August, 2010

Dear 7^th and 8^th Grade Journalism Students,

Congratulations on being selected to be a part of the 2010-2011 journalism elective! Get ready to learn the fine art of publishing and documenting the events of Jag life in a way that will make all students, faculty and staff  feel important.

You may be called a yearbook nerd—it’s okay. You may hear me call you a “honey bun” as you leave for your next class. It means I think you work hard. I may ask you to “hit the halls.” I don’t mean for you to bang on lockers as you leave to take photos—but I want you to go digging for the story of the year. If I ask you about your “beat”, I want to know if you remembered your press pass that will get you on the sidelines for the game you are shooting—or the fine arts performance you are covering. If I forget your name, correct me.

We will be using Creative Suite 3-InDesign and Photoshop-and YearTech plug-ins to create our 8 inch trim yearbook and our tabloid 12- 16 page newspaper. This elective is as much a business class as it is a writing and photography class. You will learn to interview, write in journalistic style and master digital photography. At the end of the year you will be able to create advertisements, design magazine layouts and edit photos like the professionals. Your photos may win awards; your copy will give us more than details and you will create like a graphic designer.

You can view the yearbook and newspaper staff manuals—online. I encourage you to view the CeVMS journalism website at www.schoolsinsession.com. You may access my site using this URL OR via the school site by going to the CeVMS home page (www.roundrockisd.org/cedarvalley) and clicking on the faculty tab and then my name.

We use Junior High Journalism by Homer L. Hall, The Radical Write by Bobby Hawthorne and The Ultimate Yearbook Book published by Jostens. Projects and exercises using InDesign and Photoshop will take you into a new arena—reporting and keeping history alive.

This is my sixth year as the journalism teacher at CeVMS and my 14^th year teaching. I have a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in English and am certified to teach all core subject areas in grades 4 - 8. I have been a yearbook and newspaper advisor for ten years. In addition, I have been a school administrator and an  instructional technology specialist.

I am looking forward to another GREAT year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nikki Dowd

nikki_dowd@roundrockisd.org
class website - www.schoolsinsession.com
Classroom - 2145
Direct line - 428.2385