News

If you have been preparing to earn accreditation in public relations (APR),  you may be wondering whether you can proceed during this time. The answer is yes!

The NSPRA Accreditation Committee, comprised of NSPRA members from various regions, has been in close touch with the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), which oversees APR Panel Presentations and the computer-based APR exam, and has continued to meet and plan ways that we can support you as you pursue your APR.

Sadly, we’ve had to cancel the NSPRA 2020 National Seminar in St. Louis. The safety and health of all who are involved with planning and attending the NSPRA Seminar was the overriding factor in making our decision. Our priority remains your health, safety and well-being.

NSPRA has compiled helpful tips, resources and news items to assist school communicators and administrators in communicating about coronavirus-related preparation steps, response efforts and emergencies.

At its meeting in March 2020, the NSPRA Executive Board adopted a resolution in support of a complete count in the U.S. 2020 Census. The resolution acknowledges that the Census has critical implications for public schools, students, families and communities.

Through this board action, NSPRA has resolved to:

A recent survey of National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) members found that more than 80% of respondents consider fake news an issue for K-12 public school systems today.

NSPRA staff will be working from our home offices. We plan to deliver business as usual as best we can without many disruptions.

The NSPRA National Seminar remains scheduled to take place as planned, July 12-15, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri.

As COVID-19 continues to impact the United States, school districts are working hard to communicate updates to their community about this evolving health emergency. Keeping staff, parents and the community informed of best practices, changing school schedules and state and local guidelines is a tall order when news changes so rapidly.

To support all school communicators and administrators at this challenging time, the National School Public Relations Association and Blackboard Inc. have teamed up to offer a helpful guide and a free webinar on coronavirus crisis communications.

NSPRA President Kelly Avants, APR, and Executive Director Rich Bagin, APR, are releasing the following joint statement to NSPRA chapter officers and members on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

We are writing today with important news for our NSPRA members. This week, after careful thought and consideration, Executive Director Rich Bagin, APR, has presented the Executive Board with notice of his planned retirement in mid-2021.

NSPRA’s Executive Board Search Committee (EBSC) is currently seeking candidates for each NSPRA Executive Board office that will become available in October 2020.

Those four offices are as follows: