Breakfast of 'journalism' champions

I hope to start the year out a bit differently this fall. Rather than spending the first few days on the mundane--albeit necessary-- fundamentals of journalism, I plan to set a day aside for my reporters to have breakfast with the building principal.

In the session "Managing your boss," Kristin Gilger suggested having a casual meeting with the principal or superintendent prior to the school year session. This seemed sensible and obvious, yet in my 16 years of advising, I’ve never done it.

Why not, in a casual setting with plenty of coffee (it’s really the flavored creamer they like) and donuts, host a get- acquainted meeting? After introductions, the young journalists can ask him four key questions:

“What do you worry about the most with the student press?"

“Are there any topics that are off limits?”

“What do you think the role of the student newspaper is?”

“How much turnaround time do you want/need for prior review?”

Not only would this forum provide us with some vital answers, but it would also put faces to the “bylines” and set the tone for open and respectful relationship between the administration and school press.

In addition, it would be a great first step in our marketing plan to show high school journalism as cool, real life and ubiquitous.

Lucinda Hogentogler

Central York High School

York, Pa.