Staff Manual

A guidebook for staff members including those who create

content for WPLD, Lamplighter, and podcast, Torch.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote that he

would rather live in a nation with
newspapers and no government than
under a government without
newspapers.
Such a statement from the writer of
our Declaration of Independence
should make you think about the
importance of newspapers in our
society.

Mission
Since 1990, PLD Lampli ghter e x ists to "Illuminating the
produce high quali ty media for stu de nts,
about students and by stude nts while
News for the
developing the skills of and adhe r ing to the Students, By the
standards of professi onal jou r nalists. PLD Students"
Lamplighter provi des forums for stu de nt
work and the exchange of ideas and
opinions. The medi a produced by PLD
Lamplighter stri ves t o be responsible ,
reliable and to represent di ver se vie wpoints
and backgrounds.

EIC Vision 2019-2020 Editors-in-

Create a comfort able workpla c e fr ee of Chief, Kennedy Gayheart,
drama f or all staff members Eleanor Davis, and Oli via
Doyle, define t he vi sions
Excel in quality and bring home a for the year. Thei r role as
Pacemaker! top leadership is to guide
all staff to achieve goals f or
Streamline our broadcast and c r eate a the benefit of t he
more professional product organization.

Staff Manual   |    01

Editorial Board
The Editorial Board of PLD Lamplighter is the governing body of the program, and
oversees all production. The board's leadership is integral to our success and quality.

Editors-in-Chief
Students in this position oversee all
aspects of our program, including the
guiding vision statements and goals
for the year.
Establish and enforce deadlines
Communicate problems to adviser
Organize and facilitate all Editorial
Board and staff meetings
Write staff editorials with Editorial
Board input
Oversee all aspects of writing and
production
Consult with business manager to
help manage budget
Assume responsibility for content
Contribute to other aspects of class
where necessary
Editors
Students in these positions oversee
students in their areas of expertise.
Enforce deadlines set by EICs
Communicate problems to EICs
Participate and contribute to all
Editorial Board and staff meetings
Give input to all Staff Editorials
Oversee production in area of
expertise (writing, photography,
videography, editing, etc.)
Assume responsibility for
missing content from staff
Contribute to other aspects of class
where necessary
Show good leadership and behave
responsibly
Staff Manual   |    01

Any decisions affecting the

publications on all levels will

The First
be discussed with the
editorial board; the adviser
gives legal advice and
Amendment opinions, but the final
decision rests in the hands of
the Editors-in-Chief.
“Congress shall make
no law respecting an All PLD Lamplighter media
will vigorously resist all
establishment of attempts at censorship,
religion, or particularly pre- publication
censorship.
prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or
abridging the
freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the
1969: Tinker v. Des Moines
right of the people “It can hardly be argued that either students or
teachers shed their constitutional rights to
peaceably to freedom of speech or expression at the
assemble, and to schoolhouse gate.”
petition the
Government for a
1988: Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
redress of "Speech that could cause a 'substantial
disruption to the school day' is never acceptable
grievances.” and can be censored."

Staff Manual   |    xx

Seek Truth and Report it... Minimize Harm

Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous
in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.
Seek out the subjects of stories to give
them a chance to respond to allegations
Identify sources; no anonymous sources if
possible
Avoid staged news events or re-
enactments
Never plagiarize
Examine your own cultural values and
avoid imposing those values on others
Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age,
religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual
orientation, disability, physical appearance,
or social status
Support the open exchange of views--
even unpopular views
Distinguish between advocacy and news
reporting
Distinguish news from advertising
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects, and
colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
Show compassion for those who may be
affected adversely by news coverage
Be sensitive when seeking or using
interviews or photographs of those
affected by tragedy or grief
Avoid intrusion into what a person deems
private unless there is an overriding public
need to know
Show good taste
Be accountable
Journalists should be free of obligation to any
interest other than the public’s right to know.
Avoid conflicts of interest
Admit mistakes and correct them promptly
Be honest and test the accuracy of
information from all sources

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Code of Conduct

A Good Staffer...
Expectations for Staff Members

All staff members will know and

uphold ethical journalistic 1. Does not
interview friends
standards. 2. Stays on task and
All staff will not only learn the craft
during class w o rk in g
of journalism, they will practice it. 
3. Fairly represents all
Students will value the
contributions and ideas of all in reporting v ie ws
members by treating them with
4. Does not stage photo
respect and dignity.
make copyright violations s or
Every effort will be made to create
an environment of respect and 5. Steps up to help oth
trust.
their tasks are complete e rs w he n
General staff members will value d
the guidance and leadership of the
student editors by listening to
suggestions and making
modifications to their work. Staff Manual  |    02

All t ff b ill l

Press Passes Do
You will be issued a press Wear your button on your ID lanyard
pass button that will allow every day--if you do not have a button
you to go to other you cannot leave the classroom.
classrooms or offices
throughout the school for Act appropriately when representing
PLD Lamplighter in the hallways and
class business only. This while on location.
is not a “get out of class
free” card that entitles you
to visit friends whenever Don't
and wherever you’d like.
Interrupt classes, disrupt teachers or
students, or act inappropriately in the
Abuse the hallways
privilege=
lose the Forget your press pass button!
Replacements cost $1. Failure to replace
privilege button will result in an inability to leave
the classroom.
Staff Manual   |    xx

Copyright Guidelines

Where to find non- The “fair use” doctrine

copyrighted material allows you to use some
Creative Commons: 
images and text on the Web.
https://search.creativecommons. You can use photos from the
org/ Internet if they are used in
Photos for Class:  reference to a review or
https://photosforclass.com/ column. Example: a movie
cover for a review of that film.
Getty Images: 
https://www.gettyimages.com/re Obtain the photo (or other
sources/embed# material) from the owner of
the copyright.
Note: Any work published prior Credit the owner of the
to 1925 is public domain and copyright by using the phrase
you can use any or all of this “photo courtesy of ...”
work without permission from
the copyright holder.
You can use up to four lines of
a song's lyrics or a brief
A copyright violation excerpt from a book or poem
constitutes plagiarism without copyright
and will receive a score infringement
of .1 Staff Manual   |    01

VSF Video Studio Fundamentals

Expectations Units Points Menu
This course is the History of Retweet/share a
introduction to PLD Journalism, First article
Lamplighter productions. Amendment Attending a
Students will learn a rights and Ethics fundraiser event
variety of new skills to Prepared every
Journalistic class with ID and
prepare for a staff writing and class materials
position.  AP style Volunteers for
assignments,
VSF students will work articles or jobs
Photojournalism Wears staff T-shirt
with veteran staff to school
members to learn Covering and And more...
fundamental skills writing about
sports
needed to produce video, Publication
audio, photos and Fundamentals of
journalistic writing. videography and Since the goal is to
video editing become a Lamplighter
Each student will write staff member, every
four articles per semester Broadcasting and student in VSF has the
Anchoring opportunity to see their
(news, features, sports work published.
and opinion).

Staff Manual   |    01

SDP Staff Studio Directing and Performance

Expectations Maestro Roles Points Menu
Every student must
participate in a maestro Retweet/share a
team every two weeks. Videographer article
Although there is no Writer
Attending a
requirement to change fundraiser event
Quote transcripts
roles each time, students Photographer used for articles
should attempt Prepared every
Video Editor class with button
versatility.
and ID
Designer Used SNO features
Every student will write a (Infographic, beyond what is
minimum of four non- graph/chart, required
maestro articles per comic, etc.) Helping someone
complete their task
semester. Deadlines are: when you finish
9/13, 10/11, 11/8, and 12/13. *An EIC and Social yours
Media Editor will Posting article
check in and ideas on Flow
support each Wearing staff T-
Every student has to earn maestro group. shirt to school
a set number of And more...
employability points
each month.

Staff Manual   |    01

Advanced Studio Production

ASP Staff
Weekly Products Points Menu
Expectations
A weekly podcast Attending a
Because this is an series fundraiser event
advanced level class, every Quote transcripts
student will write two A weekly column used for articles
investigative and/or long Using SNO features
form articles per semester. A weekly segment for beyond what is
WPLD required
Deadlines are Oct. 21 and Helping someone
SAOTW complete their task
Dec. 9. when you finish
A weekly editorial
cartoon yours
Students also must have a Posting article
personalized contribution to A weekly comic strip ideas on Flow
either WPLD or PLD Wearing staff T-
Lamplighter due every Friday. Weekly anchoring shirt to school
Giving feedback to
Weekly advice column others' work
Every student also has to Prepared every
earn a set number of Weekly game/puzzle class with button
employability points each and ID
month. Another creative idea  And more...
Note: Assignments from two different
classes (e.g. SDP and ASP) cannot
count twice.

Staff Manual   |    01

How to Interview

1. Gather background information on the topic and/or person by researching.

2. Create a list of questions requiring more than yes/no answers.
3. Set up a time to do the interview. Call the person on the phone or meet with the
person briefly to set up a time to meet. Avoid texting or emailing if possible.
4. Bring an audio recorder. Make sure that the interviewee allows you to record the
interview before you actually record the conversation.
5. Listen carefully during the interview so that you can ask follow-up questions. Your
best information and quotes may come from questions you hadn’t planned on
asking.
6. If the interviewee makes a controversial statement during the interview, get
permission to use it. Asking “May I quote you on that?” is sufficient. Some may tell
you at the beginning of the interview that the information is “off the record.” If they
don’t want to be quoted, you need to respect their wishes, but the information may
still be useful. 
7. At the end of the interview, ask if there is anything they would like to add.
8. Ask the interviewee to spell his/her name. For a student, check grade level.
9. Thank the person as you close the interview.
10. Double-check all facts that the interviewee provides you. Make sure they gave you
correct information.
Staff Manual   |    xx

Explanatory Questions
Ask for reasons behind basic answers to widen the scope of
the interview and to get new information: How would you
change the situation? What other options need to be
considered? How would you do this?

Justification Questions
Basic Questions Further question established ideas to understand the
source. Ask: Why do you believe that? How do you know
that? Can you prove that?
Who? Suggestion Questions
What? Introduce an idea by someone else to bring up a new idea:
Ask: Could you consider the idea suggested by...? What
When? would happen if...?  What about another viewpoint...?

Where? Choice Questions

Why? Get a definite answer from the source. If they have choices,
which one do they favor? Ask either/or questions if
applicable.
How?
Chronological Questions
So What? Clarify the history and future steps as it applies to the
source and/or subject. What's next? What led to this?
Staff Manual   |    xx

5
Non-Maestro  In addition to the requirements for a 4, the fi nal

Article Rubric product exceeds writing expectations by a

Every student on staff writes for
the publication.
In SDP there is a requirement
of four articles per semester.
In ASP, students must write two
investigative or long form
articles per semester.
No remediations will be
accepted after Dec. 13. Each
missing article will receive an M.
longer word count, more and
varied quotes, flawless body copy and
enhanced story formatting in SNO.
4
Product is a minimum of 500 words, i nc ludes at
least three correctly attr ibuted q uote s, foll ows
AP style, includes hy perlinks and has c orrec t
grammar, punctuation and for matti ng.
3
Final product almost meets writing
expectations, but either does not meet word
count, quote count or attr ibution or style. May
not contain hy per links and/or ha s p oor
grammar, punctuation and for matti ng.

2
Final product does not meet mo st re qui red
writing expectations.
Staff Manual  |    xx

5
Maestro Final product exceeds basic requirements for
writing, videography/podcasting,

Rubric
photography, design and editing. Excellent
work.

Every two weeks, students will
receive a summative maestro
grade. The formative work is
your raw footage, editing
drafts, article drafts, pre-
edited photos, and pre-edited
graphic, cartoon,
chart, map, graph or
other design element.
4
Final product meets basic requirements for
writing, videography/podcasting,
photography, design and editing. Adequate
work.
3
Final product almost meets basic
requirements for writing,
videography/podcasting, photography, design
and editing. Inadequate work.

2
Note: Students who do not participate in the
maestro group or do not submit their portion Final product does not meet basic
of the project will receive a .1 requirements for writing,
videography/podcasting, photography, design
and editing. Very poor work.
Staff Manual  |    xx