School Newspaper
The Piedmont Highlander
The Piedmont Highlander, TPH, is a student-run publication which serves PHS as well as parents and other citizens of the greater Piedmont community. The publication is produced approximately every three weeks and includes news, campus, sports, entertainment, opinion, and current issues and trends that involve Piedmont students.
Student editors and writers are enrolled in ROP/CTE Journalism or an Introduction to Publications class at PHS and receive training in news, feature, sports, opinion/review writing as well as an introduction to journalism history and law. Students both write and design the publication and are in control of its content.
Adviser Beth Black oversees students’ skills and discusses any editorial concerns with the editorial board, but final decisions are left up to the editor(s) in chief.
TPH is recognized through NSPA (National Scholastic Press Association) and CSPA (Columbia Scholastic Press Association) and has received awards from both organizations.
Courses for the TPH school newspaper staff:
- School Publications
Prerequiite: None. This course is open to 9th-12th graders
(UC approved “g”)
This is a year-long course which combines the high-level critical thinking, reading and writing skills of print journalism with the artistic, creative, and aesthetic skills of the visual and graphic arts. Students study techniques for reading, writing, photography, graphic design, interviewing and editing, as well as furthering their research skills. This course provides students with the expertise necessary to design and produce a year-end journalistic volume of student photography, research and writing that commemorates and covers the rich and diverse student experiences at Piedmont High School.
- Elective
- Open to 9th Graders
- Year-long
- School Publications
Recommendation: Completion of previous English class with a grade of B or higher
Open to all 9th-12th grade students
(UC approved “g”)
This course expands students' English and journalism skills through creating, designing, marketing, and publishing the student newspaper, The Piedmont Highlander, TPH, as well as using technology to enhance the paper through its online presence, TPHnews.com. Student are required to write for each issue of the paper, as well as for an outside source. Students become well versed in all types of journalistic writing as well as the basics of design and photography. Students have additional projects involving history, ethics, and in-depth reporting, and examine other professional media sources for story possibilities, as well as critiquing the design and content. Students who choose to take the class for more than one year can move into editor roles with advanced leadership positions.
More about The Piedmont Highlander
The Piedmont Highlander online, https://www.tphnews.com
- CTE Course
- Open to 9th Graders
- Year-long
