Story Ideas

Teachers attending the 2001 ASNE High School Institute at the University of Texas at Austin brainstormed "evergreen" story ideas that can be made interesting with a wide range of sources.
· What kinds of cars do students and teachers drive?
· Tips on staying physically fit and healthy.
· Favorite doughnuts and snack foods.
· Shadow community professionals -- interview them about their careers, etc.
· Profile famous alums.
· Find out about historical markers near school and profile the school's history.
· Migrant workers in your community -- they may be the parents of some of the students at your school.
· Food recipes -- after-school snacks, ethnic foods.
· Run a trivia contest in every issue.
· What do you feed a football player (training and diet regimens).
· Profile students with parents who teach on campus.
· Car care tips.
· Interview teachers who graduated from your campus.
· Zero-tolerance laws (students who've been punished under these laws and the views of
administrators and parents).
· First impressions of high school freshman (contrast with seniors).
· Sound off -- pro & con about an issue (with headshots of interviewees).
· Project stories on health issues such as anorexia or diabetes.
· Parents' careers and the world of work.
· Students in the digital age

Teachers from the 2001 ASNE High School Institute at Hampton University in Hampton, Va., came up with the following ideas for generating story ideas:
· Check local and daily newspapers
· Check Internet sites of teen interest and schools
· Check online student newspapers
· Talk with the school's public relations person
· Talk with coaches, guidance counselors, secretaries and the principal
· Talk with the principal's advisory group or cabinet
· Talk with student council members and the sponsor
· Survey teachers about unusual assignments, clubs they sponsor, students in their classes who are involved in interesting activities.
· "Beat Letters" for all clubs, organizations, teams, department heads, PTA, custodian or maintenance works, librarians.
· Contact parent groups, such as athletic boosters or band boosters
· Walk around the school and take note of posted fliers
· Look at the sports calendar, district calendar and school calendar
· Ask your friends what they would like to see in the paper
· Survey students in the school newspaper or as a class assignment
· Contact cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance personnel, etc.
· Watch local and national news programs for stories that might interest your audience
· Exchange newspapers with other schools
· Brainstorm in class
· Seek out students, coaches, teachers, staff, alumni or clubs to profile
· Contact the alunni group
· Check out other media for new releases, such as CDs, movies or books
· "Play Detective" -- ask questions about things that have sparked your curiosity
· Ask your peers to write letters to the editor, columns, editorial cartoons or to participate in "manon- the-street" columnns
· Check out school policies or the code of conduct
· Attend school board meetings