Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers

I've attached a calendar for journalism that may be helpful for you as you plan your next school year!

Don't forget to send in your VHSL evaluation entries this week along with your entries for the state writing competition. Remember, everyone has at least one student who has done something exceptional this year. Take a minute to recognize them by entering their work in the state writing/design/photography contest. Let me know if you have any questions or need help finding the entry forms.

It's not too late to get your students and/or YOU registered for jCamp at Virginia Tech this summer
July 20-24. Late registration ends on June 1, so use the last few weeks to really push those kids to
get their training early! This is a terrific bonding experience for your staff, but students don't have to come as a group! We have several from around the state that come as a rep from their school.
Advisers also DO NOT have to come with their kids, BUT they can also come without them!!!!
The advisers strand this summer is going to be new and different. You will leave with a plethora
of lesson plans to get your year off with a bang!!!! Just go to the link below for forms and more
info. Let me know if you need anything!!!

WHAT'S NEW?

Tell a VAJTA Board Member in Your Area What You Think — and Need
Members of VAJTA should communicate their concerns and their needs to VAJTA Board members. The Board is divided into regions to better serve members. Locate the Board member who is nearest to you and who advises a similiar publication.

WHAT IS VAJTA?
Founded in 1989, the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers is a professional organization of journalism teachers and advisers committed to the highest standards of journalism. Its purpose is to act as a continuing resource for beginning and experienced teachers and advisers, to provide information and training opportunities, to serve as a vehicle for communication between VAJTA and other groups, and to act as an advocate for scholastic journalism. A Board of Directors meets four to six times a year in Charlottesville to plan VAJTA activities.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
If you have additional questions contact either Valerie Penton . She will answer your questions, tell you who to contact for answers or encourage you to join VAJTA and JEA so you can get more information through the Virginia
VAJTA/JEA Resource Guide, newsletters of the organizations and special workshops and conventions sponsored by JEA and VAJTA.

2008 Pacemaker Awards:
Congratulations to the attached Virginia yearbooks who have been nominated for the NSPA/JEA Pacemaker Award which will be awarded at their national convention in Anaheim in April. Good luck and way to go Virginia!

Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Recognize Excellence in Sports Journalism

VaSID is offering a one time $500 scholarship recognizing outstanding high school students in the field of journalism. The awards will honor those students who have combined an appreciation of athletics with an aptitude for journalism. Applicants must submit a VaSID Scholarship Honoring Excellence in Sports Journalism application along with three samples of their work to the selection committee along with at least one letter of recommendation. This is a great opportunity to recognize your sports reporters but the deadline of March 1^st is rapidly approaching – don’t delay.

For more information contact: Chip Rogers, University of Virginia, at: chipr@virginia.edu