I will meet my deadline.
I will meet my deadline.
I will meet my deadline.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Latest News from the Faculty Meeting
I spoke to Mr. Morales after the faculty meeting and told him of our plans to do a front page obituary/tribute to Spencer Juarez, focusing more on how he will be remembered than on his death. He said that was fine. Although it will be old news by Nov. 2, he said he thought it would be strange if we did not acknowledge his death. I asked him about using a photo and he said fine. When I told him we had heard the sister said she didn't want to see a photo, he said he will check with the family and get back to me, but he didn't think it would be a problem considering what they have planned for his funeral.
Here's what was reported at the meeting:
Crisis counselors met with 77 students today and will be available all week.
The family expressed it gratitude at how they have been treated by Hollywood High.
A casket company called and offered to donate a casket and Mr. Morales put them in touch with the family.
Leadership will be taking up a collection for the family's funeral expenses.
A funeral is being planned for Saturday, Spencer's birthday. The family has asked the the football team be there wearing their football jerseys. They have also asked that the drum line and cheerleaders attend. The school will have buses to take them there.
West Adams has taken up a collection and has asked to attend the funeral.
A display in the main hallway is in the works that may include a number 12 jersey.
His number may be retired (under discussion, to be determined).
There may be an assembly to remember him on Friday (also under discussion, TBD).
Here's what was reported at the meeting:
Crisis counselors met with 77 students today and will be available all week.
The family expressed it gratitude at how they have been treated by Hollywood High.
A casket company called and offered to donate a casket and Mr. Morales put them in touch with the family.
Leadership will be taking up a collection for the family's funeral expenses.
A funeral is being planned for Saturday, Spencer's birthday. The family has asked the the football team be there wearing their football jerseys. They have also asked that the drum line and cheerleaders attend. The school will have buses to take them there.
West Adams has taken up a collection and has asked to attend the funeral.
A display in the main hallway is in the works that may include a number 12 jersey.
His number may be retired (under discussion, to be determined).
There may be an assembly to remember him on Friday (also under discussion, TBD).
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Voice of the Everystudent
Some thoughts on our first issue:
On Thursday, Mr. Grijalva stopped me at lunch and said, "I haven't had the chance to read the whole paper. Which is the best story?" This is like asking a parent which is their favorite child. I hesitated a moment and pointed to Jafet's opinion piece on the ID badges, not really knowing why.
After thinking about it, I picked that piece not because it was the best written, or the most interesting, but because it took the most risk. (It was also the only criticism that the principal offered when I asked him about the paper, saying he wished we had included a pro and a con.)
Publishing a student newspaper involves walking a fine line. The school provides us with a classroom and computers, pays the $534.80 for each issue (unless we sell an ad) and generally makes the paper possible. We want to be proud of our school and show it in a positive light. However, that does not mean we need to be a public relations department or a propaganda machine for the school. (See the July entry "Are you a guard dog?") Remember: we are the voice of the student. Before (and after) you write a story, ask yourself, "What would I want to know if I were the reader?"
In literature we refer to the common man as the Everyman. For our purposes, I would call it the Everystudent. It could be anyone; it could be everyone. We give voice to their thoughts.
On Thursday, Mr. Grijalva stopped me at lunch and said, "I haven't had the chance to read the whole paper. Which is the best story?" This is like asking a parent which is their favorite child. I hesitated a moment and pointed to Jafet's opinion piece on the ID badges, not really knowing why.
After thinking about it, I picked that piece not because it was the best written, or the most interesting, but because it took the most risk. (It was also the only criticism that the principal offered when I asked him about the paper, saying he wished we had included a pro and a con.)
Publishing a student newspaper involves walking a fine line. The school provides us with a classroom and computers, pays the $534.80 for each issue (unless we sell an ad) and generally makes the paper possible. We want to be proud of our school and show it in a positive light. However, that does not mean we need to be a public relations department or a propaganda machine for the school. (See the July entry "Are you a guard dog?") Remember: we are the voice of the student. Before (and after) you write a story, ask yourself, "What would I want to know if I were the reader?"
In literature we refer to the common man as the Everyman. For our purposes, I would call it the Everystudent. It could be anyone; it could be everyone. We give voice to their thoughts.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Assignment for Friday
I will be out fifth and sixth period tomorrow for a doctor's appointment. I will leave you an assignment on How to Be Your Own Editor. If you need to leave to take a photo or doublecheck a fact, make sure you inform the substitute. (I'll leave a note that you have permission.) I'll leave the camera with Jafet.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Mr Lange is following us on Twitter
Hey, I just checked our email and saw that Mr. Lange is following us on Twitter. Then I looked at his tweets which are really fun. Has anyone interviewed him for the social networking story? If not, let's do so on Tuesday.
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