Loving story ideas

Story idea #1: First day of school for freshmen.

Story mission and need

The first day of school is an exciting and, sometimes, traumatic, day for freshmen. They are led through the day by a group of upperclassmen called Peer Helpers.

Why report it now?

It’s the first day. Timeliness.

Essential questions

What are they looking forward to?

What are they nervous about?

What do the upperclassmen remember about their first day?

Sources to use, live and non-live (expert, authoritative, knowledgeable, bozo)

Peer Helpers leaders, sponsors

Principals

Freshmen students

Potential issues with sources and how to solve them

Freshmen aren’t usually good quotes. Try to put them at ease. Make sure questions are open ended. Have several questions ready.

Medium/media to best tell the story? Why this or these choices?

This will be an online story. Get it up on the web fast while it’s still of interest.

Depending on the media used, what visuals would you suggest?

Lots of great photos of students participating in various activities. Build a photo slideshow.

Range of story angles, supporting materials

Sidebar on one kid, video of one-word answers (describe first day in one word)

How will the various information pieces be visually, alternatively presented?

Timeline throughout the day. Graphic of freshmen enrollment over the years (our school is getting smaller).

From info gathering to presentation, what legal, ethical and social responsibility questions might you face and what are some ways they might be handled?

I can think of none.

Other questions, points, approaches or media

None

Story 2: Always wanted to do

Story idea

Where is the school spirit?

Story mission and need

Attendance at football games is always great, but when it comes to other sports and activities, it’s lukewarm at best.

Why report it now?

It’s a new year with new students. Maybe we can find solutions to change that.

Essential questions

Why do students go to football but not other activities?

Is there anything that can be done to change that?

What do other schools that have good student support do?

Sources to use, live and non-live (expert, authoritative, knowledgeable, bozo)

Students, administrators and alumni at our school and others. Local reporters who go to other schools.

Potential issues with sources and how to solve them

There are likely many reasons why students don’t go, so maybe they won’t be good quotes. It might be difficult to find authoritative sources at other schools, but I think that can be solved with research.

Medium/media to best tell the story? Why this or these choices?

Print and video. I think it would be an in-depth story but also can be supplemented by videos from activities.

Depending on the media used, what visuals would you suggest?

Crowd (or non crowd) photos

Range of story angles, supporting materials

Man on the street quotes, attendance figures in graphic form, video from a school(s) with great spirit

How will the various information pieces be visually, alternatively presented?

Average attendance graphic using Flourish.

From info gathering to presentation, what legal, ethical and social responsibility questions might you face and what are some ways they might be handled?

I think it will be important to find solutions that work and not just pointing out that there is a problem.

Other questions, points, approaches or media

None.

Story 3: Idea of your choice
Make the most of space by removing more lockers

Story mission and need

Most students don’t use lockers anymore. They take up a ton of space that could be used for other purposes Can that space be used in more functional ways.

Why report it now?

Some lockers were removed in one part of the building to make a study area. We can look at what’s next.

Essential questions

How many students use lockers?

What would be the reasons for not removing lockers?

What else could be put in the place of the lockers?

How much would it cost?

Has this been done elsewhere?

Sources to use, live and non-live (expert, authoritative, knowledgeable, bozo)

Principal, a design architect or interior designer, students

Potential issues with sources and how to solve them

Finding someone who is knowledgeable

Medium/media to best tell the story? Why this or these choices?

Print, because it’s a longer form story.

Depending on the media used, what visuals would you suggest?

Photo of students in the study nook that is there, graphic of what could be done in other areas of the school

Range of story angles, supporting materials

An opinion piece or two (pros vs. cons)

How will the various information pieces be visually, alternatively presented?

This one I need to think about some more.

From info gathering to presentation, what legal, ethical and social responsibility questions might you face and what are some ways they might be handled?

None

Other questions, points, approaches or media

I can’t think of any

Why now?

I think it is relevant because some lockers have been removed. We really don’t have any limitations to stories and what we do when, so I had a hard time coming up with something I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do.

 

Story 4: Social media only
Monthly school board meeting

Story mission and need

There are a lot of decisions made at meetings that students don’t know about and/or understand.

Why report it now?

Because it’s happening now.

Essential questions

What is being decided and why?

Sources to use, live and non-live (expert, authoritative, knowledgeable, bozo)

People at the meeting

Potential issues with sources and how to solve them

Meeting could run long, people might leave. Get contact information ahead of time.

Medium/media to best tell the story? Why this or these choices?

Twitter to get news out as it happens.

Depending on the media used, what visuals would you suggest?

Live photos and video during the meeting.

Range of story angles, supporting materials

The range will depend on what’s in the agenda. Can link to the agenda online.

How will the various information pieces be visually, alternatively presented?

After the meeting, the decisions and what they mean can be presented in a graphic format on website.

From info gathering to presentation, what legal, ethical and social responsibility questions might you face and what are some ways they might be handled?

It’s a public meeting, so there won’t be many. Main concern might be consideration of topics that might affect an individual student.

Other questions, points, approaches or media

I can’t think of any.