So much to be proud of...

In the first half of our year, we have managed to put out 3 issues of the paper, each one gaining in content, style and design and correctness.  We have so much to be proud of, but still  have much to go...

We need to continue to work on deadlines, using layout time wisely (starting with mock ups - section leaders will be mocking up their sections on paper... you must be aware of what is coming in and what art/pictures are going with your spreads), and coverage... most notably, we are going to start discussing advertising in January when we return.

I need the editorial board to set up an appointment with Schneider about DOE regulations and/or contracts for accepting advertising.

We will be looking to put out a 4th issue in January before the Regents break, which means all pieces set to go into the issue must be finished BY and NO LATER than Tuesday 1/5/2010.

Timeline for 4th - January issue

Right now you should be working on your article for the 4th issue... the Hard Deadline is Tuesday, January 5th.

You need to make sure I see 2 drafts prior to the that hard deadline.  Get in touch with your section leader -
Anastasia - opinion
Livianette - news
Sarah B - feature
Georgina P - entertainment
Lisa marie - sports
Melissa - Layout

You should already have topics

More opinion articles

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html?8dpc

More opinion articles -

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/opinion/13sun3.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/05/opinion/05sat2.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/opinion/04fri3.html

Opinion pieces - period 3

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/opinion/14mon2.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/category/allison-arieff/

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/opinion/12sat1.html?ref=opinion

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/opinion/13sun2.html

Hard deadline for 4th issue - newly dubbed the January issue

All final drafts of articles will be due on Tuesday 1/5 when we return from break...

it is your responsibility to get me at least 2 drafts before then... you set the schedule and you do the work... check in with your section leaders and me often.

Thanks,
Ms. S

Online newspaper

I am in need of someone or people to maintain the content on our new online newspaper through my.hsn.org.

Please contact me if you are interested.

New sections - new expectations

Layout section - leader - Melissa.Iachetta@wjps.org
Ariana M
Pria Nahal
Shazia Rahaman
Jamie Torney
Alyse Green

all section leaders will be expected to provide mock ups for their section to Melissa at the beginning of each layout for the new issue

News - leader livianette.cabrera@wjps.org
Shanza Kushnood
Raymond Arroyo *
Divya Desai
Paula Barbosa
Sherlyn Gonzales
Ashley Liszka
Eleni Dangenis
Marlyn Sanchez

Feature -leader - Sarah.bianchi@wjps.org
Erica Castagliola
Brian Melendez
Olivia Kuros
Shazia Rahaman *
Zandalee Gomez
Ciera D'Aguillar
Alexander Rubildo

Sports leader -lisamarie.ludford@wjps.org
Erin O'Driscoll
Amneet Singh
Chris Caraballo
Claudia Chevez
Richard Williams
Victor Rivera

Opinion - leader -anastasia.papis@wjps.org
Raymond Arroyo *
Kaylin Soucy
Mia Martinez
all section leaders may write for opinion

Entertainment - leader- Georgina - gpapazafiropoulos@wjps.org
Gisselle Bonilla
Fernando Echevaria
Tanya Castillo
Jordan Montell
Jamie Torney
Kristina Papa

You will be expected to meet with your section leaders regularly...
Section leaders are responsible for:

• Approving your topic ideas
• Sending drafts (when you send your drafts to me, CC your section leader)
• give guidance to you when you are writing
• keeping track of where your progress.

More to follow

Next newspaper before break

Because we ran so far behind on the trying to get the third issue, we are going to combine the 3rd and 4th issues and put one out before December.  We will try to get the 4th one out in January.

Moving forward, when you finish an article, there will be a rolling deadline to get things done.  There will be a hard deadline to make the issue, but all earlier drafts will be at your discretion.

When you finish, you will get it to me and I will get it back to ASAP so you can continue on to your next draft.

writing contest

"Why are free and independent news media important?" The Society of Professional Journalists want to know what your students think and are sponsoring a national contest to find out.






I thought this might be a good essay for a journalism class and/or exam, extra credit. National first place is $1,000 scholarship; second is $500 scholarship; third is $300 scholarship.







I am the Michigan coordinator for the contest. Michigan advisers should contact me for the information and entry form.





Those in other states should go to http://www.spj.org/a-hs.asp for information on where to send your essays.





Postmark deadline is March 5, 2010.

Pride for the 2008-2009 Blazer

The awards are in and in addition to placing Bronze with  Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

The ESSPA awards are in too (Empire State Scholastic Press Association)

Congratulations to the Blazer for placing Silver overall and the following students:
Raisa Balabanova - Gold in Editorial B category for "Mayor Bloomberg beleives school budget cuts..."

Sarah Bianchi and Livianette Cabrera - Bronze in Editorial B category for "Current grading system confuses WJPS students"

Shazia Rahaman - Bronze in Feature B category for "Everyone can be a stereotype"

Anastasia Papis - Bronze in Sports feature B category for "Enter the mind, body and soul with Kung Fu martial arts"

Eric Vasquez - Honorable Mention in Feature B category for "Eunice Kennedy Shriver founder of the Special Olympics"

Maggie Todaro - Honorable Mention in sports news B category for "WJPS and Francis Lewis join forces"

I'm so proud of all of you and your hard work... we can do it.