Staff Manual
Folsom High School
Yearbook
*Staff manual created August 2011
Updated August, 2012
Folsom High School
staff policies
>>content policy
By virtue of the fact that the publication is a student conceived, planned and produced publication, as well as a
product of an academic program, there are certain guidelines which must be put into practice ethically and legally.
Journalistic in nature, the publication attempts to inform and entertain its audience in a broad, fair, and accurate
manner on all subjects that affect readers in the areas of lifestyles, academics, clubs, and sports. The entire student
body of prospective readers constitutes the target audience for the book with secondary audiences including
parents, school personnel, community members, and other scholastic journalism groups. Content focuses on
coverage that will meet the wants and needs of the majority of these students.
While the staff not only allows, but also encourages, constructive criticism of any part of the yearbook, before or
after distribution, final authority for the content rests solely in the hands of student journalists and their ability to
discern fair reporting. Despite the court ruling in Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier, administrators rely on the adviser and
staff to make content decisions. Under the Tinker Decision, students are responsible for the content of the book
using tasteful discretion.
No material, opinionated or otherwise, will be printed which is libelous, irresponsible, advocates an illegal activity, or
which the editorial board and/or adviser deem in poor taste.
>>portrait policy
All students and school personnel must have their portraits made with the official school portrait photographer to be
included in the current volume of the yearbook. Seniors who choose to have their pictures taken by an outside
photographer must have their photos turned in to the yearbook staff for processing by September 21st 2012.
Seniors who submit photos to be included in the portrait section of the yearbook will understand that under certain
conditions they will not receive their photos submitted for the book back.
>>book sales policy
Satisfaction guaranteed or money back. Any student who does not wish to keep his/her book may obtain a refund
provided that the book is returned in the same condition in which it was distributed. Returned for refund books must
be free of damage and writing. Once returned, the book becomes the property of the yearbook staff and can be
resold at the current price.
Exchanges can be made for books with minor flaws if no writing has been done in the book. If a book has been
written in, then no exchange can be made unless the adviser feels the flaw in the book is of major proportion (pages
missing, pages in upside down, etc). It will be the responsibility of the buyer to provide proof of purchase if the staff
can provide no record of the purchase. A valid receipt or cancelled check deposited in the yearbook account will
constitute proof of purchase.
>>advertising policy
All advertising accepted by the staff must meet the same guidelines as the content policy. Acceptance of
advertising does not constitute an endorsement by the school, the staff as a whole, or its individual members.
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*Staff manual created August 2011
Updated August, 2012
Folsom High School
Students who appear in advertising must sign a model release form acknowledging that they will accept no
monetary remuneration from the client and their appearance is one of support for the publication rather than the
business or professional. Advertising program and rates are specifically detailed in the ad packet and contract.
>>obituary policy
Should a student and/or school personnel die during the current coverage period, the staff will treat the death in a
tasteful, respectful manner. The portrait of that individual will appear as it would under normal circumstances. In
addition, a ¼ page tribute will be placed in the ad section that will feature a picture of the individual and the words
“In Memorandum,” including the dates of birth and death. If additional coverage is wanted, it will be suggested that
an ad be purchased for this purpose.
>>poor staff performance
Student staff members are held to the utmost standards of professionalism and maturity. This includes an
expectation that staff members meet deadlines, complete assignments as appropriate, and represent the Folsom
High School Yearbook in a respectful manner. As such, it will be the decision of the adviser to suggest a change of
responsibility, when necessary, to a student who does not perform the above responsibilities.
If the staff member is an editor, he/she will be asked to step down as a leader. The specific position will then be
granted to the next appropriate staff member as deemed by the pyramid of leadership responsibilities. Students
who are asked to step down will be given three warnings, with conferences with the adviser, before relinquishing
their duties as editor of said position.
>>book distribution
Students will have the opportunity to pick up their yearbooks when they arrive in May. A book that has been paid for
will be held until the beginning of the following school year, at which time the book will be released for sale to
another student. The student may then pick up a refund for his/her book providing he/she can provide adequate
proof of purchase of the book at the time of requested refund. Staff members, adviser, or school officials will not be
held responsible for a book that has been released for sale after registration of the following school year.
>>activities outside of school
From time to time, it is expected that staff members run errands, including ad sales, equipment repairs,
photography experiences, and/or staff training, for the yearbook staff. It is expected that said students use extreme
caution while driving and/or riding in vehicles for this purpose. Students and their parents/guardians shall sign a
waiver releasing the school, yearbook adviser, and district personnel of any liability that may occur while students
are away from school property.
It is also expected that students act in a mature and responsible manner when on errands such as described
above. This includes, but is not limited to, abstaining from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Any student who
is reported as acting inappropriately while on errands for the staff shall be subject to immediate removal of
leadership position, points deducted from grade, or removal from the yearbook staff, as deemed appropriate by the
adviser.
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*Staff manual created August 2011
Updated August, 2012
Folsom High School
>>grading
As this is a production-based course, you will be “paid” for the duties you perform in this class. The money you earn
for the work you do or do not complete will equal the total amount of points you will receive for your final semester
grades. Your grade is your responsibility. If you wish to succeed in this course, complete all your work in a timely
and efficient manner.
The total number of points for each deadline is 100.
Grades will be based upon a scale of:
100 - 90 = A
89 - 80 = B
79 - 70 = C
69 - 60= D
59 or less = F
Completion Points: 60
Each element of a deadline will have a specific due date. You will be docked 2 points per day for each missed due
date.
5 points for placing/creating layout
10 points Taking/Choosing photos
5 points Headline Placed
10 points Placing/Cropping photos
10 points Captions Placed
5 points for placing folio
10 points for Placing/correcting copy
-2 points each misspelled name/word
Quality and Attitude Points: 40
After each deadline the adviser will give points according to each individual’s attitude, effort and overall
quality of work.
10 points - Self Evaluation
10 points - Group Evaluation
10 points – Quality of Copy
10 points – Quality of Photos
Ad Sales: 100 points per Semester
Each student is required to sell 1 ad per semester or 2 ads for the year.
100 points- Completion of this goal
0 points - partial or failure to complete this goal
Extra Credit
Extra credit will be given at the discretion of the adviser. There will be very few, if any, opportunities for
extra credit. As a result, I suggest you do your work, and do it on time.
Attendance For each unexcused absence, you will be docked 5 points per day missed from your
weekly production grade. For each tardy, you will be docked 2 points. Be on time!
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*Staff manual created August 2011
Updated August, 2012
Folsom High School
>>organization
Staff:
Reports/Writers
Photographers
Business Personnel
Designers
Production
Technicians
Section Editors:
Theme
Student Life
Academics
Sports
Organizations
People
Advertising
Specialty
Associate Editors:
Managing Editor
Business Editor
Production Editor
Photo Editor
Editor-in-Chief
Advisor
> advisor
> production editor
•Tracks the progress of editors and staff members to ensure that deadlines
are met with accuracy
•Establishes system of evaluating editors and staff members on
assignments
•Oversees business side of the yearbook endeavor
•Provides staff with new journalism trends
•Gives staff opportunity to learn more about journalism by informing and/or
taking them to workshops, speakers and conventions
•Serves as a liaison between administration, printer and staff
•Assists section editors in designing spreads
•Helps section editors choose graphics that will be a reader’s service,
enhancing deserving content
•Develops a method of executing design on computer systems
•Presents educational information at meetings that will help staff with
production
•Assists in staff training of a) computer systems and/or b) production
process
•Checks pages for production accuracy prior to plant submission
> editor
> photo editor
•Organizes ladder with section editors
•Attends workshops
•Motivates staff members throughout the year
•Works with section editors and staff members to incorporate theme
throughout book
•Designs folio and all theme pages, including opening, closing and
divider pages
•Helps supervise staff members
•Establishes system to track deadline progress
•Creates a positive atmosphere for staff
•Works with adviser in making decisions
•Works with photo editor in photo selection
•Edits stories, captions, headlines and other elements before sending
pages to the plant
•Keeps records of page submission to plant
•Works with section editors and editor to ensure coverage of activities and
events
•Maintains an up-to-date calendar of events so photo opportunities are not
missed
•Presents educational information at staff meetings that will assist
members with photography
•Assists editor in the visual development of the opening, closing, division
or other theme pages
•Assigns photo requests to staff photographers
•Creates and maintains a filing system for materials
•Develops organization system for filing contact sheets, negatives and
prints
•Maintains inventory of darkroom supplies
•Creates management system for darkroom
> section editor
•Oversees the assignments for each section.
•Works with other editors to see that photos are shot, copy is written and a
section plan is carried out.
•Help design the layout for your section. This included the actual layout as
well as picking out fonts for the headlines, deciding if your section will have
any information boxes/quote boxes etc., and determining how you want
your caption design to look.
(Reporters, Photographers and Staff Assistants)
•Assumes full responsibility of all assignments taken, including reporting
and writing, photography, planning, designing and production tasks
•Indexes pages as assigned
•Accepts advice on assignments from editors and is willing to improve
where needed
•Develops an awareness of audience’s needs
•Becomes familiar with production process
> copy editor
> business manager
•Edits each story, caption and headline thoroughly with each staff
member
•Edits pages with section editor before pages are submitted to the
plant
•Presents information at meetings that will assist members in writing or
editing
•Helps establish content for stylebook
•Reports copy progress to editor and section editors
•Develops a listing of students already quoted in copy to ensure that a
maximum of students get covered
•Plans and executes a successful book selling campaign
•Initiates all yearbook sales and keeps orderly accurate records
•Bills and collects payment for advertising
•Insures complete customer satisfaction with advertising and book sells
•Works with the production editors, adviser and plant to insure that all
advertisers receive the proper size ads and that all advertising is
complete and correct in the yearbook
•Must be aware the financial standing of the yearbook at all times
•Accurately and orderly organizes and maintains all aspects of the
advertising for the yearbook
> staff reporters
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