2012-2013 Editorial policy

The Central Times is a student-produced monthly publication which strives to inform, entertain, and provide an open forum for students as well as faculty members, parents, administrators and community members associated with Naperville Central High School while continuing a tradition of journalistic excellence. This publication covers school and community events, sometimes as they relate to national trends and news.

The Central Times accepts letters to the editor from all readers. Each letter to the editor must include a signature and phone number when submitted. Letters submitted electronically via our Web site must include a valid name and e-mail address. Writers may request anonymity but must attend a conference with the adviser, Keith Carlson, and the current editor in chief. If Carlson and the editor in chief find it necessary to keep an author’s name out of print, they will not release the name to the readership in any form. The editor in chief reserves the right to edit letters for concise language, grammar and length. The editor in chief may decide which letters to print based on space available and scope of readership affected.

The Central Times acknowledges and respects the legal restrictions set in place by the U.S. Supreme Court. Student publications may not print anything that is libelous, a violation of privacy, obscene or a violation of copyright laws. The Central Times disapproves of censorship and practices its first amendment rights. It also discourages all forms of prior review. This publication abides by district publications policies. Copies of the district publication policies are available in Room 218.

The Central Times follows the AP Stylebook. It does not print works deemed profane. The words “hell,” “damn,” “bitch,” “bastard,” “ass,” “suck” and “crap” may be used in editorial or opinion pieces. In other cases, words considered profane will only be used if part of a direct quote and imperative to the content or meaning of that quote.

For all controversial topics, the Central Times will objectively cover the facts related to a particular issue and may eloquently express any staff opinion appropriate to the situation in a staff editorial. The staff develops the editorial through open discussion. One or two writers construct the editorial from discussion notes.

The Central Times accepts writing, photos and artwork from Central students. Any person who writes and researches a story will be included in the byline of that story. If an editor must rewrite or do large amounts of research to complete a story, he/she will be included in the byline and the original writer’s name will appear at the end of the story as a contribution. The Central Times reserves the right to not publish stories, photos or artwork submitted.

All students interested in working with the Central Times may attend morning meetings in the newspaper classroom. Times and dates will be announced prior to the meetings.

Readers reserve the right to call attention to an error in print. Correction forms are available in the newspaper office. Those interested in advertisement and donations must speak to the editor in chief, Christin Tang, or adviser Keith Carlson. Ad prices vary depending on the size of the ad space. All advertisers must sign a contract. The Central Times will not publish advertisements illegal to minors.

One yearly subscription to the Central Times costs $10. English teachers distribute papers in their classes at the end of each month. The Central Times online will feature much of the print edition’s content, but not all of it. In addition, the Web site will feature material not included in the print edition.

If a student or faculty member dies during the school year, the Central Times will print an obituary. It will include the cause of death, school activities and information on memorial contributions and funeral arrangements. The Central Times may contact the deceased’s family and may cover news associated with the death if deemed appropriate by the staff.

Finally, the online version of the Central Times will honor District 203’s privacy policy by not including the last names of students who are designated as “publication exclusions” in the text of online articles. Nor will these students be identified in photo captions or in any way featured in video content. Students whose images are to be featured online will be asked to sign a media release form to document that the Central Times has been granted permission to electronically publish photo and/or video content that contains these images.