The ESD 112 communications team, through its partnership with local school districts, was awarded 18 state public relations, marketing, graphic design, social media and website awards – including five “Best in Category” winners and five “Awards of Excellence” – at the 2020 Washington School Public Relations Association’s (WSPRA) awards ceremony.
WSPRA received more than 270 submissions for this year’s program, which recognizes outstanding communications and creative work for school districts and education associations. The awards program is broken into two divisions: districts with more than 10,000 students and districts with fewer than 10,000 students.
“WSPRA award winners represent the very best in communications work for school districts in Washington,” said Monique Dugaw, executive director of the Communications & Public Engagement team at ESD 112. “We are both humbled and proud to have received this level of recognition by our peers, and we are thankful that school communications professionals across the region continue to trust the ESD 112 team to support their communications efforts.”
From bond and levy materials, to annual report writing and design, to rebranding and crisis communications, ESD 112 provides communication services for school districts of all sizes, including many small school districts that would not otherwise have the resources for a communications program. Among the 18 awards ESD 112 received, eight were projects for school districts with fewer than 10,000 students.
“Equalizing educational opportunities, including opportunities for communications supports, is central to the mission of ESD 112,” said ESD 112 Superintendent Tim Merlino. “I am very proud of our communications team for their award-winning work and commitment to serving districts large and small.”
The majority of awards were for projects that were created in collaboration with many of the school districts that ESD 112 supports and works side-by side with on a daily basis.
“We are especially thankful for the strong partnerships we have with our local school districts,” Dugaw said. “When the talent and expertise of school district teams join forces with the ESD 112 communications team, the results are incredible.”
Awards Received
Best in Category – Perfect Score:
- Kelso School District, Hilander Highlights – Print Newsletter (enrollment less than 10,000)
Best in Category:
- Battle Ground Public Schools – Annual Report (enrollment MORE than 10,000) – ESD 112 supported the graphic design for this project
- Educational Service District 112, Secure Your Cannabis Prevent Campaign – Special Purpose (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
- Longview Public Schools, Parent Guide – Special Purpose (enrollment less than 10,000) – ESD 112 supported the graphic design for this project
- Washougal School District, Washougal Rising – Branding/Image Package (enrollment less than 10,000)
Award of Excellence:
- Camas School District – Annual Report (enrollment LESS than 10,000)
- ESD School Communications Collaborative (ESD 112, 123, 105, 189, 114), Bond & Levy information – Public Relations Campaign (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
- Kelso School District, 2020 Levy Campaign – Public Relations Campaign (enrollment LESS than 10,000)
- Longview Public Schools – Annual Report (enrollment LESS than 10,000) – ESD 112 supported the graphic design for this project
- Port Angeles School District, 2020 Capitol Levy – Finance (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
Award of Merit:
- Battle Ground Public Schools, High School Course Catalog – Special Purpose (enrollment MORE than 10,000) – ESD 112 supported the graphic design for this project
- Educational Service District 112, Child-directed learning is key in early childhood education – Writing (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
- Educational Service District 112, Spero Program – Branding/Image Package (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
- Kelso School District, Protest Response – Public Relations Campaign (enrollment LESS than 10,000)
- Yakima Public Schools, Reimagine Yakima – Public Relations Campaign (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
Honorable Mention:
- Educational Service District 112, Climetime Climate Science Learning Network – Public Relations Campaign (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
- Educational Service District 112, Preschool inclusion beneficial for all, not just those with special needs – Writing (enrollment MORE than 10,000)
- Hockinson School District, Increasing community engagement via Facebook – Social Media (enrollment LESS than 10,000)
Congratulations to the ESD 112 Communications Team: Monique Dugaw, Heidi Barnes, Melissa Burt, Laura Martin, Nick Shanmac, Amelia Holmes, Allison Klump, Mary Rentzel and Karl Parker.
