QUEST NEWS
2014-2015
Syllabus
Instructor: Mrs. Annette Deming, M.Ed., M.A., CJE
Contact: (909) 591-3902 ex. 4869
Email: annette_deming@chino.k12.ca.us
School Website: www.donlugo.com
Twitter: @LugoDeming
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/questnews/
Office hours: Monday 2:30-3:30 p.m. beginning October 1st.
WELCOME Journalists!
If you follow the guidelines and procedures in this syllabus, you should have a successful and
meaningful year in this class. Please share this information with your network of support at
home so you can create a clear pathway of communication between all the parties involved in
your academic success.
Mission: To tell the ethical and newsworthy stories driving the Don Lugo HS campus and the
community of Chino. Quest News is committed to promoting the public discourse essential to
democracy. The Quest News Staff members produce a product that transcends a newspaper or
a website. Quest News Staff members master 21st century skills that will follow them into a
variety of careers and prepare them for college.
Vision:
 To use a variety of mediums and stay abreast of technological platforms that will
encourage innovation, celebrate creativity, and keep readers engaged in the Quest
News’ journalistic efforts.
 To encourage First Amendment rights and enhance the free flow of information
provided to student journalists in the state of California.
 To drive the quest for diversity and inclusion in the newsroom and newspaper content.
 To promote the newspaper’s role in providing information necessary to the informed
practice of citizenship.
 To respect and encourage the involvement of all its members.
Course Description: Journalism 1, 2, or 3 (aka) Quest News Staff
What is journalism?
Most people understand that journalism has something to do with news, investigation, and
opinion as presented through the mediums of newspapers, magazines, and television. But the
modern conception of journalism has begun to shift, especially as websites, weblogs and
podcasts have become more common. In this course, you will learn about the practice of
journalism and how it’s shifted over the years. You will also practice photojournalism,
journalism, and digital media by interviewing, writing articles in a variety of styles, taking photo’s
and video, editing, and publishing them in print and online.
Class time…
Includes pitching story ideas, discussions, workshops, group and individual meetings, editing,
writing, layout, interviewing, graphic design, online publishing and social media. You will read
and discuss recently published articles and practice captioning photos weekly. The practice of
journalism should keep you pretty busy. Journalism is a deadline driven class. We live and die by
your ability to manage your time, multi-task, use good judgment, and behave ethically.
Students are expected to make use of class time for journalism assignments only. If you find
yourself “done,” you should move on to your next project, offer your help to any other staff
members, conference with your Editor-in-Chief, or “When in doubt…Tweet it out!” Everyone
is assigned to a Beat. It’s important you update the information relative to your Beat daily.
This is YOUR paper! Its successful production is due to your efforts! The protection of it, both
ethically and legally, lies with you and the people working next to you. Learn to trust to them,
act responsibility, learn to listen with an open and mature mind, value everyone’s time, and
don’t take advantage of downtime.
After School…
After schoolwork is mandatory for reporters and editors who DO NOT MEET THEIR
DEADLINES! A student may not work in the Newsroom without Mrs. Deming’s permission
and knowledge. When a Quest News staff member is working in the newsroom, they may not
be accompanied by anyone who is NOT a staff member.
Field Trips…
One of the best ways to enhance your critical thinking and provide you with the best possible
“real life” experience of a journalist is to take you out of Chino! Pending approval from
administration and ASB, you will be broken up into five groups. Each group will research five
different locations in Los Angeles. That information will help you upon your arrival to what will
be a secret location in Los Angeles. Essentially, you’ll research all five but you won’t know
which one you’re going to until we arrive there. You will be given three hours to find a story.
Your group will search, interview, photograph, video, discuss, plan, present, and publish their
story for the online website “What About L.A.?” You will also be attending at least two school
board meetings, traveling to PBS in Costa Mesa, visiting the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and the
Orange County Register. You will also be planning on attending the Journalism Education
Association National Journalism Conference in Denver, CO in 2016 to compete in their
scholastic journalism competition.
Press Passes & Coverage of Events…
Participation on the school newspaper staff affords students with more freedom than most
other classes. It also requires them to exhibit a high degree of maturity and good judgment. As
members of a group that produce a product that is read by students, teachers, administrators,
and the community, you will be expected to demonstrate high journalistic standards and ethical
practices. You are recognized as representatives of the paper even when you are not actually
on assignment. When assigned to a story, you must wear your press pass or press t-shirt.
When the press passes are distributed the students will sign an agreement to not abuse the
privilege. If a student abuses the privileges, his or her press pass will be taken away, and he or
she will not be able to leave the room to conduct interviews or use the press pass for events
free of charge for newspaper coverage. You will be suspended to deskwork.
Communication
We are practicing the skills of communication in this class, so your ability to communicate is
essential. Please learn the following information in order to communicate with this class.
Remind101: Send this code ______________ to (
) ________________________
Edmodo: ________________________
Communication continued….
Email: quest.news@yahoo.com
Website: questnews.wix.com/questnews
Classroom Materials:
 Black, blue, red and one other color
ink pen
 2 Pencils and a large eraser
 Spiral notebook, composition book,
or section in a binder for notes
 Report cover with several clear
plastic protective covers
 1,000 sheets of paper for notes and
other writing activities
 An AP Stylebook (optional)
 A thesaurus (optional)
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Access to a computer with Internet
A flash drive
Three different colored highlighters
1 pack of 3x5 cards
1 pack post-it notes
Black construction paper
A small reporters notebook
A pocket calendar
Smartphone with texting, photo, and
video capabilities
Classroom Rules
1. Respect others & your environment (i.e. teacher, computers, guests, books, desks, etc.)
by word and by action.
2. Be cooperative (raising your hand, accepting corrections, receiving directions, etc.).
3. Be on time and prepared. Bring all books and materials to class AND take them with
you.
4. Follow directions the first-time they are given.
5. Turn off and DO NOT use mobile phones, MP3 players, visible ear buds, or any other
electronic device until I give you the ok.
6. Conduct yourself and turn in work that demonstrates that you possess the following:
integrity, good character, humility, and respect.
7. Follow all classroom procedures.
Students who choose to follow these rules can expect these rewards:
 Praise and recognition
 Added respect from classmates and/or teacher
 Recognition postcard, phone call, report card code, or email home to parent
 Letters of recommendation and positive survey replies for sports, clubs, ASB, jobs, and
college applications.
 Play and use music in the classroom
 Extra Credit opportunities
 Trust & respect from your colleagues and advisor
Students who choose NOT to follow these rules can expect these consequences in
whatever order the teacher sees fit:
 Verbal Warning
 Loss of privileges or special projects
 Note of declining citizenship on progress reports and report cards.
 Temporary field reporting suspension/use of press badge
 Student-Teacher Conference
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Change of Seat
Afterschool Detention
Temporary removal from the classroom
Communication in a variety of forms to coaches, advisors, parents, and counselors.
Mandatory Parent-Teacher Conference
Referral
Request for school Suspension
**Please Note**
Certain behaviors will cause the teacher to automatically bypass small infractions and
conferences and a call home will result in an immediate referral or other disciplinary action
recommended by the assistant principal for the following:
1. Failure to report for a conference or detention is considered defiance.
2. The intention to deceive through cheating, lying, and/or plagiarism.
3. Severe misbehavior, fighting, or any other behavior deemed suspicious.
I operate on the motto: “Let the Punishment Fit the Crime!”
Homework/Classwork
In journalism homework consists of a variety of things. Mostly, your homework revolves
around the deadlines set fourth by your editors. There will be homework during workshop
lessons and you will have to complete 1-2 big projects. You are required to log 4 hours a week
in outside beat reporting. This can be one four event, like a district board meeting or football
game, or a series of multiple events totaling the 4 hours, like 1 hour of interviewing a teacher, 2
hours of a basketball game, or 1 hour at a park in the community. These “outside” hours are
defined as any work done outside the walls of the “newsroom”. You may complete them during
class time, before school, after school, or during lunch. However, you must always have
another party able to sign off on your time sheet. All planned time must be pre-approved by
your editor.
Late Work
I DO NOT except late work in this class. This is a deadline driven industry. If you miss the
deadline there are other consequences set forth by your editor-in-chief. Most reporters who
miss their deadline lose out on having stories run, which results in a missing grade for
mandatory weekly stories. However, your commitment to your colleagues doesn’t end just
because you chose to take a loss to your grade. You will be put on the list for after school
working hours to complete your stories for future use.
Extra Credit
Extra Credit is offered to any reporter who takes on additional responsibilities in story writing
and writing. That is the only form of Extra Credit offered in this class.
Grading
All grading is given a letter equivalent to the percentage it represents and will be communicated
on grading rubrics. When using the 100-point scale the grades will be the following:
100 – 90 = A Outstanding Achievement: significantly exceeds standards and expectations
89 – 80 = B Commendable Achievement: Exceeds standards and end expectations
79 – 70 = C Acceptable Achievement: Meets standards and expectations
69 – 60 = D Marginal Achievement: Below standards and expectations
59 – 50 = F Failed Achievement: Failed to meet standards and expectations
Each assignment will be given a point value. The point value will affect your overall percentage
in the category in which it falls. My assessment of your work is simple. With each assignment
or task, I communicate a goal or an objective. Your work either meets that goal with the
above criteria or it doesn’t.
**Warning**
One of the biggest assumptions students make is that if they turn in SOMETHING and lead
their academic life by mediocrity, somehow they will pass the class. This is an incorrect
assumption. Because I don’t give homework that often, it’s to your benefit to put as much
effort as you can in order to receive the best grade possible. As such, a grade point of 50 will
be given on any 100-point assignment if a reasonable amount of effort was put forth, providing
you with a sense of recovery. Zero’s are obtained by no effort at all.
Grading Breakdown
Meeting Deadlines/Campus Hours Assessment: worth 30%
Story Assessment: worth 30%
Homework: worth 30%
Portfolio/Projects/Exams: worth 10%
Every assignment is calculated at 25 pts., with the exception of exams. Exams are calculated at
100 pts.
Citizenship Reporting
Each semester you will earn a Class Demeanor/Participation/Citizenship grade. Focusing on the
lesson, participating regularly and treating the classroom community with respect are the best
way to earn high scores in Class Demeanor/Participation/Citizenship. Excessive talking,
disrupting the class, leaving your seat without permission and doing work for other classes
without permission are the easiest ways to earn low points in this category.
Academic Integrity & Plagiarism:
Deceit and/or Plagiarism WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Deceit is the action or practice
of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth. Plagiarism is the
presentation of someone else’s ideas or work as one’s own. Students MUST give credit for any
information that is not either the result of original research or common knowledge. If a
student borrows ideas or information from another author, he/she must acknowledge the
author in the body of the text and on a work cited page. As such, if a student lies, covers up,
or intends to be dishonest on his or her own or another student’s behalf they are just as guilty
of academic dishonesty and the student will face the consequences. This includes fact checking,
making up statistics, making up quotes, misusing quotes, publishing incorrect information
without running a correction.
Plagiarism is an especially distasteful crime in the world of journalism. It will get a prize-winning
reporter fired and usually results in the writer never working again in the business. For that
reason, it is essential that you never turn in writing in this class that isn’t your own.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaIvk1cSyG8
YOU CAN DO IT!
Please sign below to indicate that you have read and discussed the syllabus information
and the rules and regulations regarding the class. Please return this portion of the
syllabus by Wednesday, Aug. 27th.
Student Name (print)
__________________________________________
Period _______________
Student Signature
____________________________________________ Date _________________
Parent/Guardian Name (print)
____________________________________________ Date __________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
______________________________________________Date __________________
Parent Social Media Disclaimer
Journalism as a course requires students to learn, research, understand, and act ethically and
responsibly on campus, in the community, and while engaging in social media. Your student is
being asked to create a FOR SCHOOL USE ONLY Twitter account, Pinterest Page, and
Instagram account so that they can contribute to the Quest News digital website and interact
with their Chino audience. They are expected to conduct themselves ethically while acting as
representatives of the school news and under the direct supervision of the journalism advisor
and editor-in-chief. Please sign below if you consent to their use of in-class social media.
I give permission for my child to participate in the use of social media while under the
supervision of the journalism advisor.
____________________________________________ Date ____________________
Parent Signature
I DO NOT give my permission for my child to participate in the use of social media
while under the supervision of the journalism advisor.
____________________________________________ Date ____________________
Parent Signature
Equipment Contract
Students will be working with expensive equipment and are responsible for them from the
moment they sign it out until it is returned to Mrs. Deming. Please carefully read the
following release and sign at the bottom.
Camera Use
School cameras are the student’s responsibility after checkout. A student must pay for damages
that occur to a camera while in his/her care (including but not limited to dropping, breakage,
careless handling and water damage). The student is also responsible if it is stolen and the theft
will be reported to the school security office and/or administration if warranted.
Computer Use
Students will be using the computers on a daily basis and are responsible for any damage that
may occur to that computer. Students will be assigned a computer and you may only use that
particular laptop. Students turned in an Acceptable Use Agreement form prior to registration
and must have Internet permission to use it. Students are to use the computers for research
and class assignments only. The computers are not here for you to play games or watch videos.
Use them wisely or you may find you lose the privilege of using one. Students may lose
permission to use the computer after the first offense and are not allowed to use the
computers for other class assignments. Any damage done to the computer or its’ components
will be reported to administrators if warranted.
Miscellaneous Technology Use
Students may use other technology (voice recorders, headphones, etc.) and are responsible for
them when in their possession. Any damage done to the equipment will be reported to
administrators if warranted. If any equipment is lost, stolen, damaged, etc., student will be
responsible to pay the fees. Any student who loses equipment will have their name sent to the
finance and ASB office. You could have your registration held or be in danger of not receiving
your diploma until all financial responsibilities are settled.
I agree to let my child use the class’ technology devices and I understand the
guidelines/consequences stated above. I realize that I will be responsible for any financial
consequences should my child misuse any equipment he/she has checked out.
Please Print Student Name: _________________________________________
Student Signature: ________________________________________________
Please Print Parent Name: __________________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________________________________
NOTICE TO PARENTS: FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
ASB CARD
You son/daughter has chosen journalism as their A-G (UC/CSU approved) elective. In order to
participate in campus activities or to enter activities for free they must purchase an ASB card.
ASB cards are $40 and can be purchased through the finance office.
Also, in order for your student to be recognized at the end of the year with certificates,
awards, pins, Letterman Jacket letters, and patches, they must have purchased an ASB card. It’s
such a shame to have students chosen by their peers to receive an award only to find out they
do not have an ASB card. ASB financially supports our program and our end of the year
banquet, so without an ASB card, they will not be given a physical accolade of the tremendous
work they’ve done. Please consider purchasing one!
END OF THE YEAR BANQUET
Although supported by ASB, journalism still has to fundraise in order to have any end of the
year celebrations. The Quest News staff enjoys one evening out at the end of the year to
attend a semi-formal banquet off campus. Their banquet usually consists of a three-course meal
and all they can drink. Tickets for the banquet range from $30-45 per person. Therefore, I’ll be
asking the Quest News staff to bring $5 at the beginning of every month in order to put
towards their banquet ticket. However, any parents/guardians that would like to pay the ticket
price in full can do so in the finance office at anytime.
CONCESSION STAND
Quest News Staff is responsible for one concession stand during the football season. The
concession stand brings anywhere from $250-$600 depending on the date. We will need
volunteers to help in the concession stand.
FIELD TRIPS
Quest News Staff will be traveling off campus 3-4 different times on district approved field trips.
Students will be required to have money for their lunch. Typically $10-$15 covers it.
I have read and understand the financial commitments that come with my
son/daughter’s participation in the Quest News journalism program.
Please Print Parent Name: _________________________________________________
Parent Signature: ________________________________________________________
Yes, I am over 18 and I would like to volunteer to help in the concession stand. Please
contact me when the date becomes available.
Parent Name: __________________________________Phone #: __________________
Email Address: