News

NYSPRA is excited to announce the results of the 2023 Executive Board election.

Congratulations to the following individuals!

• Michelle Verna, Elected Vice President/President-Elect

• Bonnie Russell, Elected Treasurer 

• Sapna Kollali, Elected Secretary

These officers will assume their positions on May 1, 2023. Michelle will serve for two years as vice president/president-elect and then assume the role of NYSPRA president on May 1, 2025.

Bonnie and Sapna will each serve a two-year term, from May 1, 2023-April 30, 2025.

Current Vice President/President-Elect Krystyna Baumgartner becomes president on May 1, while President Steve King will become immediate-past president. 

Bios can be found on each elected individual on our website  

Thank you for voting! We look forward to continuing NYSPRA's growth and offerings for our members

I am writing today with a Call for Candidates! We have three positions on the NYSPRA Executive Board up for election for two-year terms beginning May 1, 2023. The positions are: Vice President/President Elect, Treasurer and Secretary. A complete description of each position can be found below.

The Executive Board works collaboratively to make sure the work is manageable for all. As an all-volunteer board, we rely on the talents and generosity of our member-officers while being sensitive to the fact that we all have "day jobs."

And there are benefits, of course! NYSPRA covers the officers' registration fee for the Annual Spring NYSPRA Conference. To ensure New York is represented at the national level, the president also receives free registration and a stipend to attend NSPRA’s Annual Conference. Information about our current officers can be found here.

Should you decide to become a candidate for one of these positions, please contact Kiana Racha, NYSPRA Communications Coordinator, by March 31, 2023.

Please send Kiana your name, position sought, headshot and a brief bio.

The election will occur by online balloting between April 10 - April 14, 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact me directly at kbaumgartner@bayshore.k12.ny.us.

Sincerely,

Krystyna Baumgartner
NYSPRA Vice President/President Elect

Open positions on the NYSPRA Executive Board

All terms will run from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2025

• Vice President/President Elect – Performs all duties of the President in the event of the inability of the president to act; assists with the membership function; and assumes the office of president (2-year term) following completion of a term as President-elect (2-year term). Collaborates as an administrator for NYSPRA’s Facebook page and discussion group. S/he shall attend NYSPRA meetings, events and conference whenever possible. S/he shall be a member of the National School Public Relations Association. Remains on the board for two years after serving as President in the role of Immediate Past President.
• Treasurer – Keeps cash flow records using the fiscal year set by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA); prepares/provides any financial statements required by NSPRA and upon request of the Executive Board or membership; files appropriate information to IRS; receives and deposits revenues and disburse Chapter funds as approved by the President. The Treasurer also handles financial duties related to the annual communications contest, conference and membership drive (i.e., collects all fees/dues; issues invoices for purchase orders; disburses funds for services). S/he shall attend NYSPRA meetings, events and conference whenever possible. S/he shall be a member of the National School Public Relations Association.
• Secretary – Records and distributes meeting minutes; keeps records of meetings and may assist in handling Chapter correspondence and serves as a back-up administrator for NYSPRA’s Facebook page and discussion group. S/he shall attend NYSPRA meetings, events and conference whenever possible. S/he shall be a member of the National School Public Relations Association.

NYSPRA will hold its spring virtual business meeting on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 3 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Anyone interested in attending should email nyspra@nyspra.org for the Zoom meeting link.

View Agenda

NYSPRA is excited to announce the winners of the 2022 NYSPRA Annual Communications Contest!

One-hundred and thirty-eight awards will be presented for excellence in school communications work!

More than 50 communications professionals from across the country served as judges to evaluate the 408 entries in this year's contest. Winning work is recognized with the designations of "Excellence," "Honor" and "Merit."

View the 2022 award winners here.

The New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA) is thrilled to announce that Nicholas Filipowski, Director of Communications at the Williamsville Central School District, has been named our 2022 Communicator of the Year.

The Communicator of the Year award, which is being awarded for the seventh year, is meant to recognize school communications professionals who demonstrate a commitment to strengthening relationships between public schools and the students, families and communities they serve. The award honors those who recognize that communication and public relations are a critical component of school leadership.

“It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized as the Communicator of the Year,” Filipowski said. “There is validation in the work we do but also reaffirms there is still more to do to ensure that pathways for communication remain open, that we build upon the relationships in our school community, and continue to maintain the trust of our stakeholders.”

Since joining the Williamsville Central School District as Director of Communications, Nick's leadership and collaboration has propelled the district’s work to support public education and implement methods of communication via authentic engagement throughout the school community.

“Nick is thoughtful in how he approaches important ideas that need to be conveyed throughout the school community,” Daniel Wahl, principal of Transit Middle School said. “His disciplined approach provides time to discuss ideas with principals from each level, consider the various perspectives, and craft communications that resonate more deeply with all stakeholders providing more efficient, effective, and purposeful communication.”

With sensitive issues such as masking and vaccinations dominating headlines around the state and tensions rising from frustrated parents, Nick developed ways to continually shift positive energy and focus back on Williamsville students and staff. He developed monthly school spotlight videos, highlighting academic initiatives, mental health supports, and acts of kindness within the district. A different school was chosen each month and the videos premiered at the district’s Board of Education meeting, and then promoted on the district YouTube channel.

“Nick considers the role of public schools within the context of our greater society,” Wahl said. “He understands that schools are part of a broader ecosystem where teachers, parents, and students are living during a time when social, political, racial, personal safety, and public health concerns are at the forefront of their lives. Nick's approach to communication not only conveys information, but fosters a sense of trust and faith in our school district as an institution.”

He also developed videos for the district’s #Willpower campaign in which student leaders shared strategies for mental health and community unity.

“Because of Nick, our community is able to see public education in the best light possible – at a time when public education and educators are challenged – by parents or community members attempting to control the narrative or curriculum,” Williamsville superintendent Dr. Darren Brown-Hall said. “He embodies all of the attributes you desire in an awardee.”

“Nick has done a remarkable job in growing the Williamsville communications program and I couldn’t be happier to recognize his efforts and work with this distinction,” NYSPRA president Steve King said.

Filipowski was chosen by a panel of judges who work in school communications outside of New York state.

It was announced yesterday that for the fifth consecutive year, NYSPRA has been awarded a “Mark of Distinction” award from the National School Public Relations Association in the area of professional development/PR skill building.

This is a great honor for our chapter and I want to thank the NYSPRA board – Vice President/President-Elect Krystyna Baumgartner, APR, Secretary Sapna Kollali, Treasurer Jake Mendlinger, and Immediate Past President Adrienne Leon, APR for all their hard work in making this possible.

This past year has tested all of us – emotionally, mentally and physically. Working in School PR can often feel isolating, and yet, we had the good fortune to be able to come together on a number of occasions this year, whether it was one of our virtual learning sessions, or at our conference in Syracuse in March. The connectivity we have with one another matters so much, and it is something I am incredibly grateful for.

This accomplishment would not be possible without all of you. Without your involvement and engagement in our activities and events, NYSPRA would not be what it is today. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

As a board, we are excited to build upon the foundation that has been established and continue to deliver a professional development support program that meets your needs and connects you with colleagues around the state who “do what we do.” More great things to come.

- Steve

The New York School Public Relations Association 43rd Annual Communications Contest is now open!

Our annual awards recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement in educational communications. The awards continue to be one of the largest in the nation and provide both members and non-members with a time to shine and an opportunity to showcase exemplary communication practices.

Statewide awards provide recognition for outstanding work. They build a greater appreciation for the skills of school public relations professionals and promote a better understanding of the broad range of services rendered by those who have either full or part-time responsibilities for education-related communications.

Learn more about the NYSPRA Annual Communications Contest here!

Read about our Communicator of the Year program and considering nominating a colleague!

The deadline to enter is Friday, August 5, 2022, so don't wait!

NYSPRA will hold a spring virtual business meeting on Monday, March 21, 2022, from 4 –5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via zoom. Anyone interested in attending should email nyspra@nyspra.org for the link.

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The New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA) is pleased to announce that Ellen Lane, Communications Director at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, has been named the 2021 Communicator of the Year.

The Communicator of the Year award, which is being awarded for the sixth year, is meant to recognize school communications professionals who demonstrate a commitment to strengthening relationships between public schools and the students, families and communities they serve. The award honors those who recognize that communication and public relations are a critical component of school leadership.

Since her arrival at PNW BOCES in 2010, Lane, who oversees a team of 18, has embraced and pioneered 21st century communications tools, bringing mobile apps, digital communications, livestream captioning and live production video to BOCES and the districts it serves. She has also broadened the scope of the service turning it into a one-stop shop for all of a school district’s communications needs.

“As a former journalist, I decided long ago that if I worked in public relations, it would have to be for an entity or a cause that I believed in,” Lane said. “As a parent, I could not think of a more important cause than education. I was touched and delighted to receive this award because I have so much respect for my peers and the great work school public relations professionals are doing all across New York.”

Lane arrived at a time when school districts were feeling the effects of the 2008 recession and money was tight. She began by offering free workshops for school leaders with titles like: “How to Communicate on a Shoestring.” Lane met school districts at their level, built relationships and then respectfully led the way to improved communications.

“It’s important to be confident in your expertise and the importance of your role,” Lane said. “School communications professionals should not write curriculum and educators should not write press releases. I believe in being respectful but firm when giving public relations advice.”

She found economical and effective ways to raise a district’s profile and community engagement, but also demonstrated best practices that gave district leaders something to which they could aspire.

“In the Brewster Central School District, Ellen played a major role in branding the strategic plan by identifying the talented professionals to design logos, icons, and materials that supported the district’s plan,” former superintendent Valerie Henning-Piedmonte, Ed.D. said. “In this project, she was able to identify the unique needs of the district and align these needs to industry standards.”

Lane has worked diligently over the years to assemble a strong team with deep, broad expertise. Under her leadership, the team constantly strives to enhance its skills and deepen its understanding of school public relations.

“She has become more than just a supervisor to me,” Laura Belfiore said in her nomination letter. “She has been an inspiration and a mentor. She has assigned me the title of her ‘reverse mentor,’ noting new digital tools, trends and social media best practices she has learned from me. This humility and ability to embrace new methods of communication are additional attributes that do not go unrecognized.”

“We are so fortunate to have so many leaders in school communications around the state of New York, and Ellen is certainly in that category,” NYSPRA president Steve King said. “I’ve been fortunate to work with her over the years and I am thrilled to honor her with this award.”

In addition to her colleagues, several others submitted letters on behalf of Lane. Henrick Hudson Central School District superintendent Joseph E. Hochreiter commended Lane for her ability to lead the communications function.

“I can count on Ellen and the service to ensure that our district follows best practices for school public relations and uses the latest tools to reach our stakeholders. Her demeanor, confidence and resilience has played a large role in my professional success and the increasingly positive reputation of our school district.”

Lane was chosen by a panel of judges who work in school communications outside of New York state.

Join your NYSPRA family for a Virtual Awards Ceremony, honoring our 2021 Communications Contest winners! The ceremony will run on our NYSPRA Facebook page on Monday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. If you miss it at that time you'll be able to watch it afterwards on our page or website, nyspra.org.

For a complete list of 2021 contest winners, click here.