IBDP CAS

Welcome to our CAS 2024-25 Project. More information will be available after the first meeting.

Step 1: Project Planning and Preparation

1. Define the Purpose and Audience
   • Purpose: To inform, entertain, and showcase the talents and achievements of Vista High School students.
   • Audience: Students, parents, teachers, and the local community.
2. Form a Team
   • Editor-in-Chief: Will decide during the first Planning Meeting on Zoom.
   • Section Editors:
     • News: To be nominated.
     • Features: To be nominated.
     • Sports: To be nominated.
     • Arts: To be nominated.
   • Writers: Various students from the journalism club.
   • Designers: Art club members.
   • Photographers: Yearbook team members.
   • Marketing/Distribution Managers: School’s student council.
3. Create a Project Plan
   • Timeline:
     • Week 1: Initial planning and team formation.
     • Weeks 2-3: Content creation.
     • Weeks 4-5: Design and layout.
     • Week 6: Final review and printing.
     • Week 7: Marketing and distribution.
   • Milestones:
     • Article submission deadline: End of Week 2
     • Initial design draft: End of Week 4
     • Final review: End of Week 5
     • Printing: Start of Week 6
     • Distribution: Start of Week 7
4. Choose a Theme and Title
   • Theme: “The Year of Resilience” – focusing on how students and staff have overcome challenges (subject to change).
   • Title: “Vista High Chronicle” (subject to change).

Step 2: Content Creation

1. Develop Content Ideas
   • Sections:
     • News: School events, new initiatives, student achievements
     • Features: Interviews with teachers and students, opinion pieces on current issues
     • Sports: Coverage of school teams, athlete profiles
     • Arts: Student artwork, creative writing, theater reviews
2. Assign Articles and Deadlines
   • Contributor: “New STEM Lab Inauguration” (News)
   • Contributor: “Interview with Principal Martinez” (Features)
   • Contributor: “Spring Sports Roundup” (Sports)
   • Contributor: “Student Art Showcase” (Arts)
   • Deadline: Articles due by the end of Week 2
3. Conduct Research and Interviews
   • Contributor interviews the STEM lab coordinator.
   • Contributor interviews Principal Martinez and gathers student opinions.
   • Contributor attends and reports on various sports events.
   • Contributor collects artwork and interviews artists.
4. Write and Edit Articles
   • Writers draft their articles and submit them to their respective section editors.
   • Editors review the drafts, provide feedback, and request revisions.
   • Final drafts are polished and ready by the end of Week 3.

Step 3: Design and Layout

1. Create a Design Concept
   • Visual Style: Modern and clean with school colors (blue and gold)
   • Fonts: Sans-serif for headers (Arial), serif for body text (Times New Roman)
   • Layout Templates: Consistent layout for each section
2. Collect and Edit Visuals
   • Photographers take high-quality photos of events, interviews, and artwork.
   • Images are edited for clarity and resolution.
3. Design the Layout
   • Art club members use Adobe InDesign to create the magazine layout.
   • Articles, images, and advertisements are arranged aesthetically.
   • Table of contents and section headers are designed for easy navigation.

Step 4: Final Review and Printing

1. Proofread and Final Edit
   • Entire magazine is proofread by a team of teachers and student editors.
   • Final edits are made to correct any remaining errors.
2. Seek Feedback
   • A draft of the magazine is shared with a small group of teachers and students.
   • Feedback is collected and necessary adjustments are made.
3. Prepare for Printing
   • Ensure the magazine file is high-resolution and properly formatted for printing.
   • Choose a printing service and get a quote.
4. Print the Magazine
   • Print a small batch for a final quality check.
   • Once approved, print 500 copies for distribution.

Step 5: Marketing and Distribution

1. Create a Marketing Plan
   • Use social media (Instagram, Twitter) to promote the magazine.
   • Announce the launch in the school’s daily bulletin.
   • Create posters to place around the school.
2. Organize a Launch Event
   • Plan a launch event during a school assembly.
   • Present highlights of the magazine and distribute copies to attendees.
3. Distribute the Magazine
   • Hand out copies during lunch breaks and school events.
   • Send copies to parents and community members through the school newsletter.
   • Upload a digital version on the school’s website.

Step 6: Reflection and Evaluation

1. Reflect on the Experience
   • Team members write reflections on their contributions and what they learned.
   • Discuss challenges and successes in team meetings.
2. Evaluate the Project
   • Collect feedback from readers through surveys and informal discussions.
   • Analyze what worked well and what could be improved.
3. Document the Process
   • Compile a project report detailing steps, roles, outcomes, and reflections.
   • Use the report to guide future editions of the magazine.

Final Notes

We will reach a more solid plan based on our first meeting.