CSMA Adviser Update

Jack Kennedy is trying to post lesson ideas, inspirational examples, lists of resources, and more each day (a third podcast episode should be posted later today). We have a new Category on our site called Quick Hits and we encourage you to stop in regularly (and we would LOVE to use lessons and ideas you are having success with -- our members are eager to exchange practical advice). There are nine posts within this category right now, with more coming.

Adam Dawkins has added a Category on covering the coronavirus and COVID-19 on our adviser support site, and hopes to add more materials regularly. Again, he would love to be able to share YOUR ideas with a broader audience. He put out a request on the CSMA listserv last week with his contact information.

Adam and Jack (and, honestly, most every adviser in our association) can be reached directly by email or phone. You can find helpful contact information here.

Best wishes to you and your family as we take on the most chaotic educational and societal situation of our lifetimes. Our money is on you, among the most talented teachers and thinkers we know, to find a way.

We sent out a listserv message a couple days ago, but if you missed it, why not check out our plan for spring contests to supplement our traditional Best of Colorado individual awards?

Our goal is to recognize as much great student work as we can, as soon as we can. The last thing we want to do is add unwelcome pressure to do "one more thing" to anyone's plate. But if you are looking for some motivators for your students and perhaps for some new audiences for their work, please consider participating as much or as little as you want.

Gov. Polis has signed HB20-1062, our amendment to the 1990 Student Freedom of Expression Law. It goes into effect 90 days after the last day of the legislative session (and no one is quite sure when that will be).

But we do know this: our law will add a little more respect and a little more protection for Colorado public school teachers who are helping their students share legal speech with their communities. The final bill is attached below. Consider sharing it with your students, your administration, and maybe making it part of an online lesson (our goal is to have some sample lessons and projects added to our Quick Hits category on our site by Sunday night).

Colorado Student Media Association memberships are by school medium, and we offer four options: print news, yearbook, online, and video media. A single membership is $65. We offer a convenient online membership form, and you can choose either to pay with a school credit card or ask to be invoiced.

Spring is busy for everyone, with lots of scholarship opportunities, individual contests, and much more. Watch for your weekly e-newsletter for details and be sure to check our website for the latest information.

Email: jpkjournalism@gmail.com
Website: colostudentmedia.com
Location: 9253 Sori Lane, Highlands Ranch CO
Phone: 303-550-4755
Facebook: facebook.com/coloradostudentmedia
Twitter: @ColoradoSMA