Since Fried Eagle is new, the answers on this FAQ are theoretical (although based on best practices). It is important to keep in mind that the look and feel of the zine might evolve over time.
What is Fried Eagle?
Fried Eagle is a collective of students (and their parents) who produce a quarterly indie zine (independent magazine).
Who is this opportunity for?
The opportunity to participate in Fried Eagle is specifically available to the cohort of first graders (currently, second graders) at our elementary school. Fried Eagle is also open to the siblings of the students in this cohort.
When will meetings occur?
During the summer, meetings will occur weekly on Sundays from 4:30-5:30 in the school's back field. During the school year, meetings will occur weekly on Fridays after school.
What are the roles of the students?
Students will have many opportunities to get involved with copy, photography, artwork and special interests (for example, a student who likes to write poems can write one for the zine). Larger roles such as cover designer, sales, and editors will rotate with each issue.
What are the roles of the parents?
Since Fried Eagle is a supplemental component to our children's education in the classroom and follows the model of the
40 Developmental Assets, parents are required to contribute sweat equity to the zine. We are asking for 8 volunteer hours per magazine issue. At home, parents will need to supervise their children's work and organize play dates (for group work) to ensure everything gets done before the deadline. Parents will also need to attend a majority of the weekly meetings and field trips and assist in zine production. Furthermore, it is equally important that our children lead the content of the zine, and parents simply act as facilitators to their work.
So does this mean weekly attendance is mandatory?
Weekly attendance is not mandatory--especially during the summer. However, students and parents will need to be consistent and attend meetings regularly. The weekly time is important for everyone to check in and see each other's progress.
What if both parents or single parents work?
There are many ways for dual-income families and single working parents to dedicate their time to the zine on their days off. No child in the cohort will be turned-down simply because his/her parents are unavailable to attend the weekly meetings. However, if a child is frequently disruptive and slows the group's creative process, an adult will be required to supervise that child during the weekly meetings.
Can I have more details about how the zine will come together?
Fried Eagle is published four times per year. Themes are centered around seasons and the activities that occur during those seasons. For example, during the summer, students work on the fall issue, and during the fall, students work on the winter issue, etc.
As mentioned above, since this is our launch, the look and feel of the zine might evolve over time. Theoretically, students are tasked with weekly assignments to execute individually or in groups (for example, one student might research and write about what a mayor does, whereas a group of students might make and test different kinds of paper airplanes and write an article on their findings). During our meetings, copy, drawings and photos are pieced together, and finished articles require approval from the editors. Most importantly, everything is lead by the students and only facilitated by the adults. This is where the learning takes place.
So how will you make these zines?
Fried Eagle will partner with the
Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC), a local nonprofit dedicated to media production. IPRC wholeheartedly encourages and welcomes parent-child zines.
This all sounds great, but how will it be funded?
There is no fee for this experience, however Fried Eagle asks every family to contribute $20 (or more, if possible) to fund the initial program supplies, IPRC training, and production of the first round of zines. The goal is to have future Fried Eagle sales generate enough money to fund itself.
What's the cost of the zine and who will sell it?
Students will set the price of Fried Eagle and help to sell it. Both paper and digital copies will be available for sale. Students can talk to local businesses to help sell the zine, too.
What will you do with the money?
Funds generated by zine sales will be placed in a bank account. A group of students and two parents who will act as dual co-signers will take a field trip to the bank to open the account. Even though students will decide how to divide and allocate the money, a large portion will be donated to the school's foundation.
How does all of this publicity work with minors?
Parents are required to sign a photo release form. We have a blog, so photos of our students are posted, however, no names are mentioned (for example, a potential employer will not be able to Google "John Doe" 30 years later, and see John working on the Fried Eagle). Furthermore, not only will students want to see photos of themselves in their zine, they will want to see their names on all of that hard work. First names and last name initial will be used on the zine.
