YEARBOOK ADVISER PLAYBOOK

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YEARBOOK PLAYBOOK

WHY USE THIS PLAYBOOK?

Creating a yearbook is an adventure! And just as any adventure benefits from a wellinformed guide, this playbook will serve to support your year-long, project-based journey.

So, let’s get started by paring down the annual yearbook creation tasks into the easy-tofollow checklists and accompanying inspiration images found in this playbook. Each page contains a QR code and navigation path to an interactive version. The underlined links will take you directly to specific resources, tools or pages within the Digital Classroom.

Note that checklists are organized by time of year and task length rather than a specific subject focus. As you work your way through the playbook, you’ll find that each month integrates tasks from four key areas of advising to ensure that everything gets covered.

MY YEARBOOK PROFILE

Use this page to fill in your program’s essential information. Knowledge is power! Work with your rep in spring or summer to ensure all of your questions are answered before the start of school.

THE BASICS

THE BASICS

Student List Due Date:

Cover/Endsheet Deadline: Personalization List Due: Final Copy Count Due:

BOOK SALES CAMPAIGNS

SALES & MARKETING

Run a successful yearbook business with publicity tools and marketing strategies that reach the entire school community audience for a sold-out yearbook distribution.

MANAGEMENT & GRADING

Manage the big picture by setting up organizational systems, guiding staff members on individual tasks and establishing a fair and transparent system for assessing student work.

PRODUCTION & COVERAGE EDUCATION & TRAINING

Ensure inclusive coverage with a well-planned ladder that helps pace workloads, establishes a deadline system and accommodates the multistage yearbook production process.

Provide yearbook knowledge to students that covers a vast array of concepts in the first few weeks, and continued flexible instruction as needs arise.

COMPLIMENTARY RESOURCES INCLUDED IN THIS PLAYBOOK

Social Media

Planning & Implementation (pages 30–31)

Team Building Practices & Activities (pages 32–33)

Yearbook+ Interactivity & Inclusivity (pages 34–35)

PAGE DEADLINES

AD SALES CAMPAIGNS

2 3
Unsure of this information? Contact your Jostens representative. Remember, we are here for you!
Job #: Username: Password: Number of
Number of Copies: Ship Date: Distribution Date: Notes: DEADLINE # CAMPAIGN TYPE OF AD* PLANT DEADLINE DATE STAFF DEADLINE DATE DATES DATES # OF PAGES DUE BOOK PRICE PRICES Visit Sell > Yearbook Offer Set-Up to review yearbook sale dates and prices.
Sell > Ad Offer Set-Up to review yearbook sale dates and prices.
Status > Page Submissions to review plant deadlines and set staff deadlines.
Pages:
Visit
Visit
*Types of ads could include recognition, business, sponsorships and donations.

Aim to have this list done by the first day of school. And don’t panic if you’ve been assigned the adviser role at the last minute! Your rep can help you establish an attainable timeline to complete this list.

SUMMER

NEW ADVISERS: Read the Grow Your Know YRBK Guidebook and begin to prepare yourself for this role.

Connect with your Jostens representative.

• Discuss budget. Be sure your yearbooks and ads (if applicable) are set up for online sales on Jostens.com.

• Determine deadlines and other essential timeline information.

• Review workshops and trainings for you and/or your staff.

• Discuss additional programs like Yearbook+ and Jostens Social Meet your people. Do you have a staff and/or editorial team? Which administrator oversees the yearbook program?

If you sell your yearbook, set up and run registration sales . Follow the steps to place website banners with a link to Jostens.com on your school website.

Contact your school photographer. If you do not have your photographer’s contact information, ask your administrator.

• Confirm dates of the original picture day, retake day and when images will arrive.

• Confirm or schedule team and club photos.

• Make a note to look into this before each sports season.

TEACHER INSERVICE WEEK

Distribute information about school portraits and personal/ recognition ads.

Create a plan and order forms for selling business and recognition ads .

Create your yearbook social media accounts and encourage interaction by requesting photo submissions and/or sharing important school announcements.

Create a Staff Manual and develop a grading/accountability system.

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Find and become familiar with the contents of your Yearbook Kit.

• Display posters/banners and yard signs in high-traffic areas.

• If you can’t find your kit, contact your Jostens rep.

Set the tone for the year with team building . Make it clear that yearbook is fun!

Review and modify last year’s page ladder as needed.

NOTES

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon? HOW DID THINGS

4 FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction
un / Jul / Aug]
SUMMER CHECKLIST [J
ORDER NOW YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE LOWEST PRICE OF THE YEAR CELEBRATE YOUR STUDENT WITH A YEARBOOK AD ORDER THE YEARBOOK Summer Announcements North Ridge High School, AL Jostens Marketing Materials Yard Signs, Social Posts Photo Submissions West Forsyth High School, GA Summer Coverage Bryant Junior High School, AR
5 Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.
GO THIS MONTH?

After the first few weeks, students are ready to hit the ground running and start making a yearbook. This month, you should continue to add to your students’ training, create a coverage plan and save time for team building.

WRAPPING UP

Get Excel file of student data with parents’ email addresses for coverage tracking and marketing shortly after school starts.

Choose between Chronological or Traditional page organization.

Use Best Practices to finalize a working ladder for your yearbook.

Check the school calendar for news and events . Identify events to cover and vacation days that might interfere with deadlines.

If you haven't yet, brainstorm a theme for your yearbook that will appeal to your school audience.

ONGOING

Plan for the leadership roles you want on staff and how students might apply. Consider adding non-traditional roles like:

• A marketing manager, to help with sales and promotions.

• A social media manager, to set up and manage your online presence.

• A Yearbook+ coordinator, to drive photo uploads from students, manage admin site and select photos to transfer from Yearbook Avenue to Yearbook+

• An activities director, to plan and manage team-building activities.

Teach the basics of photo composition then test their skills using the photo scavenger hunt or “30 days in 20 photos” lessons.

Make a Culture Calendar to ensure that time is reserved for teambuilding exercises.

Begin developing your social media presence including best practices for building an audience for your program. Kick off the year with back-to-school social posts .

LOOKING FORWARD

Inventory camera equipment.

Develop a system for photo sign-ups that includes a Staff Camera Checkout Sheet and an Equipment Checkout Contract .

Create Yearbook Avenue logins for your staff.

Review Layout Pro tutorials for essential steps for getting started.

Sell yearbooks at back-to-school events that parents will attend.

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon? HOW DID

6 Chronological Coverage Smithson Valley High School, TX Table of Contents North Fortney High School, TX Photo Composition Visual Variety ‘Iolani High School, HI Storytelling Posts about Students Whitney High School, CA
MONTH 1 CHECKLIST [ Aug / Sept] NOTES
THINGS
7 FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.
GO THIS MONTH?

Get ahead of the necessary behind-the-scenes steps this month. It’s also a good time to teach some of the higher-skill aspects of yearbooking & complete your coverage planning.

WRAPPING UP

Upload student list to Yearbook Avenue. Take time to enter in-school sales and merge duplicates in the coverage report.

Finalize your ladder in Yearbook Avenue. Assign each page a section, topic(s), deadline & assign pages to students.

Plan your coverage, making sure to have a purpose for every spread.

Contact club and athletic sponsors for their schedules. Ask about people and personalities to feature.

Advertise book sales in your school newsletter or via emails to parents.

ONGOING

Teach staffers how to find stories through interviewing

Teach the four types of photo captions and how students should record important details from events and photo shoots.

Teach students to complete a Photo Event Coverage Report after photo assignments.

Develop a plan to promptly upload and organize photos from events. Store images either in the Image Library or the Monarch Team Drive.

Continue team-building activities. Update your team-building calendar as needed.

Build interactions with sneak peeks of your staff and work on social media.

LOOKING FORWARD

Seek inspiration from current design trends . Look through magazines, websites and resources like Look Book & create a mood board that matches your aesthetic.

Teach the step-by-step process of yearbook page design or use this J-Class . Have students create practice sketches using a blank grid for pages and individual mods .

Work in design elements as part of your theme package, as well as interior page elements like headlines and folios.

Be prepared to finalize your cover and endsheets.

SPRING DELIVERY SCHOOLS : In addition to meeting all deadlines, Program of Excellence criteria includes meeting cover and endsheet deadlines by Oct. 31.

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

8 Interview Coverage Clayton High School, MO Fonts & Colors Loudoun Valley High School, VA Student Coverage| Beebe High School, AR Meet the Editors Grand Blanc High School, MI
MONTH 2 CHECKLIST [Sept / Oct] NOTES
9
FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

The school year is now well underway! Stay on top of school events & keep your students focused on developing spread layouts and page designs.

WRAPPING UP

Build a style guide with specific fonts, colors, character and paragraph styles . Use your style guide to create a page-design checklist for staffers to help maintain consistency.

ONGOING

Enter in-school book sales in Yearbook Avenue and merge duplicates.

Advertise book sales via school platforms and social media.

Review best practices for giving and receiving constructive peer feedback .

Develop a system for creating accurate and error-free copy.

If they haven't yet, have students bookmark the Layout Pro and Monarch video tutorial libraries and add the Jostens Tech support number (1-800-328-2435 USA) to their contacts.

Set up color palette and font styles in Yearbook Avenue for Layout Pro schools and Monarch schools using Ad Service

Begin the design process by using a spread planner document

Continue team-building activities. Update your team-building calendar as needed.

Continue sharing stories and sneak peeks on social. Mention that books are for sale and share the order link in your bio.

LOOKING FORWARD

Have students create practice pages and add Page Surfer templates to them to practice modifying images, type and graphic elements. Instructions may vary slightly between the Layout Pro and Monarch platforms.

Create a master page or master template and add important design elements that you want to appear in the same place on every page, like background elements or page numbers. Instructions may vary slightly between the Layout Pro and Monarch platforms.

For self-paced instruction, have students work through 5 Days of Layout Pro. Or they can practice all aspects of production on All About Us.

Make sure to start promoting Yearbook+ features with your student body.

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

10 Jostens Sale Flyers Plan & Promote Completed All About Us Assignment with Skills Learned News Coverage Sneak Peeks McCallum High School, TX Consistent Design Style West Henderson High School, NC YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE! 1. Scan code with iPhone camera or QR Code Reader. 2. Enter recipient. 3. Send the message. 4. Mission complete! Scan to Text! jostens.com/YearbookPlease SEND A REMINDER TO BUY YOUR YEARBOOK
3 CHECKLIST [Oct / Nov]
MONTH
NOTES
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FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

MONTH

Production should now be in full swing. Focus on getting school portraits finalized and in place. Tag students as you create pages, since coverage helps with sales. Keep an eye on the calendar as the holidays approach.

WRAPPING UP

Make sure photo retakes have been scheduled and all retakes have been included with your photo files.

Review photo files for accuracy. Begin checking for missing files and merge duplicate entries.

Build portrait pages in Layout Pro or Monarch. You can create them before you have pictures to flow. Consider working in student profile or survey modules to add interest.

Once you receive school portraits, send image files to the plant for upload. If you need additional help, reach out to your rep or to Jostens tech support.

Flow portraits onto pages using LAYOUT PRO or MONARCH

ONGOING

Track student coverage using the Coverage Report to determine who is in the yearbook but hasn’t purchased. Make sure to tag students who appear on your spreads as you create pages.

Promote yearbook sales at holiday events, like seasonal concerts.

Check the progress of ad sales and make note of any sales cut-off dates.

Monitor deadline progress by checking in mid-deadline. Ask students if they're missing any necessary instruction to complete their work.

Submit any completed pages ( yes, this can be done before a deadline ). Submission instructions may vary slightly between the LAYOUT PRO and MONARCH platforms.

LOOKING FORWARD

Get creative on social media. Whether crowd sourcing photo submissions with a Google form or requesting via social media, make plans to incorporate holiday coverage.

Continue planning for important school events and holidays. Remember that school breaks are an excellent time to build on photography skills with practice.

Boost staff morale by working in celebrations, like deadline parties or holiday gift exchanges.

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

12
Portrait Page w/ Survey Westmoore High School, OK Holiday Coverage - Westlake High School, TX Theme Reveal Contest Round Rock High School, TX Portrait Page w/Profiles - Woodcreek High School, CA
4 CHECKLIST [Nov / Dec] NOTES
DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH? 13 FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.
HOW

MONTH 5 CHECKLIST [Dec / Jan]

Five months in: Check in with students to see what skills — if any — need refreshing. Ensure all students are being included in recognition ads and spreads. Continue to build team identity. Start thinking about recruiting for next year.

WRAPPING UP

Finish selling business and personal ads . Note: many business may be too busy to meet with your students in December.

Gather club information from sponsors and discuss a plan for taking club pictures with your photographer.

ONGOING

Assign a student to keep track of deadline status in a digital or print ladder. Share so all students can monitor progress.

Edit layouts. Look for ways to improve coverage by adding in content modules .

Make sure student leaders and editors are proofing pages following your system for copy editing

Schedule staff workdays or other activities to continue building class culture.

Boost next year’s recruitment & this year’s sales with creative posts that highlight your yearbook staff and their work on social media. Improve coverage by checking photo captions for accuracy.

Continue to build your photo skills . Give staffers photo assignments that require them to practice creative angles and out-of-the-box composition.

LOOKING FORWARD

Begin recruiting for next year. Wear staff shirts and hang posters promoting yearbook as the place to be.

Encourage students to enter Jostens Photo Contest before March 1st. They must complete a release form, so tell them to not wait until the last minute.

Prep for “last chance to guarantee” book sales campaign Aim to sell as many as possible before your copy counts are due.

Review your Coverage Report. Use Plan & Promote materials to reach out directly to parents of students who haven't purchased!

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon? HOW

14
Modular Coverage Trinity High School, TX Personalized Emails for Yearbook Sales Plan & Promote Countdown Post Images for Social Yearbook Avenue Recruiting on Social Media - Kirkwood High School, MO Student Recognition Ads Union Grove High School, GA
NOTES
15 FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.
DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

MONTH 6 CHECKLIST [Jan / Feb] NOTES

At the halfway point of the year, focus on important production milestones like completing club photos and page submissions, while continuing to monitor sales and coverage goals. Share teasers on social media.

WRAPPING UP

Check your personalization list to make sure it is accurate before you click the button to send.

Review the Coverage Report . Assign a student to review names for misspellings and make changes to pages prior to submission.

If club and group photos have not been taken or scheduled, contact your school photographer ASAP.

Encourage students to submit entries to Jostens Photo Contest before Mar. 1.

FALL DELIVERY SCHOOLS: In addition to meeting all deadlines, Program of Excellence criteria includes meeting cover and endsheet deadlines by Feb. 15.

ONGOING

Post a current list of buyers outside your classroom and encourage students to verify their purchase. Talk to your rep about non-buyer flyers.

If your school has an editorial policy regarding name use, make sure name changes have been honored prior to submission.

Consider incorporating alternative page layouts into your design. Submit completed layouts on or ahead of deadline

On social media , show off yearbook progress to build buzz and encourage sales.

Assign J-Class videos to students to refresh any lapsed skills.

LOOKING FORWARD

Check your Yearbook Avenue performance tab enrollment number for accuracy by clicking the three dots to adjust.

Continue recruiting . Advertise your program with Yearbook Skills posters. Find them on Yearbook Avenue > Plan > Order Supplies. Start talking about distribution. If you plan to host a distribution event , get it on your school’s schedule.

Summer workshops and trainings are being scheduled now. Consider building your skills at Jostens Adviser University

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

16 Alternative Design [Profiles] - Searcy High School, AR Recruiting Posters / Postcards (3 of 8 total roles shown) Yearbook Production Reminders Rock Hill High School, TX Alternative Design (Issues) - St. Marks School of Texas, TX Jostens Photo Contest Winners Look Book 2023
17
WINNERS The Jostens Photo Contest judges sorted through thousands unique entries. These winning photos inspire the audience dripping with emotion and deliver stunning technical quality. These BOLD compositions truly spectacular stories. Middle School, School, High School, High School, MO GRAND PRIZE ME INSIDE ME Composition: Lighting JUDGES 2022 JOSTENS PHOTO CONTEST FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

Now that we’re deep in deadline season, quick content ideas and clear communication are key. Stay on top of page submissions & keep an eye on the horizon so there are no surprises late in the game.

WRAPPING UP

Remind students to enter Jostens Photo Contest by Mar. 1.

If students are still selecting classes for next year, keep recruiting. Jostens has resources and social posts that can help. Review your personalization list and submit it on time.

Conduct final collection for ads . If an advertiser hasn’t paid, consider pulling the ad.

ONGOING

Review your coverage report , cross referencing sales with # of times in book. Utilize “You’re in the Book” flyers/emails to generate interest with non-buyers.

Incorporate J-Classes to fill any gaps in learning.

If you’re struggling to meet deadlines, try creative coverage ideas and effort-free spreads . Note: missed deadlines can impact shipment and delivery dates.

Submit pages as soon as they are done.

Tag any photos that have been used in the yearbook. Continue team-building activities and events . Deadline work nights can be a great time for contests, fun and food.

Celebrate staff “Pal-entines” Day on Feb. 14 by exchanging notes or candy.

LOOKING FORWARD

Finish your distribution plan. Get feedback from administrators and other school community members.

Make plans for spring sports coverage. Consider using Yearbook+ to include additional spring coverage.

Start thinking about archiving this year’s important files . Assign a staffer to clean up files with end-of-the-year events in mind.

Keep an eye on your remaining copies and end date for sales. Use “last chance” messaging on social media to entice last-minute buyers.

Registration for JAU is a month away. Start planning now.

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

18 Modular Design R.W. Johnson High School, GA Creative Sports Coverage Shadow Ridge High School, AZ Effort Free Spread Example Jostens Digital Classroom Jostens You’re in the Book Flyers Plan & Promote Interactive Surveys & Polls East Lansing High School, MI TEXT PHOTO SCHOOL PAGE APPEARANCES NAME ORDER AT JOSTENSYEARBOOKS.COM CONGRATULATIONS! You’re in the Yearbook. Order Today! REETHS PUFFER HIGH SCHOOL Randi De La Cruz-Johnson Yearbooks are on sale now through May 9. Go online to buy your copy or see Mrs. Anderson Room 222 during the lunch period. Find yourself on pages 22, 136, 211
MONTH 7 CHECKLIST [Feb / Mar] NOTES
19
FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

MONTH 8 CHECKLIST [Mar / Apr] NOTES

Production is nearing the end. Add finishing touches with last-minute content like spring sports and a carefully prepared student index. Summer workshops and yearbook distribution are on the horizon.

WRAPPING UP

Monitor progress toward final deadline.

Recruit for open staff positions on social media and reach out to students who’ve been recommended by teachers or peers.

Add a colophon or production notes to archive the creation process.

Continue working to sell any remaining copies

ONGOING

Take photos of spring events to be included in Yearbook+ or a spring supplement.

Show off your book on social media . Consider a “limited quantities left” sales angle for remaining copies.

Interview applicants for next year’s staff.

Consider adding a fundraiser or donation drive before the end of the year to help with expenses like camps and equipment upgrades.

Conduct editor training . Have your outgoing editors prep next year’s leaders.

Look into attending state or national spring conventions. This can help your students gather skills and build their college resumes.

LOOKING FORWARD

Start planning for spring and summer workshops with training for advisers and new and returning staffers.

• Look at local and national workshops.

• Begin the required paperwork.

Begin brain storming end-of-year activities to celebrate your staff

Tag at least 50% of your student body three times or more to satisfy the Coverage criteria in the Program of Excellence.

For more spring training and lesson ideas, watch the End-of-theYear Projects J-Class

Create a distribution letter with publication notes and safety tips to be handed out on distribution day.

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

20 Spring Sports Coverage Emerson High School, TX Index with Donor Info & News Glenbrook South High School, IL Yearbook Content Teaser Posts Carroll Senior High School, TX Index, Groups and Colophon Round Rock High School, TX
21
FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

MONTH 9 CHECKLIST [Apr / May]

It’s time to finalize yearbook staff for next year & make plans for summer training. Consider ways to develop your yearbook program & build relationships. Create a theme and tentative ladder for next year.

WRAPPING UP

If you haven’t sold all your books, prepare a spring sales campaign using personalized “You’re in the Book” flyers .

Finalize distribution plans and share on social media.

Enter any in-school sales into Yearbook Avenue in preparation for distribution. Add merge duplicates on the coverage report.

Register for summer workshops , if you haven't already.

Finalize your yearbook staff for next year and invite them to attend summer workshops — a great opportunity for new and returning staffers to bond.

ONGOING

Start planning for next year’s yearbook. Design theme packets as a class project and create a tentative ladder

Gather feedback from staffers through interviews , essays or feedback forms .

Have outgoing editors create a training manual with job descriptions and/or letters to next year’s leaders.

Send thank you notes to school community members who helped with production.

Balance your account — pay your final invoice & make an initial budget for next year before leaving for the summer.

Inventory your photography equipment and take note of needed upgrades and repairs.

LOOKING FORWARD

Seek business advertisers for next year. Send renewal letters to existing supporters. Update pricing as needed.

Get feedback on your yearbook.

• Submit to scholastic organizations for critique.

• Exchange extra copies with other schools.

Inform your community about summer senior portraits sessions. Check out staff recognition pins and certificates in the Yearbook Avenue store. Find them at: Plan > Order Supplies.

NOTES

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

22 Business Ad Pages Geneva School of Boerne, TX Spring Coverage (Prom) Wando High School, SC Year in Review Spread Episcopal High School, TX Contest Posts Southwest Career and technical Academy, NV
23
FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

MONTH 10 CHECKLIST [May / Jun] NOTES

Get ready to say “so long” to the school year and “hello” to summer! Finish up your final items so you can return to school in the fall feeling prepared for what’s to come.

WRAPPING UP

Organize your pages and image files. Indicate photos that should be transferred from this year’s Image library to next year’s. Instructions may vary slightly between the LAYOUT PRO and MONARCH platforms. Save favorite photos of your distribution event for promotional materials.

Submit your yearbook to Jostens for Look Book judging by June 30.

If you are a member of any scholastic journalism organizations (NSPA, CSPA, etc.) submit your yearbook for critique.

ONGOING

Begin training next year’s staff during lunch or after school at least one day each week. Explore ideas for theme, cover and endsheets

Have staff complete a theme development project , compiling ideas and inspiration into a working mood board.

Celebrate staff with an end-of-year banquet. Present recognitions and awards. Encourage editors to make creative, individual awards for their peers.

LOOKING FORWARD

Get a jump on next year by creating yearbook & ad sales flyers for back-to-school packets or your online newsletter.

Update your school or publication website with any important information.

Plan for summer coverage. Publicize crowd sourcing photo links on social media.

Designate a student editor or staff leader to be responsible for maintaining social media sites over the summer.

Make final summer workshop plans

Make sure students featured in the yearbook have been tagged accurately. Take note that the Program of Excellence Coverage criteria requires 50% of your student body to be featured three times or more.

Register and pay for Jostens online Grad Credit class , hosted through the University of San Diego.

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

24 Theme Inspo (Verbal) Zionsville High School, IN Theme Inspo (Concept) Green Valley High School, NV Distribution and Sales Posts Dos Pueblos High School, CA Theme Inspo (Visual) Charles Smith Jewish Day School, MD
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FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

DISTRIBUTION CHECKLIST NOTES

Stay on top of things with this Distribution Event Checklist.

ADVANCED PLANNING

Many of these items should be considered 4+ weeks prior to distribution.

Update shipping contact name and phone number in Yearbook Avenue.

Work with administrator to determine time and location for distribution event.

Reserve location, if necessary.

Request parent or school volunteers.

Arrange music from local DJ or radio station.

Attempt to secure donation of pens for signing.

Consider arranging VIP early entry for seniors or other buyers.

Send notification to all non-buyers that a limited number of books are for sale until all books are sold.

Order T-shirts so staffers can be easily identified.

FINE TUNING PLANS

Many of these items should be considered 2+ weeks prior to distribution.

Ensure all stations have access to a laptop or mobile device to record sales or yearbook pickups in Yearbook Avenue and have wifi access in your distribution location.

Ensure all staff members that will be entering sales or recording yearbook pickups have the necessary staff privileges in Yearbook Avenue.

Train staff members on sales and distribution process and reporting in Yearbook Avenue.

Consider using Jostens distribution tickets or distribution emails (see page 4 for additional information).

Clean up the student list using the Merge Duplicates tool on the coverage report.

IF APPLICABLE: Purchase food, drinks and serving ware.

Secure a cash box, calculators and receipt pad to collect and track money at any necessary stations.

Begin advertising distribution event.

Contact custodians to secure location and set expectations (set-up, clean-up, layout, etc.).

Make sure cash box is stocked with change.

Verify yearbooks are sorted appropriately.

Locate and separate personalized books.

Email all students and hang posters to advertise event.

Create last name signs for paid-in-full yearbook pick-up tables.

Divide alphabet so students will be evenly distributed between different lines.

FINALIZING PLANS

These items should be done 2+ days prior to distribution.

Enter or upload all in-school sales into Yearbook Avenue.

Sell wait list books to students prior to distribution.

Create in-school orders for all donated yearbooks

Refresh posters, if necessary.

Use sidewalk chalk in high-traffic areas to promote event to students AND parents.

Place signs:

• Yearbook Option/Accessory Sales

• Questions and Answers

• Purchase a Yearbook Today

• Partially Paid Yearbooks

• Paid-in-Full Yearbook Pick Up

• Clearly mark space with letters A–Z

Decorate for event.

Make sure staffers are available to “guard” book area.

Make sure chaperones are available to monitor entrances.

Have laptops and/or mobile devices at each pick-up station.

FINISHING TOUCHES

These items should be done during and after the distribution event.

Celebrate!

Clean up and return site to original condition.

Write thank you notes for all volunteers and business sponsors.

Sell any remaining yearbooks.

Enter all sales from distribution event into Yearbook Avenue.

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

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27
IT IN
DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.
FIND
THE

STAFF RECRUITING CHECKLIST NOTES

Whether you’re struggling to fill the seats in your classroom or have a line of students standing by, here are a few ideas to help!

Have students submit an application to join yearbook staff.

• Consider creative formats like a resume

• Make an online submission possible.

Promote open staff positions on social media . Create a QR code to share the application or the resources online.

Host an information night where current staffers can talk about their role on yearbook staff and show off their work.

Use flyers , posters and social media to get the word out.

• Ensure available staff positions are made clear (photo, design, etc.).

• Promote the educational value of the class

Reach out directly to recommended students with a personal note. Take nominations from teachers or returning staffers. Use recruiting postcards available in YBA under: Plan > Order Supplies

Send out teacher recommendation forms for applicants ( single student form ; multi-student form ).

Conduct interviews for new staff members.

Recruit through a visible, well-run program. Remember that the yearbook classroom should be a fun place. Make sure students all around campus know this.

Advertise by showcasing student work in the hallways and online

Create a staff shirt for current staff members to wear to school and promote your program.

Host a “bring a friend to class” lunch or work night to get the word out.

Send acceptance /rejection letters to students.

Watch the Recruiting and Retention J-Class

Review additional resources in Yearbook Avenue.

Share the Power of Yearbook video with potential staffers.

HOW DID THINGS GO THIS MONTH?

INSTRUCTION: What lessons/resources worked best for your students?

How might you adjust to better meet your classroom needs?

TIMELINES: How well were production goals met this month? For next year, what items may need to be completed sooner or later than this year?

COMMUNICATIONS: How well did the yearbook staff work together?

How were efforts communicated to the school faculty? Include suggestions.

CHALLENGES: What were big challenges faced during this month?

What did I learn? What do I need to remember that can be improved upon?

28 Behind the Scenes Southwest Career & Technical Academy, NV Meet the Staff Broken Arrow High School, IL Recruiting Social Posts Jostens Digital Classroom (3 of 8 designs) Direct Recruiting on Social Northridge High School, AL Welcome to Yearbook Judson High School, TX
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FIND IT IN THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM. Digital Classroom > Paced Instruction Log in to Yearbook Avenue for interactive link access.

APPENDIX 1 - SOCIAL MEDIA APPENDIX 1 - SOCIAL MEDIA

SUMMER

• Set up a yearbook social media account if none already exist.

• Encourage students to submit images and/or tag you in their summer posts for a chance to be featured in the yearbook.

• Keep your community engaged by sharing important summer information about senior portraits, the first day of school, and so on.

MONTH 1

• Start the year off on the right foot by sharing posts with important back-to-school news and announcements.

• Share images from the first week of school to get your audience interested.

MONTH 2

• Give a behind-the-scenes look at the yearbook production process with meet-the-staff posts.

• Reveal your theme and/or cover on social media to create excitement and entice buyers.

MONTH 3

• Give a sneak peek of a spread of your choice.

MONTH 4

• Remind your audience to support your program with posts about recognition ads and book sales.

MONTH 5

• Engage your audience with interactive posts. There are many options available on Jostens

Social!

• Seek image submissions from students for events that have occurred so far this school year.

MONTH 6

• Showcase your yearbook staff’s photography skills and share the best images taken so far this year.

MONTH 7

• Share countdown posts for the number of copies remaining to create a sense of urgency for buyers.

MONTH 8

• Share a post with distribution day details.

MONTH 9

• Highlight important year-end events, such as graduation.

• Highlight clubs and/or sports that may be receiving school-wide recognition.

MONTH 10

• Follow fellow yearbook programs on social media to start getting ideas for next year.

TOP FIVE TIPS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

1. Define the role of each social media tool. How will you use Twitter vs. Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, etc.? Who are your audiences on each platform, and what is the best use of each application?

2. Set standards for online behavior. Be inclusive and stick to posting news, not gossip. Monitor comments on each social media platform.

3. Plan & track your posts. Jostens Social can help you create and manage a social media calendar, as well as monitor engagement.

4. Content Variation. Vary your content by posting a variety of images, gifs, and videos related to yearbook orders, school events, stories, contests and more.

5. Keep it short. Posts with fewer characters typically receive better engagement.

TYPES OF POSTS

GENERAL YEARBOOK

Share fun facts about yearbook, reasons to buy a yearbook, and many more yearbook-related posts.

PROMOTIONS & SALES

Promote your yearbook and provide easy access to ordering, ad purchasing and ways to support your yearbook program.

CONTENT CURATION

Encourage your community to share photos with you that can be included in the yearbook.

RECOGNITION ADS

Promote the opportunity to purchase recognition ads (if applicable).

YEARBOOK+

Promote the use of Yearbook+ to increase coverage and get your community engaged.

SCHOOL

Share information about school news and events that can be repurposed into your printed yearbook.

CONTENT MAKER TEMPLATES

JOSTENS SOCIAL IS AN ALL IN ONE PLATFORM TO CREATE, PLAN AND SCHEDULE CONTENT FOR ALL YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.

• Ready-to-use content

• Customizable templates

• Daily content suggestion

• Social calendar builder

• Moderation and analytics

Jostens Social is the easiest way to add social media to your yearbook program.

Use templates to create customized content such as sneak peeks, student spotlights, and more.

JOSTENS LIFESTYLE

Highlight holidays, share inspirational quotes, and encourage community engagement with conversation starters.

*Social media images like these and many more can be found on Jostens Social.

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SOCIAL PROMOTION MADE EASY WITH JOSTENS SOCIAL
30
you yearbook rep for more information about Jostens Social.
Contact

APPENDIX 2 - TEAM BUILDING

At the heart of a yearbook is the team that created it — the joys and struggles of the students who planned, wrote, photographed, reported and designed flow through each page. Its publication is truly a team effort. With pressing yearbook deadlines, team building sometimes falls by the wayside. Taking the time each month to connect your staff and build a positive classroom culture is the backbone of a successful publication and yearbook program.

TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION

APPENDIX 2 - TEAM BUILDING

TEN TEAM-BUILDING IDEAS

1. BACK-TO-SCHOOL BINGO

Create a bingo board with a wide range of personality traits and preferences — like favorite superhero, favorite breakfast food, and so on. Give one to each student and have them mingle with classmates until they have bingo. For an extra challenge, try blackout bingo!

2. BALLOON TOWER

CELEBRATE EVERY DAY ESTABLISH LEADERSHIP CREATE A CLASS CULTURE

Give and receive feedback openly and without judgment. Consider creating a “What? What!” bulletin board to allow students to ask questions or give shout-outs to classmates. Create a culture calendar and make time throughout the year for staff bonding or motivational activities. These may take the whole class period or five minutes. Can't commit to every day activities? Try Fun Fridays.

Let’s get started. Scan

Put a student in charge of team building and staff recognition by establishing and activities director role to plan and prepare community-building challenges and games.

Start on day one with some form of teambuilding activity to set an expectation that yearbook class works differently from other classes and the class culture is a priority.

In teams of four or five, students construct a tower using only balloons and masking tape. A tower wins according to specified criteria, such as: tallest, most stable, use of resources (uses all balloons, balloons most completely filled). Teams have 5–10 minutes to complete their towers.

3. CLASSROOM SCAVENGER HUNT

A great first day activity! Give students clues to different stations around the classroom. At each station, offer a challenge or activity for them to complete. The first student to complete all tasks is the winner.

4 . ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Pair off into partners. Play rock, paper, scissors. Winner moves on to the next round, while the other player becomes her/his “biggest fan,” cheering them on. Through multiple rounds, larger cheering sections accumulate, until a final championship match.

5. CMYK PERSONALITY TEST

Found in the Digital Classroom, this short quiz is a fun way for students to learn about one another.

6. DOOR DECORATING/YB COVER MURAL

Have students recreate the yearbook cover on the classroom door or in a wall mural to generate excitement about your book on campus.

7. PAPER PLATE AWARDS/DEADLINE AWARDS

Encourage editors to award staffers creative individual awards throughout the year. Awards can be silly like, “The Photobomber Award” or more connected to classwork like, “Most Creative Modular Design.”

8. PAT ON THE BACK

Give each student some sticky notes and a pen, then have them get in a line. Have students write a compliment to the person in front of them and stick it to their back. All but one student rotates until multiple students have given compliments to their peers.

9. RANDOM CELEBRATION DAY

Any day is a good day for a celebration! Create weekly traditions or dress-up days that allow students on yearbook staff to connect with one another and be identified by their peers as staffers, such as wearing Hawaiian shirts on Mondays or hosting High-Five Fridays.

10. YEARBOOK WEEK/FREE PRESS DAY

Have your staff plan and host whole-school events to raise awareness about yearbook and scholastic journalism, like National Yearbook Week held in October or Student Press Freedom Day held in February.

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TRICKS OF THE TRADE
for a library of team-building
broken down by category in
32
activities,
Digital Classroom.

APPENDIX 3 - YEARBOOK+®

A DIGITAL EXTENSION OF THE PHYSICAL YEARBOOK

Yearbook+ combines cutting-edge technology and crowd-sourced content to create the world’s most inclusive, interactive yearbook. It empowers every student to represent who they truly are and feel celebrated as an individual and within the school community.

It’s simple, moderated and students love it. See below for monthly tasks to help you get started.

SUMMER:

Talk to your Jostens Sales Rep to confirm you’re enrolled in Yearbook+. Once enrolled, decide whether you will follow the MY YEAR path, SCHOOL LIFE path, or both.

MONTH 1:

Customize your Yearbook+ admin site with your school mascot, colors, contribution dates and more. To do this, go to the School tab.

MONTH 2:

Make sure the student list has been uploaded on Yearbook Avenue and merged with the coverage report, so it can be linked to school portraits for MY YEAR functionality.

MONTH 3:

MY YEAR: Once portraits are uploaded, finalize the images and merge the coverage report again. Note that it will take approximately 24 hours before they show up on the admin site.

SCHOOL LIFE: Upload wayfinding icon to Yearbook+ Admin Site > School tab.

MONTH 4:

MY YEAR: Download your school’s Explore QR code from the Yearbook+ admin site and place it in your book. QR code page templates are available in the community folder and in the Digital Classroom on Yearbook Avenue.

SCHOOL LIFE: On the Yearbook+ admin site, go to the Content tab and create a list of topics under each of the five School Life categories . These are the topics that photos will be organized into.

MONTH 5:

MY YEAR: Market Yearbook+ to your school using digital resources available in the Digital Classroom on Yearbook Avenue.

SCHOOL LIFE: Download your school’s Explore QR code from the School tab on the Yearbook+ admin site and place it in your book . QR code page templates are available in the Community folder and in the Digital Classroom on Yearbook Avenue.

MONTH 6:

MY YEAR: Use social media to promote Yearbook+ to your school community. Ready-to-post social media assets are available in the Digital Classroom on Yearbook Avenue.

SCHOOL LIFE: Place your school’s wayfinding icon on your trigger images in the yearbook.

MONTH 7:

MY YEAR: Make it an assignment that each yearbook staff member should get a set number of their peers to upload their photos by a given deadline.

SCHOOL LIFE: Continue to place your school’s wayfinding icon on your trigger images in the yearbook, as needed.

MONTH 8:

MY YEAR: Print some Mystery QR Code sheets from the Digital Classroom and hang them in hightraffic areas around school. These QR codes will lead students to ybkplus.com to upload photos.

SCHOOL LIFE: Market Yearbook+ to your school using digital resources available in the Digital Classroom on Yearbook Avenue.

MONTH 9:

MY YEAR: Reach out to students who haven’t uploaded any photos. Ask them if they need any more information on how to participate.

SCHOOL LIFE: Screenshot your trigger images and upload them to the Yearbook+ Admin Site with the associated topic.

APPENDIX 3 - YEARBOOK+®

KEY TERMS

EXPLORE QR CODE: A custom-generated QR code for your school that unlocks your school’s Yearbook+ experience. We recommend placing this QR code towards the front of your yearbook.

MY YEAR: One path of Yearbook+. Enables every student to upload up to 10 of their favorite photos from the year and take control of their representation in the yearbook. Images are moderated and linked to the student’s printed portrait in the book.

SCHOOL LIFE: One path of Yearbook+. An easy and seamless way for your yearbook staff to include all those additional photos in the yearbook. Students and staff can upload photos from school sports, clubs, graduation, and spring events to bring the extra memories to life. By simply placing your school’s wayfinding icon on images within the book, your students can access all that additional content by scanning photos in the printed book.

TRIGGER IMAGE: Any image in the printed yearbook that has the ability to unlock digital pictures when scanned.

WAYFINDING ICON: A special icon selected by the yearbook staff that is placed on top of an image in the printed yearbook so the reader knows that image unlocks digital content.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do we drive student engagement with Yearbook+? Appoint a student on your staff to be the official Yearbook+ coordinator, and add them as an admin user on the Yearbook+ website. Their responsibilities should include:

• Managing Yearbook+ implementation in the yearbook

• Marketing the program to the wider student body and school community

• Organizing campaigns; communicating start and end dates to the school community

WHAT IS THE YEARBOOK+ WEBSITE? www.ybkplus.com

CAN YEARBOOK+ CONTENT BE USED IN THE PRINTED YEARBOOK?

Yes, all submitted images can be downloaded and used in the print version.

ARE THE PHOTOS MODERATED? Yes, basic moderation of hate symbols, offensive gestures, weapons, medical drugs, alcohol, watermarks or text in image and nudity or partial nudity is included.

IF AN ADVISER REMOVES A PHOTO, CAN THE STUDENT REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE? Yes!

CAN STUDENTS CONTINUE CONTRIBUTING PHOTOS AFTER DISTRIBUTION DAY?

Yes, schools set their own contribution periods for photo submissions.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YEARBOOK+? yearbookplus@jostens.com

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REP NAME

REP PHONE #

REP EMAIL ADDRESS

JOSTENS TECH SUPPORT 800-328-2435

YEARBOOK+ SUPPORT: YEARBOOKPLUS@JOSTENS.COM

YEARBOOK AVENUE/LAYOUT PRO QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT:

YBASUPPORT@JOSTENS.COM

MONARCH QUESTIONS AND SUPPORT: MONARCHSUPPORT@JOSTENS.COM

MONARCH FEEDBACK OR SUGGESTIONS: MONARCH@JOSTENS.COM

Share your thoughts on this Yearbook Playbook to help us continually improve our yearbook classroom resources. www.surveymonkey.com/r/ybplaybook

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@jostensyearbook

@jostensadviserandstaff

©2023 Jostens, Inc. 230156 (2231)

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