LA PLATA, Md.—Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) communications staff recently received awards for publications and multi-media productions from the Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Associations (CHESPRA).
The CCPS employee newsletter, School News,received an Award of Merit, the second highest award, in the Community Newsletter category. School News is produced twice a month for more than 3,400 staff members and features school system accomplishments, staff awards and special events and programs features. The publication is produced by Katie O'Malley-Simpson, director of communications, Shelley Mackey, communications specialist and Kara Gross, communications assistant.
The CCPS 2012-2013 Parent Handbook/Calendar received an Award of Merit in the Calendar category. The Parent Handbook/Calendar is created and distributed to students, parents, staff and community members with important dates, information on the school system and school procedures. The publication is produced by Katie O'Malley-Simpson, director of communications, Shelley Mackey, communications specialist and Kara Gross, communications assistant.
A video production produced for Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12, the school system's television stations, received an Honorable Mention, in the Video Production/Program category. The program spotlights lessons developed by the Space Institute and taught by three CCPS teachers. The lessons covered three content areas including geography, art and science. The program was produced by Kyle Graves, video production specialist for CCPS.
Each year, the CHESPRA chapter hosts a communications contest to recognize outstanding communications produced by school divisions and local schools in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia and to encourage CHESPRA members to evaluate and improve their communications.