Applications open for 45words, student free speech advocate group
About a year ago, the JEA Scholastic Press Rights Commission created Student Partners, a group of students to lead efforts in supporting free speech and raising awareness about First Amendment issues. We had a great year working with eight passionate and dedicated students, and now it’s time to select the next round of partners to fill positions for our graduating seniors. In the interest of a smooth transition period, we’ll be selecting new Student Partners in February while the current partners fulfill their term through the end of the school year.
WHAT THEY DO:
This small group of high school students will have an opportunity to serve in a variety of capacities, including meeting both online and at JEA/NSPA national conventions, answering press rights questions at a booth in the convention exhibit hall, planning new student programs to increase First Amendment awareness, building a network of students via Facebook and Twitter, planning and/or hosting press rights events at local and state conventions … and more. Student Partners will be asked to serve two-year terms and attend at least one national convention each year.
In this first year, they presented a “Think F1rst” session and 45words booth at the national conventions, created an online presence (Facebook, Twitter, blog), published an editors’ emergency kit and communicated with students in person and online to answer questions and offer support.
WHO THEY ARE:
Students in grades 9-11 who are part of a high school media staff and whose advisers are current JEA members are eligible to apply.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Candidates complete an online application here: http://tinyurl.com/4d9fvl3. Members of the JEA SPRC will select Student Partners based on applications submitted by the Jan. 24 deadline. The application asks candidates to provide information about their experience in scholastic journalism and why they want to be involved. The application window is open from now until Jan. 24, 2011.
YOUR ROLE:
We hope all journalism teachers/advisers will encourage students who are interested to submit applications. You’ll receive a link to a Google Form for a simple student recommendation as a way to offer feedback. Don’t worry — that’s it. This is not an activity you would be required to oversee (although we hope your interest in your student’s participation may provide an added level of accountability). Commission members serve as adviser liaisons for Student Partners and offer guidance with each aspect of the group’s activities.
Share the application link with your students and encourage them to apply. Still have questions? Send us a message off-list at matthew.schott@fhsdschools.org or snichols@rocklin.k12.ca.us.
Here is the form:
Making a Difference
Is there a story your student media outlet has published that has made a difference in your community? If so, we would like to consider your story for publication.
The Journalism Eduction Association’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission is looking for such stories to share. Is there a story student journalists at your school have written that has made an impact in your school or community? We would like to hear your story and share it to encourage other student journalists.
We want to show scholastic journalists can — and consistently do — develop stories which demonstrate professionalism, make a difference in the lives of peers, school and community and exemplify research, responsibility and courage.The Commission hopes this work can be an inspiration to students, advisers, parents, administrators, lawmakers and professional journalists.
We’re looking for student journalism in any of its forms — electronic media, newspapers, yearbooks, multimedia — from this year or previous years. The submission should reflect student-selected content of high journalistic quality that had an impact on the school or community.
Include with submission:
* Statement about how this story made a difference
* Electronic version of the story – can be PDF, JPG, PNG, MP3, M4V
* Submit package for consideration to jane.blystone@gmail.com by March 1.
* Include contact information for person submitting package.
I can be reached at the e-mail address above if you have questions or ideas, or if your would like to Skype contact me , my Skype name is jblystone.
Read MoreNew 45words blog post
Check out “Why we fight,” a new post from 45words, the press rights commissi0n student partner group.
Look for more information here soon about exciting new projects and information from the press rights commission.
Read More