Scholastic Journalism Week 2016

July 26, 2015

The Journalism Education Association has scheduled Scholastic Journalism Week for Feb. 21-27, 2016. How you help promote this week is entirely up to you. It is hoped that your involvement and that of your students will serve to raise community consciousness regarding the benefits of scholastic journalism. Your students will learn from both the promotion and their celebration of an event holding major significance for them.

 

  • Follow Scholastic Journalism Week on Twitter. @scholasticjweek / Hashtag #SJW2016
  • Logo design contest – Using the theme “The Stories We Tell,” design a logo to be used for 2016 Scholastic Journalism Week promotional materials and on social media. The winning logo and designer will be revealed in November at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Orlando. Send entries as high-resolution files to [email protected]. Deadline: Oct. 19, 2015.
  • The Stories We Tell: Staff Spotlight Series – Apply to be one of 15 schools to be featured on the JEA Facebook page leading up to Scholastic Journalism Week. Fifteen staffs will be featured Application: http://bit.ly/1CoYUDE. Submission deadline Jan. 26
  • Society of Professional Journalists and Journalism Education Association Essay Contest. JEA and the Society of Professional Journalists asks: “Why is it important for journalists to seek the news and report it?” 300-500 words. Submissions open Nov. 5, 2015. Deadline: Feb. 24, 2016. Scholarships are funded by the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Some ideas for the week from Tom Gayda, MJE

  1. Guest speakers. Invite a local pro or former student made good to come and speak to your classes.
  2. Party. During class or after school, have a party to celebrate the week.
  3. No work worknight. Like a party. Plan to stay after school for fun only, no deadlines.
  4. PR. Send nice notes to faculty who help you out a lot. Leave them candy or snacks in the lounge.
  5. Hang out with other area schools. Invite them to your party or challenge them to some kind of competition.
  6. Write letters to the editor. Have students write letters to the local paper detailing their love of scholastic journalism.
  7. Have a press conference. Have a local politician, athlete or school administrator come to class and let students ask questions.
  8. Exchangeapolooza. Send your publications to other schools or spend time looking through the ones you get for fresh ideas. Celebrate others.
  9. Try something new. Live it up. Break from the norm. Do something cool you hear other schools always talk about. I’m going to try to get my students to sell ads!
  10. Clean. It is almost spring…
  11. Participate in SPLC Penny War. Raise money for a good cause!
  12. Clip stories/ideas/designs. Create a visual library from your favorite publications.
  13. Visit feeder schools. Get to know the middle schoolers who will one day take over.
  14. Compete! We’re kicking off a contest next week, everyone can play!
  15. Decorate. Make sure people know it is SJW by decorating your hallway area and classroom.