Photojournalism I, II, and III (Yearbook Production)
Instructor: Miss Taylor Kane
Location: Room 104—Blocks: 3 and 7
E-mail: Taylor.Kane@lcps.org
TO JOIN REMIND101—TEXT @RAIDERYRBK TO 81010
Availability for Student Tutoring/Extra Work-Time:
8am-9am: Daily
Thursdays: 4pm-5pm
Raider Rally: Block 6
Parent/Guardian Conferences: By Appointment (Please E-mail or Call to Schedule)
Course Description:
Welcome to Photojournalism! In this course, students will focus on the production of the Lord
Loudoun Yearbook with the support of our publishing company, Herff-Jones. Students will
learn skills in photography, design, journalism and writing, interviewing and speaking skills,
time management, adherence to deadlines, advertising and sales, and team building.
Completion of this course will earn students an Elective Credit. By taking this course, students
are joining a team of new and experienced staffers, editors, publication agents, and production
managers. I look forward to a very rewarding and fun time as we accomplish the process of
creating the Lord Loudoun Yearbook!
Course Goals:
This course is designed with two major goals in mind: 1) for students to learn the necessary
skills to produce and sell the Lord Loudoun Yearbook successfully and 2) for students to
actually produce and sell the Lord Loudoun Yearbook. This course is a very practical and
hands-on learning environment where students will be getting messy with our online design
program, getting out of the room to interview fellow students and take pictures, spend the class
time managing this large production, going out into the community to sell advertisements and
our book, and participating in campaign sales and distribution events throughout the year. As
the instructor, my goal is to produce young adults who are confident, inclusive, responsible,
and ready to engage in the real-world of deadlines and business.
Classroom and Professional Expectations:
1. Be on Time for class and for deadlines. Students should be ready in their seats when the bell
rings as we will work bell-to-bell every meeting. Our deadlines with our publishing
company are very strict and so tardiness in-class or for production will not be tolerated.
2. Take Risks! This course will quite possibly be one of the most challenging courses in your
academic career. This is not meant to be daunting, but rather to excite you to take on new
skills and challenges. In this regard, questions are extremely encouraged and valued!
Students should feel comfortable trying new skills and taking risks outside of their comfort
zone!
3. Be Responsible. The equipment that we will be using in the class is extremely expensive and
very delicate. Students will be properly trained on how to use all equipment (cameras,
computer programming, etc), but caution and responsibility must always be on the
forefront as students will be held responsible for damage as a result of negligence. Students
will also be responsible for multiple deadlines for classwork and for our publication
company, Herff-Jones. These deadlines are absolutely concrete and cannot be changed.
4. Be Present and Prepared. Students should only work on Yearbook Production during class
time. Work from other classes/activities will not be permitted during class time. Students
will get two warnings before consequences are issued. For respect to the team and
Instructor’s time, students should come to class ready to go with all necessary materials.
5. Be Respectful. Students will be working in and out of class on this production. Students
must keep in mind that they are given privileges that other students at LCHS are not given.
Students will often be pulling other students from classes and attending extra-curricular
events on behalf of the Yearbook staff. Respect for the staff/editor position is important as
well as respect for oneself, the staff, and the Loudoun County community as a whole.
6. Be Inclusive: We must remember that the Yearbook is a COMMUNITY production. All
students, staff, and faculty at LCHS will be featured in the book. Staff members will do
their best to ensure that they are reaching out to those who are different than them. We are
also one team; all team members will show respect for differing viewpoints and ideas.
7. Be Appropriate: With a production of such high expectations and caliber, students must
take their work seriously. Inappropriate language, behavior, or use of resources will not be
tolerated. Consequences for inappropriateness will be issued immediately.
Consequences:




First infraction: verbal warning
Second infraction: written warning and contact home
Third infraction: guardian/instructor conference
Fourth infraction: administrative involvement
Course Supplies:
Composition Notebook
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters
Colored Pencils and Glue Sticks/Tape
USB Drive
SD Memory Card
School Agenda (Issued in first week)
Press Pass (Issued in first week)
Grading Scale:
98-100: A+
87-89: B+
77-79: C+
66-69: D+
93-97: A
83-86: B
73-76: C
63-66: D
90-92: A-
80-82: B-
70-72: C-
60-62: D-
59 and
below: F
Make-Up and Late Work Policy:
Due to the nature of working with a production of this size, late work for major assignments
will not be accepted. Our deadlines with Herff-Jones are extremely serious and cannot be
changed. A missed deadline in this business is expensive and unprofessional. Major
assignments must be met on-time, regardless of weather, sickness, or emergency. Students
must plan ahead! That being said, all students will be working in teams and with myself
individually, so some situations can be helped with open communication. We are all in this
together! For smaller assignments, each day late will be a reduction in 10% of the point value.
For example: If an assignment is work 10 points, 1 point will be deducted each day it is late.
Make-up work will be assigned and dealt with on an individual basis per the situation. Please
always see me anytime you have missed class; this is YOUR responsibility.
All make-up or late work can be turned into myself directly or left in the appropriate bin in the
classroom. I will check this bin daily.
Extra Credit:
Due to the nature of time management and professionalism in this class, there is no extracredit in this class. All deadlines are final.
Assignments:
Grading in this course will be done on a “point system” and all grades will count toward the
final grade. All grades will be weighed as Summative. Grade breakdown is as follows:





Homework/Short Writing Assignments: 5%
Quizzes/Weekly Deadlines: 10%
Midterm/Final Exam: 50%
Spread Deadlines: 25%
Photo, Advertisement, Sale and Distribution Assignments: 10%
Primary Texts:
All texts will be provided in-class as a class-set. Students will have access online to their design
program as well as to our virtual classroom on Edmodo. Materials will be uploaded to Edmodo
and given in-class to be posted in the composition notebooks.
Technology Policies and Expectations:
Students will be utilizing technology on a daily basis in our classroom. Access to all Yearbook
Production programs will be provided. Students will set up an account with the Instructor
within the first few weeks. Students must remember their passwords and login information, as
it is given one time. Students will also have access to check-out photography equipment
including cameras, tripods, bags, and lenses. Check-out for this equipment is on a daily basis,
first-come, first-serve. Students may check-out photography equipment each day before
4:15pm. Equipment is due back to Miss Kane by 9am each morning. If equipment is checked
out on a Friday, it is due back by 9am on Monday.
Students will adhere to all electronic policies outlined by LCPS and LCHS. In order to utilize
technology in our classroom, all students must have an Acceptable Use form on file as well as a
returned parent/guardian contract.
All staff members also have the option to join Remind101, a secure texting service which allows
teachers to message reminders about assignments and deadlines. All Photojournalism students
are highly encouraged to join our virtual classroom community; parents/guardians are also
invited to join Remind101 and Edmodo as well. Please just send Miss Kane an e-mail for access
and to let her know that you’ve joined. **Standard SMS rates apply, so please check with your
phone plans**
****Editors have the option to join the Publication GroupMe, which is a secure group texting
app that allows a specific group to communicate back-and-forth. This will be monitored by the
instructor and will allow for editors to communicate quickly and efficiently throughout the
production of the Yearbook. This resource will also ensure that all editors are “in the loop”
about key production elements.
Miscellaneous Information:




Press Passes: All staff members will be issued a Press Pass at the beginning of the year.
This pass will allow students to leave the classroom to interview, take photographs, or
conduct other Yearbook business. This pass will also allow all students into any extracurricular activity for free as long as they are conducting Yearbook business. Students
must have this pass with them at all class meetings and any events they are working
on. If a student loses their pass, a $5 fee will be charged to replace it.
Thursday Afternoon Meetings: Each Thursday afternoon from 4pm-5pm, Miss Kane will
be available for students to utilize the classroom for Yearbook business. Students may
use this time to work on deadlines, assignments, take photographs, download
photographs, or other Yearbook business. Students must have a signed
parent/guardian contract to attend, and students must also leave the school by 5pm.
Outside of Class Assignments: Students in this course will be required to leave class to
complete assignments. Furthermore, students will also be required to utilize time before
school, after school, and during Raider Rally to complete assignments. Sometimes
students will need to be off-campus to complete assignments (including attending
events, advertising, and working on selling/distribution). Students must arrange their
own transportation for these activities.
Editors: Staff members who have been assigned editor positions for the 2015-2016
school year will have additional assignments throughout the year and understand that
by taking their editor assignment, they are agreeing to an additional workload and
standard of professional ethics. Miss Kane will be looking for new editorial staff
members throughout the year for the following school year. Students should treat each
day like a job interview and take their work seriously to be considered for a lead
position. Editor positions may be revoked at any time due to negligence, inappropriate
behavior, abuse of privileges, or unprofessional conduct.
Family, Food, and Fun:
As the Instructor, I understand that I am asking an incredible deal of professionalism and
maturity for high school students. I also recognize that this Yearbook cannot be produced
without all of the hard work done by our staff. I truly believe that for a successful production,
the Photojournalism class will become more than simply a class—we will become a family.
Therefore, I have an adopted mindset of ensuring that students feel welcome and are having a
good time! I will often provide snacks and opportunities for fun and relaxation in and out of
class. I am very excited to have your student in my class this year, and I strongly appreciate all
communication with parents/guardians. Please always feel free to call or e-mail me with any
concerns or questions!
Staff and Parent/Guardian Contract
In order to best create a positive working environment and relationship between all parties involved with
the Lord Loudoun Yearbook, it is imperative that all involved agree upon expectations. Please take the
time to review this syllabus in full with your student and sign/initial where appropriate. If there are any
areas in which you do not feel comfortable signing or have questions, please reach out to me via phone or
e-mail. Thank you so much for your attention and support!
_______ P/G: I grant permission for my child to utilize photography equipment and computer programs
necessary for completion of the Lord Loudoun Yearbook. I understand that any damage done to
equipment or Yearbook property due to negligence will be my and my student’s responsibility to either
repair or replace.
_______ P/G: I grant permission for my child to leave campus on yearbook-related errands (outside of
school time) relieving the advisor and school of all responsibility. I understand that transportation is my
and my student’s responsibility.
_______ P/Gt: I grant permission for my child to ride with another student to yearbook-related errands offcampus, relieving the advisor and school of all responsibility.
_______ P/G: I understand that my child will need to devote time outside of school to this course. This will
most likely involve attending extra-curricular activities, athletic events, and special activities.
_______ P/G: I grant my child permission to sell advertisements to members of the Loudoun County
community. I understand that the sale and distribution of advertisements, books, and other sales is
imperative to the success of not only the Yearbook but also my student’s grade.
_______ P/G: I grant my child permission to join Edmodo, Remind101, and/or GroupMe (editors only) for
class reminders and electronic materials.
_______ P/G: I grant my child permission to attend afterschool meetings on Thursdays from 4pm-5pm as
needed by my student. I understand that they will be supervised and that my student must either leave
or be picked up by 5pm.
_______ Staff: I understand that I will be using photography equipment and computer programs that are
expensive and delicate. I am aware that I must treat all equipment with respect and report any
damage/malfunctions to the advisor immediately. I also understand that any damage due to negligence is
my responsibility to repair or replace.
_______ Staff: I understand that I will need to devote time outside of class and off-campus to complete
assignments and deadlines. I understand that it is my responsibility to work with my teammates to
accomplish this. I agree to behave responsibly and respectfully to best represent myself, the staff, and
LCHS.
_______ Staff: I understand that I may be asked to drive to off-campus events. If this is the case, I will
drive responsibly and obey all traffic laws. I understand the consequences of inappropriate behavior and
promise to drive carefully.
_______ Staff: I understand the responsibilities and privileges given to me with my Press Pass. I pledge to
not abuse these privileges and to always have my Press Pass displayed when conducting Yearbook
Business. It is my responsibility to keep up with this pass.
By signing below, I agree that I have read the Photojournalism Syllabus in-full and am aware of all
policies, expectations, and procedures.
Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________
Phone Number: _________________________
E-Mail: ______________________________
Staff Signature: __________________________________________________