Tag: NJSPRA

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N.J. schools win awards for outstanding communications

The New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA) honored school districts for their significant

Cherry Hill: Barbara Wilson, Public Information Officer; Dr. Joseph Meloche, Superintendent receive the 1st place Social Media, Schools Communications Award for Cherry Hill School District.
— Provided photo

communications programs with a special reception held recently at Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, N.J.

These school districts have communications programs in the categories of print and electronic collateral that the professional communicators in New Jersey use for the product they develop “that go above and beyond to disseminate important messages to their various stakeholders,” states Lori Perlow, NJSPRA president.

The awards this year recognized a highly competitive contest with a record of 64 submissions from 34 different school districts.

There were awards for eight categories: Marketing, Branding, Image; Newsletter; Media Relations – Human Interest; Photography; Social Media; Special Interest Publication; Video; and Website.

“The video category had the most submissions, which supports the need for school districts to utilize multiple channels in their communications,” Perlow states.

An esteemed panel of judges, including professors from Rowan University, and other industry experts across the county judged the submissions for the 2019 School Communications Awards.

The first to third place winners in the eight categories for the 2019 School Communications Awards are:

Electronic Newsletter    

1st Place – Piscataway Township  Schools

2nd Place – Linden Public Schools

3rd Place – Perth Amboy Public Schools

Marketing, Branding, Image 

1st Place – Camden County Educational Services Commission

2nd Place – Sparta Township Public Schools

3rd Place – South Bergen Jointure Commission

Media Relations – Human Interest

1st Place – Pine Hill School District

2nd Place – Roselle Schools

3rd Place – Linden Public Schools

Photography

1st Place – Waterford Township School District

2nd Place – New Brunswick Public Schools

3rd Place – Linden Public Schools

Social Media

1st Place – Cherry Hill Public Schools

2nd Place – Hunterdon Central Regional High School

3rd Place – Bloomfield Public Schools

Special Interest Publication

1st Place – Morris School District

2nd Place – Piscataway Township Schools

3rd Place – Freehold Regional High School District

Video

1st Place – Warren Township Schools

2nd Place – Mercer County Technical Schools

3rd Place – New Brunswick Public Schools

Website

1st Place – Camden County Educational Services Commission

2nd Place – Perth Amboy Public Schools

3rd Place – Westfield Public Schools

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NJSPRA hosts responsive School Safety Communications Symposium

BURLINGTON TWP., N.J. – Responding to recent school tragedies, the New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA) is building trust in the school systems through “honest

From left: Paul Minoff, a father of two survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS shooting; with Jeff Gale of NJDOE office of School Safety and Preparedness; and Scott Newgass of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement speak at the NJSPRA – School Safety Communications Symposium in Burlington recently.
— Provided photo

 

communications.”

Two weeks ago, the NJSPRA took action by hosting and event called, “School Safety Communications Symposium: The Parent Perspective,” at Burlington Township High School Performing Arts Center, where 75 New Jersey school administrators attended.

A parent name Paul Minoff, who is the father of two survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy that took place in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, 2018, spoke at the event.

Minoff said, “It is critical to those who put their trust in the school systems for education to also be able to trust that the school officials will properly communicate with them.”

He continued to say that, “thorough and honest communication is key.”

Joining Minoff on the dais, were other supporters such as Jeff Gale from New Department of Education’s Office of School Safety and Preparedness and Scott Newgass of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement.

Also, joining via video conference from Minnesota, was Rick Kaufman, a school communications professional who was among the first-responders to triage victims during the Columbine High School tragedy that occurred in April, 20 years ago.

The symposium informed and educated school administrators on the best practices related to school crisis communications.

“Schools that are willing to take the perceived or imagined risks of communicating difficult information are usually rewarded by the appreciation and trust of their community,” said Newgass.

Leading the panel was Alicia D’Anella, Esq. of the Comengo Law Group who also sponsored the event.

D’Anella commented that, “Developing a communications strategy that anticipates the needs of stakeholders is an essential component of risk management. Districts that are prepared to communicate responsively, rather than reactively, provide leadership, reassurance and healing to their communities.”

Other co-hosts of the event were Burlington Township Public School District and the Camden County Educational Services Commission.

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Perlow leads N.J. schools’ new communications initiative

CLEMENTON, N.J. – With educational institutions facing safety, security,

Lori Perlow is manager of public relations and communications at Camden County Educational Services Commission.
— Provided photo
and mental health crises, Lori Perlow is managing a new communications initiative to address these issues locally.

Therefore, the Camden County Educational Services Commission (CCESC) recently introduced public relations and communication services to New Jersey’s public and private school districts, as well as to higher education institutions.

In order to establish this strategic effort, the CCESC has hired Perlow, a seasoned school communications professional and president of the New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA).

Perlow states that, “Between my years of experience and my commitment to helping schools improve and increase their communications, I’m confident that this initiative will be a success.”

Perlow has 20 years of marketing communications experience in the private, non-profit and public sectors.

She is one of four in the United States to receive the 2017-18 Front-Runner Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). Perlow has also won several NJSPRA awards.

A provider of shared services to school districts for nearly 40 years, CCESC has responded to the challenges of school district administrators who must be prepared for high-quality, proactive and reactive information exchanges with their stakeholders.

“Public relations planning along with timely and effective communications are critical for school districts,” says Daniel Del Vecchio, superintendent of the CCESC.

He continues that, “However, staffing with this skill set is not practical. Our shared service will provide school leaders an opportunity to consult with an expert and execute a customized, cost-effective campaign.”

That is why Perlow works directly with school districts and higher education institutions to provide them with a wide range of offerings including crisis communications, media relations, website design, marketing/branding, recruitment, social media, community relations, establishing partnerships, internal communications, and more.

As a result, school administrators can now focus on students’ achievements, safety and security while placing district communications in the hands of trained professionals.

However, states such as California, New York and Pennsylvania have provided school communications services through a shared-service model for decades, and New Jersey will now follow suit.

For more information, contact Lori Perlow, manager of public relations and communications at CCESC at LPerlow@CamdenESC.org, or 856-784-2100 x121.

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NJSPRA announces new officers to share critical school districts information

TRENTON, N.J. — Whether it’s news about students participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition, or an unexpected crisis on school premises, the New Jersey Schools Public Relations Association (NJSPRA) is prepared to disseminate that information to the public.

To fulfill this responsibility, NJSPRA recently held its annual meeting in Trenton, where it announced its newly elected officers for 2018-19, who include school communications professionals, supervisors and superintendents.

Lori Perlow of Cherry Hill, Communications Manager at Camden County Educational Services Commission.
–Provided photo

“Our members play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of their respective school districts,” says Lori Perlow, NJSPRA president.

“Between the ongoing need to share the good news happening in our schools and the unexpected crises that we’re faced with, our members are always prepared to effectively communicate critical information on behalf of their districts,” she says.

Thus, the new NJSPRA officials are:

– Lori Perlow, president (2-year term). She is communication manager at Camden County Educational Services Commission.

– Nancy Dries, treasurer (2-year term). She is the communications coordinator at Millburn Township Public Schools

– Kia Bergman, secretary. She is the outreach coordinator at Hillsborough Township Public Schools.

– Daniel Alston, vice president. He is the supervisor of innovation, design and communication at Middletown Township School District.

– Sarah Bilotti, vice president. She is the superintendent of North Warren Regional School District

– Maren Smagala, vice president. She is district communications coordinator at North Hunterdon – Voorhees Regional High School District

– Nicholas Diaz, superintendent advisory committee. He is superintendent of Union Township Schools (Hunterdon County)

– Judy Palermo, chair. She is the public information officer at Piscataway Schools.

In addition to the elected officers, Diaz will also lead the newly formed superintendent advisory committee, and Palermo will chair the new sponsorship committee.

The NJSPRA is a state chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). It is nationally recognized for its efforts on behalf of school public relations professionals. Members represent school districts and independent public relations agencies throughout New Jersey.

For more than 25 years, NJSPRA has provided professional development, resources and support in all facets of communication to education communities throughout New Jersey.