District 181 Earns National and State Honors for Communication Pieces

District 181 has earned several awards for communications projects in the 2012 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Electronic Media Awards Program. NSPRA competition included more than 800 entries from public and private schools across the country. The district’s Summer School brochure earned an Award of Excellence, as did the two-pocket folder given to all families. The 2011-12 Annual Report and Blue Ribbon Schools campaign entry each earned an Honorable Mention Award. Now-retired former Director of Communications Rita DuChateau and Assistant Audrey Galvin submitted the entries. “You are one of a select group of winners, and we congratulate you and the leadership of your district for being a leader in school communication,” NSPRA Executive Director Rich Bagin said in a letter to District 181.

In the statewide Communications Contest sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of NSPRA (INSPRA), District 181 again earned several recognitions, including an Award of Excellence for the Annual Report and Awards of Merit for the Buildings and Grounds Podcast in the Audio/Video category (co-earned with Director of Technology Eric Danley) and The Lane School’s Blue Ribbon campaign.

“The contest is a chance to recognize the best of the best,” said INSPRA President Carla Erdey, Director of Communications for Consolidated High School District 230.  “Additionally, the judges provide feedback so those who submitted entries can learn and improve, which is a central purpose of INSPRA.” Judge comments on the Annual Report included the following remarks: “The overall design of the piece is very nice and promotes the professionalism of your district. Your choice with the visuals is nicely done and speak volumes about the great things your district is doing.”