Form a student-led yearbook committee that also includes parents and teachers as members. Plan a yearbook design contest at least 3 months in advance of the annual date on which the yearbook is published. Decide upon rules for the yearbook design competition which detail who is allowed to participate, when submissions must be received by, what theme submissions must follow or whether there will be an open theme and what materials (i.e. pen and paper, colored pencil, graphic design, watercolor) may be used.
Publicize the contest with fliers in every classroom, newsletters to parents and an announcement on the schools website. Encourage art and design teachers to offer extra credit to students who create yearbook cover designs. Notify the school's PTA organization of the contest and encourage families to work together on designs, particularly with younger children.
After the solicitation period for receiving yearbook cover designs has ended, display designs in an easily accessible communal place like the school library. Identify each design with a number but keep creator information hidden. Place a voting box near the designs and ask students, parents and teachers to vote for their favorite design.
Announce the winner and work with the submitter to translate the design onto the cover. Notify the local paper about the contest and the winning design to generate positive publicity for the school.