Public Relations 101 Administrative Retreat Sandra Drum, Public Relations Officer August 1, 2012

Public Relations Department Who Are We? Sandra Drum, Public Relations Officer Peter Tepfer, Webmaster Mary Ann Moss, Administrative Assistant Announcing! Ashley Simmons, Asst. PR Coordinator

Public Relations Department The purpose of the Public Relations Department is to keep our customers (Internal and External) informed about the cutting edge happenings at NRMPS in a timely manner, using a variety of informational sources

Public Relations Department GOALS: Provide timely, clear information about district news, staff and student achievements, policies, school programs, finances, events and schedules Publicize successes of the district & our schools through traditional & electronic media

Public Relations Department GOALS: Allow people to share in and understand decisions made by the district, increasing community trust in the district & staff Ensure transparency in all decisions Increase parental and community involvement in schools, increasing student achievement

Public Relations Department Tools for the NRMPS Team: Media - liaison School News Communicator District Calendar – Staff Planners Effective, efficient website School Webmasters Customer Service Training Student/Parent Handbook

Public Relations Department Odds & Ends: United Way PERKS School Profiles EdTV Key Communicators Network Connect Ed

Who is the School News Coordinator? 1-2 contact persons selected by each principal to supplement PR & media with newsworthy items about school, department or office Innovative programs Human interest stories Personal accomplishments Special activities Awards

What is the Purpose of the School News Coordinator? To develop more news sources to inform community about the good things happening every day in our schools Liaison between school and PR Dept. to ensure adequate coverage of your school/department To increase public confidence in support of our schools To boost morale of students and staff Your person on the scene

NRMPS Website New & improved district site Efficient, effective, ease of use for our customers Timely information for parents, staff & community (beat the media!) School Sites…Up-to-date?...Webmasters Teacher sites! Feedback from you What works smoothly? What is a challenge?

Customer Service You are the Key! Does your school/department roll out the red carpet for everyone who comes in contact with your school?

Customer Service Respectful & Responsive Service= Student Success and Public School Advocates The atmosphere of any school is what the customer says it is.

Who are your customers? Colleagues, parents, teachers, students, volunteers, senior citizens, business persons, community members, faith-based partners Expectations are the same – Excellence!!

True Educational Excellence is possible only in an environment that promotes service and delivers excellence

A Customer Service Check List: Tips for Success

What do your customers want? Friendliness Understanding and Empathy Fairness – Just & impartial treatment Control – Customers need to feel they can have an impact on the outcome Options & Alternatives – other avenues available for them to get what they seek Information – Customers need & want information about policies and procedures

Our customers have choices! Shopping for school that best meet their specific needs Decisions frequently made by how they are welcomed by school environment and appearance as by test scores One bad experience can greatly harm your school’s reputation! Front liners – critical!!

What Can You Do? Clearly mark visitor parking spaces near the front door Well kept grounds free of debris and trash Plainly marked entrances, particularly main entrance Clean & appealing lobby/front entrance “Welcome to Our School” signs that clearly direct visitors to main office Attractive, colorful displays of student achievement and school events

What Can You Do? Clean & tidy front office Reading material about school available for visitors Welcoming & professionally dressed staff who greet visitors promptly & quickly offer assistance Visitor badges available Telephones answered promptly (3 rings max) & professionally

What Can You Do? Person answering phone has up-to-date information Callers promptly put through to appropriate party Voice Mail Pocket guide Customer Service Guide Staff Training – Call us! Source – Mary Ann Byrd

Public Relations Department Odds & Ends: Media Distribution of Materials United Way PERKS School Profiles EdTV Key Communicators Network Connect Ed

Thank you for your attention! Please let us know how we can be of assistance. We are here for YOU! Sandy Drum, , Peter Tepfer, , Mary Ann Moss, , Ashley Simmons, TBD