MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EARNS
NATIONAL RECOGNITION WITH PRESTIGIOUS HONOR

MIAMI – The American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), and The NTI Group have honored Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) as a co-winner of the 2008 Connect-ED Leadership through Communication Award. The award recognizes the District’s leadership and the Marketing and Public Relations teams for improved communication throughout the school district and communities. The NTI Group will donate $5,000 to the scholarship fund to be awarded to a student or students majoring in communications.

“This award acknowledges those who recognize that communication is a critical component of leadership and who exhibit an ongoing commitment to incorporating communications into strategic thinking and daily operations,” said RICH BAGIN, NSPRA Executive Director “Dr. Crew and his team have made engaging and communicating with every segment of the community a priority, as public engagement is a key component of their strategic plan.”

“I congratulate my colleagues on the Board as well as the gamut of stakeholders who helped craft a strategic plan that has set a clear and compelling vision,” said M-DCPS School Board Chair AGUSTIN J. BARRERA. “Community involvement plays a significant role in lifting the bar on academic excellence and providing critical resources to our schools.”

“As a large urban school district, we face many challenges, and keeping the public informed is a priority” said Dr. RUDOLPH F. CREW, M-DCPS Superintendent of Schools. “This award recognizes the District’s team effort in letting stakeholders know what it takes to ‘give our students the world,’ in the words of the District’s slogan, and engaging them to give what it takes. Truth is, it takes all of us, and this award acknowledges the dedication of our Board, teachers, staff, and administrators; the tenacity of our students; and the support of our parents, business leaders, and the community.”

Community leaders involved in the judges’ site visit last month praised the District’s approach to community engagement, a key factor in Miami-Dade’s win.

“Among the more important outcomes of good communication are greater sense of trust and joint mission,” said MODESTO ABETY, The Children’s Trust President and CEO. “We have invested nearly $24 million to programs operating in Miami Dade County Public Schools that help our students and our schools. We hear you. And, we believe.”

DAVID LAWRENCE, President of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation and former publisher of The Miami Herald said, “Under Dr. Crew’s leadership, M-DCPS has shown real progress. He is a collaborator with a hunger to bring people and resources together. We have learned to work together—joyously, energetically–for children, all children. Rudy Crew is at the heart of that.”

M-DCPS shares this award with the Hamilton (WI) School District.

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