JULY 23, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 SCHOOL DISTRICT PR PROJECTS CAPTURE

STATE AND NATIONAL HONORS

MARION COUNTY – Eight projects produced by the Public Relations Office of Marion County Public Schools have hit the state and national spotlight.The combined 11 honors come from SUNSPRA, the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association, and NSPRA, the National School Public Relations Association. Marion County’s Sunshine Medallion Awards from SUNSPRA were handed out last month in Tampa during the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA) annual conference. Twenty Medallion Awards were given to seven school districts.  Marion County captured five, second only to Orange County’s six.  Marion County’s wins were:

• 1^st place - “Be There” parent and community involvement campaign
• 1^st place - FASTfacts e-newsletter
• 1^st place - Attracting Attention magnet brochure
• 1^st place - 2011-12 School Calendar
• 1^st place - Classroom Connection TV program, Golden Apple episode

National awards from NSPRA were presented through the mail.  With 701 nationwide entries this year, Marion County received six honors:

• Golden Achievement Award – “Be There” parent engagement campaign
• Award of Merit – Parent Resource Guide
• Honorable Mention – Newcomer / Relocation Packet
• Honorable Mention – FASTfacts e-newsletter
• Honorable Mention – “Blame or Accountability?” op-ed writing
• Honorable Mention – Classroom Connection TV program, Golden Apple episode

Last year, the district received five SUNSPRA and four NSPRA awards. Since 2001, Marion County Public Schools has been recognized more than 60 times for its public relations programs by local, state, and national PR organizations.