The Yearbook World of Scott Geesey
from Jostens Yearbooks of central/northern Pennsylvania
ARCHIVE - DECEMBER 6, 2020
CHRISTMAS WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR: And Can 2020 End Any Faster?
Hello! Those predictions seems to be coming true in many places - schools have gone all remote in many towns and cities in hopes of warding off this #$%& virus. As I write this in early December I'm wondering how many will stay all remote all the way right into the holiday break.
For many spring yearbook schools there's a first page deadline coming up soon. My advice: it's the most bizarre year ever but still do your best to fulfill that deadline or at least come close. Work with your Jostens representative and keep them informed on your progress.
Need some extra help? For Jostens schools be sure to check out our new collection of ready-made pages and spreads featuring great reporting, quotes and information on the hot topics right now. We did some surveying of teens across North America and much of that material made its way onto these stylish pages. Ask your Jostens professional on where to find them.
What is Scott's Christmas wish list for this amazing year?
What to wish for? Let's get to it...
GET THOSE VACCINES: I think we're all in agreement that life as we knew it will never get back to "normal" until people are vaccinated. And that includes school as we knew it.
But we also know who needs to go first with these new vaccines: the elderly and health care workers who have been pushed to the edge this year. And if teachers are truly "essential workers" then they should also be near the top of the shot list.
And a gentle thought for folks who identify themselves as anti-vaxxers - just get it. I've been vaccinated since I was a child, no worries and no problems. Three years ago I caught the flu while on vacation - and I forgot to get a flu shot that fall. That hasn't happened again and I won't forget again.
FINISH FALL SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES PAGES: For yearbook staffs I'm going to repeat this one from last time. Fall activities, whatever they were at your school, are long over. Let's get those pages completed and proofread for your first page deadline.
FINISH PORTRAIT PAGES: Ditto this one, another repeat. If you have your portraits let's make these spreads a priority, no sense in sitting on them this crazy year. These pages and fall topics should probably fulfill your initial deadline.
But what to do for those schools who don't have portraits? Recently I've heard from too many schools who have had picture day or retake day postponed because of virus schduling. And the new date is, well, no one really knows at this point.
Our new Jostens Portrait Portal is now available, an emergency way for schools to get head shots of students when you're all remote and perhaps for a long time. Ask your Jostens representative for more information on this tool that may save the day this year if needed.
TRY OUT THE NEW YEARBOOK+: Sometimes it's hard to try something new. And if there's a pandemic going on with all the stresses and strains with that, it's seems especially tough to try a new idea.
But I urge every Jostens staff out there to try the new Yearbook+ digital feature. The hardest part? Taking about 10 minutes to set up your site: basic information, final deadline, etc. Then after that it's simply promotion to encourage every student to tell their OWN story with their OWN pictures and all tied to your yearbook.
How to do that? Every way you can - social media, texting, email, even handouts if you're in school. Scanning a special QR code just for your school is all that's needed to start the magic. I'm looking to January after the break as the month to really launch Plus. And it's going to be FUN!
A CALM WINTER: If you listen to the weather experts it sounds like winter in our neighborhood of central and northern Pennsylvania will be rather quiet. And that's fine with me - with all of the other challenges we've been facing, snow and ice storms would only make it worse.
But I'm watching this debate with interest: with schools using MUCH more online learning because of this situation, could the good old fashioned snow day be a thing of the past? The debate seems to be split. Personally I think it's a great idea - after all, no snow days means no scheduled vacation breaks shortened or days added to the end of the year. But many places need better residential Internet service to make this fair for all students.
AND A CALM 2021 NATIONALLY: Our year 2020 will be remembered for a lot of things. We have a new President taking office next month - will that mean a calmer nation? I never talk politics here but we need 2021 to be the year of recovery - from COVID, from racial issues, from a rough economy, and of course from a rough school year.
I remember last spring and felt sorry for the Seniors of the Class of 2020, we all did. But at least they had two-thirds of a normal school year. Now I feel much worse for the Seniors of the Class of 2021 who will probably have to deal with this ALL school year.
So at the high school level let's do everything we can to give this year's seniors the best possible year we can give them. It might not be easy but good yearbook storytelling in this most historic year ever might help soften the situation.
HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS: No, you may not do any traveling this holiday season but make it merry anyway. My family has done plenty of Zooming this year and that will continue. Make some yummy Christmas cookies and snacks. Send your gifts to loved ones although don't wait till the last minute because the delivery services are as stressed out as everyone else.
And if you've avoided this #$%& virus, give yourself a toast...but then don't get lazy. When out in public keep wearing that mask and keep some distance from others. Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands frequently just to be safe. We all hate it but right now it's just the smart thing to do.