Valhalla Publication Policies
Mission Statement:
The Valhalla’s mission is to provide the LSHS community with a quality, thought-provoking publication. In these efforts, the Valhalla has established a place specifically for the exchange of information, opinions, and artistic expression dedicated to those in the LSHS community. The Valhalla will operate as a forum for student expression with student editors, in conjunction with an adult adviser, responsible for making all decisions related to the content of the newspaper consistent with the limitations and guidelines established by this policy.
Advertising:
The Valhalla will not accept any advertising that we believe to be factually inaccurate designed to mislead, deceive or defraud; containing malicious, vindictive, or unsubstantiated attacks; offering goods and/or services illegal for teens to possess, buy, or use; libelous; obscene; creating imminent danger or disruption to school. The Valhalla reserves the right to refuse any advertising, solicited or unsolicited. Ads identifying students as athletes by photo or text will also not be accepted (WIAA 18.20.0 and 18.20.1). Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views, endorsements and/or positions of the Valhalla staff, student body, faculty, administration, or school board.
News and Feature Stories:
Reporters will strive to abide by the CODE OF ETHICS set by the Society of Professional Journalists. These ethics include accuracy and objectivity, fair play, and mutual trust. In addition, Valhalla reporters will abstain from stories that are factually inaccurate; designed to mislead, deceive, or defraud; containing malicious, vindictive, or unsubstantiated attacks. Also stories will not be published that are libelous; obscene; or that would create imminent danger or disruption to school.
Editorials:
The editorial section of the Valhalla serves as a forum for well written, thoughtful, longer forms of expression. Signed editorials represent the opinions of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Valhalla staff. Views printed here in are meant to be opinionated and/or persuasive, but do not necessarily represent the opinions of the student body, administration, or school board.
Letters to the Editor:
The Valhalla will generally publish as many letters as space allows each issue. Letters must include the author’s name, signature, and class or position relative to the school. Typed, double-spaced letters or legible, handwritten letters are acceptable, but none should be more than 300 words. The Valhalla reserves the right to edit all letters for space, accuracy, spelling, and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any letter. Submit letters to room 303, or email them to [email protected]. Any letter submitted by email should be in the body of the message, not in an attachment.
Editorial Cartoons:
The Valhalla will consider publishing comics and cartoons based on their appropriateness, size, and clarity.
Obituary Policy:
In the event of the death of a current student or member of the LSHS staff, Valhalla will publish an obituary. If a death of a current student or staff member occurs during the summer, the obituary will be published at the beginning of the next school year. The parameters of the obituary will be as follows:
Placement: In regular issues, the obituary will appear in the News section of the website; in the Senior Issue, the obituary will appear on either page one or two of the paper.
Content: The obituary will include a picture of the individual. If a picture is not provided by the family, then the school picture of the individual will be used. The full name and birth and mortality dates will be used. The advisor will contact the family and ask for one portrait-oriented image and a quotation or note. In the event that a note is not provided, the staff will use “We will miss you.” In the space provided and the picture will be sized to fit the space.
