The Houston Independent School District’s Communications Department picked up 25 Star Awards, as well as a Platinum Award Certificate of Merit and three Crystal Commendation Certificates of Merit, during the 2018 Texas School Public Relations Association Annual Conference in Frisco.
“We have a team of highly qualified individuals who are committed to doing exceptional work that supports and informs our schools and communities,” said HISD Communications Chief Rebecca Suarez. “It takes teamwork and dedication to tell the stories of HISD in an effective and compelling way, and I couldn’t be more proud of our department.”
Every year, the TSPRA honors school districts for their excellence in print, electronic, and visual media communications. HISD was awarded 15 Gold Stars (four deemed Best of Category), seven Silver Stars, and three Bronze Stars. HISD also earned three Crystal Commendation Certificates of Merit, as well as the Platinum Award Certificate of Merit for its year-long communications project on Recapture.
“I’m so proud of the work our Communications team does for the district, including keeping our parents, students, and staff constantly updated with important information as well as telling the personal stories that make our district rich and diverse,” said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza. “These awards reflect the quality and hard work of this department.”
A panel of independent judges evaluates each submission and determines the awards based on criteria set by TSPRA. School districts were judged among three separate district categories: less than 10,000 students, 10,000 to 30,000 students, and more than 30,000 students. HISD is the largest school district in Texas with approximately 214,000 students.
The 2017 HISD TSPRA awards include:
Platinum Award Certificate of Merit
- Recapture and HISD
Crystal Commendation Certificate of Merit
- Video Portfolio
- Photography Portfolio
- State of the Schools Partnership Special Event
Gold Star Award
- Brochure: Elementary School Survival Guide
- Calendar: 2017 State of the Schools Planner
- Program: 2016-2017 Educators of the Year Program
- Handbook/Manual: Recapture Toolkit (Best of Category)
- Writing: State of the Schools Graduate Features (Best of Category)
- Published News or Feature: National Disability Employment Month Feature Series
- Photo Sports: Lamar Texans High School Football Game
- Photo Other Subjects: Graduate Dreamer
- Photo Academic: Student Jazlyn Cruz Loves Her Books
- Video Promotional/Marketing: Invest In Me Promo (Best of Category)
- Video Training/Instructional: Employee OnBoarding Video
- Video Live Event Non Sports: Live “Listen and Learn” with Superintendent Richard Carranza
- Computerized Presentation: Superintendent Carranza Shares Report on Listen & Learn Tour (Best of Category)
- E-newsletter external: HISD’s Guide to Summer
- Marketing Campaign: Marketing Plan of Selection and Introduction of New Superintendent
Silver Star Award
- Video News Package: Special Ed Parent Summit
- Video General Interest: Graduate Yemile Bazaldua is going to Harvard
- Advertisement: Teacher Recruitment Billboard
- Flyer: Recapture Flyer
- Poster: Barbara Jordan Career Center Recruitment Poster
- Non English Speaking: Houston ISD: Secondary School Survival Guide
- Logo, Trademark, Symbol: Friends of HISD
Bronze Star Award
- E-Newsletter Internal: Weekly Teacher Download
- Social Media Campaign: Power of Public: Student Stories Exemplify Public School Success
- Video News/Information: Weekly News Segment – Edúcalos