About

Policy:

The Eagle Angle distributes 1000 copies of each issue on campus to faculty and students. Content may be viewed online at theeagleangle.com. Letters to the editor should be submitted to theeagleanglenews@gmail.com. Any errors found within the publication will be rescinded in the following issue.

Businesses who wish to advertise should contact Kiara St. Clair, newspaper adviser, at kiara.stclair@allenisd.org. The Eagle Angle reserves the right to deny publication of advertisements. Advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by the staff or administration.

All editorials reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the staff, adviser or administration. The Eagle Angle is a member of Quill and Scroll, the Interscholastic League Press Conference and JEA/NSPA.

Click here to subscribe to our digital issue. If you would like a printed copy, contact us at theeagleanglenews@gmail.com.

Workflow:

Writer (staff or editor) -> Copy Editor -> Section Editor -> EIC -> Adviser/Teacher

Members of the Editorial Board:

Staff Job Descriptions:

• Editor in Chief: ultimately responsible for the operation of the staff and the content of each issue of The Eagle Angle. When disagreements arise among the staff, the ultimate decision concerning all matters rest solely with the EIC(s) with guidance and advice from the adviser/teacher. As a leader of the staff, the EIC(s) maintain a high profile at the school and strive to maintain a tradition of excellence. Serves as a member of the publication editorial board. Typically a senior in his or her third year of advanced journalism.
  • Duties of the EIC(s) include but aren’t limited to:
    • Oversees overall operations of the editorial staff
    • Maintains order of the editorial staff and encourages all editors and staff to follow a chain of command.
    • Makes recommendations to adviser/teacher regarding consequences for missed deadlines and violation of staff policy.
    • Proofs stories and print issue pages prior to posting online and submission to the printer
    • Assists the adviser/teacher and staff as needed.
    • Meets with the school principal after each brainstorming session.
    • Attends regularly scheduled student council meetings to serve as a voice of The Eagle Angle among the student body and voice of the student body for the staff.
    • Collects potential contest entries from the body of staff work for submission to CTSOs
    • Keeps track of staff birthdays and oversees some level of birthday celebration when appropriate.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher.
• Senior Managing Editor: works side-by-side with the EIC(s) with all matters of operation of The Eagle Angle. Serves as head of the publication editorial board. Typically a junior or senior in his or her second or third year of advanced journalism.
  • Specifically, the Senior Managing Editor is in charge of, but not limited to:
    • Immediately following the brainstorming process, coaches staff writers with the “getting started” process: story vision, writing style and publication voice
    • Prepares for editorial board meetings by briefing EIC(s) and bringing any necessary materials.
    • With direction from EIC(s), maintains the look and feel of the website and all social media content
    • Solicits artistic content for inclusion on the web or print and ensures it is appropriate for The Eagle Angle audience.
    • Supervises and coordinates the activities of Advertising & Social Media Editor.
    • Supervises and coordinates the activities of the Copy Editor to ensure post-brainstorming coaching is carried through the editorial process.
    • Organizes a minimum of one community service project for the staff each semester.
    • Attends student council meetings in the event EIC(s) are unavailable.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher or EIC(s).
• Photography Editor: has primary responsibility for capturing all high-value images for use by The Eagle Angle news magazine. Serves as a member of the publication editorial board. Typically a junior or senior in his or her second or third year of advanced journalism.
  • Works to ensure the consistency and quality of photography within the web and print publication by:
    • Training staff members in the appropriate use of camera and photography equipment.
    • Working with editors and staff to assign or schedule photos needed for each issue.
    • Develops and maintains a system for organizing digital photo files.
    • Assists staff members in the selection of photos upon request.
    • Checks photos on all web and printed pages to ensure they follow editorial policy.
    • Edits photos for quality as needed.
    • Oversees the signing in and out of photography equipment.
    • Works with the Senior Managing Editor to ensure photos for web use are formatted correctly.
    • Abides by ethical standards of photography.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher or EIC(s).
• News Editor: proofreads all news copy, particularly watching for balanced coverage which tells all sides of the story, accuracy of facts and inclusion of solid background information and meaningful quotes. Ensures breaking news is posted to the website the same day as it is discovered. Serves as a member of the publication editorial board. Typically a junior or senior in the second year of advanced journalism.
  • Works specifically to ensure timely and accurate news coverage of Allen High School by:
    • Addressing issues of editorializing in copy so that writers can eliminate it during revision.
    • Edits for grammar, usage and mechanics
    • Assists writers in developing voice in their stories while maintaining journalistic style.
    • Assigns staff writers to cover news stories as needed.
    • Works with photo editor to ensure photos are assigned as needed.
    • Ensures all news copy is of sound journalistic value and adheres to the policies for content and ethics established by The Eagle Angle handbook.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher, EIC(s) or Senior Managing Editor.
• Commentary/Opinion Editor:  Writes a monthly opinion column or coordinates with other editors and staff to solicit their work for an opinion column. Selects one guest column each month to post to the website. Checks all opinion pieces for potential libel or inappropriate content. Serves as a member of the editorial board. Typically a junior or senior in the second or third year of advanced journalism.
  • Works specifically to publicize the voice of The Eagle Angle staff and AHS student body by:
    • Running student forums when appropriate and ensures forums are meaningful to the student body.
    • Calls, interviews or otherwise contacts all who submit “Letters to the Editor” to verify who wrote them and discuss appropriateness for the publication
    • Works with Senior Managing Editor to form a consistent voice for commentary presented by The Eagle Angle.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher, EIC(s) or Senior Managing Editor.
• Feature Editor: proofreads all feature story copy, particularly watching for balanced coverage which tells all sides of the story, accuracy of facts and inclusion of solid background information and meaningful quotes. Serves as a member of the publication editorial board. Typically a junior or senior in the second year of advanced journalism.
  • Works specifically to ensure timely and accurate feature coverage of Allen High School by:
    • Addressing issues of editorializing in copy so that writers can eliminate it during revision.
    • Edits for grammar, usage and mechanics
    • Assists writers in developing voice in their stories while maintaining journalistic style.
    • Assigns staff writers to cover feature stories as needed.
    • Works with photo editor to ensure photos are assigned as needed.
    • Ensures all feature copy is of sound journalistic value and adheres to the policies for content and ethics established by The Eagle Angle handbook.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher, EIC(s) or Senior Managing Editor.
• Sports Editor: directly responsible for covering or ensuring coverage of ALL major sports events at AHS or participated in by AHS students. Proofreads all sports copy, particularly watching for balanced coverage which tells all sides of the story, accuracy of facts and inclusion of solid background information and meaningful quotes. Ensures breaking sports news is posted to the website the same day as it is discovered. Typically a junior or senior in the second or third year of advanced journalism.
  • Works specifically to ensure timely and accurate sports coverage of Allen High School by:
    • Addressing issues of editorializing in copy so that writers can eliminate it during revision.
    • Edits for grammar, usage and mechanics
    • Assists writers in developing voice in their stories while maintaining journalistic style.
    • Assigns staff writers to cover sports stories as needed.
    • Takes photos at sporting events or works with photo editor to ensure photos are assigned as needed.
    • Ensures all sports copy is of sound journalistic value and adheres to the policies for content and ethics established by The Eagle Angle handbook.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher, EIC(s) or Senior Managing Editor.
• Copy Editor: responsible for ensuring that all copy in each issue is of sound journalistic value, adhering to the policies for content and ethics established in The Eagle Angle handbook. Typically a junior or senior in the second or third year of advanced journalism.
  • Works to ensure the highest quality of writing presented by specifically:
    • Assisting staff members in the writing of meaningful copy by giving input during the revision process.
    • Proofreads all copy, particularly watching for balanced coverage which tells all sides of the story, accuracy of facts, and inclusion of solid background information and meaningful quotes.
    • Addresses issues of editorializing in copy so that writers may eliminate it during revision.
    • Edits for grammar, style and content.
    • Under the supervision of and coordination with the Senior Managing Editor, ensures the reporter’s voice stays consistent and within the overall brand of The Eagle Angle.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher, EIC(s) or Senior Managing Editor.
• Advertising & Social Media Editor: under the supervision of the Senior Managing Editor, oversees all advertising operations of the publication, but primarily responsible for the promotion and tracking of advertising sales and placement. Typically a junior or senior in the second or third year of advanced journalism.
  • Works specifically to advance the presence and visibility of The Eagle Angle by:
    • Developing and executing a marketing plan for the publication.
    • Develops and updates a database of potential advertisers prior to the start of each year’s sales campaign.
    • Keeps and organizes a record of all ad sales
    • Prepares a final sales report for each publication cycle
    • Sends thank-you notes to all advertisers
    • Reports all staff accomplishments to local media and advertisers.
    • Organizes a faculty/staff appreciation day once per semester.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.
    • Other duties as assigned or identified throughout the year by the adviser/teacher, EIC(s) or Senior Managing Editor.
• Staff: by enrolling in advanced journalism, students commit themselves to responsibilities related to all areas of news magazine production to include writing, photography and page production. Staff members can be in their first through third year of advanced journalism study.
  • Staff members of The Eagle Angle contribute to magazine and web production by specifically:
    • Brainstorming and researching to develop and angle for all coverage opportunities.
    • Providing complete coverage by addressing all sides of a story.
    • Writing fair and accurate stories.
    • Confirming all facts given in quotes to ensure accuracy.
    • Gathers accurate information and double checks all facts.
    • Writes interesting stories and information-packed captions.
    • Willingly revises stories and captions in order to improve the overall quality of the publication.
    • Uses correct grammar, usage and mechanics
    • Abides by the ethical standards of copywriting and reporting.
    • Composes interesting photos when assigned; abides by ethical standards of photography
    • Uses equipment responsibly.
    • Abides by school policy and staff code of ethics while representing the staff.

Adviser/Teacher:

As The Eagle Angle is a limited open forum for student expression, the adviser’s tasks do not include determining content. Rather the adviser/teacher serves as a resource to the staff by providing the following services:

• Provides instruction in all areas of journalism relevant to production of a journalistically sound news magazine.
• Advises students on means of improving both individual and collective work; serves as final review of content to provide edits and recommendations for the improvement of writing and design.
• Challenges students to perform their best.
• Acts as a liaison for organizing/coordinating events that have an effect on other members of the school community.
• Works with the staff to plan convention and work trips.
• Serves as a mediator for staff-related issues that cannot be resolved by staff.
• Grades student performance on the final product(s).
• Removes editors from positions and reassigns to a staff role as necessary.
• Adviser/Teacher will be shown all content for print or web before posting/publication in an effort to advise students about possible problems before content is made available to the public.