASTER Editor- Responsible for keeping website up-to-date with archived and current issues. Manages website structure, design, and traffic. Makes sure entire staff is uploading articles and corresponding graphics to site. Advises Section Editors in creating their paper/electronic layouts. They must work with the advisor respectfully and hold themselves to the highest moral standard. 5. NEWS EDITORS AND WRITERS- Responsible for coverage (articles, photos and graphics, captions) of all newsworthy events that affect our audience. The news section must cover all news accurately and without bias, relying on investigative tactics to discover all sides to each story. Staffers should be willing to explore and investigate unknown topics. As an all-color page, editors must prove their graphic design proficiency. They must also edit and proof all articles and graphics for publication. Writers can expect to write 1000 words per issue. 6. STUDENT LIFE EDITORS AND WRITERS- Responsible for feature coverage (articles, photos and graphics, captions), revealing campus people and 2

3 trends in a deep and meaningful way. The student life section must be accurate and unbiased, while simultaneously looking for new and exciting angles. Editors must also edit and proof all articles and graphics for publication. Writers can expect to write 1000 words per issue. 7. OPINION EDITORS AND WRITERS- Responsible for coverage (articles, photos and graphics, captions) of controversial topics. Opinion articles and/or editorials should debate topics that students care about. Even better, the opinion section should strive to cover topics that affect campus participants. While trying to persuade and convince, the opinion section should also uphold journalist standards, interviewing and acknowledging both sides. Editors must edit and proof all articles and graphics for publication. Writers can expect to write 1000 words per issue. 8. FOCUS EDITORS AND WRITERS- Responsible for feature coverage (articles, photos and graphics, captions), revealing one umbrella topic in a deep and multi-faceted way. The focus section must be accurate and unbiased, while simultaneously looking for new and exciting angles. All articles must have appropriate sources. As an all-color page, editors must prove their graphic design proficiency. They must also edit and proof all articles and graphics for publication. Writers can expect to write 1000 words per issue. 9. ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS AND WRITERS- Responsible for feature and opinion coverage (articles, photos and graphics, captions) of local eateries, popular movies, games and books and entertainment events. The biggest requirement with A+E is the obligation to actually attend the events, see the movies, read the books and/or visit the places covered. The A+E section must find new and exciting topics and angles each issue. All articles must have appropriate sources. Editors must also edit and proof all articles and graphics for publication. Writers can expect to write 1000 words per issue. 10. SPORTS EDITORS AND WRITERS - Responsible for coverage (articles, photos and graphics, captions) of all newsworthy sporting games that affect our audience. The sports section must cover all sports accurately and without bias, relying on hard facts and stats to tell the story of a game or season. Editors must also edit and proof all articles and graphics for publication, as well as design creative layouts. Writers can expect to write 1000 words per issue. 11. THE BUSINESS TEAM- Responsible for organizing and/or designing all advertisements and in many cases, creating the ads from scratch. Included in this section is the accounts manager, who keeps track of all revenue, expenses and inventories. The accounts manager must show competency in accounting and applicable accounting software. 12. THE EVENTS TEAM- Responsible for organizing all events and fundraisers, including, but not limited to, bonding events, banquet, advertising campaigns, fundraisers and newspaper apparel. The events team must complete one fundraiser and one team bonding event per issue. Events staff will have to show their ability to lead and organize. 13. COPY EDITORS - Responsible for editing copies for publication so that they meet and exceed journalist standards. Copy editors must also know the Associated Press s Stylebook, the grammatical and style rules for journalistic writing. They 3

4 must also be willing to coach emerging writers. 14. THE PHOTOGRAPHY CREW- Responsible for taking all pictures for the yearbook. Photographers can expect to fill a memory card each week with schoolrelated photos. They must also be communicative and reliable, taking photos they signed up to take and uploading those photos in a timely manner in the appropriate folder on the server. Photographers can also expect to have an additional assignment each Friday that builds on their photo expertise. Having your own SLR camera is strongly recommended to meet the photo sizing requirements. Photographers must submit a color 20-photo tryout with at least one photo for each of the following spreads: student life, organizations, academics, seniors, underclassmen and sports. EDITORS AND EIC ONLY: PROOF OF EDITOR COMPETENCY Before their assigned interview, all editor applicants will be given 10 minutes to complete a short AP Style test and to create a newspaper spread that exemplifies their writing and designing proficiencies. Students must demonstrate knowledge of graphic design, typography, columns and rule lines, image/photograph composition and audience awareness. The final project will be shared with the panel of judges. THE PEN NEWSPAPER STUDENT/PARENT PETITION FOR STAFF POSITION Applying for the staff position of: 1. Parent statement: I am fully aware that should my son/daughter be appointed a staff position for The Pen newspaper for which he/she is applying, it may be necessary for me to provide transportation to and from school on special occasions. I am also aware that my student should attend newspaper camp (August 6-9) or convention, as well as the banquet on June 1. I realize that newspaper requires an additional commitment of time at lunch and after school, particularly around pasteup. I understand that my help increasing newspaper revenues is greatly appreciated. Parent name (printed): Parent s signature: Date: 2. Student statement: I am fully aware of the duties and responsibilities for the staff position I am applying for. If appointed to a staff position, I shall fulfill all the responsibilities and commitments to the best of my ability. My signature is a testimonial that if appointed a newspaper staff position, newspaper shall become a priority. This does not mean that I am not allowed to participate in other activities, just that I am expected to prioritize my commitments. I realize that newspaper represents an additional commitment of time and work after school, particularly around deadlines. As a member of the staff, I understand I can be removed from my 4

5 position for the following reasons: committing any act that violates the trust that the newspaper advisor has in me or if I do not fulfill all that is expected as an staff member (including failure to meet deadlines). Student name (printed): Student s signature: Date: 3. My Class Schedule for Please fill this out to the best of your ability. If you do know the specific period a class is, then write it on the side. Period Course Title List of Other Activities (both school related and outside of school). List in order of importance/time commitment. Put hours per week in parenthesis next to activity. 5. Time Management: Please explain how you will balance all of your activities if your commitments exceed three hours a week. 6. Interest in Position: Why are you interested in this position? How will your talents help contribute to newspaper? If you need more space, please use the back. 7. Likes/Dislikes: What do you like best about being on The Pen staff? What do you like least? 5

6 8. Leadership: What prior leadership experience do you have? 9. Experience: What has been your favorite experience on The Pen staff? (May include articles, layouts, art, etc.) Why? 10. Ideas: If any, elaborate on any new ideas that you plan to implement next year. 11. Additional remarks: Please include any last remarks, as well as people you would like to work with and people you would like to avoid working with. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER STAFF TRYOUT PACKET LATE OR INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Due: April 27, 2012 Checklist of forms: A signed copy of the Tryout Rules (pg. 1-2) A signed Petition for Staff position (pgs. 4-5) (both student and parent signature required) Don t forget! You will need to sign up for your interview/tryout time. Tryouts will be on April 30 and May 1, 2, 3, 4. Signups will be provided. Be prepared to show the editorsin-chief and the newspaper advisor your tryout and to be interviewed by a panel of 6

7 judges. GOOD LUCK! 7