Pennsylvania School Press Association

PSPA is both surprised and gratified by the response from its membership so far!  If you haven’t had a chance to renew, click on the blue label on the top-left of this page, download the form, fill it in, and send it, including your check.  That’s all there is to it!  For almost every publication, your membership expires at the stroke of midnight on Halloween.

PSPA wishes you the best as many of us take a breather, courtesy of Christopher Columbus, and press on into the waning months of 2009.

 This fall PSPA planned a number of one-day regional conferences, intending to have students learn and meet in places PSPA never had an opportunity to visit before.  Those regional conferences, in a word, flopped.  How should PSPA educate young journalists, recognize excellent achievement, and provide a place for student journalists to discuss their passion?  I’ve asked the board to give me their ideas on this topic (today is their deadline).  I’ll take their ideas, concoct a survey, and, in late October, will send it to you.  Please take the time to respond.  Your input will help direct conference planning for the next few years.

 Tomorrow you will receive a survey about webinars.  This winter and spring PSPA looks to hosting a series of them, directed towards student journalists and advisers.  Our goal: maximize learning and opportunity, minimize cost and classroom disruption.  How and when will these webinars be offered?  You tell us.  Again, please take the time to respond to this survey.

 Trick or – Membership Renewal (doesn’t quite ring like “trick or treat,” does it? ): Except for a handful of you early birds, membership renewal is due by 11/1.  Do you have a question as to whether your staff needs to renew?  Email me.  I’ll let you know.  You’ll also find a link to the membership form on the front page of this website.

 Summer Evaluation: give me your feedback on our summer evaluation.  What helped you and your staff?  Was the critique useful?  Please send me your suggestions and comments.  This winter PSPA will review its summer evaluation process.

 Quick reminder of local journalism opportunities:

November 2: Columbia University’s Fall Conference, NYC

November 6: Point Park University Media Day, Pittsburgh, PA

November 12-15 JEA/NSPA, Washington, D.C.

November 19 -22 NCTE, Philadelphia, PA