Plan a strong finish for summer and fall books

Not everyone is finished with the yearbook. Summer and fall delivery books are still in the midst of deadline. And with the final bell coming soon, it’s important to strategize to get everything done.

Make a list. Compile a list of unfinished spreads and missing elements. Make sure more than one staffer is assigned to each spread in case someone falls through.

Assign photographers for big events. Check the calendar for major events like prom and graduation. Double and triple up photographers to ensure coverage and a variety of picture options. Brainstorm other photo opportunities like summer jobs, camps and competitions, sports training and back-to-school events.

Hardin Valley Academy includes graduation in their summer delivery book. But the Flight staff gathers much of the content before the day, photographing the senior celebration event and gathering quotes for copy and sidebars. The additional planning minimizes the time needed in summer to complete the spread.

Set expectations for returning staffers and seniors. But have a backup plan. One of the scariest aspects of doing a summer or fall book is being abandoned in June, July and August. Set firm expectations with staffers for completing stories, taking photos and submitting spreads. To limit summer work, strive to finish as much as possible before school gets out.

Schedule work days. StudioWorks and encore customers have the luxury of working from home in the summer. But having a few set days to work in the journalism room can minimize procrastination and create urgency with deadlines. Plus, gathering in the summer can build staff rapport and increase ownership. Ideally, staffers will embrace the responsibility of completing spreads and relish the excitement of finishing the book.

Set up a reminder system. Out of sight, out of mind. It’s easy to forget about scheduled work days when students aren’t around every day. Provide a list of work days and times before school gets out. Then use a reminder system to keep the dates on the forefront. Whether you use a texting app like Remind101, make phone calls or send letters home, set up a system that reminds students of their yearbook obligations.

Strategically involve seniors. Even if you’re not planning to have seniors help with the book in the summer, involve them in organizing the summer plan. It’s one final opportunity to show their leadership skills and make an impact on the 2019 yearbook.