The Yearbook World of Scott Geesey
from Jostens Yearbooks of central/northern Pennsylvania
ARCHIVE - MAY 29, 2016
NOTES AS THE SCHOOL YEAR CONCLUDES: Finishing Strong and Prepping for Next Year
Hello! I hope you had a restful holiday weekend. The weather cooperated and it was a marvelous break. But for most schools in the neighborhood we're not done quite yet here in the final days of classes for the year.
I've really enjoyed leading my JumpStart workshop days at the State College Creative Center this month. Severall more are on tap these next two weeks as school staffs begin preparations for next year's effort. But as we enter June we're still game for a workshop day nearly anytime. Just let me know and we'll get together in State College for a great working and planning day sometime soon or over the summer.
Congratulations to the area place winners at the PIAA state track and field championships last weekend in Shippensburg. Kudos to the State College boys for winning their first state team title, awesome! And good luck to those area baseball and softball teams vying for district titles this week - here's hoping to see you in the state tournament!
Next week - my summer website update!
Here are some random notes as the end of classes nears...
Let's run down some notes as May ends...and so does the school year...
FALL BOOKS, LET'S FINISH STRONG: I've had this speech in too many schools - "raise your hand, who wants to work on the yearbook over summer vacation?" In every instance NO ONE raises their hand, yet every year some staffs has too much work to complete on the last day of school. And inevitably it's the yearbook adviser who gets stuck completing the book over the summer, what NO ONE wants to do.
Here in these final days, push your staff to complete their work by the last day of school. Only graduation pages should remain to complete and if those pages are already laid out, they can be completed quickly and summer vacation can be enjoyed by all.
SPRING BOOKS, OVERRUN BOOKS AND ISSUES: A few spring yearbook staffs will distribute their new books this week before classes end but most everyone else has already completed their distribution. I've heard many great remarks (which we appreciate!) but if any issues are out there please let me know right away. Many schools have sold out some or all of their overrun books provided this year (yay!) but remember that you can return those for a credit if needed, just let me know.
NEW LOOK BOOK PAGES LOADED THIS SUMMER: Here's a reminder that for those YTO schools wanting to get a jump on next year's work, this year's Jostens Look Book designs should be loaded sometime over the summer on your 2017 YBA website.. For my Jostens advisers I'll alert you when the new material is loaded.
One summer idea is to gradually go through all of the Gallery designs and see what works for next year's effort. A favorite line I've used for years is "why reinvent the wheel if we don't have to?" Devote much more time next year to content and less time to creating pages. Think page template use in particular sections rather than random page creation.
CHECK OUT THE VIDEOS ON YBA: Sometime soon or over the summer be sure to check out the great instructional videos on your Yearbook Avenue website in the Digital Classroom. Learn some great ideas and tips from top advisers from across the country in these videos, and find ways to use them with your new staff in the coming school year.
SPRING A&S MAGAZINE: Last week in this space I wrote that the spring print edition of Adviser & Staff magazine went out to high school advisers recently. Be sure to take the time to read this issue and the many great stories and ideas included there.
TIME FOR NEW LOOK BOOK SUBMISSIONS: It’s that time of year again! For Jostens advisers, please submit 2016 spring-delivery or 2015 fall-delivery yearbooks to be considered for display in the 2017 Look Book. Your submission must include the actual, completed yearbook – do not send files or proofs – and it will not be returned. Submissions must be postmarked by Friday, June 24, 2015. Look for the note on your YBA home page and the link there to download this year's Look Book form. If you have a spare copy of your book and are especially proud of your staff's work, send away!