Curtis Middle School YEARBOOK

Full Year Course for 2017-2018
APPLICATIONS DUE BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1ST, 2017.

Purpose of the Yearbook

The purpose of the yearbook is to inform, entertain, and provide a record of the school year in a journalistic manner. Content coverage includes student life, academics, people, sports and clubs.

The Role of the Student Yearbook Staff

The student staff members work individually and in small teams to compile the content and create each page of the yearbook. Student staff will brainstorm and work together as a group to define the yearbook’s theme and graphic style. Student staff independently works taking photographs as needed for use in the yearbook. Student staff independently identifies and reports about unique features of Curtis life via photography and written stories. Final content and editorial approval is made by the faculty adviser. Student staff will also actively promote yearbook sales.

The Value of Being a Yearbook Student Staff Member:

promotes self-responsibility

teaches cooperation with real-life consequences

rewards independent thinking

develops greater integrity

acquires better time management skills

guides students into creating long-range goals

urges confrontation with the unknown

strives for work that is perfect

Qualified applicants are current 6th and 7th grade students who:

have a flexible personal schedule

are organized and detail-oriented

are self-starters and take initiative

learn things quickly and are good students

are friendly and outgoing

would like to help create the CMS yearbook

Staff Application Instructions – Follow these carefully!

  1. Read all pages carefully and share with your parent at home.
  2. Complete Page 1 yourself.
  3. Sign Page 2 (Agreement/Signature form)and have a parent sign, too.
  4. Keep this page for your records.
  5. Staple pages 1, 2 and 3 together with page 3 (recommendation) on the top.
  6. Fill out the top two lines on page 3, then give the packet to your English teacherand ask him or her to complete the recommendation form. Give to your teacher by February 22, 2017.The teacher must then return both pages to Ms. Phillipsat Curtis Middle School via Allen ISD district inter-campus mail byWednesday, March 1, 2017.

Ms. Phillips, Yearbook Adviser, Curtis Middle School

Room K-101 (Yearbook Room) 972-727-0340, x 9066 e-mail:

STUDENT: KEEP THIS PAGE FOR YOUR OWN RECORD

A limited number of students will be considered for the Yearbook program.

You will be notified if you qualify for an interview.

Interviews will be held in late March or early April.

SAMPLE Student/Parent Agreement: signatures will be required upon joining the yearbook staff.

PARENT/GUARDIAN:

I understand that my student will need to devote time outside of class to the completion of assigned tasks throughout the year.

I understand that my student will be working with specialized equipment and supplies and will be held responsible for any damage and/or waste due to negligence.

I understand that my student will be responsible for assisting with developing and managing sales promotions for the publication including book and advertising sales, and that it will be part of the evaluation criteria.

I understand that there are various deadlines during the months of September to May. My student is to inform me of these dates, and I agree that my student will complete all assigned work for each deadline.

I understand that my student will be expected to attend after-school events (i.e., basketball games, school plays, concerts, etc.) in connection to the assignments he or she will cover. I understand that his/her transportation is my responsibility.

STUDENT

I understand that as a member of the staff I will be responsible for working before and/or after school, weekends, and during school vacations if necessary to meet my deadline obligations. I commit myself to making those times available.

I understand that it is my responsibility to cover any events when assigned to do so. In the event that I am unable to cover an event, I will arrange to “trade favors” with another qualified staff member to cover my event with the approval of the adviser and co-editors.

I understand that if I do not turn in assignments when due or meet my page deadlines, I will receive a “ZAP” detention and expect my weekly grade to be reduced by 30 points.

I understand that repeated missed deadlines may result in removal from yearbook staff.

I realize that working on yearbook requires a professional attitude. I will strive for fairness, accuracy, and good judgment in covering the school year.

I understand that while on assignment, I must behave responsibly and professionally and be respectful of others at all times, reflecting the best of the yearbook staff, the school, and myself.

I understand the importance of yearbook cameras, the yearbook computer lab and school supplied materials and pledge to treat them with respect. Should I neglect and/or abuse the materials or equipment, I will repair or replace them.

I agree to be on time for class each day.

I understand that my grade depends on my weekly contributions of photography, interviews and writing.

I agree to work as a team member of the yearbookstaff to produce a quality yearbook that incorporates as many students and faculty in the book as possible.

I understand that all final content and editorial decisions will be made by the faculty yearbook sponsor.

STUDENT: KEEP THIS PAGE FOR YOUR OWN RECORD

Page 1

Curtis YEARBOOK Application

Name: ______Current school:______

Address:
______

Phone: ______

Parents’ Names:______

Parent Email: ______
Your Email:

Elective you wish to replace with Yearbook: ______

Why do you want to be in Yearbook?
______

What personal qualities do you have that would make you an asset to the Yearbook program?
______

______

Please rate the following: 1 = Seldom or never 2 = Occasionally 3 = Most of the time

I can be counted on to do what is asked of me.123

I follow the rules even if I disagree with them.123

I have a positive attitude.123

I can be trusted to do what is right even when unsupervised.1 23

I can be trusted to keep yearbook information confidential.123

I am a self-starter.123

I am friendly and outgoing.123

Please include any other information you feel is relevant on the back of this page.

Page 2

Agreement/Signature

Student applicant: ______ID#: ______Grade: ______

Student applicant agreement:

I have reviewed the sample student agreement that I will be required to sign should I join the CMS Yearbook student staff. I understand the expectations and requirements of the yearbook course.

______

Student’s Signature

Parent consent for the student application:

I have reviewed the sample student and parent agreement a parent or guardian will be required to sign should my child be invited to join the CMS Yearbook student staff. I understand the expectations and requirements of the yearbook course.

______

Parent’s Signature

Staff Application Instructions

  1. Read all pages carefully and share with your parent at home.
  2. Complete Page 1 yourself.
  3. Sign Page 2 (Agreement/Signature form) and have a parent sign, too.
  4. Keep the information sheets for your records.
  5. Staple pages 1, 2 and 3 together with page 3 (recommendation) on the top.
  6. Fill out the top two lines on page 3, then give the packet to your English teacher and ask him or her to complete the recommendation form. Give to your teacher by
    Wednesday, February 22, 2017. The teacher must then return both pages to Ms. Phillips at Curtis Middle School via Allen ISD district inter-campus mail by Wed., March 1, 2017.

Page 3

Student’s recommendation to be completed by applicant’s English Teacher

Curtis Middle School YEARBOOK Student Staff Application

English Teachers: Please return this application (pages 1, 2 and 3) to Lisa Phillips at Curtis Middle School via Allen ISD District interoffice mail before Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Thank you for your time and thoughtful response.

Dear English Teacher:

Yearbook is an elective class for middle school students who have a flexible personal schedule, learn things quickly, are organized, hardworking and good students, who are self-starters and take initiative, are friendly and outgoing, and who would like to put their time and effort into making the CMS yearbook. With this in mind, would you please evaluate this student?

Student Applicant: ______ID#: ______

English Teacher: ______School:

Phone number and extension teacher can be reached at:______

Please circle the number according to the following scale:

I have observed this characteristic:

1 = Seldom or never 2 = Occasionally 3 = Almost all of the time

Can be counted on to do what he/she has promised123

Is cooperative with teachers and peers, avoids arguing 123

Is flexible, adapts well to change123

Is well organized123

Is a self-starter, takes initiative123

Listens to and follows multiple-step instructions123

Has a positive attitude123

Is friendly and outgoing123

Meets deadlines for assignments123

Takes criticism without becoming defensive123

Is patient with tedious work123

Is not easily discouraged when things go wrong123

Writes at above average grade level123

Can be trusted to do what is right even when unsupervised123

Can be trusted to keep information confidential123

Would you recommend this student for yearbook?YesNo

Please put additional comments below and/or on the back.

APPLICATIONS DUE BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1ST, 2017.