Des Moines Public Schools has earned multiple awards from the National School Public Relations Association for its communications and marketing work at Iowa’s largest school district. DMPS received ten awards in NSPRA’s annual Publications and Electronic Media Awards competition, including six entries earning an Award of Excellence, the highest honor in each category and the most ever earned by DMPS in a single year.
The district earned top honors for its new web site, weekly e-newsletter, blog, marketing materials, office branding, and a statement by the Superintendent in response to school shootings.
NSPRA also presented DMPS with awards for an article on the work of Central Academy students being featured in the ESPN web site FiveThirtyEight and for three different videos produced by DMPS-TV.
“From the accomplishments of our students and teachers to the schools and programs available in the district, our communications work is rewarding thanks to the great things that go on at Des Moines Public Schools each and every day,” said Phil Roeder, director of communications and public affairs. “While it’s an honor to have our work recognized by our peers from around the country, it’s a greater honor to be able to share the work of this school district.”
The following is a list of the awards earned in various categories by DMPS (with links to those items available online):
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
BLOG
- The DMPS Blog – News and Information on the Teachers, Students, and Schools of Des Moines
BRANDING/IMAGE PACKAGE
- Welcome to DMPS – Graphic Package For New District Offices and Enrollment Center
E-NEWSLETTER
- TheWeek@DMPS – weekly e-newsletter to parents, staff and community members
EXCELLENCE IN WRITING
- ”I Will Not Ask Them to Take Up Arms” – Statement from the Superintendent on school shootings
INTERNET/INTRANET WEB SITE
MARKETING PUBLICATION
- DMPS Program Cards – Information on various programs and opportunities at Des Moines Public Schools
AWARD OF MERIT
EXCELLENCE IN WRITING
HONORABLE MENTION
VIDEO
- Year One in Review – The Transition to Schools for Rigor at DMPS
- BLUE Contract – Building Leaders in Urban Education
- The Promise of Iowa – Profile of student BaiYu Fisher
In addition to Roeder, the DMPS communications team consists of Amanda Lewis, communications officer; Adam Rohwer, graphic/web designer; Mike Wellman, staff writer; and video/photography specialists Kyle Knicley and Jon Lemons.
NSPRA is a professional organization dedicated to building support and trust for education through responsible public relations that leads to success for all students. For more information about the organization, including a complete list of award winners from across the country, visit www.nspra.org