August 5, 2026

- NCSPRA President Featured in Publication

- A Free Back-to-School Webinar for Communicators

- A Special Request from GSPRA

- Fall Conference UPDATE, Hotel Registration

- Membership Renewal 2026-2027

- Blue Ribbon Awards UPDATE

Our very own NCSPRA President, Sheena Cooper was a guest writer in the summer issue of Apptegy's SchoolCEO. In the article, she shares what schools can learn from the hospitality industry. It's a great, in-depth article and you can read it here.

The first few weeks of school can reveal a lot about your communication strategy: Are families finding what they need on your website, in an email, or in your app? Or are they reaching out because they can't find answers? Our partners at Finalsite are presenting a webinar on Thursday, August 20 at 12pm where they'll explore the key signals every school should be watching this back-to-school season. They'll also discuss how your website, app, emails, and other channels can work together to create a better experience for your community. Be sure to reserve your spot by registering HERE.

Our friends and colleagues in the Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA) need our help! Each year, they are so willing to help us by judging our Blue Ribbon Award entries. Now it is time for us to help them. THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP!

If any of you would be willing to serve as a volunteer judge in the 2026 GSPRA contest, please let us know by adding your name to this list. The categories are below. A judge may take on multiple categories if desired and can reliably handle the workload.

We need judges' names and email addresses by August 14, 2026. The (tentative) judging window is September 2-18, 2026.

PLEASE consider helping out GSPRA. They always return the favor for us in the fall.

· Comprehensive, Strategic, Year-Round Communication Program

· Crisis Communication Campaign

· Bond/Finance Campaign

· Marketing Communication Campaign

· Public Engagement/Parental Involvement Campaign

· Internal Communication Project/Campaign

· Special Communication Project/Campaign

· Annual Report

· Audio Media

· Calendar

· Excellence in Writing

· Handbook

· Image/Identity Package

· Newsletter/Newspaper/Newsmagazine

· Photography

· Social Media

· Special Event

· Special Purpose Publications

· Videography

· Website

Registration continues for the 2026 NCSPRA/SCNSPRA JOINT FALL CONFERENCE! We can't wait for you to join us November 11 - 13 for some incredible professional development, fun activities, fellowship with colleagues and much more! Register HERE or click on the REGISTER NOW button.

The registration fee for NCSPRA members will be $225 for Early Birds (before August 28) and $240 after that. Non-member attendance is $300 for Early Birds and $350 after August 28.

The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Riverfront in Wilmington, NC! Special rates are being offered to NCSPRA members starting at $179/$199 per night.

You may now book your rooms! They have set up a special page just for NCSPRA. Make your reservations HERE. If you are a Hilton Honors member, be sure to sign in first.

Many district finance offices may require a Credit Card Authorization Form from the hotel. If so, you can download it HERE. Find out if your district requires it and fill it out now if needed. Not having this can cause a major delay at check-in. You can email the completed form to frontdesk@embassywilmington.com or the front office manager, Patrick.heckler@embassywilmington.com.

Invest in your future today! Be sure to renew your NCSPRA membership here.

As a new school year approaches, it's vital to make sure you're prepared for everything that comes your way. That means renewing your membership in NCSPRA! As an NSPRA Exemplary Chapter, NCSPRA will make sure you have the resources to respond to crises, controversies, mandates, public records requests, social media storms, legislative curveballs, funding cuts, enrollment challenges, attacks on public education, parent issues, and more. We also will make sure you get the recognition and support you deserve through our awards and scholarship programs. You won't want to face the year ahead without NCSPRA's support, resources, and expertise at your fingertips.

Even as our member benefits increase, our dues remain the same. Membership is only $125 for the first person from each organization, and $50 for each additional person. It's the best investment you can make to ensure that you and your colleagues are ready to face the challenges ahead.

Next year's Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, February 12, 2027 at the Guilford County Schools Community Education Center. Once again, a special thanks to GCS for their generous offer to host us!

Do you have colleagues in neighboring districts who should join NCSPRA? Tell them about us! We want our chapter to be not only the best, but the most active in the country! Share details with those who may not be part of our chapter, but who could benefit from the camaraderie and professional development. Tell them to sign up here.

NCSPRA is an Exemplary Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). For five consecutive years, NCSPRA has been honored with the prestigious Mark of Distinction Award for delivering outstanding professional development to members and to school PR professionals throughout the country.