The struggle is real: with tests, homework and high school drama, staffers can be stressed out. With deadlines looming, we know the yearbook room can’t be a stress-free zone. But it can be a happy one. Here are five ways to keep your staff feeling loved and supported.
1. Have an open door...literally.
School can be frustrating, crazy and lonely. Students need a place to feel safe and comfortable. Sometimes it’s just a quiet place to do some last-minute homework. Other times, it’s a place to eat lunch (it’s amazing how often students end up in a lunch period different from their friends). So, open the doors and welcome staffers. Let students hang out during lunch. Offer tutorials before school for those needing help or just a place to go. The yearbook staff is like a second family and the room should be a warm, welcoming home.
2. Establish traditions.
There’s nothing better for improving retention than establishing traditions staffers love and look forward to. It could be as simple as sharing stories over worknight dinner, playing music at the beginning of class or organizing Food Fridays. The staff could also venture out, going bowling or volunteering together. Annual events also build camaraderie. A lock-in to start the year is an innovative way to get going on theme, have goofy fun and bond as a staff. Build a brother-sister rivalry with the newspaper or broadcast staff by playing an annual basketball or flag football game.
3. Celebrate holidays.
The holidays are a Host a mini-Thanksgiving by having every staff member bring a T-day food (Rotisserie chicken makes a good substitute for turkey). While you’re stuffing yourselves with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, share what you’re thankful for. At Christmas, have a Secret Santa exchange with students allowed to spend only $1-5 or no money at all. In February, exchange Valentine’s Day cards with hand-written messages. At Easter, have a scavenger hunt for Easter eggs in the classroom. One or two eggs could have a special note to exchange for a $5 gift card to iTunes or Starbucks.
4. Take a break.
Most of these ideas will happen outside of class, but it’s also important to have fun in the middle of deadline. It may seem counterintuitive to stop working, but it’s the break that will push staffers to meet deadline. Take a moment when things are stressful to walk away from the computers. Play a popular song and dance it out, Grey’s Anatomy-style. Grab the rolly chairs and head out for the hallway for a wheely-chair race. Have everyone name their celebrity crush and why. Whip out coloring books and some crayons for a peaceful, non-yearbook creative moment. In five minutes or less, you can take a stressed-out staff to a laughing, happy one. That attitude adjustment can give staffers a second wind to keep going on that tough deadline.
5. Celebrate success.
It’s tiring when a deadline is over, but it’s important to look back and appreciate it before moving on. Encourage editors to create awards for each deadline. It could be as simple as the Rookie Staffer award and the Design Diva. Make fancy certificates or hand-color them on paper plates. When the book is finished, celebrate with pizza, cupcakes and funny stories. After the book arrives, take a staff picture with everyone holding their creation. Consider hosting a banquet at the end of the year to celebrate the successes and announce new editors.
It’s amazing what a little fun can do to lift spirits, establish strong friendships and make students feel like they belong. Deadlines are an essential part of yearbook and stress is guaranteed. But that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a sense of family and fun along the way, and a class staffers look forward to going to. Because there’s no place like home.
