Mal l ar d St af f Cont r act 2014- 2015

Adviser: Dawn Fischer

Staffer: ______________________________________ Position: ___________________________________
It is important that you think of the Mallard rooms as a work environment.
This is your contract. Read each section carefully, initial it, and have your parents initial it.
Sign your full name at the end of the contract and have your parents sign. This contract will
be kept on fle and you will be held to the expectations outlined herein.
Student
Parent
Deadlines
Staffers will be assigned to cover events through photography, reporting, writing, and design. Work will be due each
week. Each staff member must meet his or her responsibilities for every deadline without exception. Occasionally, that
may require working outside of class or school. Some work may be required after school ends in May.
Student
Parent
Quality of Work
In addition to being turned in on time, all work must meet the criteria and expectations set forth by the editors and ad-
visers. Staffers must be willing to revise work in order to meet expectations. Editors and advisers will ask for revisions
in a timely manner.
Sales
It is necessary for the Mallard organization to sell yearbooks and advertising in order to pay printing and operations
costs. Every member of the staff will attempt to sell advertising and yearbooks. Participation in sales efforts
will be a signifcant part of the students grade. This may require work outside of the normal class time, as well as
making phone calls and going off campus during class (see Leaving the Classroom or Campus, below). If you cannot
agree to sell ads and books, please see the adviser immediately.
Student
Parent
Attendance
As with any class, students must follow the schools attendance policies. Attendance in Mallard is particularly impor-
tant because of the nature of the work. Students who are placed in TOC, homebound studies, etc., will not be able
to remain on the staff since it would be impossible for them to complete their assignments properly. Furthermore, a
student with excessive absences or absences that interfere with production may be subject to lower grades or other
consequences, due to the infexibility of printing deadlines.
Student
Parent
Leaving the Classroom or Campus
It will be necessary for staff members to go off campus to sell advertising or conduct other business of the publication.
It is understood that this is done with full knowledge and permission of the parent or guardian and that the adviser, the
school, the district, and its employees are released from any responsibility for any incidents that may occur.
Students are expected to go only where they must conduct business and to behave appropriately and responsibly at
all times.
In order to leave the classroom or campus, a staffer must have his or her Mallard pass. He or she must also sign out
on the staff board and inform the adviser where he or she is going, why, and when he or she will return. Unless other-
wise authorized, every student must be in the classroom at the beginning and the end of the period.
Student
Parent
Equipment
The Mallard organization possesses a good deal of equipment, some of which is very expensive. Staffers must follow
all appropriate check-out procedures as set forth by the advisers and/or editors. If a staffer loses, damages, or in any
way abuses the property of the organization, he or she is responsible for its repair or replacement. Please note that this
includes but is not limited to $2000 digital cameras, laptops and desktop computers, and related accessories, as well
as smaller, consumable supplies that should be used but not wasted. If there is a question about who is responsible for
damaged property, the sign-out list will be used to determine who had responsibility for the items.
Student
Parent
Conduct
All staff members are expected to be responsible, organized, and polite. All laws and school rules must be followed at
all times. Staff members are expected to project an air of professionalism when conducting the business of the publica-
tion and to act as a positive refection on the staff and student body at all times. Clear, honest, ongoing communication
with the adviser and staff are absolutely necessary.
Student
Parent
Grading
Grades will be based on the following:
60% Publication work: Some aspects you will be graded on include but are not limited to number of errors or
amount of editing needed, meeting or beating the deadline, quality of reporting, photography, and writing, and
adherence to style rules.
15% Advertising & Book sales: Each staffer is required to make an effort to sell yearbooks and ads. The ads
sold may be to businesses or seniors. Credit will be given for effort, even if no sales are made. Sales efforts may
include direct sales, making posters or communicating through social media about sales. Any staffer who sells 10
yearbooks will get a free yearbook for him/herself.
25% Staff grades: A portion of your grade will be based on your use of class time. You will also be graded on your
general attitude and willingness to work; this may include performing such tasks as distributing surveys, running
errands, and assisting others. Weekly works logs will account for your time spent on Mallard work and will be
turned in on Fridays. Participation in spirit days will be required.
Other grades may be added as necessary at the discretion of the adviser.
Student
Parent
Mallard Philosophy
The Mallard Staff exists to serve, inform, and entertain its primary audience, the student body. Additionally, we serve a readership of faculty, administration,
parents, and the community. The web page is an immediate and ever-changing source of information, while the yearbook is an historical document; it is
the staffs responsibility to record the year accurately and completely. As a learning vehicle, staff positions provide student journalists with an opportunity
to practice vital skills, including teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, and responsibility. Students are expected to learn and utilize
Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and other software as needed. Students are expected to develop their creative abilities in writing, photography, and design.
The goal of the Mallard Staff is to utilize students skills to produce professional-quality publications that are an accurate refection of the school year.
We fully understand the Mallard Staff Contract and agree to abide by it. We understand that failure to meet any of the expectations outlined in this
contract or set forth by the adviser may result in any or all of the following: failing grades, disciplinary action, removal from the staff.
Student signature
Parent signature
Parent daytime phone & email address
Principals approval