Quick PR Ideas

The reputation of your middle school—and middle level education—is affected each and every day by how members of the school family communicate. Here are some practical, low-cost, proven public relations ideas that have worked in schools everywhere. Determine which might work best for you based on your needs and resources and give one or more a try. Remember when you implement ideas like these you are developing public support for your school and middle level education.

Most fax cover sheets have a great deal of unused space. Turn yours into a communicate vehicle that promotes your school. Start a column headed "What's Right with (insert your school's name) and feature a number of short student awards, staff achievements, and other successes. Change the listing at least monthly.

Themes can communicate what people can expect from your school. If you don't have a meaningful theme, get one. Then look for every possible place to use it-school newsletters, home page of a school web site, lunch menus, report cards, calendars, school letterhead, and even envelops since more people see the envelop than the letter.

Establish a peer-tutoring program where students from your school work with youngsters from feeder elementary schools. Many parents are nervous about their child enrolling in a middle school. Demonstrate the positive nature of your students to help alleviate this fear. Middle school students can read, assist with science experiments, help with mathematics concepts, and work on physical education skills with elementary youngsters.

Encourage your PTA or PTSA to sponsor a "Get to Know X Middle School—It's a Great Place to Learn" night at feeder elementary schools. Invite the elementary parents to the meeting and have your parents explain the value your school provides students. Encourage questions. Your parents can deliver a highly credible message to other parents.

Create a program where your students teach senior citizens computing skills. Email can help seniors keep in touch with their family and the world, but many of them aren't confident using computers. Your students can teach them the basic skills. Students might also play computer games with seniors and write them occasionally. Let seniors know that the school can serve them.

Exercise can be important to older people, but frequently they don't have a place to walk, especially in very cold or hot weather. Some schools allow residents to walk in their hallways before and after school for exercise. Consider arranging such a project with the senior center in your community.

Create a place in your school where successful graduates are recognized. Include their photo, the year they graduated and a short description of their accomplishments. Be sure the "wall" is in a prominent place where visitors to the school will see it. Accomplishments might include being a student body officer at high school, being the lead in a high school play, being named a winner in a state or national competition, earning a major college scholarship, and much more.