Yearbook Syllabus

Instructor Mrs. Peetz Phone 262-763-0200, ext. 3124

Classroom Rooms 115 and 120 E-mail mpeetz@basd.k12.wi.us

Website http://www.basd.k12.wi.us/faculty/mpeetz

Class Materials:
1, 2, 3 Yearbook by Jostens (handouts) Flash Drive (student provides)
File Folder Writing Instrument (student provides)
Digital Camera (our camera supplies are limited, so feel free to bring your own!)
Computer
Scanner

Description:
This course helps produce The Demon, the Burlington High School yearbook. In this course, students will
gain skills in the following areas: page design, publishing techniques, copy writing, editing, photography,
record keeping, time management, teamwork, marketing, and leadership skills. Students are tasked with
producing a timeless, creative, and innovative publication which will record our school’s community,
memories and events.

Expectations:
Students will be challenged with real world projects and assignments. High quality work is expected at all
times. Students are expected to fully participate in each activity they are tasked with. Students are also
expected to participate in outside of class time activities and meetings. To produce a complete yearbook,
students will be required to attend school activities to take photographs and gather information to be used
in the yearbook. Due to the nature of publishing deadlines, students will be expected to work periodically
after school and to attend after school events in order to meet publishing deadlines. Excellent class
attendance and a positive attitude are essential in working successfully in our team environment. If you are
going to miss class or events, it is important that you communicate with me.

Goals:
Students will produce a high quality publication.
Students will learn and use publishing industry terminology.
Students will work with various types of technology to produce their publication.
Students will apply computer skills and design principles to the production of yearbook pages.
Students will learn copy writing techniques.
Students will work as a team to meet deadlines.

Requirements:
Fully participate as a yearbook team member.
Attend a minimum of 3 out of class school events and function to take appropriate photos for yearbook.
Attend a minimum of 1 after school yearbook club meeting per month.
Meet deadlines.

Page 1
Be proactive.
Be respectful and reliable.
Always do your best.
Be creative.
Represent the yearbook staff to the best of your ability.

Topics/Units Covered Include:

Intro to Design/Publishing Into to Equipment Yearbook Avenue
Journalistic Writing Leadership Teamwork
Photography/Editing Images for Print Layout Editing

Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated based on classroom production, deadline production, and attendance at out
of class events/meetings. Grades will be based on total points earned.
Classroom Production: Includes activities and quizzes for evaluating mastery of yearbook journalism
skills and concepts.

Deadline Production: Evaluation of hands-on production based on planning and progress in

addition to the quality of the yearbook work and its timely completion.

Classroom Rules:
 No gum, food, or drink near computers, printers, or equipment.
 No cell phones in plain sight during tests/quizzes, or certain work times.
 Be on time to class.
 No bathroom passes within 10 minutes of end of class. Please sign in/out.
 If you are on official yearbook business, use a yearbook pass.
 Be a good team member! Be courteous and respectful to instruction, ALL students and
equipment in room.
 Bring all needed materials with you to class.
 Always be positive! Negative attitudes multiply quickly.
 Be responsible for any yearbook equipment you take out of classroom.
 Be attentive in class. Oral directions are just as important as written directions.
 Let Mrs. Peetz know in advance if you are going to miss an out-of-class coverage
assignment.

Page 2
 Yearbook Commitment Contract

By signing the commitment contract, parent/guardian, student, and advisor agree to:

Parent/Guardian
• I grant permission for my child to work on yearbook-related errands in the community outside of school hours.
• I understand that my child will need to devote some time outside of class to the completion of assigned tasks.
• I understand that my child will be working with specialized equipment and supplies and will be held financially
responsible for any damage, loss, and/or waste due to negligence.
• I understand that if my child is going to be absent that he/she needs to make arrangements for his/her out of class
duties to be covered.

Yearbook Staff Member

• I pledge to behave responsibly reflecting the best of myself, the staff, and school when on yearbook-staff related
assignments in the community.
• I have been made fully aware that I may be asked to devote outside time in order to complete assigned tasks. I
commit myself to making those times available.
• I understand the importance of the publications’ equipment and supplies and pledge to treat them with respect.
Should I neglect, lose, and/or abuse the materials, I will repair or replace them.
• I understand the importance of my being at yearbook meetings. For whatever reason, when absent, I will call the
adviser to report my absence so alternate plans can be made to meet deadlines.

Advisor
• As advisor, I understand that a staff member has other obligation and responsibilities. Therefore, I will work
individually with each staff member to make sure that he/she fully understands the commitment that is being
made prior to assuming a responsibility. I want an open line of communication between staffers, editors,
parents/guardians, and me. Please feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you for your cooperation in
making this a great year!

Replacing lost or damaged equipment:

Parent/Guardian
• I acknowledge responsibility for equipment’s physical condition.
• I acknowledge responsibility for physical security of the equipment.
• I acknowledge financial responsibility for school equipment when in the possession of my child. If equipment is
lost, damaged, or stolen, I agree to pay for the replacement/repair of that equipment.
• All students who signed the check-out form are held fully and totally responsible for all of the costs associated
with lost/damaged equipment.
Yearbook Staff Member
• I agree to use the Yearbook equipment for yearbook purposes only.
• I acknowledge responsibility for equipment’s physical condition.
• I acknowledge responsibility for physical security of the equipment.
• I acknowledge all students who signed the check-out form are held fully and totally responsible for all the costs
associated with lost/damaged equipment.

Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Page 3