What's Happening: 12.17.10

No announcements today.

What's Happening: 12.16.10

Work on your Journalism History assignment. There is no reason for anyone to be working on anything else. Your THREE questions are due by 7 pm. Don't forget to include the answers.


SAVE THE DATE!

CIIJ’s annual BoldFaced Journalism program is set for Saturday, Feb. 26, 2010 from 9:30 – 4:00 at San Francisco State University’s College of Humanities.  

We will offer you and your students a full day of workshops and lectures taught by Bay Area professional journalists, journalism instructors, university students and others involved in the world of journalism today.

Planned Workshops:

•    Stereotypes
•    Preparing to be a college journalist
•    Opinion Writing
•    Moving your publication online
•    Writing for the web
•    Reporting on LGBTQ
•    Motivating writers
•    Legal issues
•    Ipads and cellphones
•    Reporting on teen violence, suicide, eating disorders and other health issues
•    Getting your foot in the door of the independent journalism movement
•    Finding story ideas through the social web
•    Sports writing
•    Become your own boss – start a magazine, website, or other news publication
•    The Stylebook
•    Investigative reporting
•    Publication design
•    Newspaper critiques

What's Happening: 12.15.10

Work on your Journalism History assignment. There is no reason for anyone to be working on anything else.


SAVE THE DATE!

CIIJ’s annual BoldFaced Journalism program is set for Saturday, Feb. 26, 2010 from 9:30 – 4:00 at San Francisco State University’s College of Humanities.  

We will offer you and your students a full day of workshops and lectures taught by Bay Area professional journalists, journalism instructors, university students and others involved in the world of journalism today.

Planned Workshops:

•    Stereotypes
•    Preparing to be a college journalist
•    Opinion Writing
•    Moving your publication online
•    Writing for the web
•    Reporting on LGBTQ
•    Motivating writers
•    Legal issues
•    Ipads and cellphones
•    Reporting on teen violence, suicide, eating disorders and other health issues
•    Getting your foot in the door of the independent journalism movement
•    Finding story ideas through the social web
•    Sports writing
•    Become your own boss – start a magazine, website, or other news publication
•    The Stylebook
•    Investigative reporting
•    Publication design
•    Newspaper critiques

What's Happening: 12.14.10

Web Assignments are due TODAY by 3:30.

TODAY: Your journalism mission for the week will be handed out and discussed. It is due Friday. You will work with a partner.  If you're not here on Friday, the assignment is due Thursday.



Today, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

SAVE THE DATE!

CIIJ’s annual BoldFaced Journalism program is set for Saturday, Feb. 26, 2010 from 9:30 – 4:00 at San Francisco State University’s College of Humanities.  

We will offer you and your students a full day of workshops and lectures taught by Bay Area professional journalists, journalism instructors, university students and others involved in the world of journalism today.

Planned Workshops:

•    Stereotypes
•    Preparing to be a college journalist
•    Opinion Writing
•    Moving your publication online
•    Writing for the web
•    Reporting on LGBTQ
•    Motivating writers
•    Legal issues
•    Ipads and cellphones
•    Reporting on teen violence, suicide, eating disorders and other health issues
•    Getting your foot in the door of the independent journalism movement
•    Finding story ideas through the social web
•    Sports writing
•    Become your own boss – start a magazine, website, or other news publication
•    The Stylebook
•    Investigative reporting
•    Publication design
•    Newspaper critiques

What's Happening: 12.13.10

Your Web Assignment is due TOMORROW (12.14). Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer. If you don't see your name on the list, please see Wojo.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

SAVE THE DATE!

CIIJ’s annual BoldFaced Journalism program is set for Saturday, Feb. 26, 2010 from 9:30 – 4:00 at San Francisco State University’s College of Humanities.  

We will offer you and your students a full day of workshops and lectures taught by Bay Area professional journalists, journalism instructors, university students and others involved in the world of journalism today.

Planned Workshops:

•    Stereotypes
•    Preparing to be a college journalist
•    Opinion Writing
•    Moving your publication online
•    Writing for the web
•    Reporting on LGBTQ
•    Motivating writers
•    Legal issues
•    Ipads and cellphones
•    Reporting on teen violence, suicide, eating disorders and other health issues
•    Getting your foot in the door of the independent journalism movement
•    Finding story ideas through the social web
•    Sports writing
•    Become your own boss – start a magazine, website, or other news publication
•    The Stylebook
•    Investigative reporting
•    Publication design
•    Newspaper critiques

What's Happening: 12.10.10

Worknight is December 10. Don't forget. Please check your email to see if you are supposed to be here. If your work is done, you do not have to attend. You are welcome to leave once your work is finished.

Your Web Assignment is due 12.14. Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer. If you don't see your name on the list, please see Wojo.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

What's Happening: 12.9.10

Start planning your Web Assignment for 12.14. Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

Worknight is December 10. Don't forget. Everyone should be here UNLESS all of your work is finished.

What's Happening: 12.8.10

Please click here to read a longer piece on Food Politics. Yes, we are going to be talking about the politics of food. It's tastier than a double bacon cheeseburger from the cafeteria. Hmmm. Wait, they don't have those in the cafeteria. Read on...

Start planning your Web Assignment for 12.14. Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer.

Wednesday, December 8=Professional Development Opportunity. The Academy of Art College will be here 4th lunch to give an overview of their programs related to design and media. If you have 5th lunch, but are interested in attending, please see Wojo.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

Worknight is December 10. Don't forget. Everyone should be here UNLESS all of your work is finished.

What's Happening: 12.7.10

Start planning your Web Assignment for 12.14. Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer.

Wednesday, December 8=Professional Development Opportunity. The Academy of Art College will be here 4th lunch to give an overview of their programs related to design and media. If you have 5th lunch, but are interested in attending, please see Wojo.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

Worknight is December 10. Don't forget. Everyone should be here UNLESS all of your work is finished.

What's Happening: 12.6.10

I only have a few stories in my queue. Where are the rest?

Start planning your Web Assignment for 12.14. Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer.

Wednesday, December 8=Professional Development Opportunity. The Academy of Art College will be here 4th lunch to give an overview of their programs related to design and media. If you have 5th lunch, but are interested in attending, please see Wojo.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

Worknight is December 10. Don't forget. Everyone should be here UNLESS all of your work is finished.

What's Happening: 12.3.10

Reporters and Editors: make sure your stories are in on time. Editors, check off the stories on the spreadsheet as you get them.

Start planning your Web Assignment for 12.14. Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer.

Wednesday, December 8=Professional Development Opportunity. The Academy of Art College will be here 4th lunch to give an overview of their programs related to design and media. If you have 5th lunch, but are interested in attending, please see Wojo.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

Worknight is December 10. Don't forget. Everyone should be here UNLESS all of your work is finished.

What's Happening: 12.2.10

Reporters and Editors: make sure your stories are in on time. Editors, check off the stories on the spreadsheet as you get them.

Start planning your Web Assignment for 12.14. Seriously. The first time you do a multimedia assignment it will take you longer.

Tuesday, December 14=Professional Development Opportunity. The meeting will be here at HHS in H105 at 4 pm. The topic is "Covering Controversial Issues." The talk will be about one hour. Pizza will be served after. Mark your calendars now.

Worknight is December 10. Don't forget. Everyone should be here UNLESS all of your work is finished.

What's Happening: 12.1.10

Thanks for your help with the WASC criteria. Over the next week, I will be talking to a few of you individually to get additional feedback for our summary of findings. Your name will not be attached to the report.

Today we will be reviewing the revised requirements for your Web Assignments.

Worknight is December 10th beginning immediately after school.

What's Happening: 11.30.10

photo by KimNowacki, used under Creative Commons license.

 Should teachers be able to take your cell phone and scroll through your text messages? What if they think you are bullying someone? The Virginia Attorney General says that teachers have the right to take cell phones and do just that. Read the article and post your thoughts below (as a comment on THIS post). This assignment is due by 9 pm tonight.

It's WASC time! A period, we will finish up the task from last week. Second period, you will work on School Culture and Climate.


Do NOT complete web assignments for this week. They are undergoing a major overhaul and will be ready by Wednesday at which time we will discuss the changes.

Worknight is December 10 immediately after school until the cows come home. Well, actually, it will be after that time since cows come home at dark. So, really, it's until 9 or so.

What's Happening: 11.29.10

Hope everyone had a restful Thanksgiving weekend. Though we had three very cold mornings, the weather was pretty good.

There are two major international news stories brewing. Both of them had major developments yesterday. What are the two counties at the center of these stories? Get a Post-it note, put your name on the Post-it along with the names of the two countries and put it on the door behind Wojo's desk. This is an assignment.


Do NOT complete web assignments for this week. They are undergoing a major overhaul and will be ready by Wednesday at which time we will discuss the changes.

Worknight is December 10 immediately after school until the cows come home. Well, actually, it will be after that time since cows come home at dark. So, really, it's until 9 or so.

What's Happening: 11.24.10

Update any edits you might have for your story, then get thee to the game table. Have a great holiday weekend!

Don't forget WORKNIGHT is December 10th beginning at 3:30.

What's Happening: 11.23.10

Assignment: Since we're talking about multimedia today, think about what that means. What does it mean if a journalist is a multimedia reporter? What does it look like? How is the reporting similar or different? You should have a few solid ideas BEFORE the presentation, then you will be revising them after the presentation.

Write your notes to the questions above on a piece of lined paper. Take any notes during the presentation on the same paper. You will be turning this in.

Today: Introduction to Multimedia


Wednesday: Get your game face on!

What's Happening: 11.22.10

Today: Work on stories, work on WASC Focus group. There were no volunteers for the WASC group, so I will be selecting a few of you randomly.


Tuesday: Introduction to Multimedia; work on stories.

Wednesday: Get your game face on!

What's Happening: 11.19.10

Welcome Mr. Alvarez to class! Wojo is at a TAH Project meeting today.

Take the initiative: Someone had suggested doing a feature story on HHS grads who become subs at our school. This would be an excellent opportunity to interview one of them.

Your Thanksgiving Present: Do not complete your Web Assignment for Week 8. The Introduction to Multimedia session will be next Tuesday.

Friday: You should have your assignments for December. Start your GoogleDoc. Add questions you need answered to write the story and who you will be interviewing for the story. Schedule your interviews. You have a short turnaround on this paper, so you CANNOT delay.
Share your document with Wojo. If there is nothing on the document, you will receive a zero for the day. If there is nothing meaningful on the document, you will receive a zero for the day. Yes, Wojo is out, but she will be checking your document....

Next week is a three-day week!

Monday: Work on stories, work on WASC Focus group (volunteers to serve on this group will receive credit for professional development for the quarter. You will spend 2-4 class periods on this task. If you volunteer, you get professional development credit. If you don't and are picked anyway, it will just count as a regular assignment. Up to 8 staff members each period may volunteer.).

Tuesday: Introduction to Multimedia

Wednesday: Get your game face on!

What's Happening: 11.18.10

Today is the last day to vote for Rachel's film! Don't miss out on the chance to show your support. Vote Team SF at http://www.fresh-films.com. Vote often.

Your Thanksgiving Present: Do not complete your Web Assignment for Week 8. The Introduction to Multimedia session will be next Tuesday.


Assignment: Due today by 9 pm. This is actually a really important story, so read it carefully. Thomas Friedman write an opinion piece for the NY Times called "Too Good to Check." In his piece he discussed the President Obama's trip to India and how much it cost. He also describes Anderson Cooper's examination of the alleged cost. Many of us heard this story and even talked about it in class (along with the coconuts being harvested so they wouldn't fall on Obama's head). Read this story carefully, then post the lesson learned from it as a comment on THIS POST. Here's the catch though, your comment cannot be more than 140 characters (it's a Tweet). Think carefully about what lesson student journalists need to take from this entire incident.

Friday: You should have your assignments for December. Start your GoogleDoc. Add questions you need answered to write the story and who you will be interviewing for the story. Schedule your interviews. You have a short turnaround on this paper, so you CANNOT delay.
Share your document with Wojo. If there is nothing on the document, you will receive a zero for the day. If there is nothing meaningful on the document, you will receive a zero for the day. Yes, Wojo is out, but she will be checking your document....

Next week is a three-day week!

Monday: Work on stories, work on WASC Focus group (volunteers to serve on this group will receive credit for professional development for the quarter. You will spend 2-4 class periods on this task. If you volunteer, you get professional development credit. If you don't and are picked anyway, it will just count as a regular assignment. Up to 8 staff members each period may volunteer.).

Tuesday: Introduction to Multimedia

Wednesday: Get your game face on!

What's Happening: 11.17.10

Today: In class writing assignment. You will construct a story for a school newspaper in class. You will be given all necessary notes and will have the class period to complete the assignment. This will be for a grade. Review the inverted pyramid. Your story will be typed in a GoogleDoc, then it will be printed (double-spaced) before you leave the class. Your story will be 125-175 words and will include quotes.

Rumor has it that there is a hallway check today for tardies AND lanyards, so get to class on time unless you want an automatic 2 hour detention. THAT MEANS YOU TERILYN CHEN, WENDY CHEN, ERINN KUEHNE, EDISON LEI AND KIMMY NY.
 

Don't Let Chicago Win!

There's only 3 days left. You guys cant vote tomorrow because of the in-class writing assignment. We're still down by a lot.

Translation: Start voting. Now.

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT. PULL IT TOGETHER AND GIVE IT YOUR ALL. 3 DAYS. THEN ITS OVER. DONE.  


You guys vote like crazy during class, but that isn't enough. Do you know that it pretty much goes back down if you don't vote at home?


Voting ends on Thursday, but at 1pm. Lets turn the tables and win this thing!




Please. Really. Please. I've personally spent almost every day staying up until 2 in the morning voting. I'm asking for help with this one thing. Please, please, please help me. 

Thursday: Introduction to multimedia. We have a website to feature multimedia stories, yet no one is using multimedia. Learn how to do your web assignments using audio, video and photography.


Friday: You should have your assignments for December by today. Start your GoogleDoc. Add questions you need answered to write the story and who you will be interviewing for the story. Schedule your interviews. You have a short turnaround on this paper, so you CANNOT delay.
Share your document with Wojo. If there is nothing on the document, you will receive a zero for the day. If there is nothing meaningful on the document, you will receive a zero for the day.


Next week is a three-day week! All of your stories should be to your editors by Wednesday of next week.

What's Happening: 9.16.10

Today: Pitch your story ideas. We'll do it the way we did for November. Make sure you have a list of several story ideas because you will need to pitch something that has not been pitched before. You will need to fully explain your idea so don't just say "we should do something on the play."

We are currently planning an 8-page issue, but may have to go to 12 page to accommodate new advertisements. Congratulate the ads team (Davidson, Christian, Melissa and Joyce) on a job well-done.

Please note that some staff members have tasks other than pitching stories today. Do not bother them.

Don't Let Chicago Win!

There's only 3 days left. You guys cant vote tomorrow because of the in-class writing assignment. We're still down by a lot.

Translation: Start voting. Now.

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT. PULL IT TOGETHER AND GIVE IT YOUR ALL. 3 DAYS. THEN ITS OVER. DONE.  


You guys vote like crazy during class, but that isn't enough. Do you know that it pretty much goes back down if you don't vote at home?


Voting ends on Thursday, but at 1pm. Lets turn the tables and win this thing!




Please. Really. Please. I've personally spent almost every day staying up until 2 in the morning voting. I'm asking for help with this one thing. Please, please, please help me. 

Wednesday: In class writing assignment. You will construct a story for a school newspaper in class. You will be given all necessary notes and will have the class period to complete the assignment. This will be for a grade. Review the inverted pyramid. Your story will be typed in a GoogleDoc, then it will be printed (double-spaced) before you leave the class. Your story will be 125-175 words and will include quotes.


Thursday: You should have your assignments for December by today. Start your GoogleDoc. Add questions you need answered to write the story and who you will be interviewing for the story. Schedule your interviews. You have a short turnaround on this paper, so you CANNOT delay.
Share your document with Wojo. If there is nothing on the document, you will receive a zero for the day. If there is nothing meaningful on the document, you will receive a zero for the day.


Friday: Introduction to multimedia. We have a website to feature multimedia stories, yet no one is using multimedia. Learn how to do your web assignments using audio, video and photography.

Next week is a three-day week! All of your stories should be to your editors by Wednesday of next week.

What's Happening: 11.15.10

 Today:  Finish November paper and generate story ideas for December. The paper will come out December 17. Assume there will be something in the paper about holiday gifts. We will also have something on the play and a preview of winter sports teams. DO NOT suggest these as story ideas. It's fine to discuss national or international stories so long as they have a local angle.

Tuesday: Pitch your story ideas. We'll do it the way we did for November. Make sure you have a list of several story ideas because you will need to pitch something that has not been pitched before. You will need to fully explain your idea so don't just say "we should do something on the play."

Wednesday: In class writing assignment. You will construct a story for a school newspaper in class. You will be given all necessary notes and will have the class period to complete the assignment. This will be for a grade. Review the inverted pyramid. Your story will be typed in a GoogleDoc, then it will be printed (double-spaced) before you leave the class. Your story will be 125-175 words and will include quotes.


Thursday: You should have your assignments for December by today. Start your GoogleDoc. Add questions you need answered to write the story and who you will be interviewing for the story. Schedule your interviews. You have a short turnaround on this paper, so you CANNOT delay.
Share your document with Wojo. If there is nothing on the document, you will receive a zero for the day. If there is nothing meaningful on the document, you will receive a zero for the day.


Friday: Introduction to multimedia. We have a website to feature multimedia stories, yet no one is using multimedia. Learn how to do your web assignments using audio, video and photography.

Next week is a three-day week! All of your stories should be to your editors by Wednesday of next week.

The Bay has the World Champions in baseball. 

Why not the World Champions in film too, Rachel asks?

Ist off, I want to thank 1st period, and all other journ and yearbookies, for their awesome support Wednesday. ;)
Makes me really happy . Seriously. Really.
Special thanks to Myron for his vote calculations and stuff on the white board. :D


You guys are voting and supporting me more than my friends are. That means A LOT to me.


I'm really proud and happy of how a lot of you guys (half of which probably dont know who I am) are supporting so much and voting. Of course, there's a "but" to this heartfelt message. D:

Despite our best efforts, we're still losing. By a lot. What does this mean? We cant win alone. Just us journ and yearbook staff members. We need to get the word out more, get more people to vote that are outside of our J-Team. The other high school kids, the middle schoolers... We need to spread the word!

And come on. We're journalism junkies! How hard can that be? We're supposed to LIVE for spreading the news.

There's only 4 more days for us to dominate Chicago. We still need about 10% to go, and thats only if Chicago wasnt voting.

This is a group effort, and thats why I'm depending on you guys. The San Fran team only has 5 people. Chicago and LA have 10 and 7. If it was a competition just between the team members, we'd lose! But its not, and we need to work harder for the "lack" of people.

Text. Post. Email. Whatever! Us voting alone wont be enough to get the numbers up. We need to get people involved!

I know I've been annoying everyone when I text and email and post stuff on Facebook and stuff. But thats because I'm one person. Think of the impact when a whole group of kids are doing this? One annoying little girl becomes a group of people looking for support.

We've all worked hard to get our votes up! And it worked! I dont want to do all this, and end up losing in the end. I dont want all of those hours voting to just go to waste.

Voting ends on the 18. Thats THIS THURSDAY! A few more days then its over! Voting and me spamming the announcements, pestering you guys to vote.

Make it easier for yourself, tell YOUR FRIENDS TO VOTE. Lets not have our efforts go to waste, guys.

So lets pull it together for just a few more days and show Chicago and LA what San Fran is made of!

:)

What's Happening: 11.10.10 In Which Rachel Needs Your Voting Help

Work night is tonight! Check your email to see if you need to be here.  I am going through your stories today, so be sure to check email during class and at lunch.


Rachel Says: HELP!! SOS!! ANYONE!!

Fresh-Films.com


Okay, so voting has been going on for a while. It ends on the 18th...and guess what? SAN FRAN IS LOSING!

Everyone seemed so excited when I first posted the announcement about the competition...Where did all of that excitement run off to?

I have people coming up to me and telling me that they voted...Probably one vote. As heartfelt as that it, I have to be completely honest, is, its not enough.

 Just one. Anyone read the "UNLIMITED" part? It takes about 10 votes to go up .01%. That means it takes 100 just to go up 1%!


vote at Fresh Films!

This is war here! When you're out on the battlefield, you're not going to use one bullet to beat out your hundred-man enemy army. Are you? Hopefully not. I really hope not.

There's only one week left! Checklist ready?

- Text every single person you know. Time it so that they'll probably be on the computer when you text them.
- Email every single person you know.
- Post this (not this but something of the sort) on your Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter...any random site/page.
- Tell your friends to tell theirs. And theirs. And theirs. At and after school.


This may not be that important to you, because well, you may think you have nothing to do with it. But its super important to me. I spent a week going to and from San Fransisco on BART and the bus, and worked my butt off to make that film. I cant, we (The San Fran Team) can't win alone. We need people to support us. It'd be really cool if you guys were those "people."


When I wrote this, Team San Fran were behind by more than 10%. Think we can change it over the four-day weekend? :/

What's Happening: 11.9.10

Part II...TODAY: Writing workshop for all. It's time to review the inverted pyramid and get some practice with it. Those of you participating in the writing workshop will be turning in your assignment before you leave class today.


Worknight tomorrow beginning immediately after school until we get done or get kicked out so the custodians can go home OR until the computers go into maintenance mode, whichever comes first.



Support Rachel's Film:

Hey. Hey you. Vote. Now. Yeah. Now. Go. Vote. VOTE.

Hello. :) This is Rachel. So, voting started today for Fresh Films. The majority of you probably wont know what I'm talking about so here's the background details:

- This is part of a non-profit organization called Dreaming Tree Films.
- Fresh Films is a project where teens are chosen to make a short film in 6 days.
- Three teams where chosen. One in San Fran (Woot!), Chicago, and LA.
- At the end of the 6 days, the films made are put up for an online voting competition (this is where you people come in :D ).
- The team with the most votes at the end of NOV 18 will...uh...win? I think. >.<
- For more info on the teams and program, check out http://fresh-films.com/

So yeah, I spent 6 days making a short film (while skipping school xD) and worked my butt off, so forget LA and forget Chicago. Please support and vote for SAN FRANCISCO~ Let San Fran have more glory in addition to winning the World Series! :)

Yeah...Vote! I know I wrote that word like a million times here...Please? One a day would be really meaningful to me. D':



P.S. Did I mention you can vote as many times as you want? :P


link---------> http://fresh-films.com/ <---------link

What's Happening: 11.8.10

Here's a good article from the NY Times on cheese politics. Why should you read an article on cheese politics? It's a good example of feature writing. There are other good reasons to read this piece as well. The underlying message to you, the consumer, is that we must be media critics and really examine what we're being told by organizations that claim to have our health as their top priority. Do the claims in this article surprise you?


TODAY: Writing workshop for all. It's time to review the inverted pyramid and get some practice with it. Those of you participating in the writing workshop will be turning in your assignment before you leave class today.




Support Rachel's Film:

Hey. Hey you. Vote. Now. Yeah. Now. Go. Vote. VOTE.

Hello. :) This is Rachel. So, voting started today for Fresh Films. The majority of you probably wont know what I'm talking about so here's the background details:

- This is part of a non-profit organization called Dreaming Tree Films.
- Fresh Films is a project where teens are chosen to make a short film in 6 days.
- Three teams where chosen. One in San Fran (Woot!), Chicago, and LA.
- At the end of the 6 days, the films made are put up for an online voting competition (this is where you people come in :D ).
- The team with the most votes at the end of NOV 18 will...uh...win? I think. >.<
- For more info on the teams and program, check out http://fresh-films.com/

So yeah, I spent 6 days making a short film (while skipping school xD) and worked my butt off, so forget LA and forget Chicago. Please support and vote for SAN FRANCISCO~ Let San Fran have more glory in addition to winning the World Series! :)

Yeah...Vote! I know I wrote that word like a million times here...Please? One a day would be really meaningful to me. D':



P.S. Did I mention you can vote as many times as you want? :P


link---------> http://fresh-films.com/ <---------link

What's Happening: 11.5.10

Don't forget worknight is Wednesday, November 10.


Support Rachel's Film:

Hey. Hey you. Vote. Now. Yeah. Now. Go. Vote. VOTE.

Hello. :) This is Rachel. So, voting started today for Fresh Films. The majority of you probably wont know what I'm talking about so here's the background details:

- This is part of a non-profit organization called Dreaming Tree Films.
- Fresh Films is a project where teens are chosen to make a short film in 6 days.
- Three teams where chosen. One in San Fran (Woot!), Chicago, and LA.
- At the end of the 6 days, the films made are put up for an online voting competition (this is where you people come in :D ).
- The team with the most votes at the end of NOV 18 will...uh...win? I think. >.<
- For more info on the teams and program, check out http://fresh-films.com/

So yeah, I spent 6 days making a short film (while skipping school xD) and worked my butt off, so forget LA and forget Chicago. Please support and vote for SAN FRANCISCO~ Let San Fran have more glory in addition to winning the World Series! :)

Yeah...Vote! I know I wrote that word like a million times here...Please? One a day would be really meaningful to me. D':



P.S. Did I mention you can vote as many times as you want? :P


link---------> http://fresh-films.com/ <---------link

What's Happening: 11.4.10

TODAY: A period you will be looking at the art of commenting. 2nd period you will be looking at creating SMART goals since so many of you were gone on Wednesday. A and 2nd: Three comments due by Friday night.

If you were at the parade on Wednesday, please share your photos with Arkenews.net. It would be great to post some pics from those who were there.

The Academy of Art presentation has been rescheduled to December 8. It will be during 4th lunch. If you want to attend, please use this form to sign up.

Speaking of professional development...Tuesday, November 16 a photojournalist will be at PVHS to tell you about the field of photojournalism. If you have a camera, you should bring it to the workshop. This event will be after school at 4 pm. The room number will be announced next week.

The latest CC Spin is up online. Check out our stories.

Rumor has it that you'll have a current events quiz Friday. Additional rumor says that the quiz will focus on the three stories above and the election results. Wojo started the rumor, so it's probably pretty accurate.

Don't forget worknight is Wednesday, November 10 beginning immediately after school.

What's Happening: 11.3.10

TODAY. Professional Development opportunity. 11 am which is during 4th lunch (if you're interested let Wojo know so you can get on the excuse list). Journ/Yearbook room. The Academy of Art will be doing a presentation on their programs which include art, design, computer animation, film and more. Check it out!

In other news...that is weird...The University of South Carolina will be offering a course on Lady Gaga and all the Harry Potter fans out there (especially those in India) are responsible for the decline in the Indian owl population. And finally, to show you that we do live in rare circumstances here in the US, watch this story about the invasion of the tuktuks.

Rumor has it that you'll have a current events quiz Friday. Additional rumor says that the quiz will focus on the three stories above and the election results. Wojo started the rumor, so it's probably pretty accurate.

What's Happening: 11.2.10

In light of our tech blackout last Friday, this article is pretty interesting. Could you give up your electronic devices for "No-Tech Tuesdays"? Leave a comment on this post. Discuss how easy (or not) it would be for you to give up electronic gadgets one day a week. This is an assignment. It is due no later than 9 pm today.

Today, seniors have a class meeting second period. who will be taking candids from yearbook? Thursday is Club Fair. Who is taking pictures for that? Put your names up on the whiteboard.


Today we will be doing goal setting for the quarter. This is an assignment. You will be putting together a portfolio to show how you have advanced toward your goals. Second period, you will do this tomorrow since you have the senior class meeting today.

What's Happening: 11.1.10

A period: Please make sure you are to class on time Tuesday, November 2. We will be working on an assignment that will take a good part of the class period.

Mark your calendars now! Worknight is Wednesday, November 10!

Professional Development opportunity at PVHS after school, Tuesday, November 16. The scheduled speaker is a photojournalist.

Here is some great advice from the Journalistics Blog: "Use Outlines to Write Better, Faster." Read the blog post to see WHY he advises outlines in the digital age.

Keep on top of your due dates.

What's Happening: 10.29.10 Distribution Day

Mark your calendars now! Worknight is Wednesday, November 10!

Here is some great advice from the Journalistics Blog: "Use Outlines to Write Better, Faster." Read the blog post to see WHY he advises outlines in the digital age.

Keep on top of your due dates.

What's Happening: 10.28.10

The room will be closed at lunch. The room will be open Friday for 4th period lunch.

ASSIGNMENT: Complete the first quarter reflection by clicking on this link. Wojo is the only other person who will see this, so be honest in your assessment of your progress this quarter. This assignment is due no later than 5 pm on Friday.

Speaking of stories, how will I get my story in this month?

• The November issue of the paper has an extremely short turn around.
• You will get your story assignment by the time you arrive to A period on Wednesday.
• You will turn in a draft to your editor (which editor will be listed on the spreadsheet) on Monday, November 1 by 7:15 am
• Your draft will be returned to you by Tuesday, November 2 for changes
• That draft will be returned to the editor by Wednesday, end of second period (10:30 am).
• If you need an extension, you will need to see Wojo. There will be no extensions for laziness. You must have a compelling reason why should you be granted extra time.
• You will continue through the writing process with final drafts being due no later than Friday, November 5.
• During this time, page designers will be setting up pages. Writers will be told how much room is on the page for their story. Your story will fit the space available. Photographers will be told the orientation of the photographs needed for the page.

• In short, you have time in class to read your announcements and work on your story (or web assignment). Should you be doing other things during class time, it is unlikely that you will be granted any sort of extension on an assignment.

What's Happening: 10.27.10

If you did not get an email from Chris and Chloe about the November issue, please contact them immediately (or let Wojo know). That means you aren't on the contact list. Please check the spreadsheet for your story assignment (if you don't have one, then you will need to pitch an idea to the EICs). Begin work.

Page layout editors: You will be meeting with Wojo about the November issue during 4th lunch WEDNESDAY, THAT'S TODAY. Club Faire might or might not be happening tomorrow. This is a mandatory meeting. Why lunch? Because half of the page editors are on independent study. 

The room will be closed at lunch to those not attending the meeting. The room will also be closed at lunch tomorrow and Friday.

Speaking of stories, how will I get my story in this month?

• The November issue of the paper has an extremely short turn around.
• You will get your story assignment by the time you arrive to A period on Wednesday.
• You will turn in a draft to your editor (which editor will be listed on the spreadsheet) on Monday, November 1 by 7:15 am
• Your draft will be returned to you by Tuesday, November 2 for changes
• That draft will be returned to the editor by Wednesday, end of second period (10:30 am).
• If you need an extension, you will need to see Wojo. There will be no extensions for laziness. You must have a compelling reason why should you be granted extra time.
• You will continue through the writing process with final drafts being due no later than Friday, November 5.
• During this time, page designers will be setting up pages. Writers will be told how much room is on the page for their story. Your story will fit the space available. Photographers will be told the orientation of the photographs needed for the page.

• In short, you have time in class to read your announcements and work on your story (or web assignment). Should you be doing other things during class time, it is unlikely that you will be granted any sort of extension on an assignment.

What's Happening: 10.26.10

Stories are everywhere. Look for interesting ones. TODAY you will need to pitch stories for the November issue of the paper. You will be asked to pitch one idea that has not already been pitched (by anyone regardless of class period), so be prepared with several ideas for stories that you might be interested in doing.  Here are two story ideas Wojo found while watching the school board meeting on television:

• Site Supervisor job descriptions are changing AND they will soon be wearing a uniform shirt. What are the new duties? Will that effect pay? Why is the job description changing? What does the uniform shirt look like? Will Site Supervisors be deputized? How does this impact hiring (i.e. different basic requirements to apply for the job, additional screening, etc.)? How will this effect HMHS?
• At the October 20 school board meeting, students and a few others spoke about outside food vendors coming on to district campuses. They were maintaining it should be allowed. Some board members said we have a closed campus system, so they should NOT be allowed. One board member said the rules need to be clarified. There was a motion to agendize the item for November 3 or November 17. What are the current rules about outside vendors? What is the story behind the student speakers? Where are they from? How does this effect club or class fundraising (i.e. does it mean that classes can't do Jamba Juice fundraisers)? What if a teacher wants to give a class a pizza party?

Speaking of stories, how will I get my story in this month?

• The November issue of the paper has an extremely short turn around.
• You will get your story assignment by the time you arrive to A period on Wednesday.
• You will turn in a draft to your editor (which editor will be listed on the spreadsheet) on Monday, November 1 by 7:15 am
• Your draft will be returned to you by Tuesday, November 2 for changes
• That draft will be returned to the editor by Wednesday, end of second period (10:30 am).
• If you need an extension, you will need to see Wojo. There will be no extensions for laziness. You must have a compelling reason why should you be granted extra time.
• You will continue through the writing process with final drafts being due no later than Friday, November 5.
• During this time, page designers will be setting up pages. Writers will be told how much room is on the page for their story. Your story will fit the space available. Photographers will be told the orientation of the photographs needed for the page.

• In short, you have time in class to read your announcements and work on your story (or web assignment). Should you be doing other things during class time, it is unlikely that you will be granted any sort of extension on an assignment.

Speaking of web assignments...please feel free to get creative. Do an audio story. Do a photo story. Do a video. Think beyond print.

What's Happening: 10.25.10

Great work Friday night! All who attended took care of tasks that needed to be done in order to put the October paper to bed.

Stories are everywhere. Look for interesting ones. Tomorrow you will need to pitch stories for the November issue of the paper. You will be asked to pitch one idea that has not already been pitched (by anyone regardless of class period), so be prepared with several ideas for stories that you might be interested in doing.  Here are two story ideas Wojo found while watching the school board meeting on television:

• Site Supervisor job descriptions are changing AND they will soon be wearing a uniform shirt. What are the new duties? Will that effect pay? Why is the job description changing? What does the uniform shirt look like? Will Site Supervisors be deputized? How does this impact hiring (i.e. different basic requirements to apply for the job, additional screening, etc.)? How will this effect HMHS?
• At the October 20 school board meeting, students and a few others spoke about outside food vendors coming on to district campuses. They were maintaining it should be allowed. Some board members said we have a closed campus system, so they should NOT be allowed. One board member said the rules need to be clarified. There was a motion to agendize the item for November 3 or November 17. What are the current rules about outside vendors? What is the story behind the student speakers? Where are they from? How does this effect club or class fundraising (i.e. does it mean that classes can't do Jamba Juice fundraisers)? What if a teacher wants to give a class a pizza party?

Remember: the deadline to complete your professional development for the quarter is October 25. When you are finished you will go into the course report tab and EMAIL Wojo a copy of your course report. If you can email yourself a copy of the report as well.

Recommended NewsU courses:
First Amendment for High School Students
The Be A Reporter Game (you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
The Be An Editor Game ( you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
Cleaning Your Copy
Get Me Rewrite: The Craft of Revision
Layout Driven Editing
Telling Stories With Sound
Introduction to Ethical Decision-Making
There are MANY, MANY more courses that are available. Choose something that matches your interests!



Speaking of the New York Times....Here's a blog on the college admissions process.

What's Happening: 10.22.10

Don't forget:

• work night is tonight. Check the wheasel to see if you're supposed to be here. If your work is finished, check with your editors; you might have the night off. We will begin around 4 or as soon as Wojo returns from the training.
• professional development for first quarter is due no later than October 25th at 9 pm. If you haven't completed your requirement yet, please do one of the NewsU courses listed below (or choose one that better matches your interests)
• Web assignments are due Tuesday. Consider doing one of your assignments as a video or audio interview. You might even be able to do it as a photo essay. 
• photographers, don't forget you have a photo essay assignment due by next Tuesday. If you are a photographer and don't know what this is about, please check your email. If you didn't get the email, but want to take photos, check with one of the photographers and have them forward the email to you.

Recommended NewsU courses:
First Amendment for High School Students
The Be A Reporter Game (you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
The Be An Editor Game ( you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
Cleaning Your Copy
Get Me Rewrite: The Craft of Revision
Layout Driven Editing
Telling Stories With Sound
Introduction to Ethical Decision-Making
There are MANY, MANY more courses that are available. Choose something that matches your interests!
Remember: the deadline to complete your professional development for the quarter is October 25. When you are finished you will go into the course report tab and EMAIL Wojo a copy of your course report. If you can email yourself a copy of the report as well.

Speaking of the New York Times....Here's a blog on the college admissions process.

What's Happening: 10.20.10

Don't forget your profile of Ms. LaForest is due 10.21.10 You will write a profile of Ms. LaForest that will be shared with Wojo by Thursday by 7 am. Use Google Docs for your document. Minimum 300 words. Must include direct quotes from your subject and/or others on campus who know her. Be sure you take good notes.


Worried about how to do a profile? The New York Times does great profiles (here's one tied to a specific event). Recently, they have been doing a series on what famous New Yorkers do on the weekends. You may choose the format of the portfolio, but you must include the elements listed above.

Grab a Post-it Note! What are the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment? Write your name and the five freedoms on the post-it and put it on the door behind Wojo's desk. This is an assignment. No, you are not being asked to write the entire First Amendment.

Recommended NewsU courses:
First Amendment for High School Students
The Be A Reporter Game (you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
The Be An Editor Game ( you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
Cleaning Your Copy
Get Me Rewrite: The Craft of Revision
Layout Driven Editing
Telling Stories With Sound
Introduction to Ethical Decision-Making
There are MANY, MANY more courses that are available. Choose something that matches your interests!
Remember: the deadline to complete your professional development for the quarter is October 25. When you are finished you will go into the course report tab and EMAIL Wojo a copy of your course report. If you can email yourself a copy of the report as well.

Worknight is Friday. All layout editors, EICs, copy editors and department editors must attend. Others will be notified throughout the week. Watch the wheasel (yes, that's how it's spelled) for more information.

Speaking of the New York Times....Here's a blog on the college admissions process.

What's Happening: 10.19.10

Please welcome Ms. LaForest to class! You will be interviewing her shortly. LaForest is a graduate of Hercules High School. As a group, you have 25 minutes to interview her. You will write a profile of Ms. LaForest that will be shared with Wojo by Thursday by 7 am. Use Google Docs for your document. Minimum 300 words. Must include direct quotes from your subject and/or others on campus who know her. Be sure you take good notes.


Worried about how to do a profile? The New York Times does great profiles (here's one tied to a specific event). Recently, they have been doing a series on what famous New Yorkers do on the weekends. You may choose the format of the portfolio, but you must include the elements listed above.


Recommended NewsU courses:
First Amendment for High School Students
The Be A Reporter Game (you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
The Be An Editor Game ( you will need to do AT LEAST one more course)
Cleaning Your Copy
Get Me Rewrite: The Craft of Revision
Layout Driven Editing
Telling Stories With Sound
Introduction to Ethical Decision-Making
There are MANY, MANY more courses that are available. Choose something that matches your interests!
Remember: the deadline to complete your professional development for the quarter is October 25. When you are finished you will go into the course report tab and EMAIL Wojo a copy of your course report. If you can email yourself a copy of the report as well.

Don't forget that web assignments are due Tuesday by 3:30 pm.

Worknight is Friday. All layout editors, EICs, copy editors and department editors must attend. Others will be notified throughout the week. Watch the wheasel (yes, that's how it's spelled) for more information.

Speaking of the New York Times....Here's a blog on the college admissions process.

What's Happening: 10.18.10

Don't forget that web assignments are due Tuesday by 3:30 pm.

Worknight is Friday. All layout editors, EICs, copy editors and department editors must attend. Others will be notified throughout the week. Watch the wheasel (yes, that's how it's spelled) for more information.

Tomorrow, Tuesday (10/19), you will have a substitute. As a group, you have 25 minutes to interview her. You will write a profile of the substitute that will be share with Wojo by Thursday by 7 am. Use Google Docs for your document. Minimum 300 words. Must include direct quotes from your subject and/or others on campus who know her. Be sure you take good notes.

Worried about how to do a profile? The New York Times does great profiles (here's one tied to a specific event). Recently, they have been doing a series on what famous New Yorkers do on the weekends. You may choose the format of the portfolio, but you must include the elements listed above.

Speaking of the New York Times....Here's a blog on the college admissions process.

What's Happening: 10.14.10

Thanks to everyone who attended the press rights workshop yesterday. The group mowed through six extra-large pizzas in short order.


Upcoming Events:
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

10.13.10 PSAT Day!

Don't forget to sign up for the workshop this afternoon. Our topic is student press rights. We will begin at 4 pm. See yesterday's announcements for the sign up list.

The West County Times has a well-written editorial this morning endorsing candidate for WCCUSD School Board.  It doesn't matter if you agree with the editorial or not, what does matter is that the writer clearly explained the reasons why voters should support the editorial board's recommendations. It also explains why the other candidates are not the best choices (in their opinion). The conclusion is short and to the point.

In honor of PSAT Day and the fact that students everywhere have always looked for creative ways to get out of turning in their homework, here's a new one:

The Kitteh Ate My Homework

What's Happening: 10.12.10

TODAY: Mock Interviews at lunch. DO NOT disturb the room at lunch as interviews will be taking place the entire period.

Reminder: Web assignments are due TODAY by 3:30. Be sure to read the instructions and procedures sheets to get full credit.

Don't forget that you must complete professional development each quarter. Most of you have not fulfilled your requirement yet. This Wednesday, Steve O'Donoghue will be here to discuss student press rights. We will begin at 4 pm in H105. Usually, the talks are about an hour. Pizza will arrive about 5 pm. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend (we need to know how much pizza to order).


Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper. The 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT that morning.You will need to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. What do you want for breakfast? Someone needs to tell me....

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 10.11.10

Don't forget that you must complete professional development each quarter. Most of you have not fulfilled your requirement yet. This Wednesday, Steve O'Donoghue will be here to discuss student press rights. We will begin at 4 pm in H105. Usually, the talks are about an hour. Pizza will arrive about 5 pm. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend (we need to know how much pizza to order).


Last Friday, many of you were sent an email reminding you of the mock interview program tomorrow. If you received an email and cannot attend, please let Wojo know immediately. If you are not part of the interviews tomorrow, you will participate on October 26th.

Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper. The 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT that morning.You will need to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m.

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 10.8.10 It's HOMECOMING!!!

Editors: Please check to make sure that Homecoming coverage is set. You might need to split up the tasks in order to get the best coverage.

Photographers: Please check the whiteboard for your photo assignments. If you are taking photos for the game, you will need to check in with Strickland or Krystek before entering the gate.

Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper. The 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT that morning.You will need to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m.

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 10.7.10

No current events quiz tomorrow. You'll be too busy planning homecoming coverage.

This is the text of a message posted by Steve O'Donoghue on the JEA listserv. Why is it here? Because it is important.

From Jerry Ceppos, Dean of the Reynolds School of Journalism at the
University of Nevada Reno:

Our friend Frank LoMonte, of the Student Press Law Center, had a pithy quote
in a USA Today story this morning about bullying. Here it is:

But there is already a highly successful program that trains young people to
differentiate between fact and rumor, verify information before they repeat
it, take responsibility for the consequences of their words, respect
opposing points of view, and weigh the legal and ethical considerations
before damaging a person's reputation. That program is called "journalism."

When everyone with Internet access is a publisher, school authorities should
be stampeding to ensure that all students are taught the journalistic
fundamentals to publish responsibly. Far too many are doing the opposite.

Journalism teachers are being driven from the classroom - fired, demoted or
transferred in retaliation for their students' uncomfortably candid
journalistic work. Administrators who value the PR illusion of a
controversy-free school over the quality of education are creating a hostile
climate that makes participation in journalism intolerable for all but the
meekest and most compliant students - just when the values conveyed by
journalism education are desperately needed.

State officials in Kansas are defunding scholastic journalism programs on
the grounds that newsgathering is not a marketable career. They are right.
Ethics, responsibility, accuracy and fairness are not résumé credentials;
they are essential life skills for membership in a civilized society, which
journalism teaches effectively.

Assignment: After reading the text above, leave a comment here. What are your thoughts on the value of a journalism class? This is due by 5 pm today.

Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper. The 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT that morning.

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 10.6.10

Almost everyone turned in their web assignments on time! Yay! For the coming week, please check the Web Assignment Procedures document that is listed in the sidebar for Web Assignments. These procedures will help us get through the process faster, so stories can be posted in a timely manner. Check this document each week as it will be updated as we refine the process.

Please check the whiteboard to see if there are any messages for you. Wojo is putting important items there too.

Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper. The 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT that morning.

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 10.5.10

Don't forget your first web assignment is due TODAY! Many of you have ALREADY turned in your assignment! Yay!  Please include a photo with your web assignment. Since I have not heard there are any significant problems, all of the assignments should come in on time. Remember, if you have problems, you need to let us know at least 72 hours in advance.

Please check the whiteboard to see if there are any messages for you. Wojo is putting important items there too.

Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper. The 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT that morning.

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 10.4.10

Don't forget your first web assignment is due TOMORROW! Please include a photo with your web assignment. Since I have not heard there are any significant problems, all of the assignments should come in on time. Remember, if you have problems, you need to let us know at least 72 hours in advance.

Please check the whiteboard to see if there are any messages for you. Wojo is putting important items there too.

Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper. The 9th, 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT that morning.

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 10.1.10

Current Events quiz today. It will be toward the end of the period.

Don't forget your first web assignment is due next Tuesday!

Please check the whiteboard to see if there are any messages for you. Wojo is putting important items there too.

Seniors, I expect to see you in class October 13 to work on the paper.

Upcoming Events:
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 9.30.10

Please check the whiteboard to see if there are any messages for you. Wojo is putting important items there too.

Today, we're going over blogging and you will get a chance to practice blogging. And commenting.

Current events quiz tomorrow. Yes, indeedy, it's back.

Upcoming Events:
October 1: Journalism Bootcamp FULL
October 13: West County Scholastic Press Association (I just made that up, but it sounds cool) after school workshop on Student Press Rights. 4-5 pm in H105. This counts as professional development. The speaker will be Steve O'Donoghue.
October 22: Work night 4-9 pm
October 25: Professional Development requirement due. If you have not attended one of the after school workshops, you can do a NewsU course.
October 29: Quarter 1 ends

What's Happening: 9.29.10

Patch.com will be here second period today. If you signed up last week you are already on the excuse list.  


If you would like to sign up for the mock interview program, please see Wojo. We need to know how many students will be participating to make sure we have enough interviewers present.


Last week, several staffers asked about blogs. We will be addressing blogs on Thursday.


Melissa O. has volunteered to be the Score Keeper for staff.

What's Happening: 9.28.10

Today is the interview workshop. This week you will be able to sign up for the mock interview program in October. This program is a good chance for you to get practice in preparation for job interviews and college or scholarship apps.

Last week, several staffers asked about blogs. We will be addressing blogs on Thursday.


Melissa has volunteered to be the Score Keeper for staff.

What's Happening: 9.27.10

Please read your email from Chris and Chloe. There are several points to keep in mind for the upcoming issue of the paper. 

Today, second period has the Career and Technical programs presentations from CCC. 


Assignment: Get a post-it note. Put your name and the answer to the question on the note and put it on the door behind Wojo's desk. No fair check out others' answers before figuring it out yourself. What do Twilight (the whole series), I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Chocolate War, To Kill a Mockingbird and the Harry Potter books have in common? Yes, you probably could Google it to find the commonality.


Last week, several staffers asked about blogs. We will be addressing blogs on Thursday.


Score Keeper:

The staff needs a score keeper. That individual(s) will be responsible for getting the scores for each meet, match or game for each sport at Hercules High School. The scores should be reported the day of the event, but certainly no later than 48 hours after the meet. If you take the task of score keeper your regular beat will be reassigned.
Scores will be posted to the Arkenews.net website as soon as possible after the event. This is an assignment and counts as a beat.

What's Happening: 9.24.10

Several staffers asked about blogs yesterday. We will be addressing blogs and blogging next week. A period on Monday, 2nd period on Thursday.

Score Keeper:

The staff needs a score keeper. That individual(s) will be responsible for getting the scores for each meet, match or game for each sport at Hercules High School. The scores should be reported the day of the event, but certainly no later than 48 hours after the meet. If you take the task of score keeper your regular beat will be reassigned.
Scores will be posted to the Arkenews.net website as soon as possible after the event. This is an assignment and counts as a beat.

If you are interested in attending the presentation from Patch.com on Wednesday, September 29 during second period, you will need to let Wojo know by this Friday, September 24 so you can get on the excuse list. If you are in second period, you do not need to contact Wojo since you will be attending the presentation.

Next Week:
Monday: Career and Technical Education presentation from CCC, second period (if you want to attend, please let Wojo know)
Tuesday: Preparing for Job, Scholarship and/or College Application Interviews
Wednesday: Patch Presentation during second period.

What's Happening: 9.23.10

Score Keeper:
The staff needs a score keeper. That individual(s) will be responsible for getting the scores for each meet, match or game for each sport at Hercules High School. The scores should be reported the day of the event, but certainly no later than 48 hours after the meet. If you take the task of score keeper your regular beat will be reassigned.

Scores will be posted to the Arkenews.net website as soon as possible after the event. This is an assignment and counts as a beat.
 
For those of you who didn't read announcements yesterday, this was your assignment. You still need to do it, but it's late. Assignment: Complete the self-evaluation form for the September issue of the Titan Template. This must be completed by 9 pm this evening (9/22).

If you are interested in attending the presentation from Patch.com on Wednesday, September 29 during second period, you will need to let Wojo know by this Friday, September 24 so you can get on the excuse list. If you are in second period, you do not need to contact Wojo since you will be attending the presentation.

Next Week:
Monday: Career and Technical Education presentation from CCC, second period (if you want to attend, please let Wojo know)
Tuesday: Preparing for Job, Scholarship and/or College Application Interviews
Wednesday: Patch Presentation during second period.

What's Happening: 9.22.10

TODAY pitch your stories for the October issue. If you are not here because of a field trip, it is your responsibility to pitch a story to the editors by TONIGHT so that you have something in the queue for October.

Assignment: Complete the self-evaluation form for the September issue of the Titan Template. This must be completed by 9 pm this evening (9/22).

If you are interested in attending the presentation from Patch.com on Wednesday, September 29 during second period, you will need to let Wojo know by this Friday, September 24 so you can get on the excuse list. If you are in second period, you do not need to contact Wojo since you will be attending the presentation.

Next Week:
Monday: Career and Technical Education presenation from CCC, second period (if you want to attend, please let Wojo know)
Tuesday: Preparing for Job, Scholarship and/or College Application Interviews
Wednesday: Patch Presentation during second period.

What's Happening: 9.21.10

Today: Resume writing workshop during class. If you have a resume bring it to class since you will be updating it with new information. If you do NOT have a resume you will be developing one. A hard copy of your resume will be due on Friday, September 24 at the beginning of class. 

Tomorrow: You will pitch your stories. Please make sure you have a hard copy of at least one completely fleshed out story idea for News, Feature (remember feature is a longer form story not necessarily time sensitive, but still important), Arts and Sports. 

You will also have a homework assignment tomorrow. It will need to be completed before you come to class on Thursday.


I really like the National Geographic Photo of the Month e-newsletter. Check out September's issue. It's free.


Here's a little something for your inner computer geek...Google has announced that editing for Google Docs is coming to the iPad! Scroll down in the story for information about editing on the iPad as well as Android devices.

What's Happening: 9.20.10

Story pitches for the October issue will be Thursday. I know many of you have already begun pitching ideas and some of you have assignments.  Make sure you have at least one story idea for news, features, sports and arts. Opinion pieces will be pitched separately. You will turn in a hard copy of this assignment at the end of the period on Wednesday. Keep in mind that many of your classmates will pitch "Homecoming" as a topic. Only the most interesting idea will be picked.

Tuesday: Resume writing workshop during class. If you have a resume bring it to class since you will be updating it with new information. If you do NOT have a resume you will be developing one. A hard copy of your resume will be due on Friday, September 24 at the beginning of class. Independent Study students will need to let Wojo know which class you will be attending. You may come in A, 1 or 2. The workshop will begin promptly after the bell, so please do not be late to class.

Do you have a stylebook? If not, see Wojo so that you can go get one in the library.


With a little help from his friends, Davidson has reached his goal so we will place another order for Got Yearbook? hoodies. Please give your minimum $5 deposit to Wojo today. Hoodies are $15, T-shirts are $7. If you didn't place an order and want to, see Wojo to get your name added to the list.

What's Happening: 9.17.10

Worknight is TONIGHT! Don't miss it. Fun for all. We will begin at 3:30.

Tuesday: Resume writing workshop during class. If you have a resume bring it to class since you will be updating it with new information. If you do NOT have a resume you will be developing one. A hard copy of your resume will be due on Friday, September 24 at the beginning of class. Independent Study students will need to let Wojo know which class you will be attending. You may come in A, 1 or 2. The workshop will begin promptly after the bell, so please do not be late to class.

One of the features of new media is interaction with readers. Here's a good example from SFGate.com. The blogger posts a reader question, gives a bit of an answer, then asks for additional input. See what people have to say.

Another feature of new media is hyper-linking or hot-linking, where an online article contains links to other sites (or other articles within a site). Notice the blurb above has two hot-links. The first is to the main SFGate site and the second is to the specific blog.

If you have questions about the Friedman article (instructions for the assignment are in yesterday's announcements), please be sure to ask now rather than later. Don't forget that it's due no later than noon on Saturday.

TODAY Since most of the stories for the September issue are completed, start thinking about the stories you would like to do in October. Be prepared on Wednesday to pitch your ideas. Remember to prepare at least one idea for news, sports, feature, arts and opinion. Reviews fit under arts (generally speaking).


Do you have a stylebook? If not, see Wojo so that you can go get one in the library.


Davidson asks: Who wants a yearbook shirt? Many newspaper students have commented on the utter coolness of the Got Yearbook? t-shirt yearbook staffers will be sporting each Friday. Davidson is collecting names for people who want hoodies or t's. Hoodies are $15 (yes, yearbook staffers paid for theirs), T-shirts are $7. We need an order of 12 or more for Davidson to get his dream hoodie. Please help him out.

What's Happening 9.16.10

If you have questions about the Friedman article (instructions for the assignment are in yesterday's announcements), please be sure to ask now rather than later. Don't forget that it's due no later than noon on Saturday.

TODAY: if you're working on a page for the September issue of the paper and need some extra time to work, come to the room from 3:30-5. If you can't make it, please let Wojo know or contact Fiona.

Do you have a stylebook? If not, see Wojo so that you can go get one in the library.


Davidson asks: Who wants a yearbook shirt? Many newspaper students have commented on the utter coolness of the Got Yearbook? t-shirt yearbook staffers will be sporting each Friday. Davidson is collecting names for people who want hoodies or t's. Hoodies are $15 (yes, yearbook staffers paid for theirs), T-shirts are $7. We need an order of 12 or more for Davidson to get his dream hoodie. Please help him out.


Obviously, the newspaper needs a clever phrase as well. Get ONE post-it note (in the basket on the other side of Wojo's desk). Write your name on the post-it note along with the clever phrase you think should be on the newspaper staff t-shirt. Put the post-it on the door behind Wojo's desk.This is due before your class period is over. This is an assignment. 


Postponed to FRIDAY Since most of the stories for the September issue are completed, start thinking about the stories you would like to do in October. Be prepared on Wednesday to pitch your ideas. Remember to prepare at least one idea for news, sports, feature, arts and opinion. Reviews fit under arts (generally speaking).