Student Media Policy

The Purpose of Student Media

• • The purpose of the newspaper is to inform, educate and incite thought and debate regarding school, local and national issues.

  • The purpose of the yearbook is to provide an accurate record of the events of the school year. It is a historical document, reference book and picture book.

  • Both publications serve as an educational tool for students, providing real-world experience in a high school setting.

  • The student publications are published by the journalism classes in LISD. The publications are intended for the free and uninhibited exchange of ideas between the students and staffs.

  • All stories are written in an entertaining, yet informative way that maintains journalistic integrity. The views published in student media do not necessarily reflect the views of the advisers, staff of LISD.

Story Decisions & Policies

• • Story and content decisions are student-driven with guidance from the publications adviser.

  • The staffs follow the Code of Ethics established by the Society of Professional Journalists. The four main principles include Seek Truth and Report It, Minimize Harm, Act Independently and Be Accountable.

  • As part of SPJ’s Code of Ethics to Act Independently, the student journalists avoid conflicts of interest and deny favored treatment to special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.

Errors

• • All student media products are not professional publications; they are publications created by high school students. Every effort is made to produce a quality, accurate account of the year, but some errors are bound to occur.

  • After the newspaper or yearbook is published, it is not possible to correct any mistakes. There are no refunds or reprints for errors. Students and parents are encouraged to focus on all the positive things the newspapers and yearbooks have to offer.

Deaths

• • In the event of a student or faculty death, prior to the yearbook publications (mid-March), the yearbook staff will create a memorial ad that will include the student’s photo, birth and death dates and the words, “In Memory.” The ad will run in the current year’s yearbook.

  • Any deaths that occur after the final publication deadline will be included in the student newspaper.

  • Parents have the opportunity to purchase a senior ad for the year the student would have graduated. This ad will run in the senior section or the index, depending on where space allows.

Yearbook Sales

• • Only a limited quantity of yearbooks are ordered. Because the books are printed in one press run, it is not possible to order additional books. Students and parents are encouraged to order early and keep a record of their order to guarantee a copy.

  • Additional books are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis at a higher price. There is no guarantee additional books will be available after the final pre-sale date has passed.

Free Books

• • Since the yearbook is a business that must cover its publication costs, the staff does not offer free books.

  • A small group of complementary books are given to the following people and offices:

    • • Principal

      • Assistant Principal’s Office

      • Library

      • Student Resource Officer

      • School Namesake (when applicable)

      • Superintendent Office

  • An additional books requested by administrators, staff and district officials must be purchased.

Refunds

• • Yearbooks are a custom product printed in one press run based on the school’s pre-sales. Therefore, there are no refunds.

  • Refunds on duplicate yearbook orders are not guaranteed.

Club & Team Photographs

• • Club and team photographs are taken on a set day pre-determined by the adviser. The date (December - February) will be advertised on the yearbook website, school calendar and emailed to club sponsors. There are no retakes and make-ups of this day.

  • As stipulated with the exclusive photography contract, all club photographs are taken by the official contracted agency. Only such photos taken by the official photography company will be included in the yearbook.

  • Coaches are expected to schedule photographs of their teams on a schedule to meet yearbook deadlines.

Underclassmen pictures

• • It is the student’s responsibility to take their school picture on the scheduled picture day or the retake day. Please check with the school, adviser or school website for the specific dates.

  • If a student misses all picture opportunities or enrolls after the schedule dates, the student may contact Photo Texas to set up a portrait at the studio.

  • Because of publication deadlines, the yearbooks will not run school pictures taken after the portrait deadline. Please contact the adviser for the final portrait deadline.

Senior portraits

• • The district has an exclusive photography contract. Only senior portraits taken by the contracted company will be used in LISD yearbooks.

  • It is each student’s responsibility to take their portrait by the high school’s portrait deadline. Please check with the school, adviser or school website for the specific dates.

  • Because of publication deadlines, the yearbooks will not publish senior portraits taken after the portrait deadline.

  • The photo company charges a $20 fee for taking portraits at the studio. (This fee can be applied to any package order.) Students who do not wish to pay the sitting fee are encouraged to take their senior portraits on the designated days on campus. Please check with the school, adviser or school website for the specific dates. On-campus portrait times are limited so seniors are encouraged to sign up for an appointment early.

Senior Ads

• • A senior ad contract is required for all senior ad purchases.

  • Senior ads must adhere to the picture and word limits set in the contract. The yearbook staffs have the right to edit, remove or delete pictures and messages if the limits are exceeded.

  • Proofs of all ads are provided via e-mail. Recipients have two days to respond with any changes. Parents are encouraged to review ads carefully because the staff is not responsible for errors once the ad is approved. Parents have one opportunity to ask for revisions, additional revisions or photo changes will not be accepted. Any ads not reviewed will run as is. 

  • Photos should be school appropriate. No gestures of any kind, cups, nudity, kissing, drinking, smoking or any illegal activity. No bathing suits or torso nudity at any age. No firearms, unless used for sport; no photos of students brandishing weapons or firearms.

  • Because of copyright law, poems, song lyrics or any creative works not in the public domain are not allowed. 

  • Pre-designed ads or PDFs of ads are not accepted. All ads are designed by the yearbook students and designed to follow yearbook design standards and be consistent with the rest of the book’s design.

  • All photos, messages and payment must be submitted with the contract. For ad payments submitted online, photos, text and the contract must be turned in within one week.

  • Senior ad prices are broken down into three price points, based on date of purchase. Full payment is required by the last day of the price point. Failure to pay by that date will result in forfeiture of the ad space and money submitted.

Restriction Forms & Directory Information

• • The school district gives all parents an opportunity to restrict their students’ directory information. If this option is chosen, by law the newspaper and yearbook are not allowed to run the student’s name, picture or any reference to the student.

  • The yearbook adviser may or may not contact parents about this restriction.

 Leander ISD High Schools’ Student Media

Cedar Park High School

The Wolfpack, newspaper

Tracks, yearbook

Glenn High School

The Growl, newspaper

The Territory, yearbook

Leander High School

The Roar, newspaper

The Lair, yearbook

Rouse High School

Raider Rumbler, newspaper

Replay, yearbook

Vandegrift High School

The Voice, newspaper

Veteran, yearbook

Vista Ridge High School

The Word, newspaper

The Lonestar, yearbook

July 2014

Updated February 2017