About
Mission Statement
The Cougar Star’s mission is to deliver news to the best of our ability to the Clague community. We strive to work together as a team and build our leadership skills. We will treat each subject in an unbiased manner and provide all points of view. We aim to have a range of different topics covered with a variety of sources procured. All of our work is original and content is decided by students.
Code of Ethics
- Seek the truth and report it
- Diverse range of coverage
- Unbiased points of view
- Trustworthy source of information
- We try to have a diverse range of staff that covers diverse topics
- Aim to be anti-racist
- We welcome anyone who wants to report regardless of race, gender, etc.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
All work on The Cougar Star is original and utilizes creativity, prohibiting the use of AI to create any article, photo, and any other element affiliated with the final product of the publication. AI may be employed to refine grammar and spelling. If, after individual thought as well as collaboration, a writer is unable to come up with topics or headlines, they may talk to an editor or mentor about the possibility of using AI for brainstorming, although it is highly discouraged by The Cougar Star.
When purposefully involving AI in a story, it must be clearly stated and thoroughly cited.
Before posting or publishing any elements (articles, photos, etc.) on The Cougar Star, the adviser and editors will review all writers’ works to reinforce and regulate AI usage.
Use of AI will result in a meeting with the adviser and consequences will be decided upon on a case-by-case basis.
Questions about this policy can be sent to [email protected].
Prior Review Information
Articles on the website are reviewed by adviser Sara-Beth Badalamente.
Section Description
News: News articles discuss recent news, general interest and/or specific topics. The articles will be written with facts, not opinions.
Feature: Feature articles discuss events and activities important to the Clague community.
Opinion: Opinion articles discuss what the writer feels. Articles have no ill intent to do harm. We are open to add discussion about opinionated thoughts.
Entertainment: Entertainment articles discuss current trends that are important to our readers. They include reviews, and opinion-based articles about entertainment including books, tv shows, and movies.
Cougars of Clague: Cougars of Clague articles are written about students and staff at Clague and they are in a Q and A interview format.
Forum Status
The Cougar Star is a limited public forum.
Letters to the Editor
The Cougar Star encourages letters to the editor. Any Clague Middle School student may submit work. All articles will be viewed by the editorial board and voted upon to ensure newsworthiness and journalistic standards are upheld. Letters should be submitted to the adviser, Sara-Beth Badalamente at [email protected].
Takedown Policy
All factual errors will be changed and made. If a story removal request is made, the editorial board will consider the request based on an individual basis.
Contact information
Adviser: Sara-Beth Badalamente – [email protected]
