Press Organizations

Now that you've had a few days for the shock of taking over your school's publication to sink in, locate individuals/groups who can provide immediate support.  Local and state press organizations are the first places to start.  Some larger areas of the country, for example St. Louis, have local scholastic press organizations.  Other states, for example, Arkansas, have strong state press organizations.  Google your state and locate the director of that organization.  He/she will be a wonderful resource.  Ask the state director to identify veteran advisers in your immediate area who would be willing to serve as as mentors for this first year.

National press organizations such as JEA (Journalism Education Association), NSPA (National Scholastic Press Association), CSPA(Columbia Scholastic Press Association), Quill and Scroll and SIPA (Southern Interscholastic Press Association) are invaluable.  They mail out materials for the classroom as well has provide Listservs for their members.  JEA and NSPA team up in the spring and fall to host a national convention.   This is a great opportunity for your students to interact with other staffs in the nation.  JEA also has a designated state director.  Go to the JEA.org website and locate your state's director.  Email or call that person to seek additional help.

Yearbook advisers should contact their company representative for a web address or teaching materials.  Schedule for that individual to meet with you within the next week and bring whatever they have on hand to assist you in setting up lesson plans and staff management structures.

Both the state press organizations and the yearbook companies can provide basic scholastic guidelines for yearbooks and newspapers.  Ask them to send a scorebook or provide a web address for access to their guidelines.  These scorebooks will provide a list of criteria necessary to create a scholastically sound publication.