WORCESTER – Wednesday, June 26, 2024 – The Worcester Public Schools (WPS) received three national awards this month from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) that recognized the district’s improved communications efforts.
The WPS Communications Office received the Golden Achievement Award for its three-month communications campaign about annual school enrollment, and two Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards for showcasing student and staff accomplishments, along with district news, through social media and Worcester Educational Access Television (WEA-TV).
“Since the Communications Office was launched last year, the Worcester Public Schools has greatly enhanced the sharing of important and uplifting information for scholars, families, staff, and the community,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent. “Effective communications contribute to a greater culture of engagement and belonging, and leads to families being better informed with important information about our schools. It is wonderful to be recognized at the national level.”
The Golden Achievement Award recognizes outstanding strategic work in all aspects of school public relations, communications, and engagement.
The Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award recognizes outstanding education publications, newsletters, videos, podcasts, websites, social media, and more.
WPS was recognized for the following:
Golden Achievement Award: WPS received the Golden Achievement Award for its enrollment campaign from December 2023 to February 2024, which included an extensive redesign of the enrollment page of the WPS website that included moving more enrollment processes online, a welcome video, and posters about enrollment with original photography of WPS students that were taken and designed by the Communications Office. The posters were placed on social media and on Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) public buses, and shared with community partners. The award recognized the collaborative efforts of the Communications and Family and Community Engagement offices, along with several other departments.
Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award — Merit: WPS received the Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award — Merit for its “WooStars” social media campaign that recognizes an outstanding student or staff member each week. Since WooStars was launched last fall, the Communications Office has received 104 nominations for staff and 64 for students — more than could possibly be featured in one year. The student nomination form is tied to the district’s Vision of a Learner framework.
Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award — Honorable Mention: WPS received the Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award — Honorable Mention for the Claremont Academy episode of the student-hosted WPS News that aired in January. The WPS News was launched last fall with a new episode each month that is hosted by students from a different high school. Each episode features a segment called “Ask the Superintendent” in which the students conduct an interview with Dr. Monárrez. The newscast airs in its entirety on WEA-TV Spectrum 191 and online. The individual stories are additionally displayed on social media and in the district’s ParentSquare weekly newsletter.
Last December, NSPRA recognized Dr. Monárrez as one of 25 “Superintendents to Watch” nationwide for her commitment to communications and family engagement.