WDMCS Recognized at Iowa School Public Relations Association Awards Ceremony (04/30/23)

April 30, 2023 | Each spring, the Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) hosts a conference and awards dinner. School districts across Iowa are invited to submit work for consideration, with public relations professionals from different states judging the annual contest.

This year, the School/Community Relations department was recognized for all nine entries submitted. Six of the entries received a Blue and Gold Award, which means they received a 100% score from the judges. The following entries received this highest recognition at the April 13 ceremony:

Three of the six entries were tied to our HERE Campaign.

1. Category: Branding/Image Package
   Entry: HERE! A Multifaceted Outreach Campaign to Combat Chronic Absenteeism. The entry includes RAYGUN t-shirts, posters, videos, postcards, Google slides presentations, newsletters, and the large graphic banner at the LRC.

2. Category: Video Series
   Entry: HERE! Campaign video series, featuring students and staff sharing why they choose to be “HERE” 

3. Category: Advertising
   Entry: You Belong HERE! Open Enrollment Marketing Postcard Campaign

4. Category: Excellence in Writing
   Entry: Nobody Likes the Crust — Yet

5. Category: Social Media
   Entry: Valley High School Homecoming Week (Instagram, FB)

6. Category: E-Newsletter
   Entry: We are ALL WDMCS family/staff newsletters
   We are ALL WDMCS: March 2023: 14,538 visitors; sent to 19,035
   We are ALL WDMCS: Nov. 2022: 16,539 visitors; sent to 17,760
   We are ALL WDMCS: Sept. 2022: 15,773 visitors; sent to 17,721 

In addition to the six Blue and Gold awards, we received three Awards of Excellence:

1. Category: Video Short
   RISE Mural Unveiling

2. Category: Video Long
   Celebrating Superintendent Dr. Lisa Remy

3. Category: Excellence in Writing
   Student-Driven “RISE: Mural Unveiled

ISPRA is an organization of public relations professionals, superintendents, principals, teachers, and others interested in fostering understanding and support for education. ISPRA was established in 1960 and is a chapter of the National School Public Relations Association.

WDMCS School/Community Relations supports districtwide and school-specific communication, from weather alerts to student and staff success stories. School/Community Relations maintains the WDMCS website and social media, oversees the use of WDMCS brand material, and is dedicated to providing timely,  relevant information and resources to our district families.