There were many excited students buzzing at the end of Friday's classes. Job positions were offered to 27 fifth graders and offers were quickly signed and returned to officially seal the deal. This opportunity comes to them after five years of watching the program on Friday mornings, and after five years of looking forward to their own chances to produce that same show.

First up on the agenda is a 'company'-wide lunch on Monday, where all the new crew members will be officially welcomed to the team. Each 'employee' will be introduced on this sight as the offers are returned. You can seed these on the Meet the Staff page. A schedule will be announced shortly of the dates in which students will be working after school, some employees on Wednesdays and others on Thursdays.

Fifth graders at Madison are entering the 5 Live! News pre-production season. Many students are eager to experience the different types of jobs available to them, and to apply for the job of their choice. Next week will mark the beginning of the process.

On Wednesday, October 12th, students will get the chance to see how the show at Madison is put together during a 'job fair.' Teachers host 5 stations for kids to visit: anchoring, web editing, live technical equipment, camera operating, and news writing. Thanks to Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Duthler, Mrs. Druschel, and Mrs. Smothers for their leadership in the fair. Students will read from the 'teleprompter,' and be filmed while doing it; they will film with a camera and see their work as they are given various tasks to do with the camera; and the students will watch a show being edited together electronically. In addition, students will be introduced to creative headlines as part of the writing department. Following the job fair, applications will be handed out to those who are interested.

Applications are handed out on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and are due on Friday, Oct. 14.

Students will select three choices for positions they wish to do. They are also asked for their 'work experience' and for references to support their application. The process simulates a real job searching process, this one for 'Bat Cave Productions company.'

The jobs available are described here: Positions Available New this year is a requirement to stay after school on Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on the desired job. Those requirements are included in the job descriptions. Also new this year is a 'non-active roster' of those 'employees' who currently do not meet our requirement of general good citizenship at school.

Interviews will follow the application stage. Each student will interview for his or her first choice. Kids generally dress up for the interview. As much as parents will want to observe their kids at an interview, the kids will handle the pressure, albeit in a positive, supportive environment, by themselves.

Students are interviewed the week of Oct. 17th by the Producer and the Editor-in-Chief, who is hired first.

Positions will be offered before the end of the month. Best wishes to all the students for a successful season!

Applications for the news crew will be handed out on Wednesday, Oct. 12th, right after the 'job fair.' They will be due that Friday, Oct. 14th, filled out and returned with parents' signatures. The application is somewhat thorough for a 5th grade production, but the entire process is designed to give a real life experience in job hunting. Included in the application is work experience: duties one has been given to do, whether it be babysitting, church volunteering, Scouts leadership, or chores at home. Two references are requested: these are family members or neighbors who can put in a good word for you; not all references are called, but many are, so it is wise to call the references to let them know they might be called.

To view and download a copy of the application. Download Application

At the bottom of the application form, parents are asked to sign and to check off whether or not the students may appear on the 5 Live! website. This is to help with selections to avoid any conflicts with privacy wishes. Students are expected to be neat in filling out the form.

Invitations will be delivered on the 17th for interviews that week. Students are encouraged to dress up as professionally as they can for the interviews, depending on the level of the position desired. Students will interview for the highest ranked job they list; all three choices should be well considered, since many jobs will have much interest.

Students interested in working on the news will have turned in their applications by the 14th. The first hire will be the Editor-in-Chief, who will sit in on many of the following interviews. Students will receive their date and time by notice on Monday the 17th. Interviews will take place during lunch/recess and shortly after school, Tuesday through Thursday. As happens every year, certain jobs are very popular with many kids wanting two or three available positions.

Students who receive Editor-level positions will be notified throughout the week. All other students will be invited to join the news show with a job offer on Friday. Students need then to return the notice, or tell Mr. C or Mrs. D that they want the job.

Interviews will finish up on Thursday. Last year's hopefuls raised the bar in preparing for interviews. They dressed up impressively, and they showed maturity in their attitudes and their answers to questions.

Positions will be offered to students during their Enrichment time on Friday the 21st. 'Learning the ropes' begins on the following Monday, beginning with an all-crew lunch meeting and introduction. A schedule of after-school dates will be presented then, as the training and production begins for our first show. The crew has three weeks to produce their first news program.