Breakout Learning Sessions Announced!

The breakout learning sessions for Friday, March 13, have been announced. Participants at the conference will have a chance to attend two of the following sessions:

“Broadcasting Your Message Through Podcasting”

Description –The traditional tools of communication remain relevant, but not as relevant as in the past. Print media, television news, and radio are all facing problems reaching an ever-fragmenting audience of constituents that a school district must reach. Podcasting is one of the forms of new media that can help reach a new generation of listeners. In this session you will explore how school districts can utilize podcasting to get your messages across, while also learning the best techniques to easily and effectively create them.

Facilitators - Tom Burton (Administration-Cuyahoga Valley Middle School), Margaret Bierman (PR-Bedford City Schools), Lisa Riegel (PR-Delaware Area Career Center)

2. “Keeping Your Troops Motivated in Tough Times”

Description - How to inspire your staff and strengthen staff morale even in the midst of tough economic times.

Facilitators – Debbie Alberico (PR-Middletown City Schools) and Julie Powell (SPONSOR – Metrics Marketing)

3. “Navigating the Social Network Obstacle Course”

Description – While even the Pope has called social networking a “gift for all humanity,” there are problems and concerns faced when utilizing the internet as a tool for marketing and communications. Many negative situations have developed within school districts related to the use of these social media tools. This session will discuss the potential problems that could arise and look at how to overcome them. Which social medium is right for your district’s communications and marketing plan?

Facilitators – Shane Haggerty (PR-Ohio Hi-Point Career Center) and Patti Grey (PR-Ohio Dept. of Education)

4. “Cleaning up the Mess Hall”

Description – Share the challenges that your district has faced and how you have met these challenges head on.

Facilitators – Ellen Ondrey (PR-Chardon Local Schools) and Melissa Fowler (PR-Dayton Public Schools)

5. “Generations”

Description – Every generation has its own way of communicating - whether it is smoke signals, postal pigeons, letters or email. With the rise of social networks, You Tube, chat, text messaging etc - we see new trends and thus a new "language" which raises the question - "how should you communicate– remember we were not all born in 1956!

Facilitators – Patti Koslo (PR-Nordonia Hills City Schools), Lee Cole (PR-Pickerington Local Schools) and Kari Basson (PR-Kettering City Schools)

6. “Facing the Media Who Are Entrenched in Social Media”

Description – You’re on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and You Tube. You’re embracing social media to publicize your school district and accomplish your communication goals. But where are the reporters who cover your schools? Are there newspapers, radio, and TV stations using the same social media to deliver your news to their audiences? Can you reach the reporters and help them cover your schools using the same social media tools? Tips and ideas for doing just that.

Facilitators – Chris Celek (Former Managing Editor for Cox Ohio Publishing’s Community Newspapers) , Jenny Birtle (PR-Mad River Local Schools) and Erika Daggett (PR-Sycamore Community Schools)