Yep. First there were the projects. Then there were the activities for a smooth transition into next year. And just to make sure we’ve covered everything, here are just a few moreĀ year-end yearbook ideas.
1. HAVE A BANQUET
Celebrate your hard work by planning a yearbook banquet. Organize small groups to take on each element required to host a nice event including choosing the site, date and time, menu, entertainment, decorations, award voting, awards, small gifts (if your budget allows), etc. Design invitations for each staff member and encourage the students to dress nicely. Make it something they look forward to every year, even if it takes place in your yearbook classroom!
2. PLAN YOUR BOOK DISTRIBUTION DAY
Organize your yearbook distribution. Choose the site, plan crowd control, prepare distribution lists, create the music playlist, plan the decorations, decide on whether or not to sell food, drinks, signing pens, etc. Plan the publicity for the day: posters, video announcements, audio announcements, web-site articles, Facebook postings, etc. The bigger the event, the more excitement you create for the yearbook you worked so hard to produce. (And it will really help sell those last remaining books!)
3. GET SOME FEEDBACK
Have the class write a readership survey to distribute with your book. You can even create an on-line version through such sites as Surveymonkey.com, freeonlinesurveys.com and adobe.com/FormsCentral. Offer fun rewards for anyone to logs on and takes the survey.
4. CLEAN UP AND ORGANIZE
Clean out closets, drawers, cubbies–and be ruthless. Save only things that you will definitely use next year. Toss out old photos, posters, layout forms, magazines, etc. Inventory and re-order supplies for next year. Delete old computer files, backup and organize hard drives or servers. Create a plan for a better organized photo storage system, paper storage, magazine storage, note filing, etc. The more space you can create, the more creative you are free to be. Make new forms (photo requests, story assignments, beat sheets and evaluation/grading forms/rubrics) for next year. Get the school calendar and athletic schedules to assist with coverage and deadline planning. Make sure you have current contact information for all professional photographers and sports coaches. Contact each of them now to establish communication about your deadlines and needs.
5. WRITE AND DELIVER THANK YOUS
Write thank you notes to administrators, teachers who supported your efforts all year, advertisers, parents, custodians, secretaries, coaches and any others who assisted the staff with the production and completion of the book. Note cards can be student-designed or purchased, but it’s the hand-written personal message inside that is of the most value.
Whatever you choose to do these last few weeks of school, make sure the memories are just as precious as the ones you worked all year to preserve. You never forget your first yearbook staff experience. Or your last.