Congratulations on being chosen for the 2025-2026 AMS Yearbook Staff! 

I hope you are as thrilled as I am to begin our journey creating the best yearbook Argyle Middle School has ever seen. You will have to put your best claw forward to create a book every AMS Eagle can be proud of. With so many deadlines to meet and tasks to complete this year, it may seem a bit overwhelming. However, each of you has been chosen because I know you will do a fantastic job. The yearbook you produce will be remembered for years to come by the students, faculty, and community.

Course Overview

• This is a year long course to create the Argyle MS yearbook.

• The first month of class will be “Yearbook Boot Camp.” During this time students will learn communication skills, ethics, yearbook terminology, publishing software, photography basics, business skills, and journalism.

• After “Yearbook Boot Camp” the staff will work independently to create their chosen/assigned spread (a spread is two pages in the yearbook). Each spread can take anywhere from 40-80 hours to create and perfect.

• During the fourth quarter, the class will work on fundraisers for Yearbook. 

Course Objectives

• Students will learn the basics of yearbook layout, design, copywriting, and photography.

• Students will conduct interviews as needed. 

• Students will meet all required deadlines.

• Students will be responsible for taking pictures at school events and activities. 

• Students will be responsible for attending morning and after school work sessions, when needed. 

• Students will organize and distribute books in May.

Yearbook Staff Guidelines

• Staff members are expected to act in a professional manner at all times, especially when representing the yearbook staff. 

• Staff members are expected to inform and gain permission from any teacher before taking pictures in his/her class. 

• Staff members are expected to keep confidentiality and not share information regarding the yearbook with anyone not on the staff.

• Staff members are expected to have a camera and equipment (USB card, memory card, batteries, flash drive, etc.) with them at ALL times.

Classroom Rules

• Respect the teacher, your classmates, and yourself.

• Treat our classroom and equipment with care. 

• Honesty is always the best policy.

• Abide by all school rules.

Failure to adhere to yearbook staff guidelines and classroom rules will lead to a strike per offense. The “Three Strike Policy” will be used during this class. Any yearbook student that shows a consistent disregard for the guidelines and rules will be placed on a behavior contract. If the behavior contract is broken, the student will be removed from yearbook and placed in another elective class. 

Course Materials

• Pen/Pencil

• SD Card

• Sticky Notes

• Camera (Options Below)

  • AMS Equipment: Cameras can be checked out daily and used for the duration of a class period. 

  • Outside Equipment: A student may bring her own camera with written permission from a parent. Camera must be a 10 megapixel or greater to be compatible with publishing software. By signing below you agree that the school is not liable for damage or theft of a camera. Student should bring camera, USB cord, SD card (specifically for yearbook use), and any important information to class. 

Equipment Rules

• When using yearbook equipment you are responsible for it’s care and protection as defined by the “Yearbook Staff Rules and Responsibilities.” If you are using outside equipment the same rules apply. Do NOT allow any non-staff member to hold, “borrow,” or use yearbook equipment! 

• If you allow someone to use AMS/Outside Equipment and it becomes damaged, you are responsible for the repair or replacement of the equipment.

• Always keep cameras and other equipment in a protective case when not in use. This should guarantee its safety if dropped.

• Do not swing cameras or other equipment around.

• Do not use equipment for non-yearbook purposes.

Grading Policy

Grades will be based on completion and quality of assignments. Assignments include work from “Yearbook Boot Camp” and pages in the yearbook as well as clerical, marketing, and editing jobs. Students will keep a work log and complete self-evaluations to be turned in throughout the nine weeks. Student grades are also based on participation, work ethic, leadership skills, and meeting production goals.

Sponsor Contact Info:

I am happy to take any questions, comments, or concerns about the course or student

issues anytime! The best way to contact me is through e-mail but you can always leave a

message for me with the front office by calling 940-246-2126 xt 31315.

For emergencies – (i.e. an emergency comes up and you are unable to make it to an event, etc.) call or text my personal phone. The number is 214-727-9380 ☺