Tuesday’s Tip: The Best Stories Aren’t on the Calendar!
Every school has football games, dances, pep rallies and homecoming celebrations. And every yearbook covers them.
But what about the stories that aren’t on the school calendar?
Some of the most memorable yearbook coverage comes from the little moments, unexpected traditions and everyday experiences that make your school unique. These are the stories that might never appear on a coverage ladder unless someone takes the time to look for them.
This week, challenge your staff to look beyond the calendar and discover the stories hiding in plain sight.
Try This With Your Staff: The 5-Student Story Challenge
Give each staff member a simple assignment: Interview five students who aren’t on the yearbook staff.
Ask just one question:
“What’s something that happened this week that everyone should know about?”
Have staff members write each response on a sticky note and place it on a classroom wall or whiteboard.
Once everyone has contributed, work together to identify:
- Which stories surprised us?
- Are there recurring experiences or unexpected connections?
- Which stories aren’t already on our coverage ladder?
- Could any become a sidebar, photo package or full spread?
The goal: Discover at least one story worth pursuing that wasn’t part of your original coverage plan.
From Story Idea to Yearbook Coverage:
Imagine several students mention a custodian who greets them by name every morning.
At first, it might seem like a small detail. But with a little digging, that everyday interaction could become a meaningful feature titled “The Faces Behind Our School.”
The coverage could include:
- A candid photograph of the custodian greeting students
- Student quotes about the small interactions that brighten their day
- A short interview about the custodian’s favorite part of working at the school
- A sidebar introducing other behind-the-scenes staff members
What started as a simple observation becomes a story about connection, kindness and the people who shape your school’s culture.
One More Thing…
If you hear the same story from three different students, pay attention! That’s often a clue that you’ve uncovered something worth exploring.
Your challenge this week: Find one story that wasn’t on your coverage ladder yesterday.
Because sometimes the best stories aren’t on the calendar. They’re happening all around us.
