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the Symposium is open to all private school Students, teachers, and administrators.

About the Symposium

Attendees will hear from and engage in discussion with Prof. Erica Salkin, author of Private Schools and Student Media: Supporting Mission, Students and Community, award-winning student journalists, experienced advisers, administrators, counsel from the National Association of Independent Schools and Student Press Law Center, SNO Sites, which supports online student journalism, and Journalism Education Association President Sarah Nichols. 

This symposium addresses how to launch and grow a successful student newsroom at any independent school, with a focus on unique challenges and opportunities in this sector. 

Additionally, attendees will have ample opportunity to engage in formal and informal workshops. Private School Journalism Association (PSJA) Director David Cutler, along with other experienced advisers, will also be available for private meetings. 

Brimmer and May (Chestnut Hill, MA), where PSJA Executive Director David Cutler also teaches history and advises The Gator, the School’s award-winning online student newspaper, is sponsoring the event. 

Registration on Eventbrite will go live Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $160. The agenda below is subject to change.

Opening Keynote: Dr. Erica Salkin, “Private school student journalism: A mission-driven community”

The benefits of student journalism are not only well-documented, but also align with the core elements of the missions of most private schools: to prepare students to play positive roles in their communities. Working together, we open this symposium with a keynote from Dr. Erica Salkin celebrating the private school student media adviser community and discussing how to highlight mission connections.

Dr. Salkin is an associate professor of communication studies at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. She is the author of several articles and books on student media and student speech rights, including the recent  Private Schools and Student Media: Supporting Mission, Students, and Community from Lexington Books. At Whitworth, she teaches courses in media writing, digital media and free speech as well as advises the student newspaper The Whitworthian.

Closing Keynote: Sarah Nichols, “Where to find support for building successful student publications”

Sarah Nichols, President of the Journalism Education Association (JEA), will share resources to support journalism teachers and scholastic media advisers in every stage of their professional experience, from curriculum support to mentoring, opportunities for award recognition and ways to connect with others in the profession. Participants will leave with tools for both immediate growth and long-term success as well as new ideas to consider for the 2021 year.

Agenda

Monday, June 28

Why Student Newspapers at Independent Schools

11:00 — 12:30 (PM EST)

OPENING KEYNOTE: Prof. Erica Salkin, author of Private Schools and Student Media, celebrates the private school student media adviser community and how to highlight mission connections.

12:45 — 1:15 (PM EST)

OPTIONAL: Virtual breakfast/lunch get-together with STUDENTS and ADVISERS. Moderated by PSJA Director David Cutler.

1:30 — 2:45 (PM EST)

STUDENT PANEL: The Gator’s Editor-in-Chief Karly Hamilton ’21 (Brimmer and May, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts), moderates a panel discussion with journalists from award-winning publications, including SJS Review (St. John’s School, Houston, Texas), The Feather (Fresno Christian School, Fresno, California), The Oracle (Archer School, Los Angeles, California), and The Fourcast (Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas), The Broadview (Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco, California), and The Standard (The American School in London, London England), about growth, success, and how to build a successful program. Presenters will also address unique struggles and opportunities that that they face.

Tuesday, June 29

Legal considerations and student speech

11:00 — 12:00 (PM EST)

STUDENT PRESS RIGHTS: JEA Scholastic Press Rights Director Kristin Taylor moderates a panel discussion with Student Press Law Center Staff Attorney Sommer Ingram Dean and National Association of Independent Schools Legal Counsel Megan Mann about student speech at private schools. Where does the law come into play, and how do student speech rights differ between public and private schools? Can private schools be held liable for having lofty mission and vision statements, while also censoring student voice? Should schools ever censor content or demand prior review?

12:15 — 1:00 (PM EST)

OPTIONAL: Virtual breakfast/lunch get-together with ADMINISTRATORS. Moderated by PSJA Director David Cutler.

1:30 — 2:30 (PM EST)

HEADS OF SCHOOL: One Schoolhouse Independent Curriculum Director Peter Gow moderates a panel with Rachel Simpson, (Head of School, Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco, California) the 2018 recipient of the JEA’s Administrator-of-the-Year Award, Judith Guild (Head of School, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts), Robin Appleby (American School in London, London, England), Elizabeth English (Head of School, Archer School in Los Angeles, California), Thomas Reid (Interim Head of School, Derby Academy, Hingham, Massachusetts), Matthew Green (Head of School, Falmouth Academy, Falmouth, Massachusetts) about the role of student media at private schools. What are common concerns and considerations, and how can administrators support student media to bolster mission statements?

Wednesday, June 30

Excelling with online journalism

11:00 — 12:00 (PM EST)

SNO SITES MAKES IT EASY: PSJA Director David Cutler welcomes Alex McNamee of SNO Sites to address how to build and sustain an affordable and powerful online newspaper.

12:15 — 1:00 (PM EST)

OPTIONAL: Virtual breakfast/lunch get-together with EVERYONE. Moderated by PSJA Director David Cutler.

1:15 — 2:30 (PM EST)

ADVISER PANEL: PSJA Director David Cutler moderates a panel discussion with award-winning advisers David Nathan (SJS Review, St. John’s School, Houston Texas), Greg Stobbe (The Feather, Fresno Christian School, Fresno, California), Kristin Taylor (The Oracle, Archer School, Los Angeles, California), Julia Copeland (The Fourcast, Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas), Tracy Sena, (The Broadview, Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco, California), Louisa Avery (The Standard, The American School in London, London England), and Dr. Ben Parsons (The Chandlery, Falmouth Academy, Falmouth, Massachusetts) to discuss how to launch and maintain successful journalism programs.

Thursday, July 1

Where to go from here

11:00 — 12:00 (PM EST)

CLOSING KEYNOTE: Sarah Nichols, President of the Journalism Education Association, shares resources to support journalism teachers and scholastic media advisers in every stage of their professional experience.

12:15 — 1:15 (PM EST)

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WORKSHOP: As our country confronts systemic racism, how can we make every voice feel welcome and heard in the private school student newsroom? What pitfalls should we avoid, and how can we be as inclusive as possible? All presenters and attendees are welcome to attend.

1:30-2:30 (PM EST)

MOVING FORWARD WORKSHOP: What didn’t this symposium address that you would like to touch upon? How can PSJA help the larger private school community foster and build successful journalism programs? Would you like to learn more about getting involved in PSJA? How would you like to contribute?

PSJA Director David Cutler will address the short and long-term goals of the organization. Attendees will also have the chance to share contact information to support our collective efforts to champion student publications.

Friday, July 2

Help

9:00-2:00 (PM EST)

ONE-ON-ONE SESSION: PSJA Director David Cutler and experienced advisers meet with student publications to offer critiques. By appointment only.