// Yearbook Elevation //

True. Literary Arts publications advisers earn champ rings in Virginia.
Cat Misar and Sarah Congable (former adviser), literary arts magazine advisers at Washington & Lee High School (Arlington, VA) were awarded with the VHSL’s Charles E. Savedge Award. The Savedge Award is earned by publications receiving a Trophy Class award five years out of a seven year span.

This is Sarah Congable’s second Savedge Award. During the second cycle, Cat Misar took over advising and continued to earn Trophy Awards with her Penman publications teams since 2011.

Jostens is the official commemorative partner with the VHSL and provides the champ rings to publications advisers in the state of Virginia. The adviser’s rings include the school name, publication’s name and stone color of choice.

Jostens publishes the winter and spring issue of the Penman. The staff utilizes Jostens’ award winning publishing platform, YearTech Online to conveniently produce each issue of the literary arts magazine.

– See more at: https://www.jostensrenaissance.com/RGR/?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=email&utm_term=REN_MER287_MTHLYHARBOR_12012015&utm_content=lirt-CTA-Button&utm_campaign=REN_MER287_MTHLYHARBOR_12012015#sthash.CeRUC0ag.dpuf

October 8th, 2015 was an epic day in Fairfax County and for Northern Virginia Schools (with some traveling from West Virginia and Maryland). Over 1300 students engaged with Mike Smith, host of The Harbor, sponsored by Jostens and local representatives. Packing the Robinson’s Field House with huge energy, Mike Smith shared his story and how he’s made a dramatic positive influence in this country- especially when it comes to his work for Skate for Change and the homeless.
Students danced, listened and strategized about their personal legacies and the legacy they’ll leave behind at their schools.  It’s only getting started. 
Even though Jostens is the world leader in yearbooks, this event is the definition of why Jostens is “more than a book.”

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“It has been amazing and response from staff has been unbelievable.  Attached is a picture of our Partnership Class (general ed students and Category B special education students) sharing their SPARK with each other.  The SPARK was this month’s lesson from the Renaissance Education Kit. It was awesome!  The staff loved the opening day, the pep rally, The Harbor and discussions with their classes.  We are on a roll.” – Tracey Phillips, Associate Principal, Robinson Secondary School

During the hype of spring yearbook distribution, six area schools earned the Jostens’ National Program of Excellence Award. The following schools met Jostens’ criteria for earning the award and were recognized during end of year celebrations and assemblies.

• Academy of the Holy Cross
• St. Stephen’s St. Agnes School
• Williamsburg Middle School
• Swanson Middle School
• Longfellow Middle School
• Immanuel Christian School

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All of the schools did a phenomenal job by doing the following:
1)      Submit yearbook cover and endsheet designs on time
2)      Complete ALL pages deadlines on time throughout the year
3)      Reach a student buy rate of over 70% (or do 3% better than the previous year)
4)      Include at least 50% of the school population in the yearbook 3X’s or more
5)      Celebrate the yearbook with an official distribution party

CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done!!

Inspired by ideas shared through Jostens Renaissance, T.C. Williams’ Senior Class of 2015 paraded through the hallways of their former elementary, middle schools and the freshmen campus. During the trip, seniors shared a little bit about their journey to graduate along with their future plans of attending colleges. They also shared their professional goals with elementary students. As they marched, they were praised, applauded and hugged.

This scene captured the awesome day and growing tradition at TC. It provides a clear vision to aspiring ACPS students. Jostens is a local partner with TC Williams’ Renaissance program.

Congratulations to Melinda Bloomquist at Mount Vernon HS for being recognized as one of Jostens’ Educators of the Year! Through her passion, leadership and results, she’s earned a full ride to Jostens Renaissance National Conference. At the conference she’ll be instructing, sharing her success story with others around the country, celebrating her accolades- and most importantly, getting pumped up for 2016!

Monarch is here. Fly with us.
>>Let’s schedule a live, in-person demo!!<<

It really doesn’t get much better. School leaders, including students, administrators, faculty and staff getting together for one day to share ideas and get inspiration on how to enhance their schools’ positive culture and climate.  This is JR MAC!

(Thanks iMovie for making it easy)

Rockin’ it out. Backin’ it up – Fairfax County’s Region Three Schools embracing (almost) all Jostens has to offer.

Recently, on my way down to Mt. Vernon HS, I popped on Pandora and started rocking out in my car. As I listened, I also reflected on ALL of the ways in which Region three is “’Rocking it out and backing it up” through the support of Jostens. From yearbooks to Renaissance, T-shirts, Congressional Curriculum and everything in between, we are building momentum and something special. Sometimes the area takes a bad rap and we might not change that, but we can change some experiences for some of the students and educators.

What’s interesting, however, is that we don’t publish the yearbooks in all of Region Three schools. That’s OK. For now. In fact, we only publish three of the 40+ schools (if you count the elementary schools). Read on.

What’s the definition of “More than a Book”?
Region Three is the definition of “More than a Book.” In the schools mentioned below, notice the highlights on how we partner up to not only create a wonderful yearbook experience, but GO BEYOND the BOOK to support the mission in schools.

Walt Whitman MS highlights

• Helped transition yearbook club in to a class through 7 Minute Starters for Success and Jostens 1-2-3 Curriculum
• Yearbook commercial video – tells a story of girl who’s come out of her shell
   as a result of the class, the students are working as a team and individuals are ‘coming out of their shell,’ and building self-confidence. They are also setting goals and working towards building a strong yearbook business.
• Embracing Renaissance by attending all JR MAC workshops – improving “high five” recognition program
  
• Attended Congressional Medal of Honor Program and now owners of the curriculum and certified to instruct one of the most powerful character focused curriculum available.

Carl Sandburg Middle School highlights

• Grew yearbook staff from 11 to 30 in one year
• Building staff culture through personalized yearbook t-shirts
• Capturing the story of all phases of the school’s renovation

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West Potomac High School highlights

• First year publishing yearbook AND News Magazine, currently breaking new ground in sales
• Flagship Renaissance team, utilizing “Hello Boxes”, Commitment to Graduate Program and more, including implementation of school wide mural project
• Rings and cap and gown program
• Awarded Tommy Friederich with the National Football Foundation Capitol Region Chapter Student Athlete Scholarship in 2012

Mt. Vernon High School highlights

• Exemplary Renaissance team, expanding “Major Bucks” program into a school spirit store and celebrations for participating student winners
• Consistent academic pep rallies
• Embracing “Hello Boxes” and lesson plans, improving student/staff morale, and peer mediation collaboration
• Record attendance by bringing over 60 students to JR MAC program in March
• Rings and cap and gown program

We know we won’t solve every problem a school and its administration face on a day to day basis. We do know however, that little by little, good things are happening. We have to celebrate the accomplishments and grow it. Let’s take the momentum to new levels.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Region Three schools and how we can partner with Fairfax County and its other regions. What if we helped your region…your school…your staff…your students…your community?

You rock it out. We back it up. Jostens.