Hot off the Presses

This week I delivered the first issue of CPSxpress to each school and to all of the advertisers. In introducing CPSxpress to Nettelhorst, I sent out this letter:

When I started working on Nettel2theMetal last year (and before), my goal has always been to reach multiple Chicago Public Schools in a magazine format. This year I am launching CPSxpress, a magazine written by the 5th-8th grade students from five different north side public schools. 

Starting with two issues per school year, each one has a main topic, this first one being “Dreams and Goals.” The next issue (to be distributed in late April), will be all about “Role Models.” 

Though written by the upper grades, I am printing enough copies for all of the students (PreK-8th grade) in each school. I think it’s important for kids to learn from each other and to see what they might aim for in the future. Besides that, it’s something to read, and reading is good!

I hope CPSxpress will:

• Allow students to express themselves through writing and art.

• Focus students on particular topics which will let them explore their feelings about those topics at a deeper level.

• Create pride in students when they see their work in print (with a total circulation of 3000).

• Help students see how others may feel on a particular topic.

• Encourage students to read and reach their goals through writing and art.

I hope CPSxpress will do all this and more. I see so much potential for this "project" and I hope to reach it in full. : )

Up to Speed

So, I haven't posted in a looong time. Nobody even knows this blog is here yet, but I did want I kept a better log of what was going on with this project, because maybe one day people will know it is here! So, I'm just going to do a quick update.

Once I got all of the schools to sign on to CPSxpress, it came down to getting the advertisers. This was actually a lot more fun than I expected. I enjoyed meeting so many nice community business people, and I looked forward to following up (along with the challenge of getting people to advertise in a publication that hasn't even been started yet). I was happily surprised with how many businesses were willing and able to advertise. I know these are hard economic times, and it wasn't so easy asking for money, but this is an opportunity that will hopefully help their businesses in the long run, while building community with the neighborhood schools, which I think is very important. So, I got the advertisers, and then I received the submissions from the schools. They were great, especially for the first time out. Some people didn't have a strong idea of what it's all about, but they were more than willing to participate. All of my school contacts are super nice and cooperative. They ask questions when needed and stay on top of their end of the project (which is good, because I'm not a micro manager, and I know they already have so much on their plates). I hope this project is seen as a positive addition to the students' schoolwork, not just one more thing that needs to be done. It will never "need" to be done, as it is completely voluntary.

So, now, I'm working  on the design. I laid out the pages and the ads. I sent the pages to the school contacts to proof by this Friday. I'm working on the cover, which I want to be strong and captivating (I received some good cover submissions that I'm incorporating into a new design). 

Hopefully, after this first issue, the response will be positive, and students will be excited to get their work in the next issue. When I get too many submissions (I had a little overflow this time), I'm hoping to put the extras on a web page, so even though I'm almost done with the layout, I've still got lots of work to do before distribution....but it's work I love, and I'm having a great time!

The Final Five

Today I confirmed the final two schools to participate in CPSxpress (deciding if it should be CPSXPress or CPSxpress....leaning toward the second...once I'm working on the logo, it might work its way out). So now I have a total of 5 schools. I was originally planning on having 7 schools, but I realized that enrollment has gone up in all of the schools since last year (the numbers I was using to plan for production). So, I decided to narrow it down to 5, but we will still be printing a total of 3000 issues. Another advantage of the lower number of schools, is that each school will now get 3 pages on which to represent themselves instead of just a spread. 

I will be e-mailing my contacts soon, most likely tomorrow, to keep them updated.

Next step: getting advertisers. I'm planning on starting to pound the pavement tomorrow. : )

Rock this Way

Yesterday I stopped by Hamilton Elementary. They were having a "Rocking for Readers" celebration. I'm not sure if that's the official name, but there was a great band and many books to choose from to take home.  There were also crafts, t-shirt and card sales and food. Everyone was having a great time. I went with my son Ethan (he used to attend Hamilton), because my daughter Sam was taking a nap. It was great to see some familiar faces and meet some new people. My main objective was to meet the new principal and talk to him about the magazine. I'm happy to say he agreed to participate in the magazine project (once he realized it doesn't cost the school any money). I met my contact person, and now we're on our way!

There are a few more schools I am trying to contact and get on board, and then it's off to get the advertisers!

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

School starts in less than two weeks, and I'm so anxious to get started on the magazine. I have dropped off little packets, including sample magazines and a letter to the principal, to a few schools on the north side that I would like to participate in the project. I have heard back from a few, but I am aware that this is an extremely busy time for school staff, as they prepare for the upcoming year. I didn't want to start in the middle of the summer, as nobody is around, and I didn't want to wait until after the first day of school to get started, because I'd really like to be out getting advertisers as soon as possible.

Ideally, the first issue will be published before the Winter Break, giving advertisers a chance to promote any holiday specials. If, by any chance, this deadline is not met, it is not the end of the world, but it is something I am aiming for. I will be very busy looking for advertisers, as they are what will make this magazine possible. I will be happy to post links to advertisers on my blog here and on the CPSxpress web site I hope to create. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I just can't wait to get started!