From:Todd O'Shell
Sent:Friday, September 01, 2006 3:08 PM
To:'alexander, e'; 'anderson, j'; 'andreassi, l'; 'armato, j'; 'badams, j'; 'bagin, r'; 'baker, d'; 'ball, h'; 'barney, m'; 'bartley, m'; 'belcher, s'; 'belsak, h'; 'bernarding, b'; 'berzonski, b'; 'bisney, k'; 'bittle, p'; 'blake, j'; 'bollinger, m'; 'bonnar, c'; 'boren, j'; 'bower, m'; 'bradley, t'; 'briceland, r'; 'bruce, s'; 'bunnick, j'; 'campanella, d'; 'casello, d'; 'casper, j'; 'catherman, m'; 'check, d'; 'chopleck, s'; 'clark, d'; 'clautti, l'; 'cohrs, c'; 'connolly, c'; 'cooker, c'; 'costanzo, s'; 'cowburn, l'; 'crawford, p'; 'cummings, m'; 'curley, m'; 'curtze, m'; 'davies, d'; 'davis, m'; 'dawson, p'; 'deemer, r'; 'devlieger, l'; 'dininno, m'; 'dominy, b'; 'donohue, l'; 'dull, j'; 'eaken, p'; 'ebrel, m'; 'ed, j'; 'edwards, g'; 'ellenberg, c'; 'etter, s'; 'evans, k'; 'farnum, m'; 'feller, l'; 'flotta, v'; 'fox, p'; 'frey, d'; 'garber, a'; 'georges, j'; 'giannini, k'; 'gibbs, t'; 'gillmer, r'; 'graybeal, a'; 'greco, s'; 'greenawalt, l'; 'greth, l'; 'greto, j'; 'gruber'; 'gutherie, s'; 'haley, m'; 'harder, s'; 'harnish, a'; 'harrell, m'; 'hartman, l'; 'hartman, r'; 'harvey, j'; 'hathhorn, r'; 'hazen, j'; 'heiberger, l'; 'heintzam, j'; 'herr, k'; 'herrmann, m'; 'hershey, a'; 'hess, k'; 'hess, n'; 'higgins, d'; 'hillard, p'; 'himes, j'; 'hinish, t'; 'hippert, l'; 'holliday, a'; 'hood, j'; 'jamison, e'; 'jewett, b'; 'johnson, k'; 'jones, k'; 'kanagy, b'; 'kanof, a'; 'kaufman, k'; 'keeler, p'; 'kennedy, p'; 'king, s'; 'klein, m'; 'klibert, a'; 'kolenchak, t'; 'kolonay, d'; 'kopp, c'; 'kushner, t'; 'labanc, t'; 'lane, s'; 'lauer, m'; 'lauro, m'; 'leftwich, j'; 'leiphart, l'; 'lemon, s'; 'liberaski, c'; 'linch, a'; 'little, e'; 'lloyd, k'; 'long, j'; 'lorson, g'; 'makuta, k'; 'massar, e'; 'masullo, j'; 'mccaffert, d'; 'mcelroy, g'; 'mcgalla, n'; 'mcglone, p'; 'mchugh, s'; 'miller, a'; 'miller, f'; 'miller, j'; 'miller, s'; 'milner, j'; 'mischler, m'; 'mohn, k'; 'moore, v'; 'murphy, b'; 'new, b'; 'newell, k'; 'nichols, w'; 'norman, m'; 'novey, d'; 'noyes, d'; 'odenthal, n'; 'oelschlager, b'; 'oneal, a'; 'oshell, t'; 'oshell, t'; 'padula, s'; 'parkansky, j'; 'patton, w'; 'perotti, j'; 'pete, g'; 'peters, k'; 'phy, s'; 'pontz, p'; 'poore, d'; 'portser, t'; 'posner, m'; 'potteiger, c'; 'quinn, j'; 'raffel, l'; 'rapant, p'; 'rhoades, c'; 'rhue, j'; 'risha, p'; 'rismiller, k'; 'rometo, a'; 'rowe, r'; 'russo, l'; 'salatto, a'; 'sardon, j'; 'scott, w'; 'sensenig, b'; 'shank, t'; 'sherman, d'; 'shewell, s'; 'shingle, m'; 'simon, j'; 'sitter, l'; 'skrocki, s'; 'smith wood, l'; 'smith, d'; 'smith, h'; 'smith, k'; 'smith, l'; 'smith, m'; 'snyder, r'; 'spencer, s'; 'spotts, j'; 'stanfield, w'; 'stauffer, r'; 'stewart, d'; 'stockey, r'; 'szish, j'; 'tabachini, s'; 'tantillo, m'; 'tapper, g'; 'tedesco, r'; 'thomas, s'; 'thompson, s'; 'tourre, m'; 'turnquist, l'; 'vandrew, a'; 'veverka, c'; 'vojtko, t'; 'waber, p'; 'wallace, m'; 'weir, k'; 'witmer, g'; 'yorty, s'; 'young, d'; 'zablotsky, s'; 'zanella, c'; 'zaslow, n'; 'zastawniak, j'; 'zenewicz, e'; 'zimmerman, l'
Cc:''
Subject:September 1 e-Comm Alert
e-Comm AlertSeptember 1, 2006–Vol. 2, #1
A Weekly Bulletin of News and Notes for Members of the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association
PenSPRA…A Blue Ribbon Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association
Inside this week…
1.Welcome Back!
2.Friday e-Comm Alerts
3.Membership Information
4.Welcome New and Returning Members
5.Act 1 of 2006 Update
6.CSIU Job Opening
7.Translation Assistance
8.Renovation Information Request
1. Welcome Back!
Ready or not, the start of the school year is upon us! I’m looking forward to serving a second year as your President and continue the growth and expansion of PenSPRA as Pennsylvania’s leader in school communications. It’s an exciting year, as welcome the talents of our new Executive Director Patricia Kennedy and her staff as they guide PenSPRA into the future. As part of your membership, our statewide symposium, regional workshops, collaborative offerings with other organizations and new communication initiatives will assist with your professional development, knowledge of the many challenges in educational communications and provide communication tools ready to use for your school district or organization. Additionally, we will be working toward our continued growth with other state organizations, especially with the passage of Act 1 of 2006. Remember, help is just a phone call away with the extensive network of PenSPRA members ready to assist at a moments notice, one of the greatest benefits of being a PenSPRA member. Feel free to contact me directly throughout the year to voice your concerns, issues, provide feedback or ask any questions. Have a great year!
Todd O’Shell, PenSPRA President
2. Friday e-Comm Alerts
As in the past, e-Comm Alerts will be distributed each Friday to keep you informed of items impacting PenSPRA and the school communications field. Content will include state educational initiatives, communication topics and other items of benefit as you strive for communication excellence in your district or organization. The notes will be brief, informative and include website links, when available, for quick access.
3. Membership Information
Membership renewal applications were sent to all members via e-mail in June. If you haven’t renewed your membership application yet, please print and complete the attached membership application and mail it to: Patricia Kennedy, PenSPRA Executive Director, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120. A copy is attached.
4. Welcome New and Returning Members
Following are new members to PenSPRA or former members returning for 2006-2007. Welcome to PenSPRA!!!
Joseph Anderson, Director of Human Resources, Phoenixville Area School District
Dennis Baker, Supervisor of Communication, Policy, Data & Testing, Mechanicsburg Area School District
Bethany Bernarding, Public Relations Secretary, Baldwin-Whitehall School District
Julie Bunnick, Public Relations Specialist, Berks County Intermediate Unit
Dean Casello, Superintendent, Union Area School District
James Casper, Principal, West Campus, Berks Career and Technology Center
Mary Catherman, Public Relations Technical Specialist, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
Chad Cohrs, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Selinsgrove Area School District
Michelee Curtze, Director of Federal. Sate, and Non-Public School Services, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit
David Davies, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, Cocalico School District
Joy Ed, Manager, Communications and Public Relations, North Allegheny School District
Gail Edwards, Principal/CEO, Urban League of Pittsburgh Charter School
Susan Etter, Resource Development Manager, Center for Schools and Communities
Lisa Greenawalt, Principal, East Campus, Berks Career and Technology Center
Linda Greth, Director of Community Relations, Reading School District
Mimi Haley, Communications Specialist, West Jefferson Hills School District
Jeanne Harvey, Assistant to the Superintendent, Bellefonte Area School District
Jonathan Heintzam, Community Relations Coordinator, Wilson School District
April Hershey, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Cocalico School District
Nancy Hess, Communications Coordinator, Octorara Area School District
Patricia Hillard, Public Relations Representative, Bellefonte Area School District
Joseph Hood, Superintendent, Mechanicsburg Area School District
Kay Jones, Community Relations Coordinator, Conewago Valley School District
Scott King, Superintendent, Harmony Area School District
Mark Klein, Superintendent, Council Rock School District
Lindsay Leiphart, District/Board/Communication Services Coordinator, Columbia Borough School District
James Masullo, Superintendent, Bellefonte Area School District
Dina McCaffery, Public Relations Director, Lower Morland Township School District
Gloria McElroy, Business Manager/Board Secretary, Mercer Area School District
Virginia Moore, Director, Information Services, Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV
Bryan Murphy, Computer Technician/Network Administrator, Wellsboro Area School District
William Nichols, Assistant to Executive Director, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit
Michelle Norman, Director of Development and Communications, Lebanon School District
Dave Noyes, Superintendent, Phoenixville Area School District
Nan Odenthal, Community Relations Coordinator, Phoenixville Area School District
Stacy Pakula, Coordinator of Special Programs and Services, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
Patrick Risha, Superintendent, McKeesport Area School District
Ronald Rowe, Assistant Superintendent, Mercer Area School District
Janet Sardon, Director of Information Services & Technology Integration, McKeesport Area School District
Bruce Sensenig, Superintendent, Cocalico School District
Stephen Skrocki, Administrative Assistant for Financial Operations, Penn Manor School District
Harry Smith, Assistant to the Superintendent, Penn-Trafford School District
Martha Smith, Communications Manager, Quaker Valley School District
Shannon Spencer, Director of Public Relations and Community Development, Central Dauphin School District
Don Stewart, Superintendent, Penn Manor School District
Alan Vandrew, Chief Fiscal Officer, Mechanicsburg Area School District
Phil Waber, Superintendent, Wellsboro Area School District
Majorie Wallace, Executive Director, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit
Gerald Witmer, Assistant Director, Berks Career and Technology Center
5. Act 1 of 2006 Update
The 2006-2007 school year should prove to be interesting with the implementation of Act 1 of 2006 over the summer (see for more information). School districts are now required to reform their tax structure and all are in the process of establishing Local Tax Study Commissions, required for implementation by September 14th. Efforts have been underway over the summer by PenSPRA members, working in conjunction with PASBO, to provide communication tools to assist school districts with referendum and community engagement, to name a few. PenSPRA will be providing resources for your school district and organization with this new challenge, along with the many other communication issues throughout the school year.
6. CSIU Job Opening
Below is an advertisement for a Public Relations manager with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, along with a job description and official posting.
Public Relations Manager: Full-time position for large, complex education agency in central PA. Responsible for public relations, promotion, customer service, and legislative liaison. Requires Master’s degree in journalism, English or communications or equivalent combination of Bachelor’s degree plus 5-7 years education communications, public relations, education customer service and training; Extensive education and public relations experience; excellent writing, interpersonal, presentation and interpretive/analytical skills; desktop publishing software; editing; photography and design; and supervisory experience. Professional PR accreditation preferred. Submit 4 writing samples, resume, app., cover letter and references to CSIU, Attn: Jan Boyer- Human Resources, PO Box 213, Lewisburg, PA 17837, by 10/2/06. Applications at . EOE
7. Translation Assistance
We’re almost there – many of our colleagues are already translating newsletter, press releases, documents and their district website into multiple languages. If you need to make the occasional translation – check out this free website, “Free Online Language Translator”
8. Renovation Information Request
Member Linda Russo from Hollidaysburg Area School District is asking for information from school districts recently involved with a major renovation/expansion. If you have marketingmaterials used from the beginning of the process through the completion of the job, along with public meeting information to discuss renovation options, email them to Linda at .
If you have an item for e-Comm Alert, contact Todd O’Shell or Patricia Kennedy (contact information below).
Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association (PenSPRA)
Todd O’Shell, President – South Butler County School District, (724) 352-1700, ext. 1604
Jessica Long, Vice-President – Hempfield School District, (717) 898-5539,
Linda Andreassi, Secretary/Treasurer – Seneca Valley School District, (724) 452-6040,
Patricia Kennedy, Executive Director – Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3, (412) 394-5777,