Ascension Parish Public Schools recently earned five national communication awards from the National School Public Relations Association.
The school system was recognized with a Golden Achievement Award and four Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards, celebrating the district's achievements in school public relations, communication, marketing and engagement, according to a news release.
"We are incredibly excited and honored to receive national recognition for our Public Information Office," Ascension Public Schools Superintendent Edith M. Walker said. "Winning the prestigious Golden Achievement Award for our election campaign, along with four additional awards for digital and publication excellence, is a testament to the high caliber of work our team of communication professionals consistently achieves.
“We are thrilled that they have the skills and talent to share the stories of this great school district with such outstanding quality," she added.
NSPRA’s Golden Achievement Award recognizes exceptional strategic work in all facets of school communications. This award is given to districts that demonstrate excellence in creating and implementing comprehensive communication plans that engage stakeholders and promote public education, according to the release.
In addition to the Golden Achievement Award, Ascension Public Schools also received recognition through NSPRA’s Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards. These awards commend the district’s high-quality tactical materials, including publications, newsletters, videos, websites and social media content.
The district’s innovative and effective communication strategies have been instrumental in keeping the community informed and engaged, according to the release.
According to NSPRA, this year saw a record number of entries submitted across both award programs, highlighting the competitive nature of the 2024 awards.
The following are Ascension’s awards from NSPRA:
2024 Golden Achievement Award
Ascension Parish Public Schools, Donaldsonville, submitted by: Jackie Tisdell, public information officer; Danielle Evans, digital media coordinator; and Delia Taylor, consultant
Award Entry: Achieve Success Together Campaign
This campaign was for the renewal of three property taxes dedicated to funding salaries, technology, and facilities on March 25, 2023. The district's Public Information Office, in collaboration with Taylor Media Services, crafted a comprehensive communications plan aimed at engaging both internal and external stakeholders. Key messaging included the unwavering commitment to preserving academic excellence through strategic investments in people and resources. The campaign was successful with 81% of voters supporting all three millage renewals.
2024 Publications and Digital Media
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Category: Excellence in Writing; submitted by: Tisdell; Taylor Rubach, public information coordinator; and Evans
Award Entry: The Best of Both Worlds
This article in the 2024 edition of ASCEND magazine features the Early College Option program. The dual enrollment program with River Parish Community College allows students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate degree. One of the goals of the article was to show students can still participate in traditional high school programs like athletics while attending school on the RPCC campus, getting the best of both worlds.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Category: Video (produced with a contractor); submitted by: Tisdell and Anntoine Marketing, contractor
Award Entry: Ascension's Career Tech Program Recruitment Video
This video highlights some of the more than 50 different credentials that students can earn while still in high school in Ascension. Through images of students in unique classroom settings to interviews with recent graduates of the program, students get an introduction to these opportunities.
AWARD OF MERIT
Category: Social Media
Submitted by: Tisdell, Evans and Rubach
Award Entry: Education Support Professionals Social Media Campaign
This social media recognition for National Education Support Professionals Day spotlighted individuals from four integral noninstructional departments: Business Services, Human Resources, Planning and Construction, and Supply Chain. Through insightful interviews and striking photography, the aim was to illuminate the invaluable contributions these departments make to classroom education, allowing them to tell their stories in their own words.
AWARD OF MERIT
Category: Photo
Submitted by: Tisdell
Award Entry: Lead. Overcome. Educate. Serve.
This photo was taken during Lowery Elementary School’s celebration of achieving its highest School Performance Score to date, a 62, giving the school its first “C” grade. The photo also features a teacher wearing a shirt with the school’s motto: Lead. Overcome. Educate. Serve.