Texas School Public Relations Association - TSPRA Newsletter Issue 3 for Web

Learn more
about Celebrate
Texas Public
Schools events.
Find answers,
and solutions
with TSPRA,
the most respected
organization of
school public
relations professionals
in the state
of Texas.
How do I handle
the Media during
a crisis?
Where can
I learn to be
a more effective
communicator?
Where do I network with others in school communications?
What resources
are available
to support my
school district
or foundation?

Announcements

2013 CTPS Video Contest finalists named

Judges have selected the regional finalists for the 2013 Celebrate Texas Public Schools Video Contest, sponsored by Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union. Statewide winners will be announced during the week of May 13. Click here to see the list of regional finalists.
Submit nominations for the 2013 Key Communicator Award

It's time once again to submit nominations for the 2013 Key Communicator Award, sponsored by SchoolMessenger. Full nomination guidelines and a list of past winners can be found here. The deadline for nominating someone for the award is Monday, June 17.
TSPRA Star Award recipients announced

♦ Link to the press release
♦ Link to the Winner's Booklet 4MB

How to order:
♦ Duplicate Certificates
♦ Duplicate Medals
Evan Smith of the Texas Tribune receives TSPRA Media Award

♦ Link to the press release
♦ Link to the acceptance speech on YouTube
♦ Photo of Evan Smith
2013 Chapter Awards announced at TSPRA annual conference

Professional Achievement
Debbie Graves Ratcliffe
Most Valuable Member
Karen Adler
Rookie of the Year
Britta Gamino
Bright Idea
San Marcos CISD
Read the story

March 4, 2013
2013 Conference Photos
February 26, 2013
Star Award Winners Booklet
February 26, 2013
New CTPS Website

March 22, 2013
Like TSPRA on Facebook
August 1, 2012
2012 Key Communicator
posted in Awards
November 29, 2012
EduLege Update
posted in Newsroom

GOOD TO KNOW

Words to Delete from Press Releases

We all know how important it is to avoid jargon in our writing, but it's not easy to banish corporate-speak from press releases and blog posts. We want our communications to be clear, concise, and not sound like they were written by a focus group with a thick thesaurus.

Look for better words than bland constructions such as "end-user," "value-added" and "mission-critical." Try substituting "use" for "utilize," "outcomes" for "deliverables," and "expandable" for "scalable."

All the contacts and connections in the world don't mean anything if your audience can't understand your message. Watch your vocabulary to make it easier for them.

- Becky Gaylord, Gaylord LLC