Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Y'ike's, Convention Deadlines Extended

It was strange to be in a part of the state that Ike didn’t smack last week and still feel like a part of the disaster as advisers sent e-mails and frantic calls about IHSPA deadlines.

In an effort to make IHSPA a user-friendly service, we’ve extended deadlines. However, I’m hoping to send all Harvey entries to judges by Thursday, so anyone who has sent entries that might be stuck in snail mail should feel welcome to contact me to verify arrival.

Despite the weather and field trip challenges, the number of convention registrations is higher than the last couple of years at this point. We’re looking forward to good weather and a great couple of days with all of you as the convention features its usual variety of sessions, keynoter Gary Varvel and some new in-depth opportunities.

Advisers who want to take the CJE/MJE test at the convention should contact me so that we can plan for the correct number. We also need registrations of the Thursday night on-site contests as soon as possible.

The Poynter Web site has an article about our partnership with the Indiana Department of Education that has created a Career Pathway for English/Language Arts that emphasizes journalism as a driving force. Dr. Mary Andis will describe the particulars of this program at the convention’s adviser meeting.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

First Amendment Seminar Successful


High school administrators, publications editors and advisers representing six Indiana high schools met last Friday at the Ball State Center in Indianapolis to participate in the Scholastic Partnership for the First Amendment seminar co-sponsored by J-Ideas and the Indiana High School Press Association.

Finding a time when such busy people could meet was a challenge, but those who attended provided focus, energy, and good humor that helped them work together through a day of information, discussion and planning sessions for their schools.

The goal was to form partnerships between high school student media and administration. Uninterrupted time to share ideas about school missions and the benefits of student voice gave participants the opportunity to compare concerns about high school issues and develop strategies to communicate effectively before controversies arise.

Those of us who been to school board meetings and courtrooms where similar issues were discussed after controversial coverage evolved agreed that this was better.

Election Coverage

Clark and I had the opportunity to attend one of the smaller Barack Obama visits to Indiana when he spoke in Terre Haute last Saturday, Sept. 6. (One example is at right, but there are crowd shots too.) Anyone who wants to use any photos is welcome to do so with a Clark Hadley, IHSPA photo credit. Just contact me by e-mail.

It is likely that both parties will continue to court Indiana with visits over the next few weeks. Anyone who wants to provide other candidate or event photos to share with other student publications is welcome to do so. Be sure to give the photographer’s name, school, place of the event and date so that photo credits will be complete.

Keep sending examples of coverage as well. I would like to continue to showcase the great work our students are doing with this historic election and Indiana’s role in it.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Convention Brochure, Website Ready

I hope all IHPSA member schools have received a brochure that includes information about the IHSPA fall convention and other important events for 2008-09. Even though the brochure and convention forms are posted on the IHSPA Web site, I hope anyone who has not received the brochure, will contact me so that I can update addresses that need to be changed. (We are currently updating the IHSPA directory, so if any of your membership information is different this year, the sooner I receive it the more accurate the first posted document will be. We plan to update periodically throughout the year.)

The IHSPA board and I are excited about the changes for this year’s convention, and we think you will like them too since they came from your feedback. The final event should reflect the things most people liked about conventions past and ideas to make future ones reflect interests of all members.

Meetings regarding journalism standards have continued through the summer and are scheduled for the next couple of weeks. I will share updates on the Web site as soon as I have them.

All convention forms and other materials are available either at the link above or by clicking on the IHSPA Web Site here.