INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

Press Releases/Media Advisories

• Major announcements, student and staff accomplishments
• Advertise upcoming events, programs and activities 
• Provide the community with an update of student and staff accomplishments, achievements and successes
• Advise meeting dates, school closings, and other important information

“Coming Soon”

• A collaboration of weekly school events, activities and programs sent to media and all BOE staff
• This important press vehicle allows media outlets an inside view of special events in our schools that are not typically attended by the media.   

 “Week in Review”

• A re-cap of all media stories for the week
• Important information and/or reminders for teachers and staff
• sent to all BOE staff

Quarterly Media Clips Book

• Monitor, track and compile all media stories and articles pertaining to  SCCPSS
• Books are produced quarterly and distributed to the Superintendent, key central office staff and board members

Media and FOIA Inquiries Tracking System

• Answer all media inquires from reporters and citizens
• Research requested information
• Coordinate interviews and obtain quotes from senior staff who can respond to inquires
• Receive and respond to all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
• All written requests must receive a written response within three business days

Public Relations Materials

• Highlights information about the district including informational ads both in print and on business websites
• List current statistics and facts about the district
• Links to important sections on the website
• Contact information for key central office staff
• Useful marketing tool – plan to distribute to:
  • Real estate companies
  • Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • YMCAs and other non-profit partners

Production of Monthly Board Meetings

• Record and produce monthly board meeting for broadcast on the City of Savannah’s Government channel.
• Maintain an archive of past meetings

Record and maintain copies of other meetings or information sessions at the request of senior staff

RECOGNITION PROGRAMS

Superintendent’s Student of the Month Program

• The Student of the Month Program recognizes individual students who have excelled in the area of academics, leadership and community service for all grade levels.

In partnership with Lifetouch Photography, Savannah Morning News and Wachovia Bank and WSAV, the selected students will receive media recognition and a monetary gift at the monthly board meetings

Special Events/Recognition Ceremonies

• Teacher of the Year
• Instructional Support Person of the Year
• District Awards Ceremony
• International Media Festival Awards Ceremony
  • Follow all state presented guidelines and timelines (where applicable)
  • Work to secure corporate sponsorship
  • Secure a site or venue to hold event  
  • Highlight each program in the media through TV and newspapers 

Create invitations, programs, certificates/awards  and all media advertisements

WEB COMMUNICATIONS

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

Business Education Partnership

·         The Communications Staff works in partnership with area businesses to develop a program and increase the number of business partners/education partnerships within the schools.

o        Attend business partnership meetings

o        Serve on business committees: the Chamber’s Project Workforce Group 

Publication Partnerships

·         Partnering with Morris News Agency to distribute Kidsville, a K-5 educational magazine to all K-5 children within the school system.

·         Partnering with Coastal Family Magazine to distribute this family-oriented magazine to all K-3 children within the school system.      

·         These partnerships provide beneficial informational avenues and educational resources to the school district at no cost to the school district. 

FOUNDATION

Savannah-Chatham Public Schools Educations for ALL Foundation

• Implementation of the foundation will generate funds for student and teacher programs, projects and awards ceremonies.
• Area business, corporations and banks will be able to donate funds to the school system through a non-for-profit 501c3 foundation

SPECIAL EVENT COORDINATION

In addition to the major recognition ceremonies, the Communications Department is responsible for the coordination and implementation of several other events and programs.

• Legislative Breakfast
• PTA Council Dinner Meeting 
• Back-to-School Showcase
• Contest announcement press conference (s)
• Community Engagement Task Force

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Facilitated the Community Engagement Task Force, a broad cross-section of community stakeholders that provided guidance on how to broaden the school district’s efforts to involve the total community and improve its services   
• Works through business and community resources to promote business partnerships, mentoring and tutoring
• Serves as the facilitator for community engagement initiatives, including PTA, PTA Council meetings and Parent University.

If you would like to contact the Office of Communications and Community Engagement with questions or comments, please call 912-395-5538.