POLICY PAGE

Mission Statement

As a student-led organization and a limited public forum, The Arcadia Quill strives to inspire high school students to use their voices to discuss issues that affect them and their community in conjunction with our goal to provide a space for journalistic integrity, professionalism, and learning. We expect ourselves to be inclusive and respectful of everyone regardless of identity—including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic identity, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ability, and religious belief.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

We strive to put our values into action by doing the following:

• Highlighting the stories and experiences of students from backgrounds that have historically faced inequality.
• Assessing how The Arcadia Quill can improve by taking steps to avoid contributing to cultural appropriation and systemic injustice.
• Working to educate our staff on the impact of systemic inequality, and equipping them with tools on how to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within their own means.
• Following standards set by Arcadia Unified School District to confront systemic injustice including racial inequity.

We hold ourselves to high standards in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these efforts by The Arcadia Quill, please email [email protected].

Social Media & Website Comments

Social media will be used to promote appropriate media, to promote published content, and to engage with Arcadia and Arcadia High School’s community. The Editorial Board reserves the right to remove social media and website comments deemed inappropriate, offensive, or threatening. The information posted on social media platforms (i.e. Instagram) will be held to the same standards as all other reporting in terms of information gathering and fact-checking.

Bylines

If more than one person works on a story or an editor has to rewrite a significant portion of a story (as determined by the editor), all names of contributing writers will be listed on the byline of the article. All articles, graphics, photos, and other media, with the exception of staff photos, will be bylined with the photographer or contributor’s name. All bylined writers will be held accountable for their work and the information contained within.

Editorial Policy

The Arcadia Quill will not print anything in our publication (online or print) that is deemed libelous, obscene, or otherwise offensive or inappropriate, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s justified standards. Rights are reserved to postpone, edit or withhold from publication anything submitted which does not meet the specifications.

Unsigned editorials represent the view of The Arcadia Quill Editorial Board. It does not necessarily represent the view of other Quill staff members. The Arcadia Quill refuses to print criticism which is not constructive and not supported by fact or evidence. The editors and adviser will make the final decision on all material appearing in The Arcadia Quill.

The Arcadia Quill will not intentionally invade the privacy of any person or publish facts and quotes given off the record. Opinions will be clearly marked and found on the editorial pages or as designated on other pages (i.e.- front page). Signed opinion articles and commentary are the expressed opinions of the author and not of The Arcadia Quill and its editorial board, adviser, or Arcadia High School’s faculty or school board.

Staff members are guided by the Canons of Journalism of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, a code of ethics which outlines the principles of responsibility, fairness, and accuracy.

Corrections Policy

Corrections will be printed when brought to the attention of the staff. Original stories will carry bylines but additional contributors to a story will be listed on the byline.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism of any form will not be tolerated. Story ideas and article content are to remain completely original with the exception of the use of outside graphics/images/quotes, which are to be duly credited.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be a substitution for the writers’ creative process. AI is a supplemental tool, but an unvetted source that The Arcadia Quill will use ethically.

Ethical uses currently include, but are not limited to:

• Summarizing sources during the research process (though not as a primary resource).
• Identifying counter arguments for Opinion pieces.
• Checking grammar.
• Transcribing interviews or speech.
• Generating citations.
• Detecting plagiarism or AI-generated work.

AI will not be used for:

• Generating images.
• Drafting articles.

The writer’s role:

• Participate in discussions and receive training on the ethical and practical use of AI in journalism.
• Use AI tools under the supervision of a journalism teacher or adviser.
• Disclose any use of AI.
• Abide by AP style policy.

Quotes

Quotes are representative of a single opinion; they do not represent the beliefs of the student body and staff. Quotes are to be written in past tense with the correct style guide format.