General Policies and Guidelines

General

The Jacket is the student yearbook published by the students of the Yearbook and Newspaper I, II, III Production courses at Galena Park High School.  The publications room is #201, Galena Park High School, 1000 Keene Street Galena Park, Texas 77547.  The phone number is (713) 679-6031, fax (713) 679-6016.  The advisor can be emailed at robert.courtemanche@galenaparkisd.com

Purpose

The Jacket serves many purposes to many people.  To the students, the Jacket is a memory book and a source of tradition.  To those who take the course it is an educational and journalistic experience.  The Jacket strives to maintain high standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy, objectivity, honesty and fair play.  The staff will try to make the yearbook honestly reflect the reality of life and culture at GPHS.  The Jacket is, however, a school publication and is subject to all school board policies and state and local school regulations.  As an educational tool, the yearbook should provide an insight into the business, design and editorial areas of publishing.

Senior Portraits

Senior portraits will be taken and submitted only by the photographer contracted by GPHS in the style(s) approved by the senior class sponsor.  Senior portraits must be taken by the last make up day provided by the company to be guaranteed publication.  Seniors who miss that deadline can not expect to be included in the yearbook.  The Senior Photographer for 2004 is Judy's Photography of Pasadena, Tx.  

Underclass Portraits

Underclass portraits will be taken and submitted only by the school's contracted photographer.  Students who miss both the regular and make-up portrait days will not be included in the yearbook.  All poses for the yearbook pages will be chosen by the staff, students who took more than one pose (returned on make-up day to take a second pose) may not necessarily get the second pose.  Poses will be chosen on the basis of using the "best possible picture."  The staff will make an effort to choose the pose that they believe looks the best and is the most flattering to the student.  If a student wishes to be excluded from the yearbook, he or she must submit a written request to the yearbook staff and it must be signed by one of their parents or guardians.

Obituary Policy

The Jacket will treat all deaths at GPHS with respect and dignity.  We cannot publish an obituary to every student, faculty or staff member who dies in a single year, that is not the purpose of a yearbook.  But space may be purchased by anyone who wishes to buy a memorial ad.  The names of students, faculty or staff who died from the beginning of school until the deadline in February will be listed in the yearbook under an "In Memory" section.

Book Sales Policy

-All book sales are final.  Once a book has been bought, no refund will be given.
-Damaged books will be exchanged.  (Only if the damage is the fault of the printer, and not the student.)
-Every student will be given a receipt upon purchase, and it is the student's responsibility to provide proof of purchase.  The staff will make every effort to maintain accurate sales records and receipts, but mistakes will happen and it is the purchaser's responsibility to provide proof of purchase.

Advertising Policy

-All advertising must meet district guidelines for obscene or offensive material.  All copy or text and art will be judged by these standards.  Any ad found to be in violation must be changed or it will not be published.
-The Jacket reserves the right to refuse any ad that is libelous, illegal, obscene, irresponsible, inappropriate, in poor taste or in violation of GPISD policy.  The Jacket also reserves the right to edit any ad before publication to ensure the standards and quality of our product.
-Any student, parent, staff member or organization affiliated with GPHS will be allowed to purchase ads.  Non students, businesses or any person not currently attending or related to an attending student may purchase ads, but are asked to limit the content either to advertisement of a business or support for the graduating class or school at large.
-The Jacket may limit the number of type styles offered to personal ad customers and set guidelines for format and style.  The Jacket reserves the right to edit all submitted text, art, graphics or photographs.

Accounts Payable

-No ad will be placed in the yearbook until payment is made.
-If a check written for a yearbook is returned, or credit card charge is refused, then we reserve the right to hold that yearbook until payment is made in CASH.  If payment is not made, we reserve the right to sell that book to another customer.
-Any installment payments that are not paid in full by the last day of school will lose all money paid.  They will not receive a yearbook and will not be allowed to apply installment money paid towards purchasing an "extras" book.

Distribution Policy

-The staff will keep a list of all students who purchased a yearbook.  This list should contain the name of every student who purchased a book.  But it is the student who must provide that proof.  Each student will be asked to show a receipt or a valid form of ID to pick up their book.  They must also sign for their book when they pick it up.  A book will not be distributed to anyone whose name is not on the list, unless they can show proof of purchase.
-In order to pick up a book for someone else, you must either be their parent or guardian (or other close relative), or you must have that person's identification and a written note from that person.

Name/Classification Policy

-The Jacket will use only the official names and classifications (Freshman, Sophomore, etc.) provided to us by the Registrar's Office at the end of August. GPHS does not reclassify students at mid-term.
-Students who use nicknames may expect to be listed in the index under their official name, but may be listed under their "nickname" if it was used by a group sponsor.
-Students who enroll at GPHS after the last picture days will not be included in the yearbook.
-Graduating Juniors:  Juniors who intend to graduate early may take a picture for the senior section.  But they must be an officially recognized early graduate by the Registrar's Office in order to be included in the Senior section.