Jostens adds features to help yearbooks staff tell their stories

Jostens introduced updated set of J-Classes and Story Starter Surveys to help yearbook staffs capture the story of this unusual school year.

“As more and more schools prepared to move classes online this fall due to COVID-19, we worked hard to provide game-changing resources designed specifically for their new environment,” says Tammy Whitaker, vice president, Jostens Yearbooks. “We released a brand-new suite of 30 J-Classes, to help yearbook advisers teach and keep their staffs engaged.”

Each J-Class offers an instructional video featuring an industry expert teaching a key skill like photography, writing, design, and marketing.   J-Class videos are reinforced with supporting handouts and resources that guide yearbook staffers in creating an inclusive yearbook, whether they are attending school in-person or virtually.

“In addition to providing yearbook advisers with J-Classes, we knew we also needed to offer a fresh approach for covering a school year that looks very different than ever before,” added Whitaker.  “Story Starter Surveys make it easy for staff to gather relevant content from their school community.

Jostens developed a set of surveys to help facilitate the collection of photos, facts and quotes that can be used in the yearbook. The Story Starter Surveys range in focus from typical yearbook topics like school dances to unprecedented topics like face masks. They can also be customized by yearbook staff to fit their school and situation.