News

As the jury deliberates in the trial of three men accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery, communities across the country are again preparing to digest a verdict with wide-reaching impacts.

Some education leaders may feel moved to share their school districts' perspectives with students, families and employees on important issues that could emerge from the verdict, including issues that could give rise to local protests or other civic action.

NSPRA is pleased to announce the four NSPRA Front-Runners for 2021-22: Krystyna Baumgartner, APR, Kristin Boyd Edwards, Julia Burgos and Anisa Sullivan Jimenez, APR. These association members were identified by the NSPRA Executive Board as emerging leaders who are doing outstanding work for their schools, their chapters and for NSPRA. Congratulations!

In her message to members this month, NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter, APR, reflects on the strength and resiliency of school public relations professionals, and expresses her gratitude to our members' ongoing commitment to excellence. 

NSPRA  recently welcomed Sarah Loughlin and Susan Downing, APR, as its newest staff members. Loughlin is the association's communications specialist while Downing will serve as NSPRA's communication audit coordinator. 

NSPRA is in search of a manager of Seminar, partnerships and programs. The successful candidate will be someone who is highly organized and skilled in relationship-building, conference planning and sales campaigns. The association's collegial and team-focused work environment will ensure professional growth and satisfaction.  

Major duties for the position include the following:

With the unanimous vote of the NSPRA Executive Board last July, School Communicators Day will now be officially celebrated on the second Friday in May beginning in 2022! The day will recognize the incredibly valuable work of school public relations professionals.

NSPRA has created a special logo to recognize School Communicators Day, set for May 13, 2022. Stay tuned for more information on the day later this year.

The National School Public Relations Association is seeking an experienced, versatile marketing manager. This position will provide marketing leadership and project management to ensure successful marketing of association membership, events, programs, services and products. It is based at NSPRA headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, with a one-day-a-week telework option. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

During the NSPRA 2021 National Seminar, 12 association members were recognized for earning their accreditation in public relations between July 2020 - June 2021. The six members present at the Seminar were invited to participate in a pinning ceremony during the Annual Meeting and Celebration of Achievement.  They also were invited to attend a special networking lunch with fellow APRs.

During its annual meeting at the NSPRA 2021 National Seminar in July, the NSPRA Executive Board affirmed by acclamation three new members. They are  Cathy Kedjidjian, APR, as president-elect; Phillip Campbell as Northwest Region vice president; and Cindy Warner, APR, as Southeast Region vice president. The new board members formally take office on Oct. 1.

This fall marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Memories of 9/11 are still vivid for many adults today, but current students in grades K-12 were not alive then and have no personal memories of the event.  That presents a challenge for school systems seeking to engage students in commemorating 9/11.